Ignaz handed the token engraved with *Star Luo Imperial Academy* to the referee. After confirmation, the matchup instantly appeared on the device: Heaven Dou Imperial Academy vs. Star Luo Imperial Academy.
Returning to his team, Ignaz waited as the next groups continued drawing lots.
Across the square, the Star Luo Imperial Academy team turned their eyes toward Heaven Dou's formation, disdain flashing in their gaze. None more so than Davis, who glared at Zhu Zhuqing with open murderous intent. Whether or not his father had falsely accused her didn't matter—she was still of Star Luo royal blood, and she'd defected to Heaven Dou. To Davis, that was nothing less than betrayal.
When the second-to-last draw was complete, the lineup was set. By sheer luck, Shrek Academy pulled the bye, advancing directly into the semifinals. That gave them more time to study their opponents, especially the six squads from Star Luo.
Soon enough, the Heaven Dou Imperial team and the Star Luo Imperial team stepped onto the stage.
"The first match of the top six: Heaven Dou Imperial Academy versus Star Luo Imperial Academy. Begin!"
Both sides revealed their spirit rings. Rumors had already spread that Ignaz's fourth spirit ring was a ten-thousand-year ring, but when he displayed it with his own hands, the Spirit Hall faction and Davis's group still couldn't hide their shock.
"A ten-thousand-year fourth ring… If this one can't be brought under our control, then he must be erased. Spirit Hall will never allow such a person to live," Bibi Dong thought coldly, her burning gaze boring into Ignaz with lethal intent.
"White Tiger Barrier!"
Davis transformed, white tiger claws slashing at Ignaz. At the same time, Zhu Zhuyun launched herself at Zhu Zhuqing.
"First Spirit Skill: Crimson Sand Field!"
From the center, Dugu Yan released a storm of blood-tinged sand across the arena. The toxin-laced dust restrained Davis's group to some extent.
Following Ignaz's strategy, she didn't immediately use her higher-level skills. The Shi brothers and Yang Yong limited themselves to their first three rings as well, keeping the advantage without letting Star Luo collapse too quickly.
Meanwhile, Ignaz kept flashing in and out with Wave-Stepping Mountain-Sea, repeatedly stabbing at Davis with his first and second skills.
But then Star Luo's reflection-type Spirit Master activated his second skill, Mirror Swap, trying to spin Davis out of harm's way.
It was useless. Under Ignaz's overwhelming spiritual perception, the trick was completely transparent. Each time his Blood Thunder Spear neared Davis, Ignaz shifted its angle ever so slightly, ensuring every strike left a new wound. The blood poison seeped deeper with every cut.
As time passed, Davis's body accumulated more spear wounds. His face turned pale, his movements slowed, and his spirit power bled away rapidly. Even White Tiger Barrier and White Tiger Vajra Transformation couldn't offset the venom's drain.
With a heavy thud, Davis collapsed onto the stage, unconscious.
"Davis!"
Zhu Zhuyun screamed, panic and desperation flooding her eyes as she fought Zhu Zhuqing.
But her lapse of focus was fatal.
"Third Spirit Skill: Nether Extinction Claw!"
Zhu Zhuqing struck with all her hatred. Zhu Zhuyun tried to counter with her fourth skill, Shadow Clone, but she was a heartbeat too late. Two claws raked across her chest, sending her flying with serious injuries.
Elsewhere, the twin sisters with water-based martial spirits were locked down by the Shi brothers, whose own water attribute suppressed them. They couldn't provide support.
At that moment, Ignaz was targeted by the Bison Spirit Master and Thunder Leopard Spirit Master. Instead of retreating, he lunged at the reflection-type support. Blood Thunder Spears stabbed again and again.
When the two opponents' skills struck at him, Ignaz's hundred-thousand-year spirit bone activated, launching him into the air. Their combined strike slammed directly into their own poisoned ally, blasting him off the stage and into unconsciousness.
Now only five members of the Star Luo team remained on their feet, three of them already spirit-power dry. Zhu Zhuyun, battered and pale, gritted her teeth.
"…We concede."
Ignaz looked around, satisfied. He had crippled Star Luo's strongest fighter, Davis, and their top support. Even if healers patched them up later, the lingering weakness—and his blood poison—would make them liabilities against Shrek. In effect, he'd just handed Tang San an advantage.
With Star Luo defeated, confusion rippled through the other Heaven Dou teams.
Something was off. The Heaven Dou Imperial team's style had completely changed. Based on everything they knew of Ignaz and Dugu Yan, they should have crushed Star Luo quickly. Yet this match had dragged on for five full minutes longer.
Were they holding back on purpose, just to test themselves against opponents of equal rank?
If so, it only made the other teams more eager to face them. Everyone wanted to see how powerful Heaven Dou Imperial Academy truly was.
Once the Heaven Dou match ended, the later rounds began. As expected, Spirit Hall Academy swept their opponents with ease, relying on their three "Golden Generation" Spirit Kings.
After three days of competition, the semifinalists were decided: Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Shrek Academy, the Fire-Wind Team (a fusion of Godwind and Blazing Fire), Spirit Hall Academy, Skywater Academy, and Star Luo's Swordwind Team.\
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