The final match of the preliminary rounds was Shrek Academy versus Tianshui Academy. The lineup Shrek sent out was the same as the one they used against Blazing Academy: Lin Jie, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Jiang Zhu, Tai Long, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling.
As the start time for the match drew closer, Lin Jie finished reviewing the key points with the team, then waited quietly for the battle to begin.
Not far from Shrek's resting area, the members of Tianshui Academy sat together—an ensemble of young women in pale blue uniforms. Each one was graceful, refined in both looks and figure. At the center sat a girl of extraordinary beauty, on par with even Blazing Academy's Huo Wu.
She stood about 1.65 meters tall, her long aquamarine hair cascading down her back. Her exquisite face was radiant and captivating. Arched brows, starry eyes, lips like cherry blossoms, and snowy-white skin—it was the kind of beauty that stole the breath away. At the moment, she seemed to be discussing something with her teammates, before her gaze drifted toward Shrek Academy. A glint of fighting spirit shone in her eyes.
This stunning girl was Shui Bing'er, captain of Tianshui Academy, and known affectionately as "Big Sister" by the rest.
She appeared no older than twenty, perhaps even younger. But her position as leader wasn't based on age—it was earned by strength. In Tianshui Academy, rankings were determined by power alone. Despite her youthful appearance, Shui Bing'er's strength surpassed all her peers, and her authority was undisputed.
Finally, the final match of the preliminaries officially began. As the teams from Shrek and Tianshui stepped onto the arena platform, the crowd in the grandstands erupted in excitement.
Shrek Academy and Tianshui Academy took the field from opposite sides of the arena.
From the VIP section, the announcer's voice rang out:
"The final round of the qualifiers is about to begin! On one side, we have the veteran powerhouse—Tianshui Academy! And on the other, the breakout dark horse of this tournament—Shrek Academy! Which side will emerge victorious? Let's find out together!"
Upon stepping onto the arena, Shui Bing'er scanned Shrek's lineup and her brows furrowed. This was the exact formation Shrek had used against Blazing Academy. She had expected Lin Jie to take them seriously. Yet, he hadn't even brought out their full strength against her team. Were they underestimating Tianshui?
A chill flickered across Shui Bing'er's eyes, the frosty aura of her Ice attribute rising unconsciously.
"Big Sis is mad," Shui Yue'er whispered quietly to her teammates.
"Of course she is. Shrek's completely looking down on us. No wonder she's angry," said another girl sweetly, clearly recognizing the reused lineup.
"Hmph, once the battle starts, we'll make them regret it!" A tall blue-haired beauty clenched her fists and glared at Shrek.
At that moment, the referee gestured for the two sides to exchange courtesies.
The teams lined up. Shrek in one row, and Tianshui following suit.
Dai Mubai, stepping forward, found his gaze fixed on Shui Bing'er's eyes. It wasn't her beauty that startled him—it was the calm, keen intellect in her gaze. That glint of sharp perception was very similar to Lin Jie's. And thinking of Lin Jie immediately sobered him. No matter how clever Shui Bing'er looked, there was no way her strength could match Lin Jie's monstrous talent... right?
"Dai Mubai, captain of Shrek Academy. Rank 43 Power Attack System Spirit Master," he said with unexpected courtesy.
Though mildly irritated, Shui Bing'er maintained her composure, her expression serene. She responded with cool poise,
"Shui Bing'er, captain of Tianshui Academy. Rank 43 Control System Spirit Master."
Dai Mubai glanced sideways at Lin Jie upon hearing that.
After the introductions, the referee gave the command:
"Both sides, release your Martial Souls!"
As the words fell, tension crackled on the platform. The two teams released their spirits nearly simultaneously, and the air between them turned heavy.
Shrek kept their usual 3-3-1 formation: Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Huang Yuan in the front row as Power Attack; Lin Jie in the center as Control; Xiao Wu and Jing Ling on the flanks; Jiang Zhu at the rear for support.
Tianshui mirrored the formation. Three tall girls took the front, Shui Bing'er stood in the center, flanked by Shui Yue'er, a Rank 36 Agility Attack Spirit Master, and another girl of the same type. Behind them was a frail-looking black-haired girl with pale skin who appeared almost ill.
With the signal given, both sides unleashed their Martial Souls.
Though Lin Jie had researched Tianshui Academy beforehand, even he was surprised by what he saw. Their strength was above his expectations—three Spirit Elders and four Spirit Masters, matching Shrek's fielded strength.
Aside from Shui Bing'er, whose power was already known, the girl directly in front of her, a tall Power Attack-type Spirit Master, was also a Spirit Elder. But the biggest surprise was the black-haired girl behind Shui Bing'er. Despite her delicate appearance, she too was a Spirit Elder, and looked just as young as the captain.
As Shui Bing'er activated her Martial Soul, a hazy blue aura enveloped her entire body. With a wave of her slender hand, that aura expanded outward, cloaking all six of her teammates.
Under the blue shroud, their Spirit Rings—originally yellow and purple—transformed into a uniform blue. Even their Martial Souls were concealed by the energy. Shrek couldn't tell what their spirits were anymore, only that they carried a powerful presence.
The three Power Attack girls in the front showed changes: faint fish scales appeared on their arms. The two Agility Attackers beside Shui Bing'er changed too—one shimmered with pale blue energy, while the other's skin hardened into a smooth, jade-like sheen.
Lin Jie recalled that Shui Bing'er's Martial Soul was the Ice Phoenix. But as for the others... their identities were a mystery.
This was the first time Shrek had faced a team whose spirits couldn't be clearly identified. This match would not be as simple as they'd imagined.
But Shrek wouldn't be outdone.
Dai Mubai released his White Tiger Martial Soul, his muscles bulging and aura surging. Tai Long's Martial Soul, the Vajra Ape, made his already bulky frame swell further. Behind them, Huang Yuan's Lone Wolf spirit loomed faintly.
Lin Jie calmly extended one hand. A thread of blue-white lightning hovered above his palm. Though small, no one dared underestimate its power.
Xiao Wu's Rabbit Martial Soul manifested with a graceful energy that made her movements seem weightless.
"Begin!" the referee declared.
At once, both sides sprang into motion.
But surprisingly, the first to move wasn't Dai Mubai or the frontliners—it was Lin Jie, the Control-type.
A flash of purple light burst from the third Spirit Ring on Lin Jie's body. A thick, dark-purple bolt of lightning surged forward. Just before it struck Tianshui's frontline, it exploded into a massive net of electricity, crackling and spreading wide to entrap the three advancing opponents.
"Attack!" Lin Jie's calm voice rang out.
Dai Mubai and the others instantly followed, charging behind the lightning net. Xiao Wu and Jing Ling flanked to engage the enemy Agility Attackers.
Seeing the Control-type as the first to strike shocked the Tianshui girls. In most battles, Control-type Spirit Masters acted as reserve force, conserving strength and waiting for the opportune moment. Yet Lin Jie had acted immediately and decisively.
Shui Bing'er wasn't slow to respond. The moment she saw the net coming, her purple Spirit Ring lit up. She'd watched all of Shrek's past battles—especially Lin Jie's. She had studied his abilities carefully.
He'd only used two Spirit Abilities during this tournament. One was this lightning net, which could stun and bind enemies on contact. The other was a devastating single-target strike from his fingertip that had taken out a Spirit Elder from Blazing Academy in one hit. Just two abilities—but not a single loss.
So when Lin Jie's lightning surged toward them, Shui Bing'er dared not underestimate it.