In the blink of an eye, the final day of the individual tournament's group stage arrived.
Today's matches wouldn't have much impact on the final qualification results, but there were several heavyweight showdowns that drew the most attention. One was the match between Wu Siduo and Dai Yueyan, another between Jing Shaoyu and Long Yue, and the third between Xu Xiaoyan and Teng Teng.
Jing Shaoyu and his group left the hotel and arrived at the competition venue. As they reached the entrance of the waiting area, they ran into members of Monster Academy.
The relationship between the two sides was relatively amicable. Though they regarded each other as their greatest rivals, there was no real animosity between them. Thus, Jing Shaoyu and Long Yue exchanged polite nods in greeting.
"Jing Shaoyu, you're definitely going to lose today!"
The two groups had been about to part ways after a brief exchange, but an overwhelmingly attention-seeking figure couldn't resist stirring things up. Dai Yuner pointed at Jing Shaoyu and shouted arrogantly.
"A loser like you has no right to show off here."
Jing Shaoyu didn't want to engage with her, but Wu Siduo had no qualms about firing back.
"You only won against me by luck! If you have the guts, let's fight again—I'll beat you into a pig's head!" Dai Yuner's temper flared at the sight of Wu Siduo, her pretty face flushing red.
"Tch!" Wu Siduo didn't bother with words, simply flashing a disdainful look.
"You—how dare you!" Dai Yuner's expression twisted with fury at being ignored. She wanted to retort further, but the mocking gazes of Xu Xiaoyan, Ye Xinglan, and the others—as if watching a circus act—pierced her deeply. She stole a glance at Jing Shaoyu, only to find he wasn't even looking at her, which filled her with a crushing sense of defeat.
Glaring viciously at Wu Siduo, Xu Xiaoyan, and the others, she turned and stormed off.
Watching Dai Yuner retreat in defeat, Xu Xiaoyan and Wu Siduo happily high-fived in celebration, while the other four girls also wore smiles of amusement.
Jing Shaoyu could only shake his head with a wry smile, hoping Dai Yuner would learn her lesson and stop provoking them.
Fuming, Dai Yuner returned to the Monster Academy group and immediately sought out Long Yue and Dai Yueyan. "Big Brother Long, Fourth Brother, you have to teach Jing Shaoyu and his team a lesson later—for my sake!"
Long Yue and Dai Yueyan exchanged helpless glances. They knew all too well that Dai Yuner had suffered another humiliation at Jing Shaoyu's hands. Ah, when would this little princess ever learn?
Setting aside the drama between Shrek Academy and Monster Academy, the matches inside the venue proceeded smoothly. Before long, the first of the day's three heavyweight battles arrived.
"Dear audience, the next match marks the fourth clash between Monster Academy and Shrek Academy in the individual tournament! The previous three encounters favored Shrek Academy—will this fourth match even the score?" Fang'er began hyping up the crowd.
"This match features Teng Teng of Monster Academy, one of the Eight Great Heavenly Kings, also known as the Shadow King—a speed-type Battle Soul King! And from Shrek Academy, the control-type Soul Master, Xu Xiaoyan!"
From past matches, contestant Xu Xiaoyan is a pure control-type Soul Master with limited combat capabilities, making her the weakest among the seven Shrek Academy participants in overall strength. Meanwhile, our Shadow King Teng Teng, despite being ranked sixth among the Eight Great Heavenly Kings, possesses formidable combat prowess. Thus, I have no doubt that Teng Teng will secure victory in this match!"
"What nonsense! How am I the weakest?"
In the waiting area, Xu Xiaoyan pouted, expressing her dissatisfaction—though even her own tone lacked conviction.
While Fang'er's commentary was heavily biased, one point was undeniable: Xu Xiaoyan was indeed the weakest among Jing Shaoyu's team of seven. This was primarily because she specialized purely in control-type Soul Skills, lacking offensive techniques.
Though her Star Staff's control abilities were powerful, they were highly team-oriented, excelling in group battles but proving less effective in solo combat. In her previous matches, Xu Xiaoyan had managed easy victories against weaker opponents by relying on her Star Staff and Soul Guidance Devices. However, facing an agility-type Soul King this time, her chances of winning seemed uncertain.
