Ning Fengzhi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are absolutely right. Shrek Academy's strength is indeed formidable. But today, part of their success also comes down to their strategic deployment. They used three non-core members at the start to wear down the opposing team's first three members—and even forced out one of their Spirit Ancestors. Then Tang San came in and defeated two Spirit Ancestors in a row. So, their advantage stems not only from strength, but also from tactical planning."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded in realization. "Sect Master Ning, you're saying this is related to that so-called 'Grandmaster' of theirs?"
"That's right," Ning Fengzhi replied calmly. At that moment, Salas spoke from the side.
"Lord Salas, would you care to share your thoughts?" the emperor asked, glancing at him.
Salas didn't respond directly. He stood up with a smile and said, "Your Majesty, I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave for now. As for anything further, I believe Sect Master Ning understands better than I do." Without waiting for a reply, he left the VIP viewing platform with a few companions.
Watching Salas leave so nonchalantly, not even bothering with formalities, a flicker of anger crossed Emperor Xue Ye's eyes. He leaned closer to Ning Fengzhi and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear. "This Salas is getting more and more arrogant. Sect Master Ning, you must know more about this Grandmaster."
"I do know a little," Ning Fengzhi replied. "That Grandmaster is Tang San's teacher. His Spirit Power isn't high, but he's a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. In terms of Martial Soul theory, even I must concede he surpasses me."
"Grandmaster…" Emperor Xue Ye murmured, deep in thought. "Then, Sect Master Ning, how would you evaluate this man?"
Ning Fengzhi leaned in and whispered something in the emperor's ear.
The emperor's eyes flashed with sudden intensity. A powerful aura surged from his body and vanished in an instant. "What you said—is it true?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Though he's known as a 'waste' in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, when it comes to Martial Soul theory, his knowledge is unparalleled."
Emperor Xue Ye took a deep breath, then looked toward the battlefield where Yu Xiaogang sat, his expression thoughtful. "After the tournament ends, I'd like you to formally introduce this Grandmaster to me."
What Ning Fengzhi had whispered was a single, weighty sentence:
"He who gains the Grandmaster, gains the world."
Whether that was truly the case remained to be seen. Could the world really be won by securing the loyalty of Yu Xiaogang? Hard to believe. In the end, strength was the true foundation. And wasn't Lin Jie already a world-shaking force?
If Yu Xiaogang had heard how highly Ning Fengzhi praised him, he might've been shocked himself.
Just earlier, when he was arranging Shrek's lineup against Thunderclap Academy, he thought that by giving Tai Long, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan specific strategies based on his own analysis, they could win easily. Yet the result was barely a one-for-one trade—completely different from his expectations. If Tang San hadn't stepped up and taken down two Spirit Ancestors in a row, Shrek might have fallen behind.
Now, thinking back on it, Yu Xiaogang realized his planning had practically been for nothing. He could even feel the gazes of the others subtly shifting toward him, making him feel awkward and embarrassed.
The match was still ongoing. At this point, Tang San's Spirit Power, physical strength, and mental stamina were all nearly spent. But he still refused to step down. He was determined to keep going and try to wear down the enemy's strength.
On the viewing platform, Yu Xiaogang and the others were visibly worried. They all knew how much Tang San had pushed himself.
Now entering from Thunderclap Academy was their vice-captain, Lei Dong—a forty-third-ranked control-type Spirit Ancestor, with the Thunder Spider as his Martial Soul.
Interestingly, Lei Dong's Martial Soul was the same species as the soul beast that Lin Jie's third Spirit Ability came from. Its quality was not to be underestimated.
In terms of Martial Soul grade, Lei Dong's Thunder Spider was clearly superior to Tang San's Blue Silver Grass.
Originally, Tang San had hoped to at least sap some of his opponent's Spirit Power. But unexpectedly, he lost outright.
Still, Tang San wasn't discouraged. After all, he had already defeated two powerful Spirit Ancestors.
After Tang San's defeat, the fifth member of Shrek to take the stage was none other than Dai Mubai.
Lei Dong watched Dai Mubai calmly as he stepped into the ring, recalling all the information Thunderclap Academy had gathered about him.
