"Dean, according to what you've said, does that mean the Five Elemental Academies are essentially extremists?" Xiao Wu asked, playing along smoothly.
"Yes," Liu Erlong nodded. "The five academies each select their participants by taking one attribute to the extreme. Unlike the Star Luo Empire, which emphasizes balance, this approach has both strengths and weaknesses. Against opponents who cannot restrain them, they can deliver overwhelming, decisive victories. But if they meet an opponent who counters their specialty, they often collapse just as quickly."
With that, she began explaining the two major schools of thought:
"The extremist faction believes that a spirit master's abilities should develop in a single direction, pushing that specialty to the limit."
"The balanced faction, on the other hand, argues that a spirit master should develop evenly—attack and defense in harmony. These two schools have always been at odds. In the Heaven Dou Empire, most of the spirit master community supports the extremist faction. The Power Clan is a classic example."
"What about Spirit Hall? Which faction do they support?" Meng Yiran asked curiously. She was still unaware of Li Chang'an's true identity.
Liu Erlong replied solemnly, "Spirit Hall has never openly sided with either faction. Both types of spirit masters exist within its ranks. Strangely enough, conflict over this difference has never broken out inside the Hall. Back in Shrek Academy, our path was a kind of half-balanced, half-extreme approach: individuals were allowed to go to extremes, but the team as a whole pursued balance."
She continued, "In my opinion, it's better for individuals to specialize extremely—maximize personal power. Weaknesses can be covered by teammates. A team where each member excels in one extreme but complements the others will inevitably stand above teams of the same level."
"Of course, there are exceptions—like Changsheng. His path has been relatively balanced. But that's not something you should imitate."
'That's right,' Li Chang'an thought wryly, remembering his past life.
'Back when I played King of Glory, I often ended up covering for the jungler as a solo top-laner. What else could I do when my jungler was useless? If I didn't do it, the enemy would.'
Liu Erlong steered the discussion back toward the tournament.
"Time is short, so I'll be brief. You've already faced the Elephant-Armored sect's disciples—they're the epitome of the extreme route. In the past, their strength was on par with the four elemental academies. The reason they've been utterly defeated this time is because those four academies have changed their approach."
Everyone listened carefully—even Li Chang'an, who could be proud but never careless.
"They still field spirit masters of the same element, but now with distinct roles. In other words, these academies are applying balanced tactics within their extreme specializations. Do you understand?"
Mu Xi asked softly, her gentle voice carrying a curious note, "Dean, are you saying the other four elemental academies have divided into different roles?"
"Exactly. The Blazing Academy you're about to face has fire-element specialists in offense, control, agility, and support. Against weaker opponents, they conceal this. Only against Elephant-Armored Academy did they reveal a portion of their true power."
"That's why, even with a soul bone, Elephant-Armored Academy's top disciple couldn't withstand their relentless bombardment. Blazing Academy, like Thunder Academy, is known for offense. Their attacks are devastating. This time, sending only four of you might not be enough."
Liu Erlong glanced at her team. Though powerful, Crimson Rose Academy had an obvious weakness: too many support-type spirit masters. Mu Xi, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong were all auxiliaries—prime targets for enemies.
Mu Xi nervously twisted her sleeve. "I… I'm sorry. If only I were an attack-type spirit master instead."
She always blamed herself—gentle, kind, and far too considerate.
"Silly girl, don't say that. Your martial soul is not something you can choose. Enough—get ready. I'll command this battle seriously," Li Chang'an said, ruffling her bun-like hairstyle until she pouted in protest. But at least her worries were distracted.
"The first match on the central stage: Crimson Rose Academy versus Blazing Academy!" the announcer's voice boomed.
Both teams strode proudly into the arena.
Instantly, the audience erupted into a storm of cheers. Though many shouted for Blazing Fire Academy, even more roared for Crimson Rose.
After all, beauty is justice.
At the head, Li Chang'an wore his black academy uniform. Behind him followed six girls: Meng Yiran, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Mu Xi, Ning Rongrong, and Hu Liena.
Their presence alone was captivating. Li Chang'an and his girls dominated the stage with poise and charisma.
The seven Blazing Academy players appeared about twenty years old, arranged in a triangular formation.
At the front stood a medium-built man of ordinary looks, but his broad shoulders and blazing eyes gave him an imposing aura. His golden-red uniform radiated fiery energy.
This was Huo Wushuang, captain of the Blazing Team, a level-42 power-attack spirit master. His martial soul was a Fire Dragon, somewhat similar to Liu Erlong's—but whereas hers leaned toward dark flame, his was a one-horned Fire Tyrant Dragon, built for explosive destruction. In these preliminaries, he was already recognized as one of the strongest frontline fighters—and Blazing's primary attacker.
Behind him stood another power-attack spirit master, level 38, with an unremarkable appearance. Records listed his martial soul as a Fire Leopard.
Next came two young men with identical, cold expressions—twins named Huo Yun and Huo Yu. Their martial soul was the Fire Crane, making them agility-attack spirit masters. Both had reached level 39, just shy of the Soul Ancestor rank.
The last three were two tall, burly men and a striking young woman. At first glance, the men looked like power-attack types, but they were actually supports with a twist—offensive supports whose martial souls were "Fire Sparks." Rare, unusual, and deceptive. Unless facing formidable opponents, their support traits were hard to notice.
Between them stood the only female member of Blazing Academy. Dressed in golden-red, her dark-red hair framed a face as radiant as flame itself. Her beauty blazed like a fire that could melt any man's heart.
Despite being the lone woman, she was the tallest of the seven, her figure athletic yet graceful. Her faint smile and the subtle red glow around her body gave her an aura both alluring and intimidating.
Underestimating her would be a fatal mistake. She was not only one of Blazing Academy's two strongest members but also the highest-level spirit master on the team: a level-43 control-type spirit master.
Her name was Huo Wu. She was the vice-captain and the soul of the Blazing Team. Her martial soul—Fire Shadow—manifested from her very being.
Li Chang'an had thought he had no more interest in adding another women in his harem. But upon seeing Huo Wu, he realized principles were meant to be broken. After all, a rose is most beautiful when it bears thorns.