Chapter 70: Chapter -70 Morning snow academy vs Shrek Academy.
Chapter -70.
The preliminary draw was done, and after a quick break, mechanical arms around the huge main competition arena started to move, bringing out four small circular competition platforms.
Just then, a lively female host with bird-like martial spirits spread her white wings and soared into the air, announcing with a bright smile, "And now, the first round of the preliminary match, Match Three, Morning Snow Academy vs. Shrek, is officially underway!"
Her excited voice pumped energy into the crowd, and the atmosphere was electric, reminiscent of the cheers and jeers in the Roman Colosseum. Most spectators weren't placing bets on either team, and the Qianxue team found themselves the target of some harsh criticism.
"What's up with this Morning Snow Academy's Flying Snow Team? They're just traitors from the Tiandou Royal Academy! I can't believe they left the Royal Academy to join a team that barely has ten members. So ungrateful!"
"Come on, that's not helpful. Maybe they just want to prove themselves? But let's be real, a second team is still a second team. Even if they beat a rookie team like Shrek, they're just setting the stage for the Royal Team. They're basically just background players; don't give them too much thought."
"Win against who? I don't have much faith in Shrek, but do you really think the second team can win without the Royal Academy's support? That's just laughable; I'd be surprised if they don't get wiped out right away."
The crowd buzzed with animated chatter, while Zhang Ming and the others looked pretty serious, their steps feeling heavier than usual.
This match was about more than just their reputation; it was a golden chance for Morning Snow Academy to shake off their bad image. They weren't the Royal Second Team, and Morning Snow Academy was definitely not the Royal Second Academy.
"Alright, let's put aside the nerves; it's time to hit the stage," Ye Chen said, cracking his neck as he led the way to the circular platform. The competition was already heating up.
As Tang San and his team quickly formed their formation from the left, Ye Chen split off from Zhang Ming and the others. His plan was straightforward: divide and conquer.
Zhang Ming and Li Jing's group would focus on defense and stalling, while Ye Chen would take the lead as the main attacker.
On the competition stage, Dai Mubai glared at Ye Chen and the others, saying, "We've faced so much humiliation from the Tiandou Royal Academy and Morning Snow Academy in the past. Sure, the former was thanks to Prince Xuexing, but the Tiandou Royal Academy represents the royal family, and Morning Snow Academy is backed by Grand Prince Qinghe. We need to settle this score today."
Hearing this, Ye Chen, dressed in a black robe, couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly, "The academy accepting you is a matter of goodwill; not accepting you is a matter of principle. Shrek doesn't owe you anything, so let's not be too harsh. Should I just accept anyone who asks to join?"
"But we genuinely want to be part of your team; what's your reason for refusing us?" Dai Mubai replied a bit too bluntly, prompting Tang San to chime in, "What he said is true; it's ultimately his choice whether to accept us or not." Then, with a serious tone, Tang San added, "Stick to the plan and finish this in under a minute."
Soon, Tang San and the other six members of the Shrek Seven summoned their martial souls, and dazzling soul rings appeared around their feet. When the fourth black soul ring appeared under Tang San's feet, the Snow Night Emperor gasped in surprise, "A ten-thousand-year soul ring?"
Before he could process it, four yellow and purple soul rings appeared under the feet of the six members of the Qianxue Battle Team, all of whom had reached level 40. This sight shocked the Snow Night Emperor, who turned to Xue Xing and asked, "Why would such talented individuals leave the Royal Academy? Six soul masters under 20 years old at level 40? Are they really weaker than the Royal Battle Team's students?"
"I... I'm not sure either," Prince Xue Xing replied, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. He added, "More than a year ago, Zhang Ming and the others were only around level 30. Their rise to over level 40 can't just be due to their talent. It must be because of that shadow; he's probably behind all of this."
