Facing Yang Xiong's words, Ning Fengzhi glanced at Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang finally spoke up: "Yang Xiong, I've always known you've been hiding your true strength. Based on our current power, it might be difficult to defeat the Spirit Hall team. But I have a plan that might break the deadlock, or at least stop Spirit Hall from being so arrogant."
Yang Xiong became intrigued: "Master, do you have a good strategy? Is it a tactic we haven't seen yet?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened: "It's not really about tactics. Given the current situation, Heaven Dou Team One will likely have four Soul Sect members participating in the finals. At that time, I'll transfer you, Tang San, and Dai Mubai into one team. That way, we'll have about seven Soul Sect-level fighters. We should be able to stand toe-to-toe with the Spirit Hall team."
Yang Xiong thought for a moment: "That's definitely an idea. But none of us are support-type Soul Sect-level fighters, and even our strongest soul power is Yu Tianheng's Level 43, which is still eight or nine levels lower than Spirit Hall's members. The gap is just too big."
"Not to mention the lack of synergy between Team One and Team Two. If we fight like this in the finals, it could be chaotic."
Yu Xiaogang nodded: "You're absolutely right. That's why the preliminary rounds are our last chance to build team chemistry. Before the finals, team members can still be re-assigned. So I plan to transfer Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the Shi brothers into Heaven Dou Team Two. That way, our overall strength improves."
"But that creates a major flaw, we won't have an agility-attack-type soul master. With your speed, you could take that role."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but complain inwardly. What kind of plan was this? He had been a defense-type soul master for two years, and now they suddenly wanted him to become an agility attacker. How was he supposed to adapt to new tactics like that? And who the hell suggested merging the teams? That would completely break existing team synergies.
Still, Yang Xiong smiled and said, "Master, Sect Leader, don't worry. I'll do my best as an agility-attack soul master."
Yu Xiaogang's face turned serious: "It's not just about doing your best. You must go all out, or we won't be able to win. Especially since no one knows your soul skills yet."
Yang Xiong nodded: "Alright, if it comes down to it, I'll reveal my soul skills. But they're all self-boosting abilities, so I doubt they'll interfere with the team's strategy."
Ning Fengzhi spoke again: "Xiao Xiong, I know you're strong. If we win the championship, the spirit bones we receive will be split among the Three Upper Clans. But the one from Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is guaranteed to be yours."
Even though Yang Xiong had countless complaints in his mind, he still nodded in agreement. Aside from the skull, he wasn't really interested in the other two spirit bones. But knowing Tang San and Yu Xiaogang's personalities, there was no way they'd give him the skull.
After Tang San and Yu Xiaogang left, Ning Fengzhi spoke to him privately: "Xiao Xiong, this is a big deal. Even if you reveal your spirit bone, the clan will ensure your safety. You'll be protected by Soul Douluo-level experts whenever you travel. If you need any spirit bones or soul beasts, we'll help you acquire them."
Yang Xiong was silent for a moment before speaking: "Thank you, Sect Leader. But I have something I'd like to ask, and I hope you'll consider it seriously."
Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo looked puzzled: "Say whatever you want. And from now on, don't call me Sect Leader, just call me Uncle Ning."
Yang Xiong's expression turned solemn: "You're aware of the current situation with the Three Upper Clans. Clear Sky Clan has long secluded itself, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has barely shown themselves in recent years. If we make such bold moves now, Spirit Hall will likely turn its wrath on us. When that happens, those two clans might not have the power, or the will, to help."
Ning Fengzhi's expression grew serious. He stayed silent for a long while before saying, "I've thought about that. But our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is primarily support-type. Compared to the other two, we're at a disadvantage. Still, if we don't move forward now, we'll be left behind. We're already at our peak. There's no turning back."
Yang Xiong nodded: "I understand, Sect Leader. I'll do my best and won't lose to anyone."
After Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo left, Yang Xiong couldn't help but sigh.
As the Sect Leader, Ning Fengzhi operated on a level far beyond his own. His thinking was entirely different. He had led the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to greatness, not just as a merchant, but as a true schemer with great ambition.
Looking at the original story, Ning Fengzhi constantly maneuvered between opposing forces. He clashed with Spirit Hall, allied with the Heaven Dou royal family, and tried to protect Tang San and the others, moves that made him a prime target for Spirit Hall. Ultimately, he provoked their full wrath.
What everyone overlooked was that his prized disciple turned out to be a Spirit Hall spy. Not only did he lose everything, but he even drew suspicion from the Heaven Dou Empire. Otherwise, someone like Yu Xiaogang, who had no power or influence, would never have been made Imperial Tutor.
