Holding Out Until the Incense Burned Down

The incense had burned more than halfway down.

All seven Shrek fighters were running low.

Dai Mubai's arms were still numb.

Ma Hongjun was losing Soul Power fastest, and his Phoenix flame stream was much weaker than at the start.

The old wound on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder had reopened slightly.

Ning Rongrong's lips were pale, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda still rested steadily in her palm.

Oscar had already handed out most of his sausages.

Xiao Wu had tried to break through several times, only for Yu Feng and Osler to drive her back.

Tang San stood at the center, sweat beading on his forehead.

They hadn't won.

But they hadn't fallen, either.

The Imperial Fighting Team remained steady.

Ye Lingling stood at the rear. As long as she was on her feet, Imperial Fighting could keep wearing them down.

Ash fell from the incense little by little.

The shouts from the stands had changed, too.

At first, the crowd had called for Imperial Fighting to finish it quickly.

Now, many had begun counting down.

"How much longer?"

"Less than half an incense stick!"

"Can Shrek hold on?"

No one was asking why Myriad Phenomena hadn't taken the field anymore.

The seven onstage had made this exhibition match worth watching.

Qin Ming heard those voices, his feelings mixed.

He had brought Imperial Fighting out to face opponents beyond their usual circle.

Shrek weren't the only ones learning a lesson tonight.

Yu Tianheng looked at Dai Mubai.

"Still standing?"

Dai Mubai rose.

"Come find out."

Yu Tianheng charged again.

This time, Tang San didn't let Dai Mubai meet him head-on.

Blue Silver Grass sprang up beneath Dai Mubai's feet and pulled him aside.

Yu Tianheng's lightning struck empty air.

Xiao Wu leaped in from the flank and used Waist Bow.

Yu Tianheng reacted instantly, swinging his right arm back to block.

Xiao Wu couldn't throw him.

But she stopped him for a moment.

In that moment, Zhu Zhuqing closed in on Dugu Yan.

Dugu Yan gave a cold snort, and her serpent shadow curled back.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't press the attack. Her claws grazed Dugu Yan's sleeve, forcing her a step back.

Dugu Yan's eyes turned cold.

Few agility-type fighters her own level ever got this close to her.

And Zhu Zhuqing's level was below Imperial Fighting's main fighters.

But Zhu Zhuqing knew exactly what she wanted.

She didn't chase a wound or linger to fight. She only needed Dugu Yan out of position.

Only then did Dugu Yan realize it.

Tang San had seen the role she played in their formation.

Ma Hongjun's flame stream immediately cut off her route back.

Another gap opened in Imperial Fighting's formation.

"Now!"

Blue Silver Grass shot out from every direction.

Ye Lingling still wasn't the target.

The grass went for everyone's feet around her.

The Shi Brothers were bound for half a breath.

Osler and Yu Feng were slowed as well.

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu turned toward Ye Lingling together.

Shrek poured nearly all their remaining Soul Power into this coordinated push.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda flashed again and again in Ning Rongrong's hand. Her face was frighteningly pale.

Oscar shoved the last Recovery Sausage into Ma Hongjun's hand.

Ma Hongjun held the sausage between his teeth, but his Phoenix flame stream never broke.

Tang San's Blue Silver Grass snapped and regrew. Small cuts had appeared across the backs of his hands.

Dai Mubai stood in Yu Tianheng's path and refused to give an inch.

This was their last chance.

Ye Lingling raised her hand, and the Nine-Hearted Begonia's light descended.

She wasn't injured, so the healing had no reason to take effect yet.

But the flower's image had already come to rest before her.

As long as she didn't fall, Imperial Fighting's defense hadn't been broken.

Xiao Wu reached her first.

Ye Lingling retreated.

Zhu Zhuqing's claws followed close behind.

Yu Tianheng tried to fall back and defend, but Dai Mubai blocked him.

"Your opponent's here."

Dai Mubai's voice was hoarse, but he stood firm.

