"It's Dou Dou's honor to once again host the main team battle at the Great Spirit Arena for our esteemed guests tonight. I hope everyone enjoys themselves to the fullest this evening. Tonight's match is the highlight of the day, and it's the only battle scheduled."
"Although both teams are only at the Spirit Elder level, they already bear the honor of the Silver Spirit Fighting Badge. If I had to give them a title, I'd say the word 'genius' fits perfectly!"
"I, Dou Dou, will be your commentator throughout the match. Now, allow me to introduce both sides!"
"Emperor Team — Team Captain: Yu Tianheng, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master…"
"Shrek Seven Devils — Team Captain: Evil-Eyed White Tiger, White Tiger Spirit Master…"
Dou Dou, the hostess dressed in a flowing white dress, skillfully introduced both teams, her goal clear — to build anticipation among the elite guests filling the Great Spirit Arena.
"Well then, no more chatter from me. Let's invite both teams onto the stage. As a fellow Spirit Elder, I'm honestly excited to see what these peers of mine can do!"
As she spoke, white light burst from Dou Dou's body. A streak of white appeared in her wavy brown hair, and a pair of pure white wings silently unfurled behind her.
Three yellow soul rings glowed around her. Her third soul ring shimmered brightly, and with a gentle flap of her wings, she soared into the air, holding a voice-amplifying soul tool in hand.
Just as she said, she was a Spirit Elder too. Though her third ring wasn't the optimal thousand-year level, it granted her the power of flight — a vital ability for any flying-type Spirit Master.
Dou Dou's martial soul was a Pigeon — gentle, cute, and a symbol of peace.
On both sides of the stage, the gates swung open in silence as both teams stepped forward and made their way to the center of the platform.
From the left came the Emperor Team. At the front was Yu Tianheng, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master, with Dugu Yan leaning close to him out of habit. Behind them followed the Shi brothers, then Osler and Yu Feng. The last to enter was the mysterious Nine Heart Flowering Apple Spirit Master, Ye Lingling — the one who piqued Li Chang'an's interest the most.
Compared to the mixed attire of the Emperor Team, the Shrek Seven Devils stood out for their uniformity — all dressed in sleek black combat gear, wearing identical green masks. Despite their varying heights, they clearly moved as one cohesive unit.
But something was different today.
At the front of the Shrek line stood a tall man clad in a black coat with gilded red trim, exuding a wild and rebellious aura. Even with his face hidden behind a mask, his presence was impossible to ignore.
It felt as though the entire battlefield revolved around him.
Keen-eyed spectators quickly noticed that the three girls on the Shrek team hovered instinctively close to this man, while the others followed just half a step behind. Though the official captain remained Dai Mubai, those familiar with Shrek knew something was off.
Tang San, the Thousand-Hand Asura, was gone — replaced by someone who looked even more arrogant.
Shrek had swapped out their control-type Spirit Master, a critical role in team battles. Many gamblers who had bet on Shrek were cursing out loud.
Yet, in the VIP suites, the heads of the Li and Hong Chamber of commerce sipped their tea calmly.
Let them curse, rant, and laugh all they want. After tonight, the underground gambling scene in Suotuo City was going to be reshuffled.
---
'Why does that man feel… strangely familiar?'
Yu Tianheng's gaze locked onto Li Chang'an at the front of the Shrek formation. His mind flashed to that man — the infuriatingly charismatic one with the bell like martial soul.
The same man who became the unscalable mountain in his life.
As soon as both teams entered the field, Yu Tianheng's eyes met Li Chang'an's. A faint dragon's roar echoed from Yu Tianheng, his aura surging with oppressive power.
"Hmph."
Li Chang'an responded with nothing more than a cold snort.
In an instant, the barely audible dragon's roar vanished.
Not only Yu Tianheng, but every member of the Emperor Team staggered slightly, their faces pale and soaked in cold sweat.
A single cold snort… and the entire battlefield fell silent.
This was Li Chang'an.
[Yu Tianheng. Points +19]
[Dugu Yan. Points +18]
[....]
Not just the Emperor Team — even the audience members were feeding Li Chang'an a tidal wave of points.
His point was rising by the tens of thousands.
Although that snort wasn't aimed at them directly, every Spirit Master and even ordinary viewers felt their souls tremble.
This new Shrek member… was no ordinary rookie.
---
"Attention Spirit Masters participating in the team battle: You now have one minute to summon your martial souls. Attacks may begin only after I give the signal. The match ends when one team admits defeat, is completely incapacitated, or is knocked off the Spirit Arena."
Floating above, Dou Dou flapped her pure white wings as she addressed both sides in a gentle, melodic voice.
To the VIPs watching, her soft voice was soothing, but to the participants, it was a signal — the battle was about to begin.
In the center of the platform, thirteen figures — all but Li Chang'an — simultaneously released their soul power. Thirteen powerful auras shot into the sky, startling Dou Dou into rising even higher.
She'd seen team battles stronger than this, but rarely had she seen both sides brimming with such intense fighting spirit. What puzzled her, though, was why the mysterious new Shrek member hadn't summoned his soul rings — or even his martial soul.
Li Chang'an didn't activate anything. Instead, he casually drifted backward, taking his place beside Ning Rongrong and Oscar. His role today? Simple — only to protect them in emergencies. Otherwise, he didn't even plan to fight.
As the match officially began, Li Chang'an's voice echoed directly into his teammates' minds through mental transmission — fast, clear, and impactful.
"Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu — you three engage them head-on. Zhuqing, roam the flanks. Take out Dugu Yan first. Don't forget the realgar wine I gave you. Her poison won't affect you!"
____
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