"Teacher Shi, would you like to check behind you?" Oslo kindly reminded him.
Glancing behind him, Shi Gao froze. Yu Tianheng had, at some unknown point, transformed from his Shadow state back into human form and flown into the air. A thunder dragon coiled around his body, a dragon's roar echoed, and dense lightning gathered around him.
Second Soul Skill, Thunderbolt.
The countless currents coiling around him magnified at the same time. As Yu Tianheng let out a fierce roar, the terrifying currents transformed into countless lightning arrows that flashed out in all directions.
With the fifty percent attack boost from Shadow Assault, and the hundred percent lightning power increase from his Third Soul Skill, Thunder Fury, Thunderbolt's explosive and attack power had reached a terrifying level.
Intense lightning rays burst forth from Yu Tianheng's body, carrying countless surrounding lightning forces as they shot towards Shi Gao.
Looking at the rapidly approaching lightning, Shi Gao was scared. He wasn't afraid that the lightning rays would hurt him; he was afraid that they would accidentally injure Oslo, who was still by his side at that moment.
Regrettably, when Shi Gao's attention fell on Oslo, Oslo had already transformed into a shadow, merged into the ground, and fled.
"This brat!" Shi Gao cursed inwardly. At the same time, he put his hands up to block in front of him. He could no longer dodge the lightning rays shooting from the sky by Yu Tianheng, and could only rely on his unparalleled defensive power to take the blow head-on.
However, he forgot one thing: Lü Buliang's presence.
When his teammates launched a group attack, Lü Buliang, in addition to observing the battle and relaying useful information to his teammates, could also control the flow of the battle.
His Third Soul Skill, Shadow Control, was the method he used to control enemies.
Just as Shi Gao spread his hands wide, about to bring them together to block his chest, he suddenly froze. An inexplicable resistance prevented his hands from closing over his chest, and even his body and feet couldn't move normally, as if his body had suddenly been frozen.
"It's that new student's Spirit Ability again?" Shi Gao's gaze fell on Lü Buliang. From the smile playing on Lü Buliang's lips, he could tell that he was definitely up to something.
Seeing Shi Gao unable to move, Oslo, who had turned into a shadow and submerged into the ground, recalled his battle with Lü Buliang last night. It turned out that being frozen in place was such a terrifying thing.
At this moment, Shi Gao's hands were spread wide and he couldn't move, while the lightning rays shot from the sky were already upon him.
To Shi Gao's left and right, the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Gao simultaneously leaped from the ground, transforming from their Shadow state back into human form. With their Spirit Abilities activated, green turtle shells condensed in their hands, which they each violently flung towards Shi Gao's left and right sides.
The heavy, hard green turtle shells flew from their hands, forming a pincer attack with the lightning rays coming from the sky.
Even if Shi Gao could break through Lü Buliang's Shadow Control with the difference in their spirit power levels, he wouldn't be able to dodge attacks coming from three directions.
What's more, Dugu Yan, a control system Spirit Master, was poised in the fourth direction, ready to strike. If Shi Gao dodged the attacks from the three directions, he would fall into the trap of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison Array.
With all seventy-eight levels of his spirit power erupting, Shi Gao did not use any Spirit Abilities or his Spirit, but he still went all out. The terrifying aura shattered Lü Buliang's control, and Shi Gao's shadow was no longer restrained. He immediately covered his head with his hands, defending against the attacks from three directions.
Suddenly, a huge explosion erupted on the Soul Duel Stage.
Bang, boom boom boom boom.
The scattered spirit power enveloped the entire Soul Duel Stage, and dust rose everywhere.
Without using his Spirit, and simultaneously enduring the pincer attack of Shi Mo and Shi Gao's turtle shells, as well as Yu Tianheng's Thunderbolt bombardment, even a Spirit Saint's body strength would not be able to withstand it.
But when the dust settled, even though the surrounding floor was completely destroyed, Shi Gao still stood upright, not having fallen, and only had minor superficial injuries on his body.
"He's injured." Yufeng transformed from his Shadow state back into human form and flew into the sky. In the battle plan Lü Buliang had transmitted to them, he and Dugu Yan were supposed to prepare for a second wave of attack.
But seeing the marks on Shi Gao's body, Yufeng and Dugu Yan did not launch another attack, because the rule was that if they could injure Shi Gao, it counted as passing the practical assessment.
With his seventy-eight levels of spirit power erupting again, Shi Gao did not end the battle. His gaze had already locked onto Lü Buliang's position. It was common knowledge in the Spirit Master's world that in a team battle, the Support System Soul Master should be eliminated first.
As a Spirit Master who handled both support system and control system roles, Lü Buliang's threat was too great, so Shi Gao had to start with him.
"You all passed your practical assessment. However, I don't want you to just pass. I want you to get a perfect score. Continue the battle!"
With that, Shi Gao's cumbersome body suddenly moved, carrying a series of spirit power auras as he lunged towards Lü Buliang.
