Yan and the others also noticed the two unfamiliar faces that had appeared within Shrek's lineup.
Yan recognized them as Oscar and Ning Rongrong, though he wasn't sure what their current strength was.
Without the supreme immortal herb, the Jade Beauty Tulip, Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda couldn't possibly evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Xie Yue quietly remarked:
"Two new faces in Shrek's team—they've finally stopped hiding their strength. I'm curious to see how strong they are when they go all out."
Hu Liena frowned.
While looking at Shrek's seven members, she also noticed something about the Star Luo Royal Academy team.
"Brother, look closely. Some of the people in both teams look alike."
Xie Yue studied them more carefully and finally noticed it.
"You're right. Those two blond guys look like brothers, and the two girls look like sisters."
"Mm. They probably are. And judging by their appearances, the two from Star Luo seem a bit older."
Yan knew the people they were talking about—Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi, and Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun.
He didn't join the conversation, only watched the center of the arena in silence.
At this moment, both teams had stepped onto the stage.
Led by Dai Mubai, the seven Shrek members stood in a straight line across the platform.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing stared solemnly at their opponents.
The brutal succession system of their clan had driven both of them to flee Star Luo Empire and seek refuge in Heaven Dou Empire.
They were desperate to prove themselves in this match—to reclaim the right of succession.
The loser of this match would be eliminated immediately; the winner would enter the top six.
The other Shrek members knew Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's past. They would give absolutely everything in this battle, not only for their team's honor but also for the future of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
Of course, the Star Luo Royal Academy would also fight with full force—not only to advance deeper into the finals, but also to solidify Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's positions.
After exchanging a round of verbal jabs, the host announced the official start of the match.
All fourteen spirit masters released their spirits and spirit rings.
To the surprise of the spectators, both teams had a White Tiger spirit and a Hell Civet spirit.
Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi both possessed the White Tiger spirit; Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun possessed the Hell Civet spirit.
From the distribution of spirit rings, one could immediately judge the overall strength of each team.
Star Luo Royal Academy had six Spirit Ancestors above level forty, and one Spirit Elder.
Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun stood at the front of their formation, and the spirit power fluctuations around them were the strongest.
Dai Weisi's spirit power had reached level forty-seven, and Zhu Zhuyun's level forty-six.
Shrek Academy, however, had only four members above level forty—Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar. Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing were all three-ring Spirit Elders.
Just as Yan expected, the herbs they took had been ordinary immortal herbs. Their spirit power had improved, but not by much—not enough to bridge the gap.
Hu Liena sighed softly:
"The overall strength of the Star Luo team looks slightly higher than Shrek's. It's hard to say whether Shrek can make it through this round—maybe they'll be eliminated right here."
Xie Yue agreed:
"Yeah. I've heard that entering the Star Luo Royal team depends solely on one's strength. If Shrek can't even become our opponent, then we won't get the chance to deal with Tang San."
Hearing the siblings' discussion, Yan gently shook his head.
"You're underestimating Shrek. Star Luo is making the same mistake—and they'll pay dearly for underestimating their opponent."
Hu Liena looked at him.
"Oh? You're saying you favor Shrek in this match?"
"That's right. They'll win."
Hu Liena and Xie Yue exchanged uncertain looks.
The three of them continued watching the stage.
At this moment, the battle on the platform had already begun.
Ning Rongrong used her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to enhance Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing's spirit power. Tang San was still storing power, while Zhu Zhuqing had already rushed forward to confront her elder sister, Zhu Zhuyun.
Although Zhu Zhuqing was far weaker than Zhu Zhuyun, with the Seven Treasures' amplification increasing her speed by forty percent, she became even faster than Zhu Zhuyun. She showed no fear facing her head-on.
Dai Weisi focused all his attention on Dai Mubai, but Xiao Wu didn't play by convention. From the very beginning, she launched a vicious assault on Dai Weisi.
She first stunned him with her Charm skill, then, under the invincible effect of her fourth spirit ability—Invincible Golden Body—she used Waist Bow and slammed him brutally, leaving Dai Weisi completely off-guard.
Ma Hongjun immediately followed up, targeting Dai Weisi as well.
His blazing flames continuously drained Dai Weisi's strength, and Dai Mubai seized the opportunity to launch his own attacks.
Their captain was being overwhelmed by multiple attackers, leaving the Star Luo team in a passive and chaotic state.
When they attempted to assist Dai Weisi, countless Blue Silver Grass vines laced with poisonous barbs erupted from beneath their feet, causing them to fall into a brief state of dizziness.
By the time Dai Weisi retreated back to his team to form a defensive line, it was already too late.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuyun had been pinned down by Tang San, preventing her from joining Dai Weisi to unleash their Spirit Fusion skill.
Meanwhile, on the Shrek side—thanks to Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun's disruption—Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had completed their Spirit Fusion.
A massive Hell White Tiger burst forward, crashing into Dai Weisi and the five teammates beside him. The tremendous impact sent all six of them flying out of the arena.
Seeing this, Hu Liena blurted out:
"That's a Spirit Fusion technique!"
"Correct," Yan nodded.
He knew exactly how powerful that attack was. If Dai Mubai hadn't held back, Dai Weisi might already be dead under that single strike.
The enormous Hell White Tiger dissolved back into two people. Exhausted from soul power consumption, Dai Mubai collapsed into Zhu Zhuqing's arms.
Zhu Zhuqing was also too drained to continue fighting.
At this point, only Zhu Zhuyun remained standing on the Star Luo side.
But she did not admit defeat.
Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ma Hongjun stood facing her.
Oscar supplied them with recovery sausages, and Ning Rongrong continued pouring spirit power amplification into them from behind.
There was no suspense—Zhu Zhuyun's refusal to surrender would only end in a crushing defeat.
"Impossible! This is impossible!"
Zhu Zhuyun roared in fury, unable to accept the reality, and charged toward the three of them.
Suddenly, tough Blue Silver Grass wrapped around her body and flung her into the air.
The paralysis and corrosive poison within the vines began seeping into her body.
Tang San glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, as if asking her how she wanted to deal with this lamb awaiting slaughter.
If she nodded, he would kill Zhu Zhuyun instantly—eliminating her rival in the family's succession.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't bring herself to do it—after all, this was her elder sister.
Tang San sighed helplessly and signaled to Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu leapt up, once again using Waist Bow, and kicked Zhu Zhuyun out of the arena.
Yan, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue all caught the subtle motion of Tang San's hand.
Hu Liena frowned.
"What was Tang San trying to do just now? Was he thinking of killing her?"
Xie Yue coldly snorted:
"He definitely intended to. The question is—does he even have the guts?"
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