Moreover, five strands of Blue Silver Grass were wrapped around their waists, preventing them from being shattered.
As for Zhu Zhuqing and Jing Ling, they could only rely on themselves.
This was also why Tang San had chosen Jing Ling over the stronger Huang Yuan.
During last night's tactical training, they had already planned this.
Both were agility-type Soul Masters, and their only task was to dodge—continuously avoiding the lightning strikes from above. Moving in completely opposite directions, they weaved back and forth along the edges of the stage.
The Shrek Seven gave the impression of being scattered.
Dispersal was the core tactic this time.
So much so that they didn't even need coordination or teamwork, relying solely on individual ability.
Four in the air, one on the ground, and two constantly dodging.
Thunder Academy had immediately unleashed large-scale Soul Skills, and the combined power of seven Soul Masters' area attacks was terrifying.
Had they clustered even slightly, they could have been wiped out in one wave.
This was the lesson learned from the many teams that had fallen to Thunder Academy.
By scattering, Thunder Academy was forced to use large-scale Soul Skills against each individual.
This would drain their Soul Power!
Originally, one large-scale attack could hit three or four people.
But now, it could only target one!
A battle of attrition!
They were waging a battle of attrition.
By now, the audience and the VIP Stage had fallen into silence.
They had expected a one-sided, overwhelming assault—Thunder Academy's specialty.
Yet the scene unfolding before them was bizarre.
Thunder Academy's first and strongest wave of attacks had missed.
Well, not entirely—the lightning strikes aimed at Tai Long had landed.
Relying on his formidable defense, though injured, Tai Long had immediately consumed a Recovery Sausage upon stepping onto the stage and was still standing.
To the audience, Thunder Academy's assault had failed.
What they thought would be an easy squash had turned into a prickly challenge. The crowd perked up—this match held suspense.
On the VIP Stage, Qian Renxue, seated in the second row, shone with excitement.
Good, Tang San! Another surprise from you!
Let's see what else you've got!
In the Soul Duel Arena, Thunder Academy's first wave of attacks had nearly all missed. Reflexively, they launched a second wave, chasing after the Shrek Seven.
They refused to believe their lightning couldn't strike their opponents. They had sworn to teach them a lesson before stepping onto the stage.
But the biggest surprise came from Tai Long.
The one attacking him was Lei Shan, whose Martial Soul was the Lightning Rabbit. His Lightning Power was swift and fierce.
Tai Long retreated to the edge of the stage, still dodging, yet most of the lightning still rained down on him. But he ignored his injuries.
His goal was to occupy one of their Soul Experts.
Even if it cost him everything, he would do it!
He would drain their Soul Power for his Young Master.
He poured all his Soul Power into defense, gritting his teeth as he dodged.
Nearby, Zhu Zhuqing and Jing Ling did the same.
Relying on their agility, they managed to evade most of the lightning strikes.
At this moment, Yu Tianxin also realized that attacking in anger would only deplete his Soul Power with low efficiency.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
A Thunderbolt Dragon shot out, no longer targeting Tang San but instead striking Tai Long with a resounding crack.
Tai Long wasn't particularly fast, and the gap in their Soul Power was vast.
Moreover, Tai Long was still dodging Lei Shan's attacks, making him an easy target for Yu Tianxin.
This strike was no ordinary one—it was his Fourth Soul Skill, Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Rush.
To conserve Soul Power, Yu Tianxin had condensed multiple divine dragon lightning bolts into a single attack.
With a loud thud, Tai Long finally collapsed, this time unable to rise again.
His mission was complete.
He had forced Lei Shan to expend two large-scale Soul Skills and Yu Tianxin to use one of his own.
Tang San frowned mid-air and flicked out a strand of Blue Silver Grass, hurling Tai Long out of the arena.
They had lost one member, but they had also drained some of their opponents' Soul Power.
It was time to counterattack!
Clearly, Yu Tianxin had changed tactics. If they wanted to dodge?
He would pick them off one by one!
Though it cost some Soul Power, injuring ten fingers was not as effective as severing one—taking down one opponent at a time was the way to go.
Tai Long was just the first.
"Focus fire on Tang San!" Yu Tianxin hadn't forgotten about him.
As for Zhu Zhuqing and Jing Ling, he couldn't afford to waste Soul Power on them.
Even Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun weren't worth the expenditure.
Eliminate Tang San, and the remaining four would fall from the sky. With their large-scale attacks, victory would be assured.
"Dai, Zhu Qing!"
In an instant, Dai Mubai descended from the sky, while Zhu Zhuqing melted into a shadow.
Both vanished in the blink of an eye.
A massive black pillar of light, three meters in diameter, erupted into the sky, accompanied by a terrifying tiger's roar that drowned out all other sounds on the arena.
The roar stunned everyone present.
As the black pillar dissipated, a Netherworld White Tiger over ten meters long and two to three meters tall stood in its place.
The tiger's body was translucent, with white fur marked by black stripes and piercing violet eyes—radiating sheer dominance.
"A Martial Soul Fusion Skill! So it's come to this. Fine! If you want to go all out against our Thunder Academy, I'll oblige!"
Yu Tianxin wasn't shocked—only furious.
Anyone from the Upper Three Sects knew of Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's identities and their ability to perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
This was their trump card.
Using it now meant they were going all-in, determined to secure this victory.
Shrek Academy was fighting to crush them utterly!
This enraged Yu Tianxin.
Tang San, did you think our Thunder Academy was an easy target?
Boom! Boom!
Yu Tianxin's sleeves exploded into tatters, revealing his Dragon Arms—both limbs now draconic in form after reaching the Soul Ancestor realm.
An overwhelming aura erupted from him.
"Divine Dragon Heavenly Thunder!"
Yu Tianxin roared.
Countless bolts of lightning surged from his body, illuminating the entire arena in a flash.
The lightning vanished as quickly as it appeared, striking directly at the Netherworld White Tiger.
But the majestic tiger merely grunted, enduring the attack without faltering.
Then, with a powerful swipe of its claws against the arena floor, the colossal beast launched itself straight into the formation of Thunder Academy's team!
Yu Tianxin was the first in its path.
The massive figure, which was about to crash into Yu Tianxin in a flash, suddenly shifted its entire body and slammed fiercely into Lei Tian and another Soul Expert beside him.
With a thunderous boom.
Lei Tian and the Soul Expert were sent flying, knocked straight out of the arena.
Only then did the Netherworld White Tiger raise its claws and pounce toward Yu Tianxin.
"You have at most one more strike left, come on!"
Yu Tianxin understood clearly—the power of a Martial Soul Fusion Skill was immense, but the cost was equally great.
Once they exited the Martial Soul Fusion state, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing would surely be too exhausted to continue fighting.
As long as he withstood this attack.
Victory would still belong to Thunder Academy!
(End of Chapter)