The final push before the tournament wasn't just about refining teamwork and tactics. Raising everyone's Spirit Power Level was just as important.
After all, Feng Xiaotian breaking through to the Spirit King realm and Ning Rongrong advancing to the Spirit Ancestor level would greatly strengthen the team.
As for Wu Qi, with his head Spirit Bone continuing to repair itself, his Spirit Power had surged to Level 47.5 in a very short time.
The Spirit Bone's restoration was nearly complete, so his Spirit Power would no longer increase so dramatically. Reaching Level 50 would likely be much more difficult.
If necessary, he planned to use the springs of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well to make his final push toward becoming a Spirit King.
As for the preliminary stage of the Spirit Master Tournament, whether he participated or not wouldn't affect the Seven Treasure Team's ability to qualify.
Overall, he still had plenty of time.
In stark contrast to the Seven Treasure Team's high spirits, the Shrek Team looked completely deflated.
The hidden weapons that had once single-handedly shattered the Royal Battle Team's defenses and wiped them out had proven useless today.
Yu Tianheng's thoughts were in complete turmoil.
He couldn't understand how Wu Qi and the others had managed to neutralize Tang San's hidden weapons, or whether the Seven Treasure Team had simply become unimaginably powerful.
For the first time, he regretted joining the Shrek Seven Devils.
Had he remained at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Dugu Yan had never openly tried to take his position as captain.
Perhaps once her anger had subsided, she might even have given him an immortal herb.
The atmosphere inside the Shrek Team's waiting room was unbearably heavy.
At a time like this, Yu Tianheng naturally couldn't voice his regrets.
He had already offended Prince Xue Xing, making it impossible for him to return to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. If he left Shrek Academy as well, he would become someone who had abandoned multiple factions.
At that point, no academy would dare accept him.
Among the Shrek Seven Devils, Tang San and Xiao Wu had suffered the most serious injuries, with Ma Hongjun coming next.
As for Ma Hongjun, if he hadn't overeaten before the match, he wouldn't have been injured so badly.
Unfortunately, he simply couldn't control his appetite.
Since it involved his own disciple, Flender acted without delay and quickly brought in three healing-type Spirit Masters.
Late that night, after receiving treatment, the three injured members gradually regained consciousness.
On the journey back to the academy, no one spoke a single word.
The crushing defeat had dealt such a severe blow that they had all lost confidence.
After returning to the academy, Grandmaster gathered everyone together, intending to encourage them.
Unexpectedly, Dai Mubai spoke first.
"Zhuqing, why didn't you come support me? If we'd used our Spirit Fusion Skill, how could we possibly have lost?"
While fighting Huo Wushuang, he had been overwhelmed and completely unable to keep track of what was happening elsewhere on the arena.
In truth, Zhu Zhuqing's job of tying down Feng Xiaotian had contributed greatly to the battle.
Unfortunately, the others had failed to capitalize on the opportunity she created.
Before Zhu Zhuqing could answer, Grandmaster scolded them.
"Mubai, what are you shouting for? And Zhuqing, why didn't you regroup with Dai Mubai and use your Spirit Fusion Skill?"
During the match, Grandmaster had been focused entirely on Tang San, while Liu Erlong had been watching Xiao Wu.
Neither had paid any attention to Zhu Zhuqing's situation.
Flender had seen the battle unfold from beginning to end.
However, with Grandmaster in charge of all team affairs, he had no idea how to defend Zhu Zhuqing at that moment.
Faced with their repeated questioning, Zhu Zhuqing remained silent.
If she contradicted Grandmaster, she would inevitably offend Tang San.
If she also offended Dai Mubai, she would alienate both sides, leaving no place for her within the team.
Leaving Dai Mubai sounded simple enough.
But facing Davis and his wife alone, she had virtually no chance of surviving.
When Zhu Zhuqing refused to answer, Grandmaster immediately turned his anger toward Ma Hongjun.
"Hongjun, your performance was an enormous disappointment. What happened? The moment you faced a strong opponent, you forgot how to fight?"
