Twenty rounds of the qualifiers have already been played in the blink of an eye.
With 28 teams competing at this stage, the strength of each academy has become quite clear. Godwind Academy maintains a perfect record, without a single loss. However, what truly concerns the other academies is not their record itself, but rather the way they won and the strength they demonstrated.
Feng Xiaotian, the captain of the Godwind Academy, has never played a single game.
There are also two other team members – Su Mei'er and Su Ran– who haven't played yet, so their abilities are unknown.
Apart from these three, the other team members took turns playing, and everyone got a chance to play.
Jiang Lin's Spirit Eyes Command, Zhong Yue's Frontal Defense, Lu Hanxiao's Speed, Feng Lingtian's Roaming, Cheng Luo's Wind-Binding Vine, Lu Qing's Wind Scythe, Ye Qingyu's Qin Melody, Bai Yu's Wind Chime, Shi Yan's Void Resonance Bell, and Ji Ning's Hummingbird—each person showcased their unique characteristics.
However, one detail was noticed by observant individuals.
It refers to the number of times the Fourth Soul Ring, which lasts for ten thousand years, can be used. Everyone in the Godwind Academy has Fourth Soul Ring lasts for ten thousand years.
But after so many matches, except for a few a few times, most of the Godwind Academy team members' Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring have never lit up.
They won the match using only the first three rings of their Soul Skill, or even just the power of their Martial Soul itself.
It's not that we can't beat them, it's that we don't need to.
What's even more intriguing are their Self-Created Soul Skill. Gale Flash Step, Wind Shadow Chain, and Break the Surface at One Point – these aren't skills granted by Soul Ring; they were all learned by themselves.
In battle, when cornered by their opponents, members of the Godwind Academy would use these Self-Created Soul Skill. Although they were not Soul Skill, their effects were better than ordinary Soul Skill.
Even the two Support System can do it; several times they've used these Self-Created Soul Skill to buy time and wait for their teammates' assistance.
That was taught to him by Feng Xiaotian. During his travels, Feng Xiaotian shared his insights into creating his Self-Created Soul Skill with his team members. They practiced slowly in normal times, but suddenly gained enlightenment in actual combat.
Everyone knows that Godwind Academy is hiding its strength, but no one can figure out exactly what it is.
Tang San of the Shrek Academy disappeared for several days.
When he reappeared, he didn't say anything, but he looked even better than before. Meanwhile, Shi Nian, the teacher leading the team from the Canghui Academy, never appeared again.
Others didn't know what had happened, but Feng Lingtian did.
Shi Nian attempted to assassinate Tang San, but Tang San instead used the Yama's Invitation to kill him. Tang San not only survived but also obtained Shi Nian's Soul Bone.
Feng Lingtian didn't say anything.
He took the Immortal Herb from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. They were what he needed for alchemy. The poisonous herbs from the Yama's Invitation and Shi Nian's Soul Bone were Tang San's fortuitous encounters.
He doesn't need to seize every opportunity. He should strive for what suits him and not force what doesn't.
Feng Xiaotian noticed that he was lost in thought and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Feng Lingtian snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head, "It's nothing."
During his break, Feng Xiaotian went to the rest room at the Skywater Academy.
Shui Bing'er was reviewing the game with her teammates when she saw him arrive. She paused for a moment, then told the others to rest first.
"Why are you here?" Shui Bing'er's tone was calm, but a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
"Just passing by," Feng Xiaotian said.
Shui Bing'er glanced at him but didn't press the matter. The rest area of the Godwind Academy was half a venue away from the Skywater Academy, so the phrase "just passing by" was clearly untenable. But she didn't expose him.
" Skywater Academy should have no problem advancing to the next round," Feng Xiaotian said.
Shui Bing'er nodded. "You too."
There was a moment of silence between them. It wasn't that they had nothing to say, but rather that there was no need to say much. Feng Xiaotian didn't linger, saying "Take care and get some rest" before turning and leaving.
Shui Bing'er stood there, watching his retreating figure, a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Feng Xiaotian then went to the rest room of the Blazing Fire Academy.
