Chapter 46: Tang San, This Blade Was Meant For You

Royal Team Lounge

"Teacher, who are our opponents this match? Even the captain is showing interest," Yu Feng asked curiously.

Qin Ming cast a deep glance at the group before placing the roster of opponents in front of them.

Nian Yun took it without opening it and handed it directly to Yu Tianheng beside him. "Shrek, twenty-seven consecutive wins, just recently defeated the Fiery Battle Team."

By the time Nian Yun finished speaking, the other seven had already glanced at Shrek's data.

"A team with such low spirit power levels actually managed to defeat the Fiery Battle Team?" Dugu Yan asked doubtfully.

"I know you harbor doubts about their strength, but this is indeed the fact. You had better focus on studying your opponents."

"Rustle, rustle—"

"Blue Silver Grass? Ha~" Upon seeing that the opposing vice captain's martial soul was Blue Silver Grass, Dugu Yan could not help but laugh out loud.

"Yanyan, underestimating your opponents and entering the arena with such a mindset—you are destined to lose to your own attitude." Qin Ming's tone rose significantly without him realizing it.

Dugu Yan wanted to retort, but Yu Tianheng stopped her.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile, and the Evil-Eyed White Tiger—they certainly warrant attention. And what's this? An Evil Phoenix?" Yu Tianheng did not show Dugu Yan's disdain as he flipped through the pages; instead, he analyzed the data very seriously.

"As for that Evil Phoenix, you don't really need to worry about him. He has been subbed out and is now a substitute; there's a high probability he won't take the field." Hearing the mention of the Evil Phoenix, Qin Ming added.

"Teacher, the replacement you mentioned—is it this spirit master holding a rock?" Dugu Yan glanced sideways at the masked fellow hugging a boulder.

Hearing this, Nian Yun's face darkened considerably. Feigning composure, he said, "Martial soul 'Clock Rock'—I'm afraid none of you could break through even his first spirit ability."

Even though it was hard to believe, since Yun Nian was the one saying it, the others had no choice but to be convinced.

"Then, Captain, should we also pay attention to this person?" Yu Feng asked.

Nian Yun grinned. "No, pay him no mind. You only need to mind your positioning, coordinate appropriately, and then pull out the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, the Netherworld Civet, and the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit. Focus primarily on containment."

Watching Yun Nian arrange and deploy the pieces on the table, Yu Tianheng quickly grasped Nian Yun's objective.

"You want to deal with the opposing Blue Silver Grass first."

"He's a bit troublesome. I'll handle him personally." Nian Yun wore a crafty expression as he looked at the layout on the table.

On the other side, in the Shrek resting area...

After Yu Xiaogang finished laying out the tactics with Tang San, he also gave instructions to Nian Yun. "Nian Yun, Tang San's safety is entrusted to you."

Feeling the weight of the task, Nian Yun nodded heavily. "Understood, leave it to me."

...

"Ding-ling-ling—"

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to this soul duel. I am today's host, Dodu."

Amidst the whipped-up atmosphere, the seven members of both teams walked out from their respective entrances in succession.

Dodu continuously introduced the strength and status of the combatants. Foremost among them was naturally Nian Yun, who eclipsed everyone else; that soul ancestor aura undoubtedly became the focal point of the match.

Judging merely by their attire, the Shrek side had already dropped several tiers.

Upon reaching the arena, the gazes of the two teams naturally intersected. Facing the piercing gaze from those evil eyes, Yun Nian paid no heed, shifting his focus instead to meet Nian Yun's line of sight.

"Spirit masters of both sides, please note. You now have one minute to summon your martial souls. Once it begins, the duel ends only when one side concedes or is entirely eliminated from the arena."

"Now, summon your martial souls."

Both sides simultaneously summoned their martial souls. Everyone displayed a flawless spirit ring configuration, and finally, an overwhelming aura emanated from the Royal Academy team side.

Nian Yun's fourth martial soul—a ten-thousand-year spirit ring that struck terror into the hearts of everyone in Shrek—slowly rose, causing beads of sweat to form involuntarily on the foreheads of the six.

Especially Dodu, the host and commentator hovering in mid-air, whose beautiful eyes were filled with shock, nearly causing a broadcasting mishap.

At Dodu's shrill cry, the roars of a dragon and a tiger simultaneously echoed through the stadium.

As the strongest combatant on Shrek's side, Dai Mubai fixed his gaze on Yun Nian without hesitation, though he did not make a move. According to the pre-formulated plan, the opposing Yu Tianheng would likely charge in recklessly, yet Yu Tianheng showed no such intention whatsoever.

Whether outside the arena or within it, everyone's eyes were drawn to Yun Nian.

"They're waiting for you, Tianheng. Go play with that tiger." Completely indifferent to the surrounding gazes, Yun Nian issued instructions with a light laugh.

With a resounding dragon roar, Yu Tianheng, who had already been barely able to restrain himself, strode forward aggressively upon hearing those words.

Although the opposing Yun Nian had not charged rashly, Tang San and the others had their own countermeasures. "Execute the plan."

