Shrek's second wave of attack was even more ferocious than the first.
Dai Mubai unleashed his White Tiger Fierce Light Wave without holding back; his Fourth Soul Ring shone blindingly, and a white pillar of Soul Power shot out with a deafening roar. This time, he didn't attack Zhong Yue—
Guided by Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave drew an arc in mid-air, bypassing Zhong Yue's tortoise shell, and rushed straight towards Bai Yu in the back row.
Cheng Luo's Wind-Binding Vine immediately wove a net to intercept, but Dai Mubai's attack was repeatedly redirected by the Blue Silver Grass, tearing a hole in the vine net.
Lu Qing's Wind Scythe slashed from the flank, and his First Soul Ring lit up— Wind Scythe Slash. The azure blade light collided head-on with the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, and with a boom, the two Soul Power exploded simultaneously.
Lu Qing took a step back, Dai Mubai's attack was blocked.
Tang San's eyes narrowed slightly. The strategy was effective— Lu Qing had made his move. He had been standing motionless in the back row until now.
Tang San did not stop.
" Zhu Zhuqing, left wing," Tang San's voice transmission sounded again.
Zhu Zhuqing's figure vanished from her spot, and the Hell Spirit Cat's speed increased to its limit, rushing straight at Bai Yu. Lu Hanxiao immediately intercepted, but Zhu Zhuqing did not fight head-on—she turned in mid-air, forming a double attack with Xiao Wu, and pounced on Bai Yu at the same time.
Bai Yu remained calm and composed as the Wind Chime rang. Wherever the sound reached, Bai Yu's senses spread, marking the locations of Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing in Jiang Lin's Spirit Eyes projection.
Feng Lingtian moved immediately.
His figure appeared in front of Bai Yu, his Peregrine Falcon falcon wings spread, and his First Soul Ring lit up— Falcon Strike the Clouds. He precisely cut into the gap in Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's attacks while moving at high speed, using the impact to interrupt their attacks simultaneously.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were forced to retreat.
Tang San frowned slightly. Feng Lingtian's speed was even faster than he had expected, and his reaction was also very quick—he had already identified Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's target before they even made their move.
This isn't just about speed; it's about anticipation.
Tang San looked at Jiang Lin. The Spirit Eyes Control System stood still, its silver light shining steadily, like a pair of eyes hanging in the sky above the battlefield.
He was directing. Every move Feng Lingtian made was pre-marked in Jiang Lin's Spirit Eyes projection.
Tang San suddenly remembered what his teacher had said before the match, "Their control core is Jiang Lin, whose Martial Soul Spirit Eyes. Find a way to restrain him."
He simply nodded in response in his mind, not paying much attention. How troublesome could a Control System character be?
Now he knows he has to change.
Tang San's Fourth Soul Ring had lasted for ten thousand years, lit up. The Blue Silver Cage rapidly condensed in his hand.
This time, he wanted to trap Jiang Lin and sever the mental link between him and his teammates. As long as the Spirit Eyes became "invisible," cracks would appear in the defenses of the Godwind Academy.
The Blue Silver Grass suddenly sprang up from the ground, transforming into countless thick vines that surged towards Jiang Lin, covering the sky and the earth.
But Jiang Lin didn't give him that chance.
A flash of silver light from his Spirit Eyes revealed the Entanglement trajectory of the Blue Silver Grass. Feng Lingtian slashed in from the flank, his Peregrine Falcon falcon wings outstretched, tearing apart the foundation of the Blue Silver Cage with a single claw.
Tang San frowned even more. His fourth Soul Skill had been countered on its very first use.
He didn't stop, continuing to use small-scale, high-frequency harassment to test the weaknesses in the Godwind Academy's defenses.
Dai Mubai charged three times, only to be blocked each time. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu tried to enter from four different angles, but each time Lu Hanxiao Feng Lingtian blocked their positions in advance. Cheng Luo's Wind-Binding Vine was like an endless net; every time the Blue Silver Grass took a step forward, its retreat was cut off.
One round. Two rounds. Three rounds.
Godwind Academy's defenses remained completely unmoved.
Tang San stopped his attack, stood on the sidelines, and glanced at the seven people opposite him.
Jiang Lin's Spirit Eyes shone steadily, the silver light unwavering. Zhong Yue's tortoise shell was crisscrossed with cracks, but each time it healed before the next attack arrived. Lu Hanxiao Feng Lingtian's foreheads were beaded with sweat, but their speed did not slow down.
Most importantly, the Fourth Soul Ring of those seven people never lit up from beginning to end.
