At this moment, after hearing the System's voice, Liu Yuan's eyes lit up with intense excitement.
This excitement did not come from the thunderous applause below the stage, nor from being appointed captain of the academy's team.
Instead, it came from the cold notification in his mind—
And the new Ability he had just obtained.
Fire Attraction.
---
"Fire Attraction… huh."
Liu Yuan silently contemplated its name and the simple yet overwhelmingly powerful description that followed:
[Effect: Grants immunity to fire-type damage. Fire-attribute attacks can be absorbed and converted into power for the user's own fire-type abilities.]
---
To be fair, when viewed within the broader scope of Pokémon Abilities, this wasn't an all-purpose, overpowered "bug-level" ability.
Its versatility was limited.
Against enemies with other attributes—water, earth, or spiritual types—it would be practically useless.
But—
If he were to face a pure fire-attribute Spirit Master…
Then this Ability would no longer be a simple counter.
It would be absolute domination.
---
And in the upcoming Soul Master Tournament, where the continent's top geniuses would gather…
The greatest threat to Liu Yuan was undoubtedly—
Ma Xiaotao of Shrek Academy.
---
At that thought, Liu Yuan's expression became rather strange.
A mix of surprise, amusement… and a faint hint of pity.
"This System… really doesn't want Shrek to win, does it?"
Giving him Fire Attraction at this moment—
How could he possibly lose?
---
Ma Xiaotao's greatest strength lay in her overwhelming Evil Fire.
But now?
That same terrifying flame—capable of making even Spirit Emperors and Spirit Saints wary—
Would not only fail to harm him…
It would instead strengthen him.
---
Liu Yuan could already picture the scene clearly.
On the grand stage of the tournament finals—
The arrogant Evil Fire Phoenix would unleash her blazing inferno, flames capable of scorching the heavens and boiling the seas.
A sea of fire would surge toward him.
And he—
Would simply stand there.
Unmoving.
---
Before the stunned eyes of Shrek's audience—
The flames would engulf him…
Then fade away.
---
And he would walk out unharmed.
Stronger than before.
---
What kind of expression would appear on Ma Xiaotao's face at that moment?
Shock?
Disbelief?
Despair?
And what about Shrek Academy?
---
Thinking of that scene, the corners of Liu Yuan's lips slowly curved upward into a faint smile.
---
Just then—
Jing Hongchen's authoritative voice rang out once more from the high platform, pulling Liu Yuan back to reality.
"…I hope the seven of you will cooperate sincerely and live up to the academy's expectations!"
"In the coming days, the academy will provide you with the highest level of special training!"
"Now—follow me!"
---
His gaze swept over Liu Yuan and the other six team members before he waved his hand.
Under the envious and respectful gazes of tens of thousands of students—
Liu Yuan and the others stepped down from the platform.
---
The next phase—
Would be dedicated to intense training and coordination.
The forging of their ultimate team.
---
Meanwhile…
At Shrek Academy, the atmosphere was completely different.
---
At the center of Sea God Lake stood the ancient Sea God's Pavilion, surrounded by towering golden trees brimming with life energy.
The air was tranquil and fragrant.
---
Inside the pavilion—
A frail-looking old man reclined lazily in a chair, gnawing on a large chicken leg, his mouth greasy.
This was none other than the Gluttonous Douluo—
Xuan Zi.
---
Before him, a man dressed in black knelt on one knee, reporting the latest intelligence from the Sun Moon Royal Academy.
"…Elder Xuan, that concludes the report."
"That youth ultimately defeated Ma Rulong and became the captain of the Sun Moon team."
---
Xuan Zi slowly opened his half-lidded eyes.
He tossed aside the chicken bone and wiped his mouth, looking utterly unimpressed.
"…Is that all?"
---
His tone carried undisguised disappointment.
"To deal with a mere Fifth-rank Soul Engineer who hasn't even reached Spirit Emperor level…"
"He struggled that much?"
"Chased around half the match… and only won by relying on some strange 'dance' to boost himself?"
---
The scout lowered his head, not daring to respond.
---
Xuan Zi shook his head, the disdain in his cloudy eyes growing more obvious.
"Hmph. It seems those boys—Xi Xi and Yue Heng—exaggerated his abilities."
"This level of strength…"
"Is nowhere near Xiao Tao's."
---
In his mind, someone regarded as a major threat by Dai Yueheng should possess overwhelming dominance.
But from what he heard—
Liu Yuan didn't win cleanly.
---
That alone caused Xuan Zi's evaluation to plummet.
To him, the Sun Moon Empire's reliance on spirit tools and strange techniques was nothing but shortcuts.
Not true strength.
---
Just then—
Rapid footsteps echoed from outside.
A voice filled with excitement burst through the doorway:
"Elder Xuan! Elder Xuan! Great news!"
---
The next moment—
Yan Shaozhe rushed in, barely containing his excitement, his face flushed red.
His usual calm demeanor was completely gone.
---
Xuan Zi frowned slightly, displeased.
"What's the matter? Has the sky fallen?"
---
"It's even better than that!"
Yan Shaozhe rushed forward, his hands trembling with excitement.
He took a deep breath and announced:
"Just this morning—"
"Xiao Tao's spirit power has officially broken through to Level 70!"
---
"We can begin preparing her seventh spirit ring!"
---
The atmosphere instantly changed.
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