Inside the lounge, Oscar told everyone about the strength of Elephant Armor Academy. "You should have heard of the Elephant Armored Sect, right? They are ranked sixth among the seven great sects. Your opponents tomorrow come from the academy founded by the Elephant Armored Sect."
"All seven of their participants are direct disciples of the Elephant Armored Sect. Three of them have already reached the Soul Sect level, while the other four are close to level forty. They are the new generation elites of the Elephant Armored Sect."
Hearing Oscar's words, Tang San immediately began to think.
The Elephant Armored Sect? Hearing those three words, Tang San's expression became serious as he was the one responsible for arranging tomorrow's tactics.
Over the years, thanks to Oscar's explanations, he clearly understood what those three words represented.
Just as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was known as the strongest support sect, the Elephant Armored Sect also had its own title — the strongest defense sect.
The sect's inherited martial spirit is the Diamond Mammoth, a powerful martial spirit with extremely high defense. Its strengths lie in power and defense.
At the same level, almost no soul master could break through their defense. Their defense was terrifyingly strong. If not for the fact that the Elephant Armored Sect had no Title Douluo, they would not be ranked only sixth among the seven great sects.
Now that he knew who the opponents were and had a rough idea of their strength, Tang San began to think carefully.
After a long silence, Tang San slowly said, "Senior, if we were fighting in an open area, we might have some chance using the same lineup as last time, since the Diamond Mammoth's weakness is speed. We could wear them down by maneuvering and then finish them off with a final strike."
"But the fighting stage is only so big. In such a limited area, we have almost no chance. Even though the opponents have no support-type soul master, their martial spirits are the same, and the stacking effect is extremely powerful."
"From a theoretical standpoint, if we still use the first lineup, our chances of victory are very slim."
Everyone listened to Tang San's analysis and nodded in agreement. It had to be said, Tang San's ability to analyze the situation had become very mature, and his thoughts were aligned with theirs.
Tang San continued, "If we only cared about qualifying, I would suggest we forfeit this match. After all, in the qualifiers we only need to be in the top five to advance, and it is not a bad idea to keep our true strength hidden in the early stages."
Ma Hongjun glanced at Tang San but said nothing. Ning Rongrong, standing beside them, could not help saying, "Why don't we all just go out and fight? What's wrong with letting others know our strength?"
Zhu Zhuqing gently tugged at Ning Rongrong's arm. "Rongrong, if others know our true strength in advance, they can come up with tactics to counter us. This may not matter much in the qualifiers, but don't forget we will face much stronger opponents in the finals and promotion rounds. Losing the element of surprise would put us at a disadvantage."
After a pause, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flashed. "After all, other academies may also be holding back. Who knows what tricks they are saving for later?"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong pouted but did not argue, since Zhu Zhuqing's words made sense.
Oscar and Dugu Yan exchanged glances and just smiled, not saying anything.
Ma Hongjun hesitated, then asked Tang San, "Little San, what do you think? You are the control-type soul master of the team and the one in charge of battle decisions. It should be up to you."
Tang San glanced at Oscar, who was holding Dugu Yan's hand, and saw that Oscar had no intention of interfering.
Tang San grew quiet again, then a faint light flashed in his eyes. He clenched his fists and slowly said, "Fight."
Hearing this, Oscar finally turned his gaze toward him.
At that moment, it felt as if a battle aura was spreading from Tang San. Although his soul power level was not the highest in the team, as the one making tactical decisions, his choice determined the morale of the entire group.
Tang San looked at everyone and said slowly, "We joined this tournament not just to win, but also to hone our combat and adaptability. If we back down whenever we face strong opponents, it will hurt our morale. And I believe none of us are the type to run from difficulties."
"So I suggest we take a middle path. We will adjust the team lineup so that we don't expose all of our hidden strength, but we will still have enough power to face the opponent."
Oscar nodded in satisfaction and asked calmly, "Little San, how do you plan to adjust it?"
Tang San looked at the tactical board in his hand and said, "Last match, it was me, Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, Tailong, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiangzhu. That lineup is more than enough for normal academies, but not against the Elephant Armored Academy because we lack a strong battle soul master to deal heavy frontal damage."
"So for this match, I plan to switch out Xiao Wu and send Mubai instead. The others stay the same. As long as Mubai can break through their ironclad defense from the front, the victory will be ours."
Oscar nodded. This was indeed the best arrangement. After all, neither he nor Dugu Yan would intervene. If Dugu Yan went on stage, she alone could defeat the entire Elephant Armored Academy team.
Her poison was now so strong that even a Soul Sage might not withstand it, let alone a group of Soul Sects and Soul Elders.
Oscar understood that their team's lineup had become somewhat unbalanced because of how strong he and Dugu Yan were. What they were hiding now was mainly Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, both Soul Kings at level fifty-five, and Ning Rongrong with her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Tang San did not have many chances to adjust the lineup because Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai could not both reveal themselves during the qualifiers and promotion rounds. Otherwise, the Spirit Hall might not even bother offering those three soul bones as prizes.
Then again, it was not guaranteed — Bibi Dong might decide to still offer the soul bones to use the Shrek team as a whetstone for training the three Golden Generation members.
But Oscar did not want to gamble. The safest way to ensure that Bibi Dong still offered the three soul bones was to not fully reveal Shrek Academy's strength.
They could be strong, but not overwhelmingly strong. So only one of Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai could be revealed.