It's not that it's impossible, it's that it's unnecessary.
Tang San took a deep breath. Fortunately, he had achieved his goal—successfully making Lu Qing Feng Lingtian of the Godwind Academy reveal part of their abilities.
As for winning...
He looked away. It was truly unwinnable.
"That's enough," Tang San said in a low voice.
He looked at Dai Mubai and shook his head slightly.
Dai Mubai paused for a moment, then withdrew his Fourth Soul Ring. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing also retreated, and the three of them, along with the three substitutes, stood behind Tang San, panting.
Shrek did not attack again.
The Godwind Academy did not retaliate. They simply stood there, like a wall—not high, not thick, but impossible to breach.
The two sides remained locked in a stalemate until the referee's whistle blew.
The match is over. Godwind Academy has won.
No one spoke as the seven Shrek members left the stage.
Tang San walked at the very back, glancing back at the Godwind Academy team. Jiang Lin was talking to Cheng Luo, Zhong Yue was retracting his tortoise shell, Lu Hanxiao had already folded his wings, Feng Lingtian stood still, as if nothing had happened.
Feng Xiaotian stood up from the players' bench and went to greet his teammates.
Tang San withdrew his gaze and followed the team into the contestant passage.
There was a long silence in Shrek's private lounge.
Tang San sat in the chair, closed his eyes, and replayed the match in his mind over and over again.
Jiang Lin's Spirit Eyes predict the future, Cheng Luo's Wind-Binding Vine intercepts, Zhong Yue's Tortoise Shell defense, Lu Hanxiao's speed, Feng Lingtian's mobility, Lu Qing's Wind Scythe, and Bai Yu's Wind Chime —seven people, each fulfilling their role, work together seamlessly.
What bothered him even more was that none of the seven people used their fourth Soul Skill.
"That Jiang Lin, the Control System," Tang San suddenly opened his eyes, "We should have encountered him in Suotuo City."
Zhu Zhuqing looked up. " The Nameless Team."
It's not a question, it's a judgment.
Dai Mubai asked, "How are you sure?"
Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "The way they coordinate, their movement habits, it's exactly the same as back then."
Everyone fell silent.
The Nameless Team back then had already given Shrek a hard time. Now, their opponents have become this strong.
Dai Mubai remembered the captain who hadn't played yet. "Their captain hasn't played yet."
Tang San remained silent.
He walked to the window and looked at the departing team from the Godwind Academy, his gaze falling on Feng Xiaotian. In the battle in Suotuo City, the one he fought against should be their captain.
More than half a year has passed. He hasn't appeared on the field, hasn't made a move, and hasn't even activated his Martial Soul. But Tang San can sense that the other person is stronger than before. It's not a matter of level; it's something deeper, something indescribable, but unsettling.
Seeing everyone looking dejected, Yu Xiaogang said, "The qualifiers are a single round-robin format, and the Heaven Dou City division has five qualifying spots. Losing one game doesn't mean anything. You still have more than twenty rounds to play; there will be plenty of opportunities later."
He glanced at the crowd, his tone turning serious.
" Godwind Academy isn't the only strong team. The other elemental academies are no pushovers either. If you can't even get past Godwind Academy, there's no point in continuing the competition—if you lack confidence, you might as well just forfeit."
No one spoke.
" Godwind Academy is very strong. But you haven't gone all out yet. You haven't revealed a single trump card. Losing one game isn't a big deal. But if your mentality collapses, then you've truly lost."
Yu Xiaogang's words may be harsh, but they are all true.
There was a few moments of silence in the lounge, then Dai Mubai was the first to raise his head. "It's just one win or loss, we'll get our revenge later."
Xiao Wu clenched her fist. "I won't lose next time."
Tang San didn't speak, but his eyes changed—no longer filled with confusion, but with calmness.
In the VIP section, Salas put down his teacup, the smile on his face gone.
Godwind Academy, seven people, seven with ten-thousand-year Fourth Soul Ring. The dual control system worked together seamlessly. The Defense System withstood all of Dai Mubai's attacks head-on, the Agility Attack System overwhelmed them with speed, and there was also Feng Lingtian who roamed around.
What bothered him even more was that the team leader Feng Xiaotian, never stood up. Not because he couldn't, but because he didn't need to.
"As for the Elephant Armor Academy," Salas said without looking up, "When can arrangements be made?"
The attendant stepped forward. "We can do it in the next round."
Salas nodded.
Godwind Academy... someone has to step in and hold them off.
(Sorry, I misread the time, my apologies.)