On the arena, even though Tang San had broken free from the Heavenly Thunder Net, the entire Shrek team was still at a disadvantage.
At least in terms of spirit power level, the gap between the two sides was significant. Dai Mubai, the only Spirit Ancestor on the team, had already used his third and fourth spirit abilities. The White Tiger Meteor Shower he unleashed to rescue Tang San consumed a great deal of energy, and although it disrupted the enemy, it didn't cause any real damage.
The others had used several spirit abilities in succession to contend with their opponents, which severely drained their spirit power, most of them had already used up around 60%.
What's worse, the lightning-element of Thunderclap Academy was extremely oppressive. Whether it was Blue Silver Grass or other spirits, they were clearly restrained.
Having lost three matches in a row, the Shrek team couldn't afford another loss. If they were defeated again, their chances of advancing would be slim.
At this moment, Tang San's face was full of determination, his eyes fierce. He couldn't allow himself to give up so easily.
Yang Xiong once again rushed in front of Yu Tianxin. In terms of both strength and capability, only he could hold Yu Tianxin back. If the two support members were taken out, the battle would become even more dire.
Tang San darted toward Lei Dong, the control-type spirit master who had been suppressing him the entire match. Lei Dong's lightning spider kept spitting webs, but Tang San moved like a phantom, quickly evading using his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
Suddenly, the entire arena was covered in Blue Silver Grass, wrapping around the seven spirit masters from Thunderclap Academy. Even though they had powerful lightning attributes, their attacks were delayed momentarily.
Tang San then retracted his Blue Silver Grass and summoned a small black hammer, which he used to strike Lei Dong with full force.
Lei Dong, a beast-type control spirit master, tried to trap Tang San again with spider silk. But Tang San's movements were too elusive. He couldn't catch him, and was ultimately struck by the hammer and sent flying, despite the spider's desperate resistance.
This was the first time Thunderclap Academy had fallen into a passive position. Until now, they had held a decisive advantage.
The arena and the guest stands erupted in shock, especially Platinum Bishop Salas of the Spirit Hall, who stared intently at the black hammer in Tang San's hand.
The top-level spirit masters among the guests were stunned: "Clear Sky Hammer… it's really the Clear Sky Hammer! Has the Clear Sky Sect reemerged?"
As the foremost of the Upper Three Sects, the Clear Sky Sect had dominated the continent for generations. The Clear Sky Hammer was acknowledged as the number one weapon spirit in the world, both feared and revered by commoners and spirit masters alike.
Even Emperor Xue Ye was amazed: "To think it's the Clear Sky Hammer. Crown Prince, you did well bringing Tang San and his team into the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe smiled faintly: "Father, I was merely following the teachings of you and my instructor. I dare not take the credit."
Clearly pleased, Emperor Xue Ye said, "Crown Prince, you must give special attention to Tang San and the Shrek team. Grant them whatever they need. It's rare to see such talents in our Heaven Dou Empire."
Xue Qinghe replied, "As you command, Father. Our second team has quite a few prodigies."
Despite his smile, a trace of cold malice flickered in Xue Qinghe's eyes.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo didn't appear surprised at all, as if they already knew Tang San possessed a second spirit.
Amid the astonishment, the battle on stage continued, growing even more intense.
Tang San had shifted from a control-type to a power-attack type. His fighting capability increased, but his control weakened significantly, which made things harder for the two support members.
Shrek team soon suffered their first loss, Tai Long was the first to be eliminated. Although strong with his Vigorous Orangutan spirit, he was besieged by several Spirit Ancestors. He lacked flexibility and didn't undergo the same brutal training as the original eight Shrek members, so his combat experience was a bit lacking.
Following Tai Long's elimination, Thunderclap Academy also began to lose members. Yang Xiong had been holding off two opponents at once, focusing on defense. One of the two opposing Spirit Elders was quickly knocked out by Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer during a brief opportunity after striking Lei Dong.
As time passed, Shrek's support members, Oscar and Ning Rongrong, were struggling even more. With no Blue Silver Grass or protection from Yang Xiong, they had to continually use support abilities to keep the team going. Without them, the others wouldn't have lasted this long.