"Behind this? To train these second team members to be so impressive, you dare to say such things here? That's really disappointing," Snow Night scoffed, though his old eyes glanced at Qian Renxue, who was watching the battle, with a hint of satisfaction. He thought to himself, "Qinghe's vision is getting sharper. If it weren't for leaving that Ye Chen behind, the Royal Family would have lost face today. After all, that kid from Shrek has a ten-thousand-year soul ring, which is no small feat."
On the competition stage, Dai Mubai was taken aback to see those he had initially underestimated reach such high levels. "How is this possible? Six level 40? It's only been a little over a year; how did they pull this off?" His shock only grew.
If Dai Mubai had known that Ye Chen had invested heavily in training Zhang Ming and the others with top-tier resources, he might not have been so surprised.
"Dai Shao, don't panic. Stick to the original plan. Remember, we've all made progress," Tang San reminded him.
Suddenly, Dai Mubai recalled his own incredible growth over the past year. He grinned and declared, "White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
"Wow!" "Wow!"
Another level 40 genius emerged, and judging by the energy radiating from him, their soul power was at least level 45 or higher. The audience gasped in awe at this stunning display.
"Is this the level of the newly promoted academy's team? Not only does the Imperial Academy have so many level 40 members, but Shrek Academy is even more impressive. They have two soul masters over level 40 and a soul king close to level 50? This is unbelievable!"
"Are we witnessing the finals? Has the level of this year's competition risen to such a terrifying degree?"
In previous years, having a few teams with level 40 or above members was considered top-notch. However, in this preliminary round, there were actually seven or eight contestants above level 40. This competition was shaping up to be the most intense ever.
After showcasing all his strength, Dai Mubai couldn't help but throw his head back and roar, his voice echoing as his Evil Eye White Tiger martial soul charged into the formation of Zhang Ming and the others like a cannonball.
Dai Mubai's pressure from the Evil Eye White Tiger was still quite formidable. Even though Zhang Ming and the others were all level 40, they struggled to take him down quickly. Likewise, Dai Mubai found it challenging to deal with them; every move was a close call.
"Bronze Ring Lock!"
Seizing an opportunity, Zhang Ming shouted, and his Copper Ring martial soul quickly disassembled, wrapping around Dai Mubai and locking him in place.
At just the right moment, Li Jing leaped into the air, wielding the 'Clear Water Flowing Qin' martial soul, ready to strike at Dai Mubai.
The other members of the Qianxue Battle Team took this chance to engage in fierce combat with Xiao Wu and her team. Since, apart from Xiao Wu, the others like Tai Long were only in their 30s, they relied on their strong soul power. Even though the four members of the Qianxue Battle Team were outnumbered, they still managed to hold their ground against Xiao Wu and her five companions.
On the competition stage, Tang San saw that the moment was right and activated his fourth soul skill: Blue Silver Prison.
As Tang San silently focused, cages made of dark red Blue Silver Grass suddenly shot up from the ground, trapping all members of the Qianxue Battle Team in a birdcage-like prison, immobilizing them.
Zhang Ming and Li Jing realized they were in a tough spot. They frantically used their soul skills to break free, but the seemingly weak Blue Silver had mutated and become incredibly resilient. No matter how hard they tried, they could only damage a small layer of the Blue Silver grass, making escape impossible in the short term.
In their panic, Dai Mubai somehow broke free from Zhang Ming's copper ring confinement. He leaped into the air, raised his fist, and shouted, "Fourth Soul Skill: White Tiger Meteor Shower!"
Bright shining stars surrounded Dai Mubai, and with all his might, those star-like glimmers transformed into meteors that came crashing down towards all members of the Qianxue Battle Team.
"It's over!"
With a smirk, Dai Mubai was ready to boast to Tang San about the power of his ultimate move before he even landed. Tai Long and the others laughed, saying, "The plan worked; we win."
But before they could finish, a powerful wave of soul energy suddenly erupted from within the Blue Silver confinement nearby. Sensing such strong energy, Dai Mubai and Tang San's expressions shifted, and they exclaimed, "Above level 50, Soul King!"
At the same time, a calm voice emerged from within the Blue Silver confinement: "Soul Skill: Dagger Transformation!"
***
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