Dai Mubai—Evil Eye White Tiger, Martial Soul: White Tiger. Rank 43 power-type Battle Spirit Ancestor. Captain of Shrek Academy's team. However, despite being captain, he wasn't their strongest member. Behind him were Zhu Zhuqing and Lin Jie, and even Xiao Wu's Spirit Power had surpassed his. This was all part of the intelligence Thunderclap had collected.
In terms of Spirit Power, Lei Dong and Dai Mubai were equals. Lei Dong's Martial Soul was of slightly lower quality than the White Tiger, and both had the same yellow-yellow-purple-purple Spirit Ring configuration. But Lei Dong was a control-type Spirit Master, which naturally counters power-type ones—a fundamental principle in the Soul Land world.
Although Lei Dong had used some Spirit Power fighting Tang San earlier, he still wanted to try and see if he could defeat Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai eyed Lei Dong with a hint of arrogance. He remembered what Lin Jie had said before the match but didn't take it seriously. His opponent might be a control-type, and their Spirit Power was equal, but he was the White Tiger—how could he possibly lose to a mere Thunder Spider? Besides, the guy had just finished fighting Tang San. No way he was at full power.
He gave Lei Dong a cocky, disdainful smirk.
From the stands, Lin Jie had warned him: "Don't let your guard down."
Lin Jie was familiar with the Thunder Spider—his own third Spirit Ability came from one. Its paralyzing lightning and mental disruption poison were nothing to scoff at. Dai Mubai didn't have the benefit of immortal herbs like the Infernal Delicate Apricot or body-tempering techniques. If he wasn't careful, he might lose in a very embarrassing way.
According to the tournament rules, once a new participant stepped onto the stage, the match began immediately.
Dai Mubai glanced at his opponent, scoffing coldly. His white Spirit Power surged outward as his four Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—flared into view. With a series of cracking sounds, his body expanded—White Tiger Body Enhancement activated.
Without hesitation, Dai Mubai launched himself forward, charging straight at Lei Dong.
At the same moment, Lei Dong activated his own Martial Soul. Thunder erupted behind him as eight arcs of lightning shaped like spider legs burst from his back—yellow, yellow, purple, purple rings pulsing in sync.
Seeing Dai Mubai charge in recklessly, Lei Dong's third Spirit Ring lit up. The eight lightning spider legs stabbed into the ground, conducting a web of electricity outward. Blue lightning surged through the floor, spreading rapidly toward Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai sneered. If this were Lin Jie's lightning, maybe I'd be cautious. But you? A low-grade spider Martial Soul?
He made no effort to dodge.
Seeing this, Lei Dong smiled coldly and increased his Spirit Power output. The electric web surged faster and enveloped Dai Mubai.
At the last moment, Dai Mubai activated his first Spirit Ability: White Tiger Shield Body Barrier. He believed that would be enough to block the oncoming lightning.
He was wrong.
Zzzzzzztt—!
"Argh!" Dai Mubai shouted as the lightning paralyzed his body. Despite his defensive shield, the electricity left him convulsing on the spot.
Lei Dong sneered, "That's what happens when you underestimate your opponent."
Though stunned, Dai Mubai wasn't helpless. His reaction speed was excellent, and he immediately realized his mistake. He activated his third Spirit Ability: White Tiger Vajra Transformation.
With the boost to his physical resilience and power, the numbing effect of the lightning was gradually dispelled. A blinding white aura burst forth from him as he tried to disperse the encroaching lightning net.
But Lei Dong's net, a control-type third ability, was evenly matched in ring quality with Dai Mubai's. It wasn't so easily broken.
Worse, the net began tightening around him.
This isn't good, Dai Mubai thought. If I get fully bound, I'm finished.
From across the ring, Lei Dong's smile widened. He continued tightening the net, hoping to force a victory.
Just then, Dai Mubai recalled Lin Jie's warning—don't be careless. His face hardened. He couldn't lose. He was the team captain. If he lost here, Lin Jie would never let him live it down.
With a furious roar, his body surged with radiant white light. The electric net was finally shattered, dispersed by raw brute force. Breaking free, he leapt out of Lei Dong's attack range.
Once he was clear, he took a deep breath. His eyes locked on Lei Dong, this time without a trace of arrogance.