They cast occasional glances toward Max and his two companions—uncertain of their exact strength, but wise enough not to provoke them after yesterday's unforgettable display.
Mu Qing casually tied her hair into a knot, her signature cocky grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "So, captain, you gonna let us have some fun today? Or should I just kick back with some tea?"
Beside her, Lan Xue remained poised, adjusting the silver ribbon in her hair with quiet elegance. "Everyone's here for Shrek… but they have no idea what's coming."
Max's faint smile hinted at amusement. "Just try not to kill anyone. It's still a tournament, not open season."
Almost on cue, the announcer's voice boomed through the grand arena:
"Next match: Barak Academy versus Shrek Academy! Both teams, please step onto the stage!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, the atmosphere crackling with energy as anticipation soared. Both academies began to make their entrance toward the center battlefield.
From the left—Barak Academy.
Max led the way, his expression composed, clothed in the clean-cut battle robes issued by the academy. Following him was Lan Xue, her silvery-blue hair tied up neatly, lightning-like eyes scanning the arena with calm intensity. Flanking her was Mu Qing, her graceful yet deadly presence tempered by violet-green eyes that concealed the latent poison of her Heaven's Bane Ivy.
Trailing behind were the remaining four students of Barak Academy—talented in their own right, yet still unaware of the full extent of their new captain and his companions' power.
From the right side—Shrek Academy.
Their entrance was met with a thunderous ovation. The unmistakable green uniforms drew instant recognition. At the front was Dai Mubai, the evil-eyed tiger-type Spirit Master, radiating raw strength and pride.
Beside him walked Tang San, calm and composed, his dark-green robes gently fluttering with each step. But the moment his eyes settled on Barak Academy's formation, he paused.
His gaze locked on Max.
"…It's him again," Tang San muttered, brows furrowing in concern.
Just a few steps behind, Yu Xiaogang—Shrek's guiding instructor—also took notice. His face stiffened the instant he recognized Max and the two girls flanking him. His jaw set tightly.
"Xiao Gang," Flender murmured as he stepped closer, "Isn't that the same kid… from the Sunset Forest?"
Yu Xiaogang gave a curt nod. "That's him."
Without wasting a second, he strode up to Tang San and spoke in a hushed, urgent voice. "Change the lineup. Don't hold back—send our strongest. Every single one."
Tang San blinked in surprise. "All seven of us?"
"Yes. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu—and you. That boy… he's no ordinary student. I don't know how or why he's with Barak, but this isn't a match we can treat lightly."
Tang San nodded without question and gave the signal.
In moments, the full original team of Shrek Academy stepped forward, all seven members ready for battle.
A murmur of shock spread through the audience.
"Wait… Shrek's putting out their full team already?"
"Isn't that a bit overkill? I mean, Barak's strong, but this seems excessive!"
Max observed it all unfold with a faint, knowing smile.
"Trying too hard already, huh?" he murmured to himself.
Lan Xue chuckled softly beside him. "Looks like our last encounter left an impression."
Mu Qing said nothing, but the spark in her eyes spoke volumes—she was more than ready.
As both teams took their positions, the referee stepped forward.
"Team captains, to the center."
Max and Dai Mubai approached, facing each other across the arena. The tiger-eyed youth regarded Max with a thin sneer.
"You again," Dai Mubai said. "I should've known someone like you wouldn't stay out of the spotlight for long."
Max tilted his head slightly, a cold but polite smile curving his lips. "By the end of this, you'll wish I had."
The referee interjected, keeping things civil. "Captains, shake hands and return to your teams. Then select your first fighter."
Max and Dai Mubai exchanged a firm handshake. No hostility, no cheap tricks—just shared tension and the silent understanding that this was no friendly contest.
Both returned to their squads.
Max glanced toward Lan Xue and gave a slight nod. "You're up."
She didn't hesitate. With a light push from her toes, she soared onto the battlefield, landing gracefully. Her silver-blue hair fluttered behind her, her face calm and unreadable as she took her stance.
Max and the others retreated to the nearby benches, settling in to watch.
The audience erupted into curious murmurs.
"Wait… who is she? She wasn't part of Barak's team before…"
"And she's not even wearing the school uniform. Actually, none of those three are."
"Are they… special transfers or something?"
Meanwhile, across the stage, Shrek's team deliberated quickly.
"Tai Long, you go first," Tang San ordered, his eyes never leaving the unfamiliar Barak trio.
Tai Long, the Power Clan's top student and a fiercely loyal follower of Tang San, gave a short nod and stepped forward. As he walked onto the platform, his powerful aura washed across the arena like a crashing wave.
With a deep growl, his Martial Spirit burst forth—the Giant Gorilla—towering behind him with tangible aggression. His three Spirit Rings gleamed clearly: two yellow, one purple.
Lan Xue calmly stepped forward from her side, closing the distance to her position on the platform opposite him. Her every step was precise, quiet, elegant—as though she barely touched the ground.
Then her Martial Spirit revealed itself: a stunning creature of beauty and power—a Blue-White Jade Rabbit, surrounded by arcs of dancing bluish-white lightning. Its pure and majestic presence instantly stirred awe from the audience.
"Wait… that's not just a Lightning Rabbit!"
"It's mutated… you can feel that surge in power!"
Even Tang San's eyes narrowed slightly, watching with sharpened focus.
Lan Xue's Celestial Lightning Rabbit stood tall behind her, blue-white bolts crackling along her arms as her Spirit Rings lit up—two yellow, one purple. The same as Tai Long's, and yet… the pressure she emitted was far greater.
Tai Long cracked his knuckles with a grin. "Doesn't matter how fancy your lightning looks. The moment I get close… it's over."
***
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It's 22 chaps ahead