Tang San then explained further, "The reason I chose to reveal Mubai is that he and Zhuqing have their martial spirit fusion skill as a trump card. If we meet an opponent stronger than the Elephant Armored Academy later, we won't have to reveal Hongjun yet."
Tang San looked at Oscar. "Senior, there's only one reason for this arrangement — we don't want to lose. Since this is the grand event for all young soul masters on the continent, I think we should do everything we can to display our strength. This is not just about building our confidence, but also proving ourselves for the academy."
Oscar's eyes flashed. Everyone else's eyes lit up as well. Clearly, Tang San's words resonated with them.
Oscar nodded. "Good. It seems you have understood what I told you before."
"Since you are all confident and have your own resolve, go all out. I'll be your last line of support."
Hearing this, everyone's last bit of worry disappeared. Oscar's strength was undeniable. With him backing them up, it was hard to imagine how they could lose.
After confirming tomorrow's lineup, Tang San began planning their tactics based on the Elephant Armored Academy's strength and fighting style.
In truth, if they fought with full power, just Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing would be enough.
Once their martial spirit fusion skill was unleashed, they could burst out with power comparable to a Soul Emperor. Even though the Elephant Armored Academy had incredible defense, in the face of absolute strength, all defenses would crumble.
This time, Dai Mubai would fight, but he would not reveal his martial spirit fusion skill with Zhu Zhuqing.
Even without it, Dai Mubai's level fifty-five soul power was enough to put immense pressure on the Elephant Armored Academy.
After all, they only had three Soul Sects, and the strongest was only level forty-three. The level gap alone gave Dai Mubai a crushing advantage.
Tailong's strength was above average for the tournament, but Jing Ling and Huang Yuan were much weaker than the seven of the Elephant Armored Sect.
The weakest of the Elephant Armored Academy's team was still level thirty-seven, and their strong defense meant Jing Ling and Huang Yuan would have no chance in a one-on-one. This was another reason Tang San needed Dai Mubai.
The final lineup was Tang San, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Tailong, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiangzhu.
The reason for switching out Xiao Wu instead of Zhu Zhuqing was because Xiao Wu's third and fourth soul skills might play a crucial role in later matches.
In the previous match, they had mostly used their first and second soul skills. But this time might be different. The Elephant Armored Academy was too good at defense. Even Dai Mubai might not break through without using more advanced skills.
...
Tang San quickly made a complete plan. Time passed quickly, and the next day's match began as usual.
Ten of the twenty-eight teams entered the arena. There would be five matches held simultaneously in the morning.
The large square was arranged differently than on the first day. In addition to the central main stage, four more identical stages had been built around it.
Even though the five stages were all quite large, the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, which could hold eighty thousand spectators, did not feel crowded at all.
All twenty-eight teams were again divided into three groups for the second day's matches. Shrek Academy was the first to appear in the first group.
Because of Shrek Academy's explosive performance in the first match and their opponents being the highly regarded Elephant Armored Academy, their match was once again arranged on the central main stage.
This was a grand event held only once every few years, and since all the participants were talents sought after by major forces, the VIP stands were nearly as full as they were on opening day.
Not only were the empire's top officials present, but Emperor Xue Ye still sat in the center of the first row. However, today there was one more person sitting beside him.
In addition to Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Spirit Hall's Platinum Bishop Salas, there was another special figure.
Calling him "special" was almost an understatement, because his body was massive. Even while seated, he was taller than most people standing.
Even Chen Xin, who was tall and lean, seemed small next to him.
Judging by sight, this man was at least two and a half meters tall, taking up three seats by himself.
Sitting there like a mountain of flesh, with dark skin that glistened faintly, large eyes like copper bells, and white hair and beard, he looked at least seventy years old and radiated a strong sense of authority.
This man was Hu Yan Zhen, the current sect master of the Elephant Armored Sect, one of the lower four sects. As a sect master, he was qualified to sit in the same row as Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi.
However, he did not sit close to Ning Fengzhi, master of one of the upper three sects, but rather next to Spirit Hall's Platinum Bishop Salas.
Ning Fengzhi did not show any displeasure, but used soul power transmission to speak to Chen Xin. Chen Xin listened thoughtfully, then raised his eyes to glance at Hu Yan Zhen but said nothing.
Soon, amid the deafening cheers of the audience, the ten teams stepped onto the field.
The two teams on the central stage were the main focus — Shrek Academy and the Elephant Armored Academy.
Ning Fengzhi looked over. He had seen Shrek's geniuses yesterday. The first he saw was Tang San, followed by Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Tailong, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiangzhu.
Seeing Tailong, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling, Ning Fengzhi immediately understood that Shrek still wasn't going all out.
He glanced at Dai Mubai and thought of what Ning Rongrong had told him before, and his expectations began to rise.
Chen Xin also noticed Dai Mubai, frowning slightly as he transmitted to Ning Fengzhi, "What's going on with Little Ao? They're revealing Dai Mubai now? I remember Rongrong said this Dai Mubai is already a Soul King at only seventeen."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and replied, "I asked Little Ao yesterday. He and his girlfriend won't fight, so Shrek doesn't have many people to use. This must be the best lineup they discussed."
Then his smile deepened. "Besides, Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda would draw far more attention."
Chen Xin nodded and turned his gaze back to the stage.
Although he was a little disappointed that Rongrong wasn't playing, Ning Fengzhi was right — if others saw the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, their jaws would drop.
After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was already a top-tier support martial spirit, but the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was something not seen for thousands of years.
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