When their spirit power was finally exhausted, they voluntarily stepped down from the arena, they would've only been burdens otherwise. Thunderclap Academy frequently targeted them with long-range attacks, limiting their impact.
Soon, the battle became a four-on-four. Shrek had Yang Xiong, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Xiao Wu left. Thunderclap Academy still had four Spirit Ancestors, but Lei Dong and Xiao Wu were both in trouble.
Lei Dong, once in full control of the field, had now been wounded and suppressed by Tang San using the Clear Sky Hammer and self-created spirit skills. He even coughed up blood.
Xiao Wu was also at a disadvantage, facing a Spirit Ancestor despite only being a Spirit Elder herself, and one specialized in agility attack.
Yu Tianxin realized the risk of losing. For the first time, he fought more fiercely, especially targeting Yang Xiong, who had been suppressing him all match.
Yu Tianxin's fourth spirit ring lit up as his body surged with lightning. His right arm expanded and tore through his sleeve as he launched forward like a bolt of lightning, his fourth spirit ability: Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Dash.
This was the core fourth skill of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family, crucial for developing dragon transformation abilities.
Facing this fearsome strike, Yang Xiong formed a blue sphere in his silver clawed hand and charged back at full force.
Rasengan versus Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Dash.
Their collision created a terrifying explosion. Yang Xiong was forced back several meters.
But Yu Tianxin was worse off. His entire right arm was covered in blood and trembling, and he coughed up blood, Yang Xiong's Rasengan had clearly inflicted serious damage.
Had it not been for the no-kill rule of the tournament, the Rasengan could have done much more. And this was only the basic version.
The crowd was once again in an uproar. To think that Yu Tianxin, known for his combat strength, had been injured by Yang Xiong. How powerful was Yang Xiong, really?
Seeing Yu Tianxin injured, the others tried to assist. Vice-captain Lei Dong once again unleashed the Heavenly Thunder Net to try and restrain Yang Xiong.
But another opponent acted swiftly, Lei Mie, who had been fighting Xiao Wu, suddenly intensified his attacks and knocked her off the arena while everyone else was distracted.
Tang San's battlefield awareness kicked in. Rather than helping Yang Xiong, he charged Lei Dong and smashed him off the platform with the Clear Sky Hammer. Lei Dong had already been weakened and low on spirit power.
Now it was truly three-on-three, and Yu Tianxin was seriously injured.
After a grueling fight, Yu Tianxin collapsed on the stage. Tang San and Dai Mubai, both heavily injured and gasping for air, were barely standing.
When the referee announced Shrek team's victory, both Tang San and Dai Mubai nearly collapsed. It had been a brutal war of attrition. Everyone except Yang Xiong had used up all their spirit power and sustained injuries.
Shrek had finally ended their three-match losing streak, while Thunderclap Academy suffered their first defeat.
However, Tang San's use of the Clear Sky Hammer might prove to be a double-edged sword, it was hard to say whether revealing it was good or bad for him.
As for Yang Xiong, he didn't care much about winning or losing. He had only come to practice. Though the lightning clashes had been painful, the electrical stimulation seemed to benefit his body.
Just as Yang Xiong was about to leave the arena, Yu Tianxin staggered up and said, "Yang Xiong, what kind of monster are you? Why couldn't I defeat you even with everything I had? You're just a Spirit Elder!"
Yang Xiong replied casually, "Yu Tianxin, if you want to know my strength, ask your brother Yu Tianheng. I've fought him quite a few times."
Yang Xiong and the others didn't say much more and left amidst cheers.
Shrek's teachers and students were clearly overjoyed. Though it had been a brutal battle, the victory, especially against Thunderclap Academy, was a huge morale boost.
Yu Xiaogang and Flender were so thrilled they looked as if they'd won the championship.
To the audience, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Shrek team now looked capable of rewriting history. The Five Element Academies had dominated the region for years, but this underdog "Second Team" was rising as a formidable dark horse, defeating two elemental academies so far.
Perhaps, they really could become the biggest surprise of this Spirit Master Tournament.
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