Shrek vs. Blazing Fire

Round 6 of the Preliminary Tournament, center stage.

As soon as the host announced the names of the two academies, cheers erupted from all four stands. Shrek had won all five of their previous matches, and Blazing Fire Academy was equally undefeated. One academy boasted a twelve-year-old Soul Emperor and a ten-thousand-year-old fourth-ring Soul Master, while the other was a veteran powerhouse among the Five Elemental Academies. The match had been packed with people since the draw was completed.

The seven people Shrek Academy sent were Tang San, Yuan Yu, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.

On the Blazing Fire Academy's side, Captain Huo Wushuang stood at the very front. Huo Wu was in the center of the group, with two Fire Crane Soul Master, Huo Yun and Huo Yu, positioned on either side. Behind them were two Fire Star Support-type Soul Master, and the remaining Fire Leopard Soul Master stood side by side with Huo Wushuang.

Before going on stage, Tang San had already watched the first five rounds of the Blazing Fire Academy's matches twice. Huo Wushuang was responsible for the front line, while Huo Yun and Huo Yu blocked the air. The two Fire Star Soul Master continuously amplified their abilities, and Huo Wu was the core of the entire team.

As long as she remains on the field, the Blazing Fire's formation can be reassembled at any time.

Yuan Yu's task was simple: suppress Huo Wu and prevent the Ring of Resistance from pushing away all of Shrek's melee fighters at once. Tang San was responsible for taking down the two support characters, while Dai Mubai and the others held off the remaining opponents.

Once they were in position, Huo Wu's eyes immediately fell on Yuan Yu.

"Level 68?"

He was level 62 when he registered. After just five rounds of the Preliminary Tournament, he has already advanced several levels. If Shrek is given more time, before the competition is even over, he may very well reach the threshold of Soul Sage.

Yuan Yu did not conceal his aura, and six God-given Spirit Ring rose up one after another.

"He was just promoted yesterday."

Huo Wu raised her chin. "Then let me see just how strong level 68 is."

The Referee stood between the two teams, raising his right hand.

"The match begins!"

Seven students from the Blazing Fire Academy simultaneously released their Martial Soul.

A phantom of Single-Horned Fire Tyrannosaurus emerged behind Huo Wushuang, its thick Dragon Scales covering his shoulders and fists. Huo Yun and Huo Yu unfurled their Fire Crane wings, and the two took to the air. The Fire Shadow behind Huo Wu swelled in the wind, its four Spirit Ring standing out clearly in the crimson light.

The two support-type Soul Master at the rear were the first to make their move.

Clusters of tiny Fire Star flew forward, landing in the bodies of Huo Wushuang, Huo Wu, and the two Fire Crane Soul Master. The flames of the four of them surged simultaneously, and waves of scorching heat pushed towards the Shrek Academy's position.

"As planned."

Blue Silver Grass quickly spread out beneath Tang San's feet.

Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda also rose in her palm.

"The Nine Treasures Have Names: First: Strength; Second: Speed; Third: Soul; and fourth, defense!"

The amplifying light descended simultaneously, Dai Mubai charged towards Huo Wushuang. The two clashed head-on in the center of the arena, the White Tiger Claw and Dragon Fist striking in succession, each punch accompanied by a muffled explosion.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing circled around from the left and right, their target being the back row of the Blazing Fire Academy.

Huo Yun and Huo Yu were already waiting in the sky.

Two pairs of Fire Crane wings flapped simultaneously, and a large amount of Huo Yu fell diagonally, completely blocking the two paths on the left and right. Xiao Wu leaped upwards on the Blue Silver Grass, her body passing between the two lines of fire. Zhu Zhuqing was even faster, her Hell Stab flashing several times along the ground, her black figure already close to the Fire Star Support Soul Master.

"Third Soul Skill, Ring of Resistance!"

Huo Wu Dancer pushed her hands outwards.

A ring of Fire Ring spread out from beneath her feet, sending Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu flying backward simultaneously. The Fire Ring did not burn either of them, but the powerful thrust disrupted the rhythm of the attack.

Huo Wu didn't stop.

The Fire Shadow behind her raised its arm, and a solid fireball bypassed the front row, heading straight for Tang San.

Tang San stood still, the Blue Silver Grass weaving into a net to shield himself.

