As the massive lightning net closed in rapidly on Tianshui Academy's frontline, accompanied by Dai Mubai and the others charging close behind, a flash of blue light shimmered from Shui Bing'er's body. One of her Spirit Rings lit up.
At that very instant, Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Huang Yuan were frozen in place by a sheet of ice. The lightning net too was halted midair, encased in thick ice. Lin Jie narrowed his eyes slightly—four separate points of attack with a single ability. This Shui Bing'er had remarkable control over her Spirit Power. But even so, she was underestimating the power of his third Spirit Ability.
Right after the first ring activated, another shimmer of blue flashed across Shui Bing'er's body as a second Spirit Ring lit up. Simultaneously, layers of ice-formed armor manifested around her teammates, coating their bodies in crystalline protection.
Crack... Boom...
In less than a second, the lightning net shattered through the ice and continued its descent toward the three Power Attackers of Tianshui Academy, only slightly slowed.
Dai Mubai, while still frozen, quickly circulated his Spirit Power to resist the invading chill. He then activated both his White Tiger Barrier and White Tiger Light Wave—the former shielding himself, and the latter blasting forward alongside the descending lightning net toward the enemy's frontliners.
Although Shui Bing'er's ice had momentarily stalled the net, it gave her teammates just enough time to dodge. The three Power Attackers tried to leap out of range, but they still underestimated the speed of Lin Jie's third Spirit Ability.
The lightning net exploded downward. Two of the three girls were caught within it, while only the Spirit Elder among them narrowly escaped.
The moment the net hit, paralyzing lightning and a burst of neurotoxin surged forth.
Zzztt... Zzztt...
The two caught girls convulsed briefly from the electric shock. Though clearly in pain, they didn't collapse—just a stinging numbness coursed through their bodies.
Lin Jie frowned slightly. They weren't taken down?
"…So that's it," he muttered as his gaze landed on the icy armor encasing their bodies. It wasn't the lightning they had resisted—it was the toxin. The cold armor had blocked his neurotoxin, and the electric shock had also been partially dampened.
Even so, the armor didn't hold for long. The two Power Attackers immediately flared their Spirit Power, activating another ability. Their armor solidified again, and soon, bluish-white scales spread across their skin, neutralizing the dark purple lightning entirely. They were visibly exhausted, panting from the strain.
Meanwhile, Tai Long and Huang Yuan, having just broken free from the ice, charged at the two weakened opponents.
Tai Long, a Strength-type Spirit Master, roared as he surged forward. His already massive body expanded further under the glow of a Spirit Ring, and he swung his broad palm toward one of the exhausted girls. Though powerful, he held back slightly—aware of his own strength, he feared accidentally killing her if he went all out.
Huang Yuan was just as fast to react, dashing toward the other girl with equal force.
At the same time, Dai Mubai—having escaped the ice earlier—launched a White Tiger Light Wave straight at the lone Spirit Elder Power Attacker who had dodged the net.
That Spirit Elder saw her teammates struggling and tried to assist them, but she was suddenly forced to halt as the searing white light surged toward her. With no time to dodge, she braced herself.
A Spirit Ring flared to life around her. The fish-like scales across her skin shimmered, reinforcing the icy armor Shui Bing'er had already placed on her. With both layers stacked, she didn't retreat—she raised her arms, shielded by scales, to directly block the incoming attack.
Boom!
The White Tiger Light Wave struck her dead on. A thunderous crash echoed as her ice armor shattered in places. Though her scales remained intact, her breath faltered, and she staggered backward several steps from the impact.
She had blocked the attack—but it cost her the opportunity to protect her two teammates. Tai Long and Huang Yuan's attacks were about to land.
Just as their attacks were about to hit, both their bodies froze once more—encased again in a second burst of ice. Shui Bing'er had struck again. Another instant-cast ability sealed both attackers in place before their blows could land.
"Xue Wu, now," Shui Bing'er called out. Seeing her teammates in danger and the enemy poised to break through, she reinforced her own ice armor again with a second Spirit Ability, increasing its density. She then turned her focus to Lin Jie, whose presence she found increasingly threatening.
Xiao Wu, as a Rank 44 Spirit Elder and a close-range Power Attacker, had already gained the upper hand against one of Tianshui's Agility-types. A little more time, and she would end the match in her favor.
Jing Ling, however, was struggling. Against the opposing Agility Spirit Master, whose abilities happened to counter his, he found himself barely holding on.
Xue Wu, upon hearing Shui Bing'er's command, stepped forward. All four of her Spirit Rings gleamed, casting wave after wave of blue energy as she began a graceful dance. The soft glow radiated from her body, gradually spreading across the arena. Her pale face and fragile figure twirled, hair swaying like water under moonlight.
"…It's getting colder," Lin Jie murmured. His eyes locked onto the dancing girl behind Shui Bing'er, and realization dawned.
"Break!" Lin Jie suddenly shouted.
At his command, the Shrek team instantly unleashed their full strength. Holding back no longer, Dai Mubai activated both his third and fourth abilities simultaneously—White Tiger Vajra Transformation and White Tiger Meteor Shower. Golden spheres of light began condensing around his body.
"Haah!"
With a low roar, the barrage of golden orbs launched toward the Spirit Elder girl who had just endured his earlier strike.
Already weakened, the girl barely had time to respond. She mustered what Spirit Power she had left, reinforcing her scales and attempting to shield herself.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Under the Vajra-enhanced Meteor Shower, the golden blasts rained down relentlessly. The girl's ice armor shattered, and even her scales dimmed under the pressure. Blow after blow pushed her back until she neared the edge of the stage.
Though battered, she managed to remain standing.
She gasped for breath, her limbs trembling. Even with Shui Bing'er's support, she could no longer hold her own. If Dai Mubai struck again, she'd be finished. But surely… after all that, he must be out of Spirit Power, right?
She was about to relax—until her eyes widened in disbelief.
Dai Mubai's chest rose and fell, but there was still energy in his movements. He had trained long and hard in controlling his Spirit Power consumption. Though drained, he had just enough left for one final strike.
"White Tiger Light Wave!"
With a final shout, a beam of white light shot toward the staggering Spirit Elder. This time, it was weaker—but still enough.
Bang!
The blast struck her chest, sending her flying off the platform.
Dai Mubai stood at the edge, panting heavily. He had pushed his limits to defeat her—yet inwardly, he was impressed. That girl had withstood three consecutive strikes from him, including two under enhancement.
She had been a worthy opponent.