Chapter 338: The Fall of the Invincible Xu Sanshi
Xu Tianran's eyes widened in surprise.
"Is Xu Sanshi trying to forfeit in this way? No… that doesn't make sense. That would disgrace Shrek Academy's reputation, and those from Shrek hold their academy's honor above all else. Even if they wanted to preserve their strength by surrendering, they would never do it like this."
On the arena, Xiao Hongchen had already seen through Xu Sanshi's scheme thanks to Huo Yuhao's earlier warning. He was prepared to turn the tables against him.
So when Xu Sanshi reached the edge of the stage and leaped into the air, Xiao Hongchen continued bombarding him with soul cannon fire.
Xu Sanshi's Mysterious Nether Swap would undoubtedly target him, as they were both Soul Emperors. If he couldn't interrupt the swap, he would instead use it to deliver a lethal counterattack.
Xu Sanshi, brimming with confidence, activated Mysterious Nether Swap. In an instant, he and Xiao Hongchen switched places, with Xiao Hongchen plummeting downward, seemingly caught off guard.
Xu Sanshi had anticipated this he activated his Rank 6 Flying Soul Tool the moment he landed, using it to burst forward toward Xiao Hongchen.
Within moments, he reached Xiao Hongchen's side and unleashed Mysterious Nether Tremor, sending a wave of black shock energy rippling outward.
He intended to completely knock Xiao Hongchen off the arena, securing an absolute victory.
"Hahaha! Xiao Hongchen, get off the stage!" Xu Sanshi laughed triumphantly, already picturing the moment of his victory and more importantly, how Jiang Nannan's opinion of him would change.
After all, Jiang Nannan was a veteran of Shrek Academy, someone who had undergone the academy's rigorous "Honor Doctrine." She had been conditioned to protect Shrek's millennium long glory, even at the cost of her future.
If he defended that honor, she would finally look at him differently.
Maybe then, he could explain himself to her… maybe even mend their relationship.
But the smirk on Xiao Hongchen's face puzzled him.
Why wasn't he panicking?
A second later, Xiao Hongchen was indeed pushed back by Mysterious Nether Tremor but instead of falling off the stage, he used the force to propel himself upwards with his Flying Soul Tool.
Xu Sanshi was stunned.
Everything was spinning out of his control.
"Xu Sanshi, did you really think Mysterious Nether Swap would work on me? It's just a position swapping technique it was pointless to save it until now." Xiao Hongchen sneered.
As he spoke, a dozen soul cannons materialized around him, all aimed at Xu Sanshi.
For a brief moment, Xu Sanshi froze.
His Mysterious Nether Swap was supposed to be a secret trump card. Even in Shrek Academy, very few people knew about it.
Aside from the academy's elders, only Bei Bei and Jiang Nannan knew.
Bei Bei knew because they were close friends who had fought together numerous times.
Jiang Nannan knew because he had once boasted about it to her.
"The elders wouldn't have leaked this… Nannan doesn't care about me enough to mention it to anyone… So did Bei Bei betray me? Did he tell Sun Moon Empire about my ability?"
Xu Sanshi's mind raced.
He trusted Bei Bei's character, but… Bei Bei was in an unstable state right now.
Tang Ya had been missing for years, and no one had been able to find her.
If Sun Moon Empire had captured Tang Ya and used her as leverage, then…
Bei Bei might have given up the information to protect her.
"He would hesitate… but in the end, he would talk."
In That Split Second of Hesitation…
Xiao Hongchen opened fire.
A relentless barrage of soul cannon blasts rained down on Xu Sanshi, the piercing shriek of incoming shells jolting him back to reality.
He reflexively raised his Mysterious Nether Turtle Shield to block the onslaught.
But his soul power was running low.
And Xiao Hongchen's attack was relentless.
With no time to recover, Xu Sanshi finally crumbled under the relentless barrage.
BOOM!
His Mysterious Nether Turtle Shield shattered.
His body was blasted off the stage, bloodied and battered.
As he lay on the ground, his eyes stared blankly up at the sky, filled with frustration and disbelief.
Xiao Hongchen Stood Victorious
Looking down at the fallen Xu Sanshi, Xiao Hongchen grinned.
"Xu Sanshi, this was truly enjoyable. I don't think I'll ever forget you."
"I told you if you couldn't even beat me, don't even think about fighting Huo Yuhao. He's far stronger than I am. You're at least twenty thousand years too early to challenge him."
Truthfully, Xu Sanshi had the strongest defense among his peers, relying purely on his martial soul and soul skills.
Even Xiao Hongchen had taken time to break through it.
But Xu Sanshi had been far too arrogant, which made his defeat all the more satisfying.
The Judge Declares the Winner
The referee descended onto the stage, visibly excited.
"Winner Xiao Hongchen! Shrek Academy and Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, please send in your next contestants!"
Xiao Hongchen sat down cross legged on the stage, pulling out his Sealed Milk Bottle to replenish his soul power while resting his body.
He wasn't leaving he was waiting for Shrek Academy's next challenger.
Xu Sanshi's Recovery
Back in Shrek Academy's waiting area, Xu Sanshi was brought back on a stretcher.
Cai Mei'er looked at him with frustration and concern.
"Xu Sanshi," she sighed, "since your Mysterious Nether Swap was already countered, why didn't you just surrender? That way, you could've preserved our team's strength."
Xu Sanshi gritted his teeth.
With a resolute expression, he bit down on the Revitalizing Silver Snow Cigar that He Caitou shoved into his mouth, allowing its medicinal properties to heal his wounds.
"Dean, I am a part of Shrek! I may lose standing, but I will never kneel."
"But… I lost to Xiao Hongchen."
He clenched his fists, his voice filled with bitterness.
"This happened because someone leaked my ability. That's why Xiao Hongchen was prepared for it."
"I demand a full investigation into who the traitor is."
He didn't say Bei Bei's name outright.
Because… Bei Bei was no ordinary student.
He was the great grandson of Elder Mu, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion.
Cai Mei'er's expression turned grim.
"Alright. When we return to the academy, I will conduct a full investigation."
Xu Sanshi felt a wave of gratitude, but he quickly pushed that aside right now, their priority was winning the match.
He turned to Cai Mei'er.
"Dean, Xiao Hongchen's strength was impressive."
"If we want to guarantee victory, we need to use special measures."
"If we do that, Xiao Hongchen is guaranteed to lose."
"Shrek Academy's millennium long glory… cannot be shaken by anyone!"
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