"Alright, don't mind outsiders' words. Just focus on doing your best," Jing Shaoyu patted Xu Xiaoyan's head reassuringly. "Give it your all in the match, but don't force yourself."
"Mhm, I know," Xu Xiaoyan nodded like a little hamster, looking adorable. "I've already planned my strategy. At the start, I'll chain my second and third Soul Skills into my first, then follow up with my Soul Guidance Device. If it hits, I'll press the advantage. If it misses, I'll just forfeit. Hehe."
One of Xu Xiaoyan's greatest strengths was her clear self-awareness—she understood her strengths and weaknesses and knew when to concede, just as her strategy demonstrated.
"Haha, not a bad plan," Jing Shaoyu laughed, ruffling her hair before giving her shoulder an encouraging pat. "Go on, safety first."
"Xiaoyan, do your best!" Na'er, Ye Xinglan, Wu Siduo, and Mo Hentian cheered in unison.
"Good luck," even the usually aloof Gu Yue added.
Among the six girls, Xu Xiaoyan was likely the most well-liked. If they were to rank popularity, the top spot might be debatable, but second place would undoubtedly belong to her.
Under her teammates' supportive gazes, Xu Xiaoyan stepped onto the arena. Opposite her, a young man also ascended—his aura eerily quiet, his demeanor tinged with gloom, likely due to his Martial Soul. He was none other than one of the Eight Great Heavenly Kings: the Shadow King, Teng Teng!
Teng Teng's Martial Soul was Shadow, an exceptionally unconventional type.
Frowning slightly, Teng Teng studied the sweetly smiling, harmless-looking girl before him. She lacked the composed and sharp demeanor expected of a control-type Soul Grandmaster, instead radiating an air of naive innocence. It left him genuinely puzzled.
Compared to her, Teng Teng would've sooner believed Jing Shaoyu was the control-type Soul Master, while this girl seemed better suited as a support-type.
"Match begin!"
Whatever thoughts Teng Teng harbored, they were instantly dismissed as the referee's command rang out. He focused entirely on the battle ahead.
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Teng Teng took a step forward, five purple Soul Rings rising beneath his feet. His body swayed as his third Soul Ring shone brilliantly, and in an instant, three identical copies of Teng Teng appeared on the spot.
Shadow Clones!
The three Teng Tengs charged simultaneously at incredible speed, leaving behind a trail of afterimages. In the blink of an eye, they had crossed a hundred meters, attacking Xu Xiaoyan from three different directions.
Xu Xiaoyan's response was simple. She raised her hand, and the Star Staff Martial Soul appeared in her grip alongside four black Soul Rings. At the same time, a dazzling orange-red radiance erupted from her petite frame, and a suit of armor enveloped her slender body.
This was an orange-gold Battle Armor, its entire body a warm and gentle blend of orange and gold, with only localized areas like the arms and waist adorned with cool ice-blue patterns. At the center of the chest plate was a translucent orange-red crystal, surrounded by scattered yet seemingly deliberate golden beads, giving the impression of stars orbiting the sun.
The hand gripping the staff was clad in a pair of lace gloves—a specially designed gauntlet that appeared delicate like lace but was actually woven from incredibly resilient golden threads.
Clad in this Battle Armor, Xu Xiaoyan didn't exude the imposing aura of a female general but rather the noble elegance of a princess. Had she worn a crown, the illusion would have been even more convincing.
Indeed, Xu Xiaoyan's Battle Armor was missing only one piece—the headgear.
Teng Teng hadn't expected his opponent to summon her Battle Armor right from the start, and he hesitated for a moment. But Xu Xiaoyan didn't forget her strategy. She raised her Star Staff high, and her second and third Soul Rings lit up in succession. A shower of golden radiance spilled from the sky onto the arena, following the glow of the Star Staff.
By now, Teng Teng had closed in on Xu Xiaoyan. The three figures flickered alternately, linking together to form a triangle of afterimages around her. At the same time, a pair of pitch-black daggers appeared in his hands, and he thrust them fiercely toward Xu Xiaoyan.
All three figures lunged at her simultaneously, but two of them suddenly veered off—one to the left, the other to the right—their movements becoming erratic. Meanwhile, the real Teng Teng, holding the daggers, abruptly halted in his tracks.
Starlight Feedback combined with Glittering Starlight—a group control ability with no escape!
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