Inside Shrek's lounge.
Only five minutes into the match in the plaza, the atmosphere in the fourteen-person lounge changed, growing considerably more somber and serious.
The Shrek Seven Devils and the four former Blue Tyrant team members no longer lounged about. They all gathered by the windowsill and looked toward the Soul Fighting Plaza, the ease in their eyes long gone.
Even Flender and Liu Erlong were devising ways for the team to counter their opponents.
Only Tang San withdrew his Purple Demon Eye, pinched his chin between two fingers, and turned to ask the man beside him, "Teacher, if I saw correctly, that purple-haired captain my age should have the same type of Martial Soul as the two seniors, Dragon Duke and Snake Granny. It can transform between weapon and beast."
Yu Xiaogang nodded with a show of profundity. "Correct. If I remember correctly, among Spirit Hall's elders, there is a Titled Douluo with the title 'Snake Lance.'"
"That Titled Douluo's Martial Soul can switch back and forth between a spear and a two-headed snake. You could say it takes the capabilities of weapon and beast Martial Souls to their utmost."
"I suspect this captain of the Spirit Hall Second Team is a disciple of that Snake Lance Douluo."
"A Titled Douluo's student?" Tang San unconsciously clenched his fists.
He thought to himself, So that's how it is... Teacher, I will definitely defeat him!
And by defeating him, I'll prove that your theory of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul far surpasses a Titled Douluo's lifetime legacy!
With that goal in mind, Tang San asked, "Teacher, this purple-haired captain is powerful. Although there was an element of surprise involved, he still defeated Skywater's Ice Phoenix single-handedly."
"What strategy should we Shrek use to reliably defeat the Spirit Hall Second Team?"
After learning the truth about his mother's death, the shadow of revenge had already settled over Tang San's heart. In his subconscious, anything connected to Spirit Hall stood on the opposing side.
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back and chuckled. "This purple-haired captain's Martial Soul is actually similar in type to your teacher's, so its weakness is obvious."
"And don't forget the weakness all weapon Soul Masters share."
Tang San understood at the slightest hint. "Close-quarters hand-to-hand combat!"
"Mm." Yu Xiaogang could not help nodding.
Having found the key to victory, master and disciple exchanged knowing smiles and began gathering everyone from Shrek to discuss their "tactical plan against the Spirit Hall Second Team."
On the Soul Fighting Plaza.
The drifting snow had all settled.
Roaring flames erupted from Ling Yuan's body, then took the shape of a Blazing Spirit Kite that emerged from her, soared upward, and flew over a hundred meters into the sky.
The Martial Soul Avatar, "Blazing Spirit Kite," kept beating its wings, fanning down scorching gusts that rapidly melted the ice and snow covering the ground.
In just two breaths, the ice and snow across the arena turned to water vapor and swiftly dispersed beneath the midday sun.
The four members of the Spirit Hall Second Team and the two members of the Skywater Team all broke free and were enveloped by healing-type Soul Masters' Soul Skills.
Only then did the chief referee and the two assistant referees who had been sent flying recover, brush the frost from their sleeves, and return to the center of the Soul Fighting Plaza.
Seeing the three women embrace and support one another as they left the arena, the three referees said nothing.
Although forcing one's way into the arena and attacking the referees were two offenses that, together, would certainly warrant removal from the rankings and disqualification from further competition.
The circumstances just now had been unusual, however. In consideration of her desperation to save her daughter, the referees did not pursue the matter too far.
The chief referee raised his left arm high and announced loudly to the entire venue, "The Spirit Hall Second Battle Team-wins!"
"They advance to the next round of ranking matches."
Only after all the contestants from both sides had left did many of the spectating Soul Masters emerge from the shock of that scene of "a dragon swallowing an Ice Phoenix beneath the midday sun."
Although they quickly thought of the long-famous "Peerless Dragon Snake," they still found it hard to believe that Spirit Hall had produced another rising talent who possessed both weapon and beast capabilities.
Below the plaza.
Shi Xing stood waiting to welcome them.
Xu Zi strolled down the steps with relaxed ease, followed by six well-behaved scions of prominent families.
The three Dragon Pattern Staff brothers, in particular, admired Xu Zi beyond measure because their mistake had been remedied.
At this sight, Shi Xing was momentarily speechless as well.
Because after this victory, Xu Zi was no longer a captain parachuted into the position, but a team commander with solid strength.
Seeing Shi Xing avert his eyes, Xu Zi went up and patted his shoulder, instructing him, "We faced a top-ten team today. According to the matching rules, we won't be matched against another top-ten team tomorrow."
"So don't come looking for me tomorrow unless something comes up. Just lead the team yourself."
Shi Xing nodded. "All right."
For a scion of a prominent family like him, participating in such a grand continental event was all about getting a chance to show his face. Naturally, he could ask for nothing better than to lead the team into the arena.
Xu Zi left the team and the venue.
There were only two regrets:
First, Ling Yuan Douluo had accepted the assignment to oversee the venue and had already returned to the judges' platform, so she could not leave with Xu Zi midway through;
Second, he still had not managed to watch Shrek or the Golden Generation. Shrek had advanced without trouble today, and when the Spirit Hall First Team dealt with the Heaven Dou Royal Team, Xu Zi had been studying his opponents and arranging tactics, so he had not paid attention.
Just as Xu Zi returned to the back gate of Spirit Hall Academy, intending to go back to his dormitory to meditate and digest the combat experience he had gained today...
"Hey, junior."
A familiar call rang out, like a magpie bringing glad tidings.
Xu Zi suddenly turned and saw Huang Ying standing beside the greenery at the academy's back gate, her golden hair tied in a high ponytail that fell to her waist.
That radiant smile had clearly bloomed especially for one particular person.
On the academy's food street.
It was still that familiar little shop.
Xu Zi called out, "The usual."
Then he sat down with Huang Ying.
Huang Ying looked around and said in a clear, bright voice, "I thought it would be that 'First House.' So it's this little place."
"It has its own character. Good, expensive food is mostly the same wherever you go, whether delicacies from the mountains or treasures from the sea. I spent some time trying it all over in Heaven Dou Imperial City." Xu Zi poured a cup of yellow tea before the meal to awaken his taste buds.
"So, junior, you've stayed in Heaven Dou Imperial City too?" Huang Ying asked, picking up the menu.
"Yes. Only later did I realize I'd gone to the wrong place." Xu Zi had little reason to hide it.
"Compared with those benighted lands of the two great empires, you've finally come to the right place now." Huang Ying smiled warmly.
She certainly lived up to her background in a wealthy Holy City household, ordering a portion of everything Xu Zi had not ordered, under the fine-sounding pretext of sampling every flavor to choose the best.
Xu Zi swallowed a mouthful of hawthorn tea and asked, "By the way, senior, what suddenly made you think of treating me to a meal?"
"What?" Huang Ying rinsed the bowls with hot tea, making them clink, and asked in return, "Can't I invite you out without a reason? Do I look like the sort who gives gifts and buys meals to ask favors?"
"Uh..." Xu Zi could not come up with a "counterstrategy" for a moment.
Watching her awkwardly smiling junior, Huang Ying burst into a giggle. "All right, I'll stop teasing you. I just wanted to thank you in person."
Now Xu Zi was completely at a loss. He asked, "Thank me? Did I help with something?"
Huang Ying suddenly lowered her eyes. "Actually, I know you joined the second team because of me. After all, if I hadn't begged you back then, you might not have softened..."
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