Blazing Fire Academy vs. Shrek Academy (Part 1)

Huo Lei smiled and said, "It's finally my turn to fight. During the match, the other six of you can engage the Shrek Team first. If you win, I won't need to make a move. If you can't, I'll give them a powerful blow. Oh, and let me make this clear: before I launch my attack, I'll raise one hand and shout, 'Fall back!' Once you hear that, return to my side as quickly as possible."

Huo Lie asked somewhat doubtfully, "Why?"

"Just do as I say. You'll understand when the time comes." Huo Lei gave a mysterious smile.

Huo Wushuang looked at Huo Lei. "Huo Lei, if you're fighting, one of the original seven has to be removed. Who are you planning to replace?"

Huo Lei did not answer Huo Wushuang. Instead, he looked at their team instructor. "Teacher Xie Chong, what do you think?"

"Well... students, I'll be frank. Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu definitely have to participate; their strength is right there for all to see. With Huo Lei joining, the team's overall strength will increase greatly, so we can remove one support. Therefore, Huo Chui and Huo Jun, you brothers should discuss which one of you will step down." After hesitating for a moment, Xie Chong finally voiced what he was thinking.

The brothers Huo Chui and Huo Jun exchanged looks. Huo Chui said, "We're about equally strong, so let my younger brother Huo Jun go."

Xie Chong nodded. "Good, then it's decided. Huo Lei will replace Huo Chui and fight against Shrek Academy."

At that moment, however, the atmosphere in Shrek Academy's hotel room was unusually oppressive.

Not a single member of the Shrek Academy Team spoke, because they had all reviewed the Blazing Fire Academy Team's information.

Yu Xiaogang held a detailed introduction to Blazing Fire Academy in his hands, his expression clearly grave.

"I suggest you forfeit the match against Blazing Fire Academy. Aside from the seven members Blazing Fire Academy has already fielded, there is another called Huo Lei who has never appeared before. The information shows that Huo Lei's martial soul is flame. He is seventeen this year, and his strength has already reached a terrifying rank fifty-six. He is a genuine Soul King, more than ten ranks higher than Dai Mubai, the highest-ranked among you. That's terrifying! Even without this member named Huo Lei, Blazing Fire Academy is already very difficult to handle. If Huo Lei takes the field, you have no chance of winning. Sometimes, a necessary concession is also a very good strategy."

After hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Tang San could not help falling into thought.

"Teacher, I've decided. We'll still fight as normal. Even if they have a Soul King, it doesn't mean we have no chance of winning. If we retreat whenever we encounter difficulties, we'll never become stronger." Tang San spoke with complete resolve, without the slightest hesitation.

Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Good. We'll do as you say. I believe you'll do very well."

Shrek Academy had gone from complete obscurity to ten consecutive victories, and its reputation was growing ever greater. Flender seized the opportunity to produce and sell a large number of green team uniforms. Pursued by fervent fans, they quickly sold out, earning him a fortune. A green craze had already swept through Heaven Dou City.

Before the match had even begun, the stands were already bustling with excitement. At least one-third of the audience wore the green team uniforms representing Shrek Academy.

Walking at the front of his team, Huo Wushuang sighed. "This Shrek Academy really knows how to do business. They're taking advantage of the hype from the Shrek Team's ten-match winning streak to wildly sell merchandise related to them."

"That color is truly disgusting." Huo Wu's eyes were filled with disdain.

Huo Lei stood at the back of the team, smiling without a word.

At that moment, the Blazing Fire Academy Team and the Shrek Academy Team stood facing one another, waiting for the match to begin.

The seven members fielded by the Shrek Academy Team were: Dai Mubai, rank forty-four; Tang San, rank forty-three; Xiao Wu, rank thirty-nine; Tai Long, rank thirty-eight; while Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu were all rank thirty-five.

The referee walked to the center. "Both sides, line up and salute."

The fourteen competitors formed two rows and saluted each other.

Dai Mubai's gaze met Huo Wushuang's.

Tang San's gaze swept past Huo Wu before finally settling on Huo Lei. Huo Lei happened to be looking at Tang San as well. Before the match had even started, the scent of gunpowder had already filled the air between their exchanged stares.

Huo Wushuang glared at Dai Mubai. Their gazes clashed fiercely as he said in a low voice, "Today is the day your winning streak ends."

Dai Mubai replied calmly, "That's what I was going to say. Today, one of our two teams will no longer be able to maintain its winning streak."

Huo Wushuang shifted his gaze to Tang San. "What a pity. If your control-system soul master weren't of the plant type, you might still have some chance. But now... I advise you to forfeit. At least then you can conserve your strength for the next match."

Dai Mubai merely sneered without speaking.

"You may release your martial souls." The referee's voice rang out again. In an instant, light flared across the central arena.

Intense Soul Ring radiance filled the entire arena. Both sides possessed optimal Soul Ring configurations.

At that moment, the spectators erupted in cries of surprise, because they saw five Soul Rings light up around one member of the Blazing Fire Academy Team, while a cluster of red flames rose from his right hand.

Huo Lei instantly became the focus of the entire venue. Even the immensely popular Tang San seemed dimmed by comparison.

When the Shrek Academy Team saw the five perfectly configured Soul Rings light up around Huo Lei, all their expressions turned grave.

On the VIP platform, Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Kasas were all deeply shocked.

The various academies in the stands reacted the same way.

Jin Shan and Lin Yin, seated among the spectators, wore smiles on their faces.

The referee also showed a trace of surprise, but quickly retreated to leave space for the match. Both teams immediately resumed their formations.

Huo Wushuang stood at the very front of Blazing Fire Academy's formation, with Huo Yun and Huo Yu on either side. Huo Jun stood in the center as support, Huo Wu and Huo Lie positioned on the flanks, and Huo Lei at the rear.

On Shrek Academy's side, Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Huang Yuan stood at the front. Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Jing Ling occupied the center, while Jiang Zhu stood at the rear.

"The match begins." At the referee's command, both teams moved at once.

Huo Lei, however, was different. Not only did he not attack, he even withdrew his martial soul. He stood motionless where he was, a smile still on his face.

Huo Lei's unusual behavior sparked a wave of discussion among the audience.

"Why is that Soul King just standing there? Does Blazing Fire Academy think it can defeat Shrek Academy with only six people?"

"Could this Huo Lei just be all show?"

"..."

Dai Mubai suddenly stepped forward, causing the entire arena to tremble. Huang Yuan and Tai Long followed close behind. Carrying overwhelming momentum, the three charged toward their opponents together. Yet a slender strand of Blue Silver Grass was tied around each of their waists.

Boom— At that moment, flames surged from all six members of Blazing Fire Academy simultaneously. The fiery red glow filled half the competition arena with scorching heat.

As the team's support, Huo Jun immediately lit up his Soul Rings. Flecks of fire burst from his body, and countless tiny red points of light in the air rapidly gathered toward them. As the red motes converged, the sparks swiftly grew larger. One dazzling spark after another shot into his teammates' bodies, causing the flames around the other five to blaze even more fiercely. Huo Jun did not strengthen Huo Lei.

After receiving their teammate's enhancement, Huo Wushuang and Huo Lie charged forward without hesitation.