Feng Xiaotian vs. Tang San
Huo Lei looked at Shui Bing'er and found her gazing at him with a pleading look, mixed with a hint of longing.
Huo Lei smiled slightly, "Only defending and not attacking, that's interesting. Do you keep your word?"
With a serious expression, Shui Bing'er raised her right hand, extending three fingers to the sky, and solemnly declared, "I swear to the heavens, if I, Shui Bing'er..."
"Alright, alright! No need for that, I trust you." Huo Lei interrupted Shui Bing'er directly.
Shui Bing'er was taken aback at first, clearly not expecting Huo Lei to agree so readily. But then her face lit up with joy, and she said softly, "Thank you, then it's settled. Goodbye."
Watching Shui Bing'er walk quickly away, Huo Lei muttered to himself, "She really is an interesting girl."
Not long after Huo Lei returned to the barracks, Huo Wushuang returned as well, curiously asking him about Shui Bing'er's purpose in coming. Huo Lei told her the truth.
Huo Wushuang asked, somewhat puzzled, "They certainly have a unique idea, but why do they do it this way? Judging from your decision to appear last, they could win a few matches in a one-on-one situation."
Huo Lei smiled and said, "They know they will lose but they still fight. This is to protect the reputation of the Skywater Academy. As one of the Five Elemental Academies, it would be a bit shameful to admit defeat to another elemental academy directly. This way, I can only defend and not attack, so I can't harm Shui Bing'er. They can completely preserve their strength and not delay their participation in the Grand Finals. This is a great idea to kill two birds with one stone."
Huo Wushuang suddenly understood and exclaimed, "Now that you mention it, I understand. Following the normal one-on-one procedure, both sides are bound to suffer some injury. This way, all potential risks are avoided. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! I wonder who at the Skywater Academy came up with such a brilliant idea."
Huo Lei smiled but remained silent.
Huo Wushuang suddenly looked at Huo Lei with concern and asked, "Huo Lei, do you think they might be trying to trick us? You can't afford to make any mistakes; we need to win all the Promotion Round."
Huo Lei smiled reassuringly and said, "Brother, don't worry. Faced with absolute strength, she won't have any chance. Tomorrow, I'll talk to Teacher Xie Chong. Just wait and see the show."
Huo Wushuang looked at Huo Lei solemnly and said, "Then it's settled. You can't be careless. Our Blazing Fire Academy can't afford to lose face like this."
"Understood." Huo Lei nodded emphatically.
The thirteenth round of the Promotion Round tournament proceeded smoothly. For most colleges, the rankings in the Promotion Round were already determined, and they began to hold back in the last few matches to ensure that their team members did not get injured, in order to prepare for the Grand Finals.
Blazing Fire Academy appeared early today, and the match went smoothly. Xie Chong had arranged five people, but only Huo Wushuang, Huo Yun, and Huo Yu appeared, yet they still defeated the opposing academy.
The first six matches of the day had already concluded, and the last match, which was also the most anticipated, was scheduled for the end: Shrek Academy versus Godwind Academy.
When Tang San Feng Xiaotian entered the arena from different directions, the various academies watching the match erupted in an uproar.
Huo Wushuang looked surprised and glanced at Huo Lei beside him, whispering, "Huo Lei, these two academies sent out their strongest fighters at the same time, and both were the first to appear. Could they have planned this in advance?"
Huo Lei smiled and nodded, saying, "Perhaps."
Huo Wushuang turned his head to look at the competition field and muttered, "They're all pretty smart."
Huo Wu looked at Huo Wushuang expression. "Brother, what were you and Huo Lei talking about?"
"It's nothing." Huo Wushuang gave Huo Wu a sweet smile.
Neither of them walked quickly into the arena, and both stopped when they reached the designated competition area. They looked at each other, but neither spoke.
"Both participants may now unleash their Martial Soul," the referee announced.
"Tang San, vice-captain of the Shrek Academy Team, a level 42 Control System Battle Soul Ancestor, with the Martial Soul of Blue Silver Grass."
During Tang San's self-introduction, he had already released his Martial Soul. Two yellow, one purple, and one black Soul Ring spiraled out from under his feet, and a vine emitting a blue halo emerged from his right palm—his Martial Soul ring, Blue Silver Grass.
"Feng Xiaotian, captain of the Godwind Academy Team, level 44, Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor, with the Martial Soul of Gale Two-Headed Wolf."
Feng Xiaotian was no slower than Tang San. After introducing himself, he also released his Martial Soul. Four Soul Ring, two yellow and two purple, pulsed and floated from his body. At the same time, accompanied by a sharp whistle, a layer of faint blue light surged from his body. As the blue light surged, his body rapidly expanded. Most strangely, a blue wolf head emerged from his left shoulder.
Feng Xiaotian stared at Tang San. "I'm twenty-four years old this year. When I Martial Soul Awakening at the age of six, I Innate Full Soul Power. All my achievements today are the result of accumulating strength bit by bit. I admire your strength. But today I must defeat you. For our Godwind Academy and my teammates, and for the person I love."
Tang San smiled calmly and remained silent.
"The match begins," the referee announced.
The two players moved almost simultaneously on the field.
Feng Xiaotian's body accelerated instantly, rushing straight towards Tang San, leaving an extremely long cyan shadow behind him, his speed was incredibly fast.
The moment Feng Xiaotian lunged forward, his First Soul Ring lit up, sharp wolf claws shot out from his palms, and his piercing gaze locked onto Tang San. Before he even arrived, his wolf claws had already swung out, and ten semi-circular cyan wind blades, accompanied by a piercing sound of air being torn apart, attacked Tang San.
"First Soul Skill, Wind Blade Formation!"
Tang San moved his feet lightly, and as he charged forward, his body moved quickly, swaying east and west, easily dodging the wind blades that were originally impossible to avoid.
At this moment, Feng Xiaotian and Tang San were less than five meters apart.
Tang San did not use his Soul Skill, but instead stretched out his hands to grab Feng Xiaotian.
Feng Xiaotian also didn't use any Soul Skill, but instead slapped at Tang San with his wolf claws.
Tang San's fair, jade-like right hand clashed with Feng Xiaotian's right hand. Feng Xiaotian flipped his wrist, and his sharp wolf claws had already grabbed Tang San's palm.
The wolf's claws drew sparks across Tang San's palm, but failed to leave a single mark.
"Tang San's cheat codes are all really useful. If it weren't for his Mysterious Jade Hand, he probably would have been crippled by Feng Xiaotian's wolf claws by now." Huo Lei sighed with a hint of annoyance.
Feng Xiaotian was surprised to see that Tang San's palm was unharmed, but it did not affect his attack on Tang San. His First Soul Ring lit up again.
Five wind blades erupted instantly, striking Tang San's Mysterious Jade Hand, producing a series of metallic clanging sounds and sparks flying.
The two separated instantly, Tang San Feng Xiaotian retreated simultaneously. Just then, a Blue Silver Grass silently spread towards Feng Xiaotian.
As soon as Tang San landed, he sprang up again, using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and charged towards Feng Xiaotian.
Feng Xiaotian was shocked, but his reaction was incredibly fast. He retreated sharply, instantly creating distance between them. Tang San's attacks and the Blue Silver Grass 'Entanglement all missed their mark.
As Feng Xiaotian retreated, his Second Soul Ring and Third Soul Ring lit up simultaneously.
"Second Soul Skill, Twin Wolf Possession!"
"Third Soul Skill, Gale Twin Wings!"