Chapter 174: Tang San — "I Don't Want to Let My Brothers Down!"
"Cough, cough."
Tang San cleared his throat, steadying his mind. "I've carefully studied Thunder Academy's first nine battles—and especially their match against Gem Academy.
I found that every member of the Thunder team relies heavily on one large-scale attack skill—Thunder Wrath.
I suspect this ability works much like the Dugu Clan's Jade Phosphor Finger—a quintessential lightning-user skill!
They always begin by unleashing it across the entire field, flooding the arena in lightning. Weaker teams are often blasted off the stage before the fight even starts!"
As he spoke, he looked toward his teacher.
Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly. It was true.
The others showed agreement as well. That was exactly how Thunder Academy fought—wild and dazzling.
"However," Tang San continued, "this technique has a fatal flaw—it consumes an enormous amount of soul power.
That's why I believe Thunder Academy would lose if they faced Godwind Academy.
Though they haven't fought yet, I'm certain.
Once their lightning barrage misses a fast-moving opponent, the wasted energy will be their undoing. Speed trumps power—they'd run out of energy long before landing a decisive hit."
At his words, Zhu Zhuqing, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan's eyes lit up.
"Third Brother, you mean we should rely on speed and endurance?" Zhu Zhuqing immediately grasped his intention.
"Exactly. After their fight with Gem Academy, several of their members are injured. They won't want a drawn-out battle.
Tomorrow, they'll almost certainly open with their full-area thunder strike to end things quickly.
But that plays right into our hands. With Oscar's flying sausages and my Blue Silver Grass, I can avoid their initial wave of attacks altogether."
Tang San explained his plan calmly and clearly.
Yu Xiaogang smiled softly—how could he not have noticed Thunder Academy's weakness himself?
But hearing his disciple discover it independently warmed his heart.
Flender, meanwhile, looked like he'd seen a pile of gold drop from the heavens. "Xiao San's plan will work, won't it? Could it be—we're finally going to beat Thunder Academy?"
If they won this match, Flender and Shrek Academy's name would spread across the continent.
While he beamed with excitement, Yu Xiaogang's face darkened slightly.
The others soon sensed it too.
"Ah…"
Liu Erlong sighed quietly.
She had never liked Tang San much, perhaps because he'd killed Yu Tianheng.
Not that she'd had deep feelings for Yu Tianheng—or for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan at all—but she owed Yuluo Mian for helping her establish the academy. That debt carried weight.
Though she knew it had been an accident, something about Tang San's calm attitude after that death unsettled her.
Now he faced Yu Tianxin—the same clan again—yet his focus was only on victory.
If it were her, guilt would have consumed her long ago.
To exploit the weaknesses of the family she had wronged? She could never do it. She wouldn't even step on that stage.
But Tang San had no hesitation, not even shame—only pride.
What an unfeeling boy, she thought bitterly. If not for Xiao Gang's sake, I'd have driven him out long ago.
Yu Xiaogang's silence, however, came not from disgust, but from concern.
He feared this fight would deepen the rift between Tang San and his clan.
Looking into his student's eager, trusting eyes, he hesitated.
Haotian Douluo had already decided that Tang San wouldn't participate in the Spirit Hall finals.
For now, this preliminary stage was his only chance to gain experience and grow strong.
He needed battles—real ones.
Yu Xiaogang's expression hardened.
The clan will just have to bear the bruise a while longer, he told himself. Little San will repay that debt someday.
"Teacher, Aunt Erlong," Tang San said earnestly, "I truly didn't mean to kill Yu Tianheng during that last match against the Emperor Team. It was an accident.
I can give up this fight if you wish, but my teammates—they've trained so hard, fought so many battles to get this far. I can't disappoint them.
Our chance is right in front of us. I don't want to let my brothers down."
Everyone turned to Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong.
Whether they could fight tomorrow depended entirely on their decision.
Even Flender's eyes shone with anticipation.
"Little San, you command the tactics tomorrow," Yu Xiaogang said at last.
"Yes!"
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar clenched their fists, barely restraining their cheers.
They had sensed the tension between their teachers—if not for that, they would have celebrated openly.
Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu looked equally moved.
As civilian soul masters, they were older than the Shrek Five. After this tournament, none of them would ever compete again.
They had one collective goal: advance further, make Shrek Academy famous, and secure a future for themselves.
Never before had the squad been this united, all fighting toward a single victory.
"Tomorrow, I'll fight alongside Boss Dai, Zhuqing, Fatty, Little Ao, Tai Long, and Jing Ling. Any objections?" Tang San barked.
"None!" the team shouted back as one.
"Even though we've spotted a weakness, the gap in overall power still exists. Tomorrow we fight with everything we've got.
Brothers—go all out!"
Dai Mubai's sharp gaze swept over them. Then he raised his fist.
"All out!"
Everyone pressed their fists together with fierce determination.
They had only one belief now—to win.
"Let's get back and rehearse our plan," Tang San said passionately.
Together, brimming with energy, they left the arena like an unstoppable wave.
Meanwhile, Dugu Feng and Ning Rongrong slipped out as well—flustered and exhausted.
After her dazzling performance, Ning Rongrong had become the talk of Heaven Dou City overnight.
Famous—no, legendary.
As they exited, dozens of fans had recognized her, forcing the pair to hide and weave through back alleys until they finally reached the hotel.
"Kiss me!"
Ning Rongrong's cheeks glowed crimson, her heart still racing from the thrill of victory.
All the praise calling her a fairy had left her head spinning—but her heart yearned most for her lover's approval.
Dugu Feng wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her tightly into his embrace.
Heat bloomed between them.
Feeling his firm grip, Ning Rongrong's affection overflowed; she closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.
Winning on the stage, lying safe in his arms now—it was bliss beyond imagining.
The happiest princess in the world.
The lights grew dim, and the room filled with warmth and passion.
(END CHAPTER)
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