Huo Wu was discussing tactics with Huo Wushuang when she saw Feng Xiaotian enter. Her eyes lit up. She instinctively stood up, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she held back. She just stood there, pretending not to care.
Feng Xiaotian nodded to her, then turned to Huo Wushuang: " Wushuang, may I speak to you in private?"
Huo Wushuang glanced at his younger sister, then followed Feng Xiaotian to the side.
Huo Wu stood still, her fingers unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes.
Feng Xiaotian wasn't looking for him after all.
Huo Wu lowered her eyes, feeling a lump in her throat, but her expression remained unchanged. As the young lady of the Blazing Fire Academy, she couldn't let anyone see her true feelings.
"Next match, you'll be facing Shrek," Feng Xiaotian said.
Huo Wushuang nodded. "I know."
" Tang San of Shrek is not as simple as he seems," Feng Xiaotian said. "Be careful."
Huo Wushuang glanced at Feng Xiaotian. Having known each other for so many years, he knew Feng Xiaotian wouldn't speak without reason. An opponent who could prompt Feng Xiaotian to come specifically to warn him must be no ordinary person.
"Thanks," Huo Wushuang said.
Feng Xiaotian patted him on the shoulder, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Huo Wu hearing the name " Tang San," Huo Wu looked up, a glint of fire flashing in her eyes.
Why? Why does Feng Xiaotian value this so much?
Huo Wushuang returned and, seeing her sister's expression, frowned and said, "Stop fooling around."
Huo Wu bit her lip and remained silent.
If her brother says "Stop making a fuss," she can't make a fuss. From childhood to adulthood, her brother has protected her, so she can't be unreasonable.
But the fire in her heart hadn't gone out. She just suppressed it, storing it out on the competition field. Then, she would unleash all that fire on Shrek.
Huo Wushuang looked at the flame in her eyes, sighed, and said nothing more.
The next day, Blazing Fire Academy faced off against the Shrek Academy.
The stands were packed. This match wasn't the main focus— Blazing Fire Academy was one of the four elemental academies, and while Shrek was strong, their previous defeat against the Godwind Academy had lowered the audience's expectations.
But quite a few people still came to watch. After all, Blazing Fire Academy is a favorite to win the championship.
The players from both sides enter the arena.
Leading the way from the Blazing Fire Academy was Huo Wushuang, followed by Huo Wu, Huo Lie, Huo Yun, and seven other team members. The fire that had been suppressed for so long finally burst forth in Huo Wu's eyes. Her pupils seemed to flicker with two flames, and her entire being radiated a scorching aura.
On the Shrek Academy's side, Dai Mubai walked at the front, followed by Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and two substitutes.
Ma Hongjun stood in the middle of the group, his Phoenix Wings half-folded behind his back, Huo Xing dancing at the tips. As one of the Shrek Seven Devils, he hadn't appeared much before, but against Fire Attribute powerhouse like Blazing Fire Academy, his Phoenix Flame were sure to come in handy.
The referee signaled for both sides to release their Martial Soul.
The seven members of the Blazing Fire Academy simultaneously unleashed their Martial Soul forms: Fire Crane, Fire Lion, Fire Python, Fire Fox... all Fire Attribute Martial Soul. Their Soul Ring lit up, two yellow and two purple, with four Soul Ancestor present.
The seven Shrek Seven Devils released their spirit rings simultaneously: Dai Mubai's White Tiger, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, Xiao Wu's Soft Bone Rabbit, Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Spirit Cat, and Ma Hongjun's Phoenix... Tang San's two yellow, one purple, and one black spirit rings were particularly eye-catching, and Ma Hongjun's Soul Ring were also two yellow and two purple.
The referee's whistle rang out.
The match begins.
Huo Wu didn't rush out. She stood behind Huo Wushuang, raising her hands, fiery red Soul Power gathering in her palms. Her target was Tang San —not to rush over and attack him, but to burn his Blue Silver Grass with flames, rendering him unable to control the battlefield.
But in her eyes, a fire had already ignited.