As expected, the Heaven Dou Empire acted swiftly. They quickly summoned all members of Team One and Team Two and began reorganizing the rosters.
The new Team Two included: Yang Xiong, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.
Poor Oscar was sent to Team One. Luckily, he had Qin Shuang with him, so they weren't completely isolated.
Zhu Zhuqing was included in Team Two primarily because she and Dai Mubai could perform the Spirit Fusion technique, "Nether White Tiger," which could be useful in critical moments.
Yang Xiong finally understood why Dai Mubai had come to him earlier. The lineup was good, but it still fell short compared to Star Luo Royal Academy. Zhu Zhuqing, in particular, lacked the strength to be a main force.
Yang Xiong glanced at Flender, who looked even more disheartened than the rest. Although Team Two was still officially called "Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Team," it had completely lost the essence of the original Shrek.
Even Flender's personal disciple, Ma Hongjun, had been transferred to Team One. And Team One didn't even have many Soul Sects, barely a few senior Soul Elders. It looked like they'd already given up.
Meanwhile, Team One's original leader, Qin Ming, had become Yu Xiaogang's assistant, which seemed like part of a prearranged plan. Team One had clearly been abandoned.
Under normal circumstances, such team changes would be disallowed. But since both teams belonged to the same academy, and with Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo on the referee panel, not even Salas could object.
In fact, the original story saw even worse cases, like the Kamikaze and Blazing Academies swapping members despite being separate institutions.
When the new Shrek Team from Heaven Dou Royal Academy appeared again, the audience erupted in shock. On the VIP seats, Salas and Hu Yanzhen looked pale. They clearly hadn't expected Heaven Dou to be this powerful.
In their first match, the lineup included Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, Dugu Yan, Tang San, Yang Xiong, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo.
Their opponent was Purple Star Academy, though Yang Wei didn't appear.
Shrek had five Soul Sects. Yu Tianheng served as captain, with Tang San and Dai Mubai as vice-captains.
Even Kamikaze and Tianshui Academies grew serious. This team was stronger than expected, especially in offensive power, backed by two control-type soul masters.
Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wushuang, and Shui Bing'er all immediately realized something was off.
Feng Xiaotian said, "Something's wrong. This lineup looks solid, but they don't have an agility-type soul master. That'll limit their mobility on the battlefield. There's no way they overlooked this."
Huo Wushuang nodded: "Heaven Dou Royal Academy isn't that careless. They must have a backup plan."
On the battlefield, agility-type soul masters aren't as direct as power types or as central as control types, but they're still vital. They exploit enemy weaknesses and rescue teammates, keeping formations flexible.
Shrek deployed a 2-2-1-2 formation. At the back were the control types, Tang San and Dugu Yan. In front of them, the Shi brothers served as defense. Then came Yang Xiong as the agility attacker. Leading the charge were Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng as power attackers.
Sure enough, once the battle began, Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng immediately charged Purple Star Academy's formation. With their top-tier spirits, White Tiger and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, their attacks were swift and fierce, quickly throwing the enemy into disarray.
Tang San and Dugu Yan controlled the field. Blue Silver Grass spread across the arena, entangling enemies, while Dugu Yan's Emerald Scale Snake released a toxic mist, covering the battlefield.
Though the Shi brothers were slow, they were strong and followed the main assault.
Unexpectedly, Yang Xiong was even faster. He quickly overtook the Shi brothers and flashed behind enemy lines, directly targeting their control-type soul master.
With his speed and teleportation, Yang Xiong's silver claw-like fingers struck like a dragon's talons. In just a few exchanges, he had knocked both support and control-type enemies out of the ring.
Purple Star Academy's formation collapsed, and within two minutes, all their members were eliminated. The newly formed Heaven Dou Royal Academy Shrek Team claimed its first victory.
Feng Xiaotian and the others grew even more serious. Huo Wu frowned: "Isn't Yang Xiong a defense-type soul master? How is he now acting as an agility attacker?"
Feng Xiaotian shook his head: "It's not that simple. This guy can serve as a defense, power, or agility attacker. His strength, speed, and defense are all top-notch. I'm not even sure I could beat him."
Huo Wu growled: "Heaven Dou Royal Academy is ridiculous! Switching players like this, how shameless."
Huo Wushuang replied, "They're all students of the same academy. Plus, they have a direct qualification spot, so the switch is justified."
The angriest person was Hu Yanzhen. The Elephant Armored Academy had always been the weakest of the Five Element Academies. Now, they had no hope of beating Shrek for the final qualification slot. It could be the first time in years that they missed the knockout stage.
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