Chapter 173: Tang San Must Go All Out
"The tenth-round preliminaries—Gem Academy defeats Thunder Academy!"
The referee immediately announced the result.
Little Snake hurried forward, eagerly detoxifying the Thunder Academy team.
Just as he had done with Tang San's group before, he said cheerfully, "Brother Yu, there can be no holding back on the stage. Don't take offense!"
Yu Tianxin gave a weary smile. "Who could've predicted you'd have Ning Rongrong's support? The difference was too great."
He turned anxiously to check his teammates' condition.
The healing soul masters moved in, assessing injuries.
He should've surrendered earlier—but after nine straight victories, their pride had gotten the better of them. That moment of hesitation had cost his teammates dearly.
"Lei Dong needs to rest for one match. Lei Tian's injuries are lighter but still serious. He must avoid overtaxing his spirit power—one strike nearly reached the lungs.
The rest are lightly wounded and can fight tomorrow."
The healers' report made Yu Tianxin breathe easier.
Only one teammate would miss the next round. With their strength, as long as they didn't face one of the Elemental Academies, even missing a Soul Ancestor, they could still win.
But when Yu Tianxin remembered tomorrow's opponent, his brows furrowed again.
Their next opponent was one he was determined to defeat—one he had reasons to personally repay.
It was the Shrek Team.
Tang San, in particular—the one who killed his cousin, Yu Tianheng.
Though that matter was "settled" when his grandfather fought Tang Hao, leaving the latter bloodied before Tang Xiao intervened and halted the fight, grudges never truly died.
But Yu Tianxin knew it was impossible to seek real revenge against the Haotian Sect now.
Even Yu Xiaogang had returned home in disgrace to confess his failures, and the whole affair had been quelled.
Still, Yu Tianxin vowed to give Tang San a painful lesson. Hurting him on the arena would be fair play—no one could say otherwise.
Unless, of course, Shrek surrendered first.
It doesn't matter. Even without Lei Dong, I'll teach that boy a lesson myself.
Steeling his heart, Yu Tianxin thanked Little Snake for the courtesy, and the two teams formally exited the arena.
"Gem Academy forever!"
"Champions! Champions!"
The Great Spirit Arena shook with thunderous cheers. With ten straight victories and Ning Rongrong's ethereal beauty, Gem Academy had become the most beloved team in the tournament.
In the VIP stands, Emperor Xue Ye chuckled. "My dear nephew Dugu has yet to appear, and the Gem Academy is already so formidable. They have a real chance at the championship!"
Salas's expression darkened.
Dugu Feng—the so-called ace—still hadn't even taken the stage.
Useless Thunder Academy…
But with the Fiery, Godwind, and Tianshui teams still ahead, surely Dugu Feng would have to show himself eventually.
He needed to gather information—Dugu Feng's rank, his soul skills, every detail—for the Golden Generation's reference.
Ning Fengzhi, however, smiled to himself.
Yes, Dugu Feng's name was on the registration list.
But he never planned to fight.
His inclusion served only one purpose—to divert attention.
By keeping him listed yet inactive until the final match, other teams would obsess over him, pouring their energy into researching Dugu Feng's past battles and tactics.
They would waste no effort analyzing Zhang Jingyang or the others.
If Dugu Feng hadn't registered at all, rivals would focus on the real team members—studying their skills, probing their weaknesses to force them to show their trump cards.
But now? Not a chance.
It was a cunning move—and highly effective.
Even Emperor Xue Ye had bought into it, completely convinced that Dugu Feng was Gem Academy's hidden champion.
By the end, they'd all be thoroughly shocked.
Outside, in the competitor's resting area, Shrek Academy's team gathered.
After ten matches, their record stood at eight wins and two losses—tied for sixth out of twenty-eight teams.
The top five? Naturally, the Five Elemental Academies.
Since their loss to Gem Academy, Shrek's subsequent matches had gone well. They'd faced no powerhouse opponents, scoring three comfortable victories.
Shrek still had only one Soul Ancestor—Dai Mubai—but that was no real setback.
Most teams here barely had one Soul Ancestor themselves; weaker ones, like Heaven Dou's Second Team, didn't even have that.
With Dai Mubai's top-tier Evil-Eyed White Tiger, Tai Long's level thirty-nine strength, and Zhu Zhuqing's recent breakthrough to level thirty-eight, they tore through the lesser teams with ease.
They knew that facing any of the Five Elemental Academies would almost certainly mean defeat.
But they weren't discouraged—their confidence was growing with each bout.
This tournament offered experience that no Great Spirit Arena ever could.
Opponents their own age, with varied techniques and spirits—it was tailored training perfection.
Their eleventh-round match would be against Thunder Academy.
Luck was on their side.
The tenth-round had pitted Thunder Academy against Gem Academy—their brutal showdown left both sides battered.
And if Thunder Academy's members were still injured tomorrow… it could open a real opportunity.
Thus, all nine of Shrek's members had come to watch the battle, burning with anticipation.
Now that the fight was done, fire lit their eyes.
The opportunity had indeed arrived.
"Teacher, tomorrow we'll give it everything we've got."
Tang San's voice was firm, his gaze locked on his master.
Grandmaster fell into thought, then replied calmly, "Are you sure you want to reveal your trump card so early?"
He looked from Tang San to Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
He was referring, of course, to the fusion technique shared between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
Tang San's eyes gleamed. "Originally, we planned to unveil it later—against the weakest of the Four Elemental Academies.
But given Thunder Academy's situation, two of their Soul Ancestors are injured. Lei Dong may not even compete.
With Boss Dai and Zhuqing's fusion skill, we can equal two Soul Ancestors worth of strength.
Their loss is our gain—we have a real chance to win."
His tone carried growing confidence.
Grandmaster frowned. "Not enough. Even so, you'll likely lose—and you'll expose your secret weapon."
He knew well the terrifying power of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and lightning-based martial spirits.
But Tang San only smiled, eyes blazing with quiet confidence.
"Through these ten matches, I've discovered Thunder Academy's weakness."
His words made the entire team's spirits surge.
They trusted him—Tang San never spoke carelessly.
If he claimed to have found a weakness, then he had.
Flender rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Quickly, tell us, Little San! If you can beat Thunder Academy, our sponsorship deals might jump tenfold!"
Tang San winced, shoulders stiffening.
At that moment, he felt less like a team core—and more like Flender's personal investment project.
(END CHAPTER)
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