Seeing this scene, Ma Hongjun did not hesitate. The Mirror Spirit Master had disappeared, and the only thing he could do was sneak attack Ning Rongrong , this was a tactic they had used countless times in past battles.
Flames surged over Ma Hongjun's body as his second and third spirit rings lit up.
"Second Spirit Skill: Bathing Fire Phoenix!"
"Third Spirit Skill: Phoenix Piercing Cloud Strike!"
A gigantic fire phoenix materialized, let out a piercing cry, and charged straight at the Inflated Water Buffalo Spirit Master.
The Spirit Master immediately raised his defense to the maximum. Facing a level fifty-five Spirit King, he did not dare to take any chances.
At that moment, the two auxiliary-type Spirit Masters from Star Luo Royal Academy reappeared from a mirror, casting their support skills onto the Inflated Water Buffalo Spirit Master.
The massive fire phoenix struck down. Even with the two auxiliaries supporting him, the Inflated Water Buffalo Spirit Master was still badly burned and injured, though not enough to be instantly eliminated.
Ma Hongjun flapped his fiery wings and quickly retreated to Ning Rongrong's side. Suddenly, a purple mirror appeared behind her, and the Mirror Spirit Master emerged from it.
Just as he was about to attack Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun's flaming claws lashed out. "I've been waiting for you!"
Feeling the scorching heat, the Mirror Spirit Master frowned. He hadn't expected Ma Hongjun to be so fast, but he had no intention of clashing head-on. With a quick step, he disappeared back into the mirror.
Ma Hongjun frowned slightly. This slippery opponent could keep ambushing Ning Rongrong, which was quite troublesome.
The next moment, Tang San smiled faintly and raised his hand, forming four Blue Silver Walls around Ning Rongrong. This would not affect her support abilities and also bought time for Ma Hongjun and the others to react.
If the Mirror Spirit Master wanted to attack Ning Rongrong, he would first have to break through Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor's barrier , and unless the Flame Lion Spirit Master attacked, there was no way he could destroy it instantly.
Ma Hongjun smiled at Tang San, then with a determined look from Ning Rongrong, he flapped his wings again and charged at the Flame Lion Spirit Master who was fighting Tai Long.
The lion's flames restrained Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor, and without that restraint, Tai Long, who was only level forty-one, was quickly overpowered.
Ma Hongjun arrived, kicked the Flame Lion Spirit Master flying, and cracked his neck with a loud pop.
"If I can't deal with that coward hiding in the mirror, then none of you are leaving here." Ma Hongjun snorted coldly as flames roared around him.
"Phoenix Nine Styles , Phoenix Seal!"
A massive fiery claw imprint formed and locked onto the Flame Lion Spirit Master. The Inflated Water Buffalo Spirit Master, who had just caught his breath, saw his teammate being crushed again.
Before he could go to help, his gaze met a pair of pink eyes and he was momentarily charmed.
Xiao Wu had not found the two auxiliary Spirit Masters, and the Mirror Spirit Master had disappeared again, so her next target was the injured Inflated Water Buffalo Spirit Master.
While he was charmed, Xiao Wu's scorpion braid lashed out, flipping him into the air. She leaped up, grabbed his shoulders, pressed her legs against his waist, and activated her first spirit skill, Waist Bow.
_Bang!_
The Inflated Water Buffalo Spirit Master was slammed out of the arena. He lay on the ground for a long time before barely sitting up, but he could not stand again.
Under Ma Hongjun's ferocious assault, the Flame Lion Spirit Master had no chance to fight back. Tai Long quickly returned to guard Ning Rongrong, preventing a possible surprise attack from the Mirror Spirit Master.
Suddenly, a huge mirror appeared above Tang San's group, and a terrifying Nether White Tiger leapt out, a black-and-white glow swirling in its mouth.
It turned out that although Star Luo Academy's Nether White Tiger had been at a disadvantage against Shrek Academy's Nether White Tiger, it had not been completely defeated. Just as Shrek's Nether White Tiger unleashed its attack, a mirror appeared behind the Star Luo Nether White Tiger, allowing it to escape and launch another attack.
Now, it emerged from the mirror above Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Tai Long, unleashing a terrifying beam of black-and-white light at them.
At the critical moment, a massive fire phoenix soared in, blocking the attack , Ma Hongjun had just driven away the Flame Lion Spirit Master and used his third spirit skill to intercept the strike.
