Lan Xue didn't reply.
She simply raised her right hand, and a pulse of Spirit Power surged from her palm. Her first spirit ring—yellow—lit up brightly.
"First Spirit Skill: Lightning Pulse."
Crackling energy burst forward in a sudden arc, a flash of pale lightning that zipped across the arena floor like a whip, aimed straight at Tai Long's legs.
The bulky youth reacted instantly, slamming his fists into the ground as his own yellow ring flared to life.
"First Spirit Skill: Ironhide Skin!"
A metallic sheen rippled across his body, muscles bulging and thickening as his defenses spiked dramatically. The lightning strike hit him clean—but instead of staggering back, he dug his heels into the stone floor and absorbed the attack with minimal damage, steam rising from his skin.
"Fast," he admitted, "but not enough!"
He surged forward with a beast-like roar, each step shaking the platform. His purple ring flashed now.
"Second Spirit Skill: Earth-Rending Smash!"
As he leapt into the air, his right fist seemed to swell unnaturally, muscles coiling like ropes. He came down like a meteor, a crushing blow aimed to obliterate the space Lan Xue stood in.
The crowd gasped.
But Lan Xue's second ring shimmered just in time.
"Second Spirit Skill: Thunder Step."
Her form vanished in a sudden blur of light and reappeared ten meters to the side—her speed accelerated explosively by lightning energy gathered under her feet. Tai Long's attack slammed into the platform, cracking stone and sending a shockwave rippling out, but it hit only empty space.
"Too slow," Lan Xue said calmly, her eyes glowing faintly.
She raised her hand again. This time, both her first and second spirit rings lit up in tandem.
"Chain Lightning — Dual Ring Cast!"
Bolts of electricity formed in the air around her, three arcs locking in on Tai Long. He barely raised his arms before the first slammed into him, disrupting his posture. The second followed an instant later, targeting his shoulder and knocking his massive form off balance. The third hit his chest directly—this time, he grunted in pain, the impact sending him stumbling back several steps.
Max, watching from the sidelines, gave a faint nod. "She's holding back… but still overwhelming."
From Shrek's side, even Ma Hongjun frowned. "That's… serious precision. And her Spirit Power control is tight."
Tang San narrowed his eyes. "She's not just fast. She's trained in technical combat."
Tai Long roared again, fury igniting in his chest. His third ring, the purple one, flared with new intensity.
"Third Spirit Skill: Rampage Charge!"
His body swelled slightly, veins bulging, and his entire figure blurred as he charged forward with berserk strength, every muscle pumped full of explosive power. This time, he didn't just run—he exploded toward Lan Xue with terrifying momentum.
But Lan Xue exhaled quietly. Her third Spirit Ring finally lit up—a beautiful violet halo, humming with power.
"Third Spirit Skill: Celestial Storm Cage."
Lightning erupted around her in an elegant circular formation—twelve arcs snapping outward like petals blooming. As Tai Long entered the outer edge, the arcs suddenly curved, slamming together to form a cage of electricity that locked around him mid-charge.
CRACK!
The impact halted Tai Long instantly. His entire body spasmed under the sheer power coursing through him. Muscles locked. His forward motion died completely.
Lan Xue took a slow step forward, raising one hand gently. From the cage, the energy didn't dissipate—it amplified.
The crowd watched, silent and tense, as Tai Long dropped to one knee, smoke rising from his shoulders.
"I… I can't move…" he growled.
The referee's eyes flicked toward him, gauging the state of the fighter. "Do you surrender?"
"I—!" Tai Long gritted his teeth. But his arms refused to respond.
Lan Xue, still calm, tilted her head. "You'll hurt yourself if you push. You've already done well."
With a deep, frustrated growl, Tai Long slammed his fist into the ground.
"I yield."
The arena erupted into gasps and applause as the referee raised his hand.
"Winner: Barak Academy's Lan Xue!"
Thunderous cheers and stunned silence clashed in the stands. Most hadn't even seen her move after her first strike—and yet she had completely suppressed one of Shrek Academy's top physical fighters.
Back on the Barak bench, Mu Qing clapped lazily, violet-green eyes glinting. "That was clean. How annoying."
Max smirked. "It's not a competition between us. At least not today."
On the Shrek side, Tang San exhaled slowly, his gaze sharpening.
"Her fighting style… resembles agility systems, but her control is too refined. She fights more like a tactician."
Yu Xiaogang was already scribbling mental notes. "A mutated lightning rabbit… with support-type acceleration and trap-style crowd control. That's rare."
Dai Mubai stepped forward, eyes sharp and gleaming with fighting spirit.
"I'll go next," he said, cracking his knuckles.
Tang San and Yu Xiaogang exchanged a glance. Both nodded silently. If anyone could challenge Lan Xue in terms of raw power and close-combat dominance, it was Dai Mubai.
He leapt onto the stage with a heavy thud, golden light already beginning to shimmer around him. His powerful body radiated confidence and controlled aggression.
"Dai Mubai, Evil-Eyed White Tiger," the announcer's voice echoed. "Three rings: two yellow, one purple!"
His Spirit erupted behind him—a fearsome white tiger wreathed in golden light, with glowing evil eyes that seemed to bore into Lan Xue's very soul.
Lan Xue didn't flinch.
She stood tall, her posture calm and unshaken, though her expression was slightly more focused now. She had faced brute strength before—but this wasn't Tai Long. This was a true elite.
The referee raised his hand. "Second round—begin!"
Dai Mubai didn't wait.
"First Spirit Skill: White Tiger Body Enhancement!"
His body surged with power. Muscles expanded, golden fur appeared along his arms, and his fingers grew into deadly claws. His entire frame radiated strength and speed, Spirit Power rippling outward like a wave.
In a flash, he closed the distance.
"Second Spirit Skill: White Tiger Light Wave!"
A golden beam of energy exploded from his claws, racing toward Lan Xue like a cannon blast. She reacted instantly.
***
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