A shadowy aura of the night cloaked Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul. Upon its release, her entire presence took on an air of mystery.
On the viewing platform, the crowd watched Zhu Zhuqing in confusion. They all knew her Martial Soul was the Hell Spirit Cat—but the form she had just released didn't resemble it at all.
Yu Tianxin, a Power Attack-type Spirit Master, wielded the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. His specialty, unsurprisingly, was overwhelming offense.
He was the first to initiate combat, surging with arcs of lightning.
With a low shout, his body shot into the air and lunged toward Zhu Zhuqing. As he did, his first Spirit Ring lit up—Blue Lightning Dragon Claw activated as he slashed directly at her.
Zhu Zhuqing, as an Agility Attack-type Spirit Master, would never try to take such a strike head-on. Speed and agility were her strengths, and she had no intention of engaging him through brute force.
As Yu Tianxin charged, Zhu Zhuqing crouched low, gathering force in her legs. Her sharp claws extended, eyes locked on his incoming strike.
Just as Yu Tianxin's lightning claw neared, Zhu Zhuqing exploded into motion, veering sharply to the right at extreme speed. In the same moment, she countered with a swift swipe of her claws toward his flank.
Yu Tianxin wasn't surprised that Zhu Zhuqing had evaded his attack—he knew she was strong. But the fact that she counterattacked mid-dodge still caught him off guard. Fortunately, he was a seasoned combatant. His instincts kicked in immediately.
With a twist of his body, Yu Tianxin narrowly dodged her strike.
What had started as his offense turned into his defense. Zhu Zhuqing's quick reaction had nullified his initial strike and forced him to evade instead.
Landing some distance away, Yu Tianxin's expression darkened.
Although the exchange had lasted only a brief moment, Yu Tianxin understood that Zhu Zhuqing was no ordinary opponent. No wonder she'd been capable of a one-versus-seven victory. Her strength was real. If he didn't go all out, there was a good chance he would lose.
Not letting up, Zhu Zhuqing pressed the advantage. Her first Spirit Ring lit up—the claws on her hands becoming even sharper.
At a distance of less than five meters, she launched her first Spirit Ability: Hell Spirit Cat.
She crouched low, arms crossed before her, shrouded in shadowy energy. Her claws gleamed menacingly. In an instant, she vanished.
Yu Tianxin had already been on guard. But rather than retreat, he stuck to his philosophy—the best defense is a strong offense.
As Zhu Zhuqing disappeared, Yu Tianxin activated his second Spirit Ability: Fifteen Tons Of Thunder—a wide-area lightning blast.
Countless arcs of bluish-purple lightning burst forth, shooting toward the spot where Zhu Zhuqing reappeared—just two meters in front of him.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately realized the nature of the ability: an area-of-effect strike. She was already too close. Dodging was no longer an option.
But she didn't panic. She had absolute confidence in herself.
Dark energy surged along her claws, forming razor-sharp talons of shadow. She struck directly into the incoming storm.
Boom—!
Their attacks collided with a thunderous roar.
As a Power Attack-type Spirit Master wielding one of the top beast-type Martial Souls, Yu Tianxin's offensive power was fearsome.
Zhu Zhuqing, though knocked back five meters, wasn't seriously injured.
For an Agility Attack-type Spirit Master to clash head-on with a Power Attack-type and only be pushed back—her strength spoke for itself.
She raised her slightly numb arm and narrowed her eyes at Yu Tianxin but didn't immediately counterattack.
Yu Tianxin, seeing that his second ability had only repelled her, felt a surge of caution. He hadn't even managed to injure her. His expression grew more serious.
A moment later, he launched a probing strike—his Blue Lightning Dragon Claw shot toward her once more.
Zhu Zhuqing dodged the attack with ease.
But Yu Tianxin wasn't finished. With expert control, he redirected the claw mid-flight, curving it back toward her.
On the stands, Lin Jie was slightly impressed. "So much control..."
Indeed, redirecting a Spirit Ability in real-time was extremely difficult. Most skills could only follow a set trajectory. For Yu Tianxin to manipulate his ability mid-cast showed remarkable mastery.
On the battlefield, Zhu Zhuqing had already dodged the initial strike. But she hadn't anticipated it would curve back.
She reacted quickly, attempting to leap aside, but it was still a second too late.
The claw grazed her upper arm, leaving a thin, red gash.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't pause. Ignoring the injury, she crouched low, her second Spirit Ring flaring.
With a sudden leap, she twisted mid-air and spiraled toward Yu Tianxin at blinding speed.
Second Spirit Ability: Hell Hundred Claws.
Both hands crossed in front of her, claws glinting coldly under the cloak of night. The ferocity of the technique sent chills down the spines of the spectators.
Yu Tianxin had been about to follow up, but he hadn't expected her to counter so quickly—especially while injured.
Before he could react, she was already upon him.
He barely managed to raise both of his scaled arms to block.
Zhu Zhuqing's technique combined high-speed rotation with pinpoint claw strikes. Her attacks landed dozens of times in a focused area within a single breath. Amplified by her shadow attribute, the technique shredded even hardened defenses.
Clang! Clang! Rip—!
Metallic screeches echoed as claw met scale, followed by the sound of flesh being torn.
Despite the protection of his dragon scales, Yu Tianxin's arms began to bleed—his defenses breached under the concentrated assault.
Sensing danger, Zhu Zhuqing immediately disengaged, retreating a safe distance.
Yu Tianxin's eyes flared with rage as pain shot up his arms. His third Spirit Ring lit up—his body swelled, muscles bulging and surging with power. His aura shifted dramatically.
Third Spirit Ability: Thundergod's Fury.
In this berserk state, his strength doubled, and his presence became even more terrifying—like a rampaging dragon.
Zhu Zhuqing had sensed something was off the moment her attack landed, which was why she'd immediately retreated. Otherwise, she could have pressed her advantage. Now, that chance was gone.
With a roar, Yu Tianxin charged at her, claw raised to strike.
He was going for a quick finish.
Now boosted by Dragon's Fury, his power was terrifying. If that claw hit, Zhu Zhuqing would be seriously injured—or worse.
But power has its limits. In this case, speed.
Yu Tianxin, now larger and more powerful, was also slower.
Zhu Zhuqing had long since retreated ten meters. Seeing his transformation, she didn't attempt to clash with him. Instead, she relied on her agility.
When he charged, she darted to the opposite side. When he turned to follow, she switched directions again.
Within moments, Yu Tianxin found himself chasing shadows—unable to land a hit.
On the viewing platform, the audience watched in amazement.
Shrek Academy's Zhu Zhuqing was dancing circles around her opponent.