Flapping his wings, Ma Hongjun shot toward the Nether White Tiger, his black fifth spirit ring lighting up.
"Like playing with space, do you? Without your teammates, let's see what you can do!" Ma Hongjun roared as countless chains of fire appeared.
"Fifth Spirit Skill: Phoenix Heart-Devouring Chains!"
The fiery chains instantly bound the Nether White Tiger in midair, completely preventing it from escaping into the mirrors.
The next moment, a winged Nether White Tiger appeared, releasing a devastating attack.
"Nether White Tiger Break!"
Shrek Academy's Nether White Tiger struck the bound Star Luo Nether White Tiger head-on.
The explosion erupted midair, sending shockwaves through the arena. The Star Luo Nether White Tiger let out a whimper, was blown away, and transformed back into two battered figures who crashed outside the arena.
Davis stared at Ma Hongjun in disbelief. He had never imagined that his opponent possessed such a terrifying control skill , and he could still feel a burning pain all over his body.
Though Davis, as a level-fifty Spirit King, had not lost consciousness, he was in terrible condition. Zhu Zhuyun had already fainted from overusing her spirit power.
With the Nether White Tiger defeated, Ma Hongjun turned his gaze to the Flame Lion Spirit Master, shot forward like a streak of fire, and struck him off the stage with another flaming claw.
At this point, Star Luo Academy only had the two auxiliary Spirit Masters and the Mirror Spirit Master left, while Shrek Academy had not lost a single person , not even an injury.
So this was the power of two level-fifty-five Spirit Kings. Ma Hongjun's strength was simply overwhelming. His speed, attack power, and explosive force completely redefined what a Spirit Master could be.
Tang San, the control-type Spirit Master, had barely even acted, and yet the match was already nearly over.
Even the academies of Godwind, Thunderclap, and Tianshui could not help but feel awed. Shrek had not used this fusion skill during the previous preliminary and promotion rounds.
Davis stared at the winged Nether White Tiger with bloodshot eyes and finally said in a low voice, "Star Luo Royal Academy... concedes!"
There was no helping it , both he and Zhu Zhuyun had fallen, and the remaining three were mostly support. There was no hope of victory.
As much as he hated to admit it, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had become unimaginably strong.
From the very beginning, he and Zhu Zhuyun had been completely suppressed. If not for the space-wielding Mirror Spirit Master, they would have lost even faster.
And Ma Hongjun's strength was just as frightening. Everyone had witnessed his performance, especially his fifth skill that directly controlled a Spirit Emperor-level Nether White Tiger.
Not to mention, Shrek Academy had the support of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. And those who knew Tang San and Xiao Wu knew that they were equally formidable.
Shrek Academy's only real weak point might be Tai Long, who had just advanced to Spirit Ancestor. But if Ning Rongrong fully supported him, his sheer strength could let him defeat a level-forty-five Spirit Master.
Of course, Ning Rongrong's spirit power was limited, so she had to choose carefully whom to support.
Star Luo Royal Academy admitted defeat, and the referee loudly declared Shrek Academy the winner, advancing them to the fourth round.
The winged Nether White Tiger turned back into an excited Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. The two held hands, their eyes shining with joy.
They had won. The Star Luo Empire's top officials in the VIP seats had seen everything. When Dai Mubai returned to the empire to fight for the throne, he would no longer be at such a disadvantage , he now had the strength to surpass his brothers.
Dai Mubai looked at Ma Hongjun. "You're still as strong as ever."
Ma Hongjun smiled. "You're not bad yourselves. Let's go for the championship!"
Dai Mubai understood what he meant. To them, Spirit Hall Academy wasn't the final opponent , their true rival was Lingyu Academy.
After Shrek Academy left the stage, Hu Liena from Spirit Hall Academy grew more serious. Shrek's strength was simply too overwhelming.
A team with a Spirit King, a fusion skill, and an annoying Mirror Spirit Master had been crushed almost effortlessly?
Hu Liena and her brother Xie Yue also had a fusion skill, and they knew very well just how powerful Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's Nether White Tiger was , it was no weaker than their own.
Still, Hu Liena was not afraid. After all, Spirit Hall Academy had more than one trump card.
Oscar remained calm. The result had been expected. With Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's current strength, there were few teams left who could truly threaten Shrek Academy.
Aside from Lingyu Academy, only Spirit Hall Academy might pose a real challenge.