"You were nothing more than a punching bag. On a real battlefield, you'd be the first one to die!"
"And who told you to eat so much before the match? Didn't you know overeating would affect your performance?"
Watching his disciple being scolded, Flender wanted to speak but ultimately remained silent.
The truth was, Ma Hongjun's performance had been deeply disappointing.
He hadn't contributed anything noteworthy throughout the match.
Now that Zhu Zhuqing and Oscar had both absorbed immortal herbs, Ma Hongjun's Spirit Power had become the lowest among the seven.
Looking back at all of their previous matches, Ma Hongjun had never once delivered an outstanding performance.
No one said it aloud, but everyone understood.
He could no longer keep up with the team's growth.
He had become their weakest link.
Having learned his lesson from the previous argument, Ma Hongjun didn't try to defend himself this time.
He simply lowered his head in silence.
Next, Grandmaster reprimanded everyone except Tang San and Xiao Wu before sending them back to reflect on their mistakes.
After everyone else had left, his expression softened somewhat as he turned toward Tang San.
"Xiao San, what exactly happened? Why didn't your hidden weapons work?"
Liu Erlong gently tugged at his sleeve.
With Grandmaster's strength, he might not have been able to clearly follow the lightning-fast exchanges during the battle, but she had seen everything.
It wasn't that Tang San lacked ability. On the contrary, his hidden weapon techniques were exceptionally skillful. The problem was that the Seven Treasure Team's responses had been nearly flawless. Tang San alone simply couldn't change the outcome of the battle.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. It's all my fault. I trusted Wu Qi too much before and exposed my trump cards. That allowed him to figure out how to counter them."
Even after using Bat Wing Reincarnation, the most unpredictable hidden weapon technique of the Tang Sect, it had still been neutralized.
Tang San couldn't help but question whether hidden weapons could truly replace a Spirit Master's combat abilities on the Douluo Continent.
If they couldn't then by continuing to cultivate only his Blue Silver Grass Spirit, wouldn't he become easy prey during the tournament?
The Seven Treasure Team's attacks consisted almost entirely of wind blades and blazing flames.
Once his Blue Silver Grass appeared, it was difficult for it to survive for more than five seconds.
If he had cultivated his Clear Sky Hammer Spirit instead, would the outcome have been different?
Grandmaster gently patted his shoulder.
"Xiao San, I'm not blaming you. Your arrangements were excellent. It's just that our opponents were too cunning, leaving us with no effective countermeasures."
"You and Xiao Wu should go back and get some proper rest. Don't worry, I've already come up with a way to deal with the Seven Treasure Team. In a few days, I'll begin specialized training to prepare you."
Tang San nodded absentmindedly.
He still hadn't escaped his self-doubt.
After a sleepless night.
Early the next morning, Xiao Wu gradually regained her confidence after being comforted by Liu Erlong.
Seeing that Tang San still looked dejected, she took him for a walk around the academy.
"Third Brother, it was only one defeat. Grandmaster will definitely find a way to counter the Seven Treasure Team. When we meet them again in the Spirit Master Tournament, we'll crush them and avenge yesterday's loss!"
Tang San remained silent.
This time, he hadn't only lost because of his Spirit.
Even the hidden weapons he had always been so confident in had been completely countered.
Without his hidden weapons, could his Blue Silver Grass Spirit alone really defeat Wu Qi?
As they walked, Tai Long stepped in front of them, blocking their path.
"I mean, just look at you. After getting beaten so badly, you still dare walk around with Xiao Wu? Get lost. If you leave now, I'll spare your life."
The Shrek Seven Devils had never been popular with the academy's students.
Now that they had suffered one setback after another, Tai Long no longer regarded Tang San as a threat.
What he didn't know was that Xiao Wu was Tang San's greatest weakness.
Combined with the frustration and anger Tang San had bottled up after yesterday's crushing defeat.
Tai Long had unknowingly walked straight into the line of fire.
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