Everything happened too suddenly; Yu Tianheng and the others didn't even have time to react. Although Shi Gao was a defense system Spirit Master, his physical attributes were enhanced by seven spirit rings. If he unleashed his full power, his speed would still be beyond what Yu Tianheng and the others could match.
In an instant, Shi Gao's figure appeared before him. Looking at the fist that was almost upon him, Lü Buliang felt no fear but rather joy. He smiled faintly. Having played so many roles in the team battle, he had naturally thought of how to deal with being targeted by the enemy.
Just as Shi Gao's fist was about to hit Lü Buliang's cheek, a scene that astonished everyone occurred. With a whoosh, Lü Buliang actually swapped positions with Shi Gao. The two stood back to back, and thus Lü Buliang dodged Shi Gao's fist.
Seizing this opportunity, Lü Buliang transformed into a shadow and merged into the ground, quickly moving away from Shi Gao's back. He covered several tens of meters before transforming from his Shadow state back into human form.
Shi Gao's somewhat embarrassed and angry face showed a hint of a mischievous smile. He knew his fist hadn't missed; what had just happened was that he had appeared in Lü Buliang's position, and Lü Buliang had appeared in his.
Position swap, was this also that brat's Spirit Ability?
While thinking, Shi Gao had already turned to face Lü Buliang and shouted, "Brat, you only have three spirit rings, yet you've used more than three Spirit Abilities. Locking shadows, transforming into shadows, freezing shadows, and now position swapping. Do you have a Spirit Bone skill?"
Lü Buliang honestly replied, "No. Position swapping is an extended skill of my Third Soul Skill, Shadow Control. By changing the state of two shadows, shadow swapping is achieved. When the shadows exchange positions, their owners will also follow suit and swap positions."
"So it's a self-created Spirit Ability." Shi Gao became interested, clapped his fists together, and said with a smile, "Not bad. For today's practical class, I'll give you all eighty points."
"No." Lü Buliang shook his head, "We want a perfect score."
As his voice fell, Yu Tianheng and the six others once again transformed into shadows and merged into the ground. Everyone unleashed their full-power attacks and flew directly towards Lü Buliang.
They received information from Lü Buliang in their minds, which was to attack Lü Buliang with their strongest moves.
Yu Tianheng and the six others didn't know why they were doing this, but they still complied.
Watching the six black shadows, like snakes, rapidly moving on the ground and all heading towards Lü Buliang, not only Shi Gao but also the Three Education Committee Members and Xue Qinghe were confused. What were they trying to do?
Shi Gao didn't care what they were planning. While watching the show, he remained vigilant. He wanted to see what tricks these brats could pull.
Just as they reached Lü Buliang's side, the six black shadows suddenly leaped from the ground, transforming into the figures of Yu Tianheng and the six others. Their Spirit Abilities almost simultaneously smashed towards Lü Buliang's position.
Shi Gao, who was laughing and watching the show, suddenly felt a force act upon him. His body involuntarily flashed, and he inexplicably appeared within the attack range of Yu Tianheng and the six others, completely surrounded by their Spirit Abilities.
Only then did Shi Gao realize that he was currently standing in Lü Buliang's position, while Lü Buliang had appeared in his original position.
It's that position-swapping trick again! Shi Gao tried to dodge the six incoming Spirit Ability attacks, but found it was too late. The attacks were already upon him; how could he dodge?
Six Spirit Abilities exploded simultaneously on Shi Gao, and the Soul Duel Stage roared once more.
"Shadow Swap?" Zhi Lin's originally calm gaze gradually turned to surprise. "He used the shadow position swap trick on Shi Gao again. That's why Shi Gao appeared in the attack range of Yu Tianheng and the six others completely unprepared."
Meng Shenji nodded, "Indeed. This student, Lü Buliang, is truly adept at using the Shadow Spirit. My Black Demon Spirit is a control system Spirit that reigns supreme among its peers. It can control people's dreams, making it a very thorny existence for any Spirit Master. I never expected the Shadow Spirit to be as troublesome as my Black Demon Spirit."
"Once controlled by the Shadow Spirit, unless one can completely make their own shadow disappear, battles at the same level are almost without suspense; the Shadow Spirit will surely win. This is because the changes in shadows are too profound and too difficult to predict. But how can a shadow completely disappear when even the human body itself produces light?"
"Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince, what do you think of Lü Buliang's talent?"
Xue Qinghe's gaze towards Lü Buliang had clearly changed. He said seriously, "The quality of a Spirit is determined by innate factors, but the potential of a Spirit is determined by the Spirit Master. I believe that Lü Buliang's outstanding performance just now certainly owes much to the Shadow Spirit, but more importantly, it's Lü Buliang's control over the battle situation and his understanding of combat. This student has a boundless future. If he can achieve the Titled Douluo realm, he will undoubtedly be a top-tier existence."
"Yes, with his addition to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the Elite Competition three years from now might truly have a chance to contend with Spirit Hall for the championship. Perhaps the academy might even cultivate a Titled Douluo." Baibaoshan looked at Qin Ming