Everyone nodded, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Ning Rongrong's hand flashed brilliantly. "The Seven Treasure glows, the first is: Power!"

Feeling the boost in strength, Dai Mubai charged forward immediately, engaging in a neck-and-neck clash of dragon claws against tiger claws.

"Shi Mo, Shi Mo, protect Leng Leng and Dugu Yan. Dugu Yan, I give you only one task: no releasing poison." Nian Yun's tone was light, yet carried an unmistakable dominance. He then turned his head to look at Yu Feng. "We're going."

"Thud—"

With a heavy stride, the two brothers positioned their massive shields to guard the front of the formation. Yu Feng nodded and used his wings to dart forward swiftly. Although she disliked others using that tone with her, Dugu Yan nodded nonetheless.

"Whoosh."

Catching sight of Yu Feng, Zhu Zhuqing moved forward swiftly—this was a battle of the agile attack systems.

"First spirit ability, Wing Blade."

The Wind Spirit Bird inverted its posture, swiftly sweeping out several wind blades.

The Netherworld Civet also utilized her agility to dodge rapidly and close the distance.

Leaping into mid-air, a flash of light descended. Under Yu Feng's puzzled gaze, Zhu Zhuqing had already arrived behind him, her sharp claws extended.

"First spirit ability, Netherworld Thrust."

Under Nian Yun's arrangement and briefing, Yu Feng managed a quick reaction, dodging by a hair's breadth and kicking out with his left leg.

"Bang—"

The civet's form dropped to the ground, but the one crying out in pain was actually Yu Feng. Upon delivering that kick, a sensation of pain akin to striking a heavy boulder shot straight into his brain. "Ah—it hurts—hurts."

Up front, Yun Nian slowly approached holding the 'Mistsplitter Reforged', casting immense pressure directly upon Xiao Wu.

"Rustle, rustle."

A strand of Blue Silver Grass wrapped around Xiao Wu's waist, followed by Tang San's voice: "I've got you, Xiao Wu."

Though the terror in her heart did not diminish in the slightest, catching sight of Nian Yun nodding beside Tang San allowed Xiao Wu to finally experience just how comforting the sense of security Zhu Zhuqing had felt earlier truly was.

"Step."

With her inner fear halved, Xiao Wu dashed close to Yun Nian, leaped into mid-air, and brought her leg down.

Yun Nian sidestepped slightly to evade it, then lightly delivered a sweeping strike with his blade, which Xiao Wu easily dodged.

Her slender legs kicked repeatedly toward Yun Nian, who gracefully dodged every single one or parried them with the flat of the 'Mistsplitter Reforged'.

Standing at a distance, Tang San's nerves remained in a state of continuous tension. Every time he saw Yun Nian swing his blade, cold sweat broke out profusely on his palms. In contrast, Nian Yun beside him remained utterly unbothered.

Xiao Wu, the one who arguably required the most worry, was the very person Nian Yun paid the least attention to, keeping his gaze fixed almost entirely on Zhu Zhuqing not far away.

"Clang, clang, clang."

Xiao Wu landed several more kicks on the 'Mistsplitter Reforged'. For some reason, facing this soul ancestor, she felt not a shred of pressure; instead, it felt as though the opponent was acting as her sparring partner.

Over on the Royal Academy side...

"What is Nian Yun doing? Is he terrified the opponent won't dodge in time? That blade swing has even less force than the academy's cook," Dugu Yan muttered angrily as she watched the combat between Yun Nian and Xiao Wu, recalling their earlier seven-on-one confrontation.

"Perhaps the captain has his own plans," Ye Leng Leng offered, her words serving more to convince herself than anyone else.

"Bang."

Another kick landed, riddled with openings. Yet every time, Yun Nian slowed his movements to subtly hint at them, keeping the purple lightning crackling around his weapon tightly restrained.

After this dynamic persisted for several minutes, the initial dragon-and-tiger brawl also began to enter a fierce climax.

As his second spirit ring rose, Yu Tianheng brought his dragon claws down upon Dai Mubai, who had revealed a slight opening.

"Bang."

The impact resounded across the entire stadium. Raising their eyes to look, they saw Dai Mubai had already been pulled away by the Blue Silver Grass around his waist, though he still suffered minor shockwaves. Tang San had been too slow!

Because his attention had been almost entirely focused on Xiao Wu, his reaction had been half a beat tardy. Nian Yun, however, paid him no heed at all, while his support towards Zhu Zhuqing left Yu Feng in utter misery.

Tang San's distraction proved to be the opportune moment for Yun Nian.

"First spirit ability, Musou No Hitotachi."

A towering aura emanated from the 'Mistsplitter Reforged', though its pre-cast wind-up was just long enough for Tang San to react and pull Xiao Wu away.

Yet at the exact instant Xiao Wu departed, a flash of purple lightning struck out, delivering this inescapable slash directly toward Tang San, who was now completely exposed within Yun Nian's field of vision.

The gazes of Nian Yun and Tang San intersected: one held a faint smile, the other was lifeless and ashen.