That's right—from the very beginning, Li Chang'an's target had been Dugu Yan, the control-type Spirit Master. Control-types were always the soul and brain of any team. Once the control-type was taken out, the rest of the battle would become far easier to handle.
Sensing that one of the enemy's agility-attack Spirit Masters had suddenly vanished, Yu Tianheng immediately warned Dugu Yan and Ye Lengleng, "Be careful, the enemy is probably targeting you two!"
Then he barked another order: "Shi brothers, protect Ye Lingling!"
In his eyes, the enemy was more likely aiming for Ye Lingling, the support-type Spirit Master. After all, as long as she was around, their team was nearly unkillable!
"Yes!" The Shi brothers nodded, their figures flashing as they moved to the rear to defend her.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng gave out new commands:
"Yu Feng, Osler, take down their two support-type Spirit Masters!"
"Dugu Yan, you're with me. We'll hold the front line!"
His strategy was sound and tight—airtight, in fact. As long as he and Dugu Yan could withstand the pressure of facing three opponents head-on, and if their two support-type enemies went down, then victory would be theirs!
What the enemy was thinking, Yu Tianheng couldn't understand. Sending out everyone all at once? That mysterious figure might be strong, but there was no way he could protect two people at once.
---
VIP Viewing Stand
Seeing Li Chang'an dispatch his entire team while standing idly next to Oscar and Ning Rongrong, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but feel disappointed. At first, he had genuinely believed this newcomer had some real skills.
In this situation, if Li Chang'an made a move himself, he'd be violating the rule of not participating. But if he didn't act, then Oscar and Ning Rongrong would be in serious danger.
And it wasn't just Yu Xiaogang—Tang San, Flender, and the others all shook their heads. It was clear now that Li Chang'an was too naive. He wasn't suited for battlefield command after all.
---
On the Arena
Facing the terrifying approach of two agility-type Spirit Masters, Li Chang'an remained perfectly calm. He used spiritual transmission to send a message directly to Ma Hongjun:
"Fatty, eat the Mushroom Sausage, charge your attack, then take to the skies and pivot!"
Ma Hongjun, being one of the earliest members to undergo Li Chang'an's special training, had full faith in his command. He instantly devoured the Mushroom Sausage he'd been holding, and at the same time, his first and second soul rings lit up in unison.
"Rongrong, assist Fatty! Full support!"
"On it!" Ning Rongrong had already been preparing to act under Li Chang'an's plan. As soon as he gave the order, her voice rang out:
"First Soul Ring: Strength Amplification!"
"Second Soul Ring: Agility Amplification!"
Two radiant beams of light landed perfectly on Ma Hongjun. His attack was now fully charged—and with Ning Rongrong's buffs, both his power and speed soared to a whole new level!
"Fatty, advance five meters, dive at a 45-degree angle—light that leopard up!"
Back when he'd trained Ma Hongjun, Li Chang'an had drilled him on some basic data-driven combat strategies. This was where all that training paid off.
Without hesitation, Ma Hongjun followed the designated trajectory. A moment later, Phoenix Fire burst forth from his mouth!
At that same moment, Osler had already neared Oscar. But just as he was about to strike, a chilling sensation ran down his spine. Every hair stood on end—danger!
He tried to dodge instinctively, but there was no way he could outrun a Phoenix Fire enhanced by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Just as he leaped into the air, the searing, merciless flames engulfed him.
And by sheer luck—or incredible prediction—Ma Hongjun's attack struck Osler square in the back. As an agility-type Spirit Master, Osler had low defense; his strength lay in speed.
Unfortunately for him, Ma Hongjun's flames were no ordinary fire. Osler's clothes were scorched and torn, his back charred.
Osler—severely injured!
Just then, Li Chang'an noticed a soul ring behind Ye Lingling begin to glow. She clearly intended to step in and heal.
Too late.
Before she could act, the wounded Osler—deep behind enemy lines—was grabbed by Li Chang'an and tossed off the stage.
Simultaneously, Zhu Zhuqing's silhouette flickered and reappeared behind Dugu Yan. On her claws glimmered faint streaks of shadowy light—her signature darkness attribute.
"Dugu Yan, look out!"
Yu Tianheng, who was clashing with Dai Mubai, instantly retracted his attack. With a shout, he launched Thunder Wrath Dragon Claws at Zhu Zhuqing!
Li Chang'an's voice reached Dai Mubai via spiritual transmission once more:
"Mubai, ascend! Activate your second and third soul skills!"
Without hesitation, Dai Mubai obeyed, soaring upward and activating both his second and third soul abilities.
"Fly back ten meters—target directly beneath you!"
Yu Feng's speed wasn't quite on Osler's level. His strength lay more in brief aerial bursts than full-on charges. At this moment, he was diving directly toward Ning Rongrong.
This was where Li Chang'an's mastery of both battlefield awareness and human nature shone. He knew full well that with the relationship between Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, they'd never abandon each other.
It wasn't that he underestimated them—rather, Zhu Zhuqing, who had undergone his personal training and experienced a dual rise in martial soul and strength, was no longer someone they could simply take down.
Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai were both essentially spellcaster-type fighters—Dai Mubai leaned a bit toward the warrior side, but still. And Li Chang'an's strategy for them was simple:
Spellcaster. Flight. Prediction. Buffs.
If they still missed their targets, then no one could help them.
Three-ring Dai Mubai's attack power far surpassed Ma Hongjun's. Even without Ning Rongrong's support, Yu Feng couldn't withstand his power. But Ning Rongrong was supporting.
A pure white beam shot down and blasted Yu Feng straight off the stage—one hit, one knockout.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing had already vanished once again, leaving Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan standing frozen with grim expressions.
Only a few minutes into the match—and their two agility attackers had already been eliminated?
The enemy's attacks weren't overwhelmingly powerful—but how could they time everything so perfectly?
---
Silence. The entire arena fell silent.
No one had expected the Shrek team to be so fierce—taking out two of the Emperor Team's members right at the start, and doing it with ease.
Spectators who had seen Shrek's previous matches began to suspect the truth:
It wasn't just strength—this time, Shrek's commander was a monster even more terrifying than the Thousand-Hand Shura!
And the only one who had been idling around the whole time...
Was that new guy!
At this point, Li Chang'an didn't even need to move. His points were practically flying to him for free—some of them even carried familiar names like Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San.
-----
VIP Stand
Yu Xiaogang was already on his feet, gripping the railing tightly, veins bulging across his arms.
'I must stay calm. I must stay calm. Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan are powerful, and come from impressive lineages—maybe they can still turn the tide.'
____
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