The next day, the Ranking Rounds continued.
Shrek Academy had indeed restrained themselves somewhat, but their opponents didn't know that. As soon as the match began, they fought with full force.
Though the opposing team wasn't particularly strong, they still caused plenty of trouble for Shrek. Jingling and Huang Yuan, who were weaker, both ended up injured.
By the end of the match, only Yu Tianheng was able to walk back without help.
Afterward, while some suspected that Shrek's members might have been scolded by their teachers and thus held back, the fact that Xiao Wu, Tai Long, and Dai Mubai hadn't taken the field due to injuries left everyone doubtful. The hostility didn't fade.
Resentment doesn't grow in a day, nor can it vanish in one. That was the truth of it.
Meanwhile, Heaven Dou Royal Academy had it much better. Matches were friendly, both sides fighting to spar rather than maim. If they couldn't win, they conceded. No one suffered heavy injuries.
The third day was the same.
Shrek wasn't so lucky. They drew Skywater Academy. With Tang San still out, Dai Mubai, Tai Long, Xiao Wu, and Ma Hongjun still unhealed, only Yu Tianheng could fight. Against Skywater Academy, he naturally wasn't enough. They lost.
Fortunately, Yu Tianheng held back and didn't injure anyone. Because of this, when Shui Bing'er entered the field, she also refrained from going too hard.
In the days that followed, Shrek avoided strong teams. Dai Mubai, Tai Long, Xiao Wu, and Ma Hongjun gradually recovered, and the team began winning again. But their victories were never easy. Knowing that Ye Lingling would heal anyone who was injured—and carrying their poor impression of Shrek—other academies played more fiercely against them. Shrek's matches always ended with both sides nursing wounds.
Especially Xiao Wu, Tai Long, and Dai Mubai. Whenever they fought, they ended up injured, leaving the field grim-faced.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy also didn't face any powerhouse opponents. Like Shrek, their only strong matchup was against Skywater Academy. Skywater excelled in team coordination, but apart from Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, their members weren't individually strong. Once those two were defeated, the rest was much easier. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's victory was smooth.
That evening, in Shrek's camp—
"Xiao Wu, are you alright?" Seeing her walk into the tent, a cut on her forehead, Tang San's face changed. He quickly asked while sitting in his chair.
After days of recovery, while he still couldn't fight, he was able to move around.
Xiao Wu shook her head. "It's nothing, just a small wound. I already ate one of Oscar's recovery sausages. A night's sleep and I'll be fine."
"That's good." Tang San let out a quiet breath, but his hand clenched on the armrest.
These days of recovery had been torment. Each time Xiao Wu fought, she returned with fresh injuries.
'If I hadn't been hurt, would Xiao Wu need to suffer like this?' Rage surged in his heart.
'Yang Yunhai, you deserve death!
Anyone who hurts Xiao Wu deserves death!'
Xiao Wu walked to his side, grasping his hand. "Brother San, how are you feeling now?"
Tang San snapped back, his gaze softening, a smile on his lips. "I can walk again. The healer checked me earlier. My injuries are nearly healed, I just can't exert myself yet. A few more days and I'll be able to compete."
The devoured life force stored inside him had indeed helped in recovery, especially when injured in battle. 'After the tournament, I should return to the forest and devour more soul beasts. I'll need the reserves.'
"That's great!" Xiao Wu's face lit up.
The rest of the team also showed relief.
"Everyone, go wash up after today's match, then we'll eat together," Flender's voice called out.
Before long, the team was gathered for dinner.
Moments later, Qin Ming entered the tent with heavy steps.
"The results are in. Tomorrow, we face Blazing Academy."
"..." The team's faces sank.
According to reports, in the past few days, Huo Yun had already broken through to Soul Ancestor.
Elsewhere, in Heaven Dou Royal Academy's camp—
"Xiao Hai, tomorrow we face Exotic Beast Academy," Meng Shenshou said, bringing their draw results.
"Exotic Beast Academy…" Yang Yunhai nodded slightly, already beginning to plan the lineup.
The next day, the great field filled with students.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy fought first. Exotic Beast Academy's vice captain Meng Yiran wasn't even a Soul Ancestor, which showed how weak they were. With only one Soul Ancestor among them, they stood no chance. The battle ended quickly, with Heaven Dou easily victorious.
After the judge announced the win, the next match began: Blazing Academy versus Shrek Academy.
Yang Yunhai sat in the stands, eyes on the arena.
Tang San was present to watch, but still unable to fight. Shrek sent up Ma Hongjun first, their only flying soul master, clearly hoping to counter if Blazing didn't send a flier.
But Blazing had the same thought. Their first up: Huo Yun, fresh from his 4th ring.
Ma Hongjun, rank 34. Huo Yun, rank 41. The outcome was obvious.
Within three minutes, a deafening explosion lit the air.
Boom!
Ma Hongjun fell like a torch, crashing to the ground, skin charred, unconscious.
Clearly, his injuries weren't light.
"Huo Yun, well done!" On Blazing's side, Huo Wu clenched her fists, glaring toward Liu Erlong with challenge in her eyes.
Since the preliminaries, their academies had clashed. In the Ranking Rounds, Liu Erlong's aura suppression only worsened things.
Last night, when Huo Wu saw the draw, she had ordered her team not to hold back.
"Despicable!" On Shrek's side, the team gnashed their teeth. Liu Erlong shot up, fury in her eyes, but Flender caught her arm. "Erlong, calm down."
The referee had already warned them before: cause trouble again, and they'd be disqualified.
"Serves them right." From Heaven Dou's seats, Dugu Yan sneered.
