As the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition schedule progressed, fewer and fewer teams remained after one intense, brutal elimination match after another. However, this also meant that those left were all elites from their respective cities, raising the subsequent matches' standard and intensity to a new height.
Huo Yuhao sat in the Donghai Academy spectator stands, watching a three-person team match in the youth division below, his brow slightly furrowed with an uncommonly serious expression. He leaned slightly towards Wu Changkong sitting beside him and said in a lowered voice, "Teacher, I've observed the youth division matches these past few days. Quite a few teams possess remarkable strength."
He paused, a trace of concern entering his tone. "Our ultimate 'main event' is the confrontation with Shrek Academy. If we expose our abilities too early or too much in this three-person team competition, it would likely be very disadvantageous."
Wu Changkong, his gaze fixed on the stage where Gu Yue and the others were clashing with their opponents, asked, "Are you suggesting we withdraw from the three-person team competition?"
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Having Gu Yue and the others compete for the championship is also meant to temper them. But compared to this championship, defeating the Shrek team presents a greater challenge, doesn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Changkong fell silent, seemingly deep in thought. Huo Yuhao pressed his advantage, saying, "Moreover, the three-person team competition final is on the last day of the Grand Competition. Even if Gu Yue and the others manage to fight their way to the final and win, they would inevitably endure several grueling battles, suffering significant exhaustion and possibly even injuries, which would affect the final showdown with Shrek."
Wu Changkong finally withdrew his gaze from the stage, slowly turning his head to look at Huo Yuhao. A moment later, Wu Changkong spoke calmly, "You go discuss this matter with them."
A smile appeared on Huo Yuhao's face. He knew this was Wu Changkong's way of agreeing to his proposal. He replied respectfully, "Yes, Teacher!"
Due to the Tianhai Alliance's invitation to Shrek Academy, this year's Grand Competition garnered far more attention than previous editions. Not only within the Tianhai Alliance itself, but many other cities across the continent also increased their broadcast coverage, with countless eyes focused here.
In the Blacksmith competition, both Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin participated in the youth division. Naturally, they swept through their matches, easily securing the top two positions. Their forging skills, far exceeding their age, even caused a stir, with many Blacksmiths vying to take them as apprentices. It wasn't until they learned that the two were respectively disciples of the Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua and the Eight-Star Saint Craftsman Mu Chen that they finally relented.
Over a dozen days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition had entered its final stage.
"Hailu Intermediate Academy... are they really that strong?" The awe-inspiring scene from the stage just moments ago still echoed in Xie Xie's mind. He couldn't help but mutter with a hint of lingering trepidation.
The recently concluded three-person team competition final saw the Hailu Intermediate Academy team from Hailu City display overwhelmingly dominant strength. Their three-member team consisted of two three-ring Spirit Elders paired with a one-ring Spirit Grandmaster!
Tang Wulin unconsciously clenched his fist. He was confident that with the terrifying explosive power granted by his Golden Dragon Claw, even with only one ring, he could unleash an attack surpassing that of an ordinary Spirit Grandmaster in an instant. However, regarding spirit power cultivation speed, he had to admit the gap between himself and those true geniuses remained significant. This gap ignited a strong sense of urgency within him.
Even the typically steady and calm Huo Yuhao now felt a lingering sense of apprehension. Those three members from Hailu Intermediate Academy not only held an advantage in individual strength but also possessed a Spirit Fusion Skill!
Huo Yuhao let out a soft sigh of relief. Thankfully, on his suggestion, Gu Yue and the others had withdrawn from subsequent matches after reaching the semi-finals. Otherwise, they would likely have faced this team in the final. The outcome would have been uncertain, but even if they could win, it would have undoubtedly been a Pyrrhic victory.
After another afternoon of fierce competition, all the matches had concluded. Normally, the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition could be considered successfully concluded at this point. However, the Tianhai Alliance officials had already announced earlier that a special Exhibition Match would be held during the Closing Ceremony of this year's Grand Competition.
The Shrek Academy youth team would face Donghai Academy's Class Zero, who had previously publicly challenged them over the broadcast! Involving Shrek Academy naturally attracted the attention of countless spectators and even more Federation citizens following the event through broadcasts.
Everyone wanted to know: who exactly were these members of "Class Zero" who dared to challenge the giant? And what kind of spectacle would this confrontation be? Amidst the eager anticipation of the masses, the Closing Ceremony's host finally progressed to the grand finale segment.
An impassioned broadcast voice resounded through the brightly lit Tianhai Stadium. "At this final moment as the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition draws to a successful close, let us focus our attention on the central stage! Next, a specially arranged grand finale Exhibition Match will be held! Please welcome both teams to the stage! Shrek Academy, Elite Youth Team! And, the brave challengers... Donghai Academy, Class Zero Team!"
By now, the sky outside had long since darkened completely, the deep night sky dotted with scattered stars. Inside the magnificent Tianhai Stadium, Soul Tool Lighting Installations illuminated the entire central area as brightly as day.
Following the host's impassioned introduction, the two teams emerged from dedicated passages on either side of the stage, ascending the specially constructed platform at the stadium's very center for this confrontation. On either side of the stage, the dark green uniforms of the Shrek students and the deep blue of Donghai Academy formed a stark contrast.
Simultaneously, in the third-floor VIP box, two figures stood side by side before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window. Wu Changkong, dressed in white with a cold, sharp aura, and Shen Yi, with her neatly styled white hair and cool, elegant features. Both their gazes were fixed on the stage below, watching their respective students step into the center of the arena.
Through prior observation and intelligence, Shen Yi had already formed a basic assessment of Class Zero's strength.
"A two-ring Spirit Grandmaster, yet proficient in wielding multiple elements. Another two-ring Spirit Grandmaster, with twin spirits. And another, though only possessing one ring, it's a thousand-year spirit ring, with a physical body strength formidable enough to rival a Spirit Elder."
She paused, finally turning her head to look at her Senior Brother beside her, whose expression remained stern and silent. Her tone carried a note of acknowledgment. "Senior Brother, I have to admit, the children you've found all possess quite good talent. They have promising futures."
But then her tone shifted, her gaze returning to the slightly slender figures on the stage below. "However, with just this... it's still not enough to defeat the Shrek team I've brought!"
Shen Yi felt that students like Ye Xinglan and Yu Tianlong weren't taking this match seriously enough. But what about herself? Even if she took it seriously enough to personally analyze the opponents' characteristics, deep down, wasn't that deeply ingrained sense of superiority and confidence stemming from her Shrek identity just another form of "underestimation"?
Wu Changkong's tone, however, was no longer its usual icy coldness but carried a rare hint of warmth. "Even you think so. It seems the academy hasn't changed during my time away."
After saying this, he turned to face his Junior Sister with a serious expression. "Shen Yi, I hope you won't hate me after today!"
Hearing these words spoken gently by her typically aloof and proud Senior Brother, a sudden sense of foreboding rose within her.
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