Shrek Academy had crushed Star Luo Royal Academy. Although the Mirror Spirit Master had been troublesome, the result was unchanged.
The third round of matches had begun with two Spirit King-led teams, igniting the atmosphere among the spectators.
There were ten teams in the third round. Godwind Academy and Xuanzing Academy, as the second-place finishers in their respective empires, received byes. The other eight teams fought for four spots.
As expected, the four advancing teams were Spirit Hall Academy, Lingyu Academy, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and Shrek Academy.
Tianshui Academy had been defeated by Spirit Hall Academy, Thunderclap Academy by Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and the last team by Lingyu Academy.
The final six teams were Spirit Hall Academy, Lingyu Academy, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Shrek Academy, Godwind Academy, and Xuanzing Academy.
Notably, Thunderclap Academy's captain Yu Tianxin was the cousin of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's captain Yu Tianheng. Although their rivalry was not as intense as Dai Mubai's and Davis's, Yu Tianxin's loss meant that he had essentially lost his chance to inherit the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family's leadership.
Both pairs of brothers had similar fates , the elder brothers lost to the younger ones.
But in Hu Liena's eyes, there was still one brotherly struggle unresolved , Oscar and Ao Yue.
To outsiders, their situation was similar to Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai's. The one who won would have a much better chance of inheritance.
But no one knew that Oscar and Ao Yue were actually the same person , whether he won or lost was just a matter of Oscar's own decision.
Except, of course, for those in Shrek Academy who knew the truth.
The six remaining teams would face off in the fourth round with no byes. Two matches would produce three finalists, who would then compete for the championship.
The teams rested for a day and drew lots in the evening. Shrek Academy drew Xuanzing Academy as their opponent, which was considered lucky , Xuanzing was clearly weaker than the other teams, even with four Spirit Ancestors.
Godwind Academy's opponent was Lingyu Academy.
Spirit Hall Academy's opponent was Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Without a doubt, Shrek Academy's draw was favorable. Although all six remaining teams were strong, Xuanzing Academy was on a lower tier compared to the others.
The next day, all matches were held. The first match was Spirit Hall Academy versus Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
As in the original events, Spirit Hall Academy immediately used their trump card , the captain Xie Yue and vice-captain Hu Liena unleashed their fusion skill: Charm.
This fusion skill was different from the Nether White Tiger. Rather than boosting attack, strength, and defense, it weakened the enemy.
Inside the red mist of Charm, everyone's speed, senses, and spirit power were reduced by fifty percent.
This meant that a Spirit Master's reaction time was cut in half , a potentially fatal disadvantage.
Even geniuses could only exert about seventy percent of their full strength under this effect.
But this time, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was not instantly defeated as in the original story, because they too had a spirit fusion skill.
Captain Yu Tianheng and vice-captain Zhang Zecheng (a new character replacing Dugu Yan) combined their spirits.
Zhang Zecheng's spirit was the Jade Water Dragon, a water-attribute sub-dragon spirit almost beyond the level of a high-grade spirit.
Her encounter with Yu Tianheng had been a fateful coincidence, and after joining the academy, the two grew close.
To their surprise, they discovered they had a spirit fusion skill together. With the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon as a foundation, their combined power was terrifying.
As the red mist spread, Yu Tianheng and Zhang Zecheng stood side by side, their eight spirit rings (four yellow, four purple) rising into the sky. A deafening dragon's roar resounded as thunder raged overhead and raindrops began to fall.
When a bolt of purple lightning struck, their bodies vanished, replaced by a ferocious Thunder Dragon.
This Thunder Dragon looked similar to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon but was different. Its four claws stepped on greenish mist, its body crackled with lightning, and raindrops that fell on it formed a glowing layer of spirit power.
"Jade Thunder Dragon!"
This was their spirit fusion's true dragon, wielding both lightning and water elements.
Water could conduct lightning, and lightning could travel through water , their combined power was far greater than the sum of its parts.
Seeing this dragon, Hu Liena's expression shifted slightly. This year's tournament truly was full of prodigies , who would have guessed that Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had hidden such a trump card?
But so what? This fusion skill, though strong, came from two Spirit Ancestors, whereas Hu Liena and Xie Yue were both Spirit Kings.
And Spirit Hall Academy still had Yan, a fellow Spirit King, giving them the advantage.
The match began, and the Jade Thunder Dragon charged at Charm while Yan charged straight into Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's formation.
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