Yu Feng shrugged. "Huo Wu holds grudges. Last time that Shrek teacher nearly crushed their whole team with aura. Of course she'd remember." He chuckled. "With two more fliers on Blazing's side, and Shrek's only one already down, things don't look good. And after this, they still face Godwind Academy—all fliers."
"If you ask me, they should just admit defeat now. Better than watching more of them carried off. With so many injured, how will they play the next rounds?"
'Concede? You underestimate Shrek's stubbornness.' Yang Yunhai raised an eyebrow.
On the field, Huang Yuan entered.
"Second soul skill, Wolf Howl Bullet!" Using his speed, he fired up at Huo Yun in the air, darting around.
Yang Yunhai nodded. "It seems Shrek is using Huang Yuan and Ma Hongjun to drain Blazing's stamina. Next up will be Dai Mubai or Xiao Wu. Dai Mubai has defensive skills and ranged offense. Xiao Wu has teleport and charm. Against fliers or ground fighters, both have a chance."
"Given their lineup, it's the best they can do," Dugu Yan agreed.
Yu Tianheng had no defensive skills and lacked speed. Tai Long had defense but was pure melee. Against Huo Yun and Huo Yu, they'd be targets.
"Fourth soul skill, Fire Crane Blaze the Field!" Realizing he couldn't hit Huang Yuan with single attacks, Huo Yun unleashed a barrage of fireballs, covering the field.
Boom, Boom, Boom!
The blasts forced Huang Yuan down, leaving him scorched. Oscar and Jingling rushed to carry him away.
Dai Mubai stepped forward. "First soul skill, White Tiger Barrier!"
"Fourth soul skill, Fire Crane Blaze the Field!" Huo Yun dived, unleashing fireballs.
Dai Mubai knew his shield alone couldn't hold, and his second skill was a straight line attack, not enough to cover.
With no choice, he used his fourth soul skill, firing off dense light spheres to collide with the fireballs.
"Two for two, and a fourth for a fourth. Not bad," Huo Yun smirked and conceded.
Dai Mubai's eyes burned with fury, but he couldn't argue.
Next came Huo Yu. He rose into the air, wings spread. "Third soul skill, Fire Crane Clone!"
With flight draining his stamina, using a first skill in exchange wasn't worth it. The clone would force out Dai Mubai's fourth.
"Damn it. First soul skill, White Tiger Barrier! Second soul skill, White Tiger Light Wave!" Dai Mubai roared, firing up.
Boom!
The clone was destroyed in fire.
"First soul skill, Exploding Fireball!" Huo Yu's real body swooped in and launched straight at Dai Mubai's waist.
Boom!
The blast engulfed him.
'So that's the charm of explosions,' Yang Yunhai mused.
Dai Mubai's barrier couldn't withstand a point-blank, explosive strike. His shield shattered, his body staggered. The flames forced his second skill to collapse, leaving him overwhelmed.
"First soul skill, White Tiger Barrier!" He forced it out again, but it was too late.
"Third soul skill, Fire Crane Clone!" Another fiery projection collided.
Boom!
Flames consumed him. His scream tore across the arena.
"We surrender!" Yu Xiaogang shouted before Huo Yu could cast again.
Flames receded, leaving Dai Mubai writhing on the ground, screaming.
Flender rushed in, extinguishing the fire and carrying him away.
"Tragic," Yang Yunhai muttered, watching the scorched, bald Dai Mubai. With his shield, he wasn't crippled, but full-body burns meant he'd suffer. Next time, Dai Mubai would definitely be bald.
On the field, Xiao Wu entered, glaring with fury. Behind her, Tang San's face carried deep worry.
"Hm?" Yang Yunhai noticed Huo Yu hadn't flown too high, only about 20 meters. His eyes narrowed.
Xiao Wu's skills had long been studied.
"First soul skill, Exploding Fireball!" Huo Yu hurled a blazing sphere.
Xiao Wu dodged easily, then vanished in three rapid flashes, appearing just three meters from him, her eyes glowing pink.
Huo Yu snapped his eyes shut, wings flaring. "Fourth soul skill, Fire Crane Blaze the Field!"
Flames surged as he spun upward, creating distance.
"Xiao Wu!" Tang San cried, panic in his voice.
She blinked again, reappearing, narrowly dodging the flames. But her body lurched, falling downward.
"First soul skill, Exploding Fireball!" Huo Yu flung another sphere.
"Damn it!" Xiao Wu cursed, helpless in midair, forced to teleport again.
"I concede!" Huo Yu laughed to the referee. He had drained her soul power, which was enough. And taking Dai Mubai down as well? A win.
Xiao Wu landed, teeth clenched, but powerless.
Huo Wu now stood, walking into the field.
She had long anticipated Shrek's strategy. With Tang San out, this was the only way they could fight. She had prepared. And as for resisting Xiao Wu's charm, she was the best candidate.
Xiao Wu's fury flared. 'It was her fourth skill that hurt me and Brother San before. This time, I'll make her pay!'
"Hmph." Huo Wu sneered, releasing her martial soul, calmly awaiting Xiao Wu's move.
Xiao Wu charged.
'So reckless!' Xiao Wu cursed inwardly. She knew if she went head-on, she'd just be blasted back. But she couldn't waste more soul power. She needed to end it fast.
She dashed in, closing the gap, then flashed—appearing before a tall wall of fire.
Their eyes met. Xiao Wu's body froze. Huo Wu shivered too, then shook her head clear. The wall crashed forward, knocking Xiao Wu back.
"First soul skill, Exploding Fireball!" Huo Wu hurled it straight at her.
Boom!
It struck Xiao Wu's stomach, blasting her away.
"Ahhh!" Xiao Wu screamed in agony.
(End of Chapter)
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