"A one-vs-seven sweep?"
As this crazy thought circled above Star Luo Plaza, the originally noisy discussions actually gradually quieted down.
In its place was a profound sense of shock.
This term had almost never appeared in the history of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Douluo Tournament.
Even Shrek Academy, in all these years, had never achieved such a feat!
After all, a contestant's spirit power is limited, their physical strength is limited, and the exhaustion from a gauntlet match is immense.
So generally, no matter how strong a contestant's strength was, winning four or five consecutive matches was already incredible.
But today...
Looking at Liu Yuan on the stage, who remained as calm as a light breeze, everyone's heart skipped a beat.
Maybe... there really was a tiny bit of possibility?
...
Shrek Academy rest area.
If Elder Xuan's face was like the bottom of a pot before, it was now so black it could practically drip ink.
The wine gourd in his hand creaked as he squeezed it, and that old face, which was usually tipsy, was now filled with gloom and anxiety.
"Impossible... absolutely impossible!"
Xuan Zi roared frantically in his heart.
The script wasn't supposed to be like this!
In his imagination, Liu Yuan—the "trash" he had personally expelled from Shrek—should have been beaten by Crimson Flame Academy until he fled in terror. Then, the Sun Moon Team's morale would plummet, and they would ultimately fail to even make it out of the round-robin tournament, becoming the laughingstock of the entire continent.
At that time, he, Xuan Zi, could stand high above and point fingers, proving to everyone—look, how sharp my eyes were back then! This kind of person isn't worthy of staying at Shrek at all!
But what about now?
An instant kill of a four-ring Soul Ancestor!
Even the First Spirit Skill displayed a terrifying speed that could almost only be achieved by a Titled Douluo!
Xuan Zi was afraid.
If this kid really achieved the feat of a "one-vs-seven sweep"...
He felt a chill run down his spine.
If this reached the Sea Gods Pavilion, reached Elder Mu's ears, or even spread across the entire continent...
"This student, who was expelled by him, actually completed a one-vs-seven sweep while facing Crimson Flame Academy?"
This was practically carving the words "blind and ignorant" onto Xuan Zi's forehead, while also taking a massive dump on Shrek Academy's golden reputation!
"No! Absolutely not!"
Elder Xuan bit his teeth, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
This kind of thing must not happen!
He stared fixedly at the nearby Crimson Flame Academy preparation area, cursing and praying frantically in his heart:
"You little brats from Crimson Flame Academy, hurry up and pull yourselves together for me!"
"Don't be cowards! Get in there! Burn him to ashes with your fire!"
"If you lose, I... I will definitely go to the gates of your Crimson Flame Academy and curse you out!"
At this moment, a dignified Shrek Sea Gods Pavilion Elder had actually fallen to the point of pinning his hopes on another academy to help him save face. It had to be said, this was a great irony.
...
On the other side.
Crimson Flame Academy preparation area.
The atmosphere was so heavy it felt like it could be wrung out like water.
Looking at the replay that had just finished on the big screen, every Chiyan team member felt as if they had been slapped hard in the face, a burning pain lingering.
Shame.
This was definitely the greatest shame since the founding of Crimson Flame Academy!
The vanguard general was swatted away like a fly before even releasing his Spirit?
"Captain..."
A team member swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly: "This Liu Yuan's speed is too eerie. What... what do we do next?"
As the captain, Chi Xiao's face was also dark with gloom.
He stared fixedly at Liu Yuan on the stage.
"Don't panic!"
Chi Xiao took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and barked in a low voice:
"High speed is indeed troublesome, but it's not unsolvable."
"As long as we restrict his movement space or predict his trajectory, his speed advantage will be greatly diminished."
"Moreover, that burst he just showed must have consumed quite a bit. He's just a Spirit King; I don't believe he can keep using a Spirit Skill that allows for such speed!"
Just then, a young man who had been sitting silently in the corner suddenly stood up.
He was thin with sunken eyes, and he was surrounded by a cold, dark red aura that was completely different from the explosive fire attributes of the other team members.
"Captain, let me go."
The youth's voice was raspy, like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.
Chi Xiao turned to look at him, a sharp light flashing in his eyes:
"Xiao Huo? Are you sure?"
This youth named Xiao Huo was one of the official members of Crimson Flame Academy this year, a Rank 55 Control System Battle Soul King!