The fireball exploded, completely engulfing the deep blue grass leaves in flames. Just as the Blazing Fire Academy members were about to give chase, the burning Blue Silver Grass emerged from the fire, leaving not even a scorch mark on its leaves.

Huo Wushuang's pupils contracted.

"His Blue Silver Grass is not afraid of fire!"

Having consumed the Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Tang San's Martial Soul was difficult to harm from ordinary flames. The restraint measures prepared by the Blazing Fire Academy failed, and Blue Silver Grass surged up from the ground, entangling the two support-type Soul Master.

Several academy team leaders in the VIP seats sat up straight. Plant-type Martial Soul are usually afraid of fire, and Blue Silver Grass is notoriously fragile. Tang San's few blades of grass moving back and forth in the fire have overturned many people's judgment of Blue Silver Grass.

Salas opened the document in his hand and added another entry after Tang San's name.

Huo Wu's third Soul Skill lit up again, and the Ring of Resistance smashed through the grass.

Just as the ring of Fire Ring spread, Yuan Yu moved.

Wind Pattern first appeared on the scabbard. He leaped more than ten meters in one step, his White-Clad passing through the waves of fire, the Sun Wheel Blade still in its scabbard, the scabbard already pointing towards Huo Wu's shoulder.

Huo Wu took half a step back, and her Second Soul Ring lit up.

The Fire Shadow behind her blocked her attack with his arm.

The scabbard struck the Fire Shadow, and the Rock Force traveled along her arm into the ground. The stone slab beneath Huo Wu's feet cracked with a snap, and she slid back several steps. Huo Yun and Huo Yu swooped down from the sky, and two long beaks of Fire Crane stabbed at Yuan Yu from the left and right.

Yuan Yu loosened the hilt of the knife.

The Sun Wheel Blade dispersed into six Elemental Light Streams in mid-air, the Fire Crane's long beak piercing through them, only scattering a few wisps of water. Five zhang away, the six streams of light regrouped, and Yuan Yu caught the hilt of the blade, turning around in the process.

"Water Breathing - Third Form, Flowing Dance"

The clear stream circled around the blade, and the Huo Yu falling from the sky was carried to both sides by the water. Water and fire collided, and a large white mist enveloped the center of the arena.

Zhu Zhuqing used the white mist to advance again.

Huo Wu only heard the sound of wind from her right, and pushed the Ring of Resistance in that direction. The next moment, Ning Rongrong's speed boost flashed past from the left, and Zhu Zhuqing had already appeared behind the two support Soul Master.

The Nether Slash.

Fire Star flew as the two barely managed to block the first blow, but were still thrown towards the sidelines by the shockwave. Xiao Wu landed from mid-air, kicking both of them in the shoulders, sending them off the playing area.

The Blazing Fire Academy's support team first reduced the number of two members by one.

Ma Hongjun laughed loudly on the other side, "Even the support players who play with fire have to be afraid of me!"

The Fire Leopard Soul Master punched him, sending him staggering three steps back.

"Take care of yourself first!"

Ma Hongjun rubbed his chest, and his fourth Spirit Ring lit up immediately.

"You're right."

Flames suddenly erupted from the ground, lifting the Fire Leopard Soul Master into the air.

Ma Hongjun spread his wings and chased after them, accompanied by Phoenix Flame.

"Phoenix Sky-Shaking Strike!"

The Fire Leopard Soul Master crossed his arms in front of his chest, but was still blasted more than ten meters away by a punch, rolling several times after landing before coming to a stop.

On the other side, Dai Mubai and Huo Wushuang had already reached the edge of the arena. The White Tiger Vajra Transformation faced off against the Single-Horned Fire Tyrannosaurus, neither of them backing down, and the air around their fists rippled with each punch.

Even with only four members remaining from the Blazing Fire Academy, they were still able to maintain their formation.

Huo Wu looked around and then clasped her hands together in front of her chest.

The light from the first, second, and third Spirit Ring simultaneously converged on the fourth Spirit Ring. Huo Wushuang, Huo Yun, and Huo Yu immediately returned to her side, pouring all their own flames into the ever-brightening Fire Shadow.

Tang San's expression darkened.

"Ring Fusion."

Above Huo Wu's head, a white fireball slowly rose.

The temperature on the ring rose sharply, and even the Referee who were closest to it retreated to the edge.

Huo Wu raised her eyes; sweat was already beading on her forehead.

"Yuan Yu, take this!"