Yu Tianheng looked at him, his fighting spirit truly ignited.

"Good."

They collided again.

On the other side, Ye Lingling had been driven to the edge of the stage.

Zhu Zhuqing's claws stopped just short of her.

Xiao Wu blocked her retreat from the other side.

At that moment, the incense burned out.

The host's voice rang out.

"Time!"

Both sides stopped.

Xiao Wu's foot was less than a foot from Ye Lingling.

Zhu Zhuqing's claws hung motionless in midair.

Ye Lingling did not retreat.

Her eyes beneath the black veil were calm, though her fingers trembled slightly.

A breath more, and they would have forced her over the boundary.

Yu Tianheng glanced at the incense burner.

The last ash had fallen.

He said nothing.

By the rules, Imperial Fighting had failed to secure the match.

The judges soon announced their ruling.

"All seven Shrek fighters remain capable of fighting. No more than three have been incapacitated."

The host raised his voice.

"Under the terms of the exhibition match, Shrek has achieved its objective!"

Shrek had not defeated Imperial Fighting.

Imperial Fighting had not incapacitated more than three Shrek fighters, either.

It was not an official victory, but it was a result Shrek had earned for themselves.

The stands fell quiet for a moment, then erupted in cheers.

The spectators had come to see Myriad Phenomena.

But now, Shrek's seven fighters had made an impression too.

Qin Ming let out a long breath.

"Dean, they're even better than I expected."

Flender's mouth twitched.

"Obviously."

Zhao Wuji laughed loudly.

"My students can sure take a beating."

Flender glared at him.

"Couldn't you put it a little more nicely?"

Zhao Wuji thought for a moment.

"Tough to knock down?"

Flender gave up talking to him.

Onstage, Yu Tianheng withdrew his martial soul.

He said to Dai Mubai:

"You're strong."

Dai Mubai replied, "You're stronger."

"But you held out."

"Next time, we'll win."

Yu Tianheng didn't take offense. Instead, he smiled.

"I'll be waiting."

Dugu Yan walked up to Tang San.

"Your medicine was good."

Tang San replied, "Your poison was good too."

Dugu Yan glanced at the packet in his hand.

"Did you know from the start how I'd release it?"

"No. I only guessed you wouldn't scatter your poison carelessly."

Dugu Yan raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Imperial Fighting's positioning was too tight. If you released it carelessly, you'd get in your teammates' way."

Dugu Yan paused.

He was right.

She regarded Tang San more seriously.

Dugu Yan gave a huff.

"Just good?"

Tang San considered it.

"Very troublesome."

That satisfied Dugu Yan a little more.

Ye Lingling looked at the wound on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder. "Would you like me to heal it?"

"No need."

Ning Rongrong came over.

"Yes, there is."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at her.

Ning Rongrong said, "Don't push yourself."

Ye Lingling glanced between them, and the Nine-Hearted Begonia's light descended.

The wound on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder quickly stopped bleeding.

"Thank you," Zhu Zhuqing said quietly.

Ye Lingling gave a slight nod.

Ning Rongrong said, "Next time, I'll make sure Zhuqing really reaches you."

"I'll be waiting."

Below the stage, Yuan Yu smiled.

They hadn't won, but there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Even without Yuan Yu stepping onto the stage, they could hold their own.

When the seven from Shrek came down, none of them walked steadily, but not one of them bent his back.

Just then, Yu Tianheng turned to look at him.

"Yuan Yu."

The crowd fell quiet.

Yu Tianheng said, "Can you take one move from me now?"

Yuan Yu looked up.

"I can."

Ma Hongjun muttered from the stage, "He just said not to beat anyone up too badly. He hasn't forgotten, has he?"

Oscar replied under his breath.

"You'd better hope he didn't hear that."

Yuan Yu had already stepped onto the Dueling Platform.

The Sun Wheel Blade remained sheathed in his hand.

The crowd grew loud again.

Myriad Phenomena had stepped onto the stage.