His Spirit was not ordinary fire, but a powerful elemental Spirit called the 'flame monarch.' Although his explosive power wasn't as good as Chi Xiao's, he was the best in the team when it came to field control.
"If it were an opponent who relied purely on brute force, I might have a headache."
Xiao Huo slowly raised his head, and in those somewhat cloudy eyes, eerie dark red flames flickered:
"But if it's an agility-attack system that relies on speed..."
The corner of his mouth curled into a cold arc as he stretched out a pale palm and made a grasping motion in the air:
"He's walked right into my trap."
"My Third Spirit Skill, 'Flame Demon Domain,' although it hasn't reached the level of a true Domain, can instantly turn the entire stage into a sea of fire."
"That is my sensory network."
"As long as he moves within the range of my sea of fire, even the vibration of a speck of dust cannot escape my perception."
Speaking to this point, a confident cold light flashed in Xiao Huo's eyes:
"In that sea of fire, I don't need to use my eyes to see."
"I will make him understand what it means to have... nowhere to hide."
After hearing Xiao Huo's analysis, Chi Xiao's originally gloomy expression finally softened a bit, and hope was rekindled in his eyes.
That's right!
Full-map strike, full-map perception!
No matter how fast you are, you still have to run on the stage, right?
As long as you are on the stage, you will be burned, and your position will be exposed!
This was the most perfect counter-tactic against agility-attack system Spirit Masters!
Furthermore, in a full-map sea of fire, Liu Yuan's movements would definitely be affected!
Although Xiao Huo's 'Flame Demon Domain' didn't have much killing power, it could still cause some trouble for Liu Yuan!
"Good!"
Chi Xiao patted Xiao Huo heavily on the shoulder, his tone stirring:
"Xiao Huo, I'm leaving this match to you!"
"This isn't just about winning; it's about washing away the shame from just now!"
"Go tell that arrogant fellow that Crimson Flame Academy cannot be insulted!"
"Burn his dream of a 'one-vs-seven sweep' into ashes for me!"
"Understood."
Xiao Huo nodded, then turned around and strode toward the exit of the preparation area under the expectant gazes of his teammates.
...
"Will the next contestant from Crimson Flame Academy please enter the arena!"
Following the referee's loud shout.
At the entrance of the preparation area tunnel, Xiao Huo's figure slowly appeared.
Compared to the previous Huo Lie, Xiao Huo appeared much more low-key and gloomy. He had no flamboyant roars, nor did he have any arrogant provocations.
He just walked onto the stage quietly. With every step he took, a scorched footprint was left on the ground, as if even the rock was being scorched by the high temperature within his body.
When he stood still opposite Liu Yuan, a suppressed and scorching aura instantly filled the venue.
"Crimson Flame Academy, Xiao Huo."
Xiao Huo raised his head and looked at Liu Yuan opposite him, his voice as calm as a pool of stagnant water.
"Rank 55, Control System Battle Soul King."
The entire audience was in an uproar once again.
"Xiao Huo, so it's him."
"He seems to have a control skill that creates a sea of fire across the whole field!"
"If it's him, he seems to counter Liu Yuan quite well!"
"Now this is worth watching. Can Liu Yuan still win?"
Hearing the discussions around him, Elder Xuan in the Shrek rest area finally relaxed his tense nerves a little.
"That's right! Sending this kid is the way to go!"
Elder Xuan stroked his chin, a hint of expectation appearing in his eyes:
"This Chi Xiao isn't too stupid; he knows how to adapt."
"If it's him, he shouldn't be afraid of Liu Yuan."
On the stage.
Facing Xiao Huo's highly oppressive self-introduction, Liu Yuan remained as unperturbed as ever.
He just nodded faintly, not even reporting his own Rank, only making a casual "please" gesture.
In Xiao Huo's eyes, this action was undoubtedly the greatest contempt.
"Very well."
A flash of anger passed through Xiao Huo's eyes.
"I hope you can still maintain this elegance when you are screaming in my sea of fire later."
Both sides stood ready.
This time, the air was no longer filled with a simple scent of gunpowder, but a heavy sense of calculation and gamesmanship.
The referee looked at the two, took a deep breath, and raised his right hand high once again.
This time, everyone held their breath, staring at the field without blinking, for fear of missing any detail.
"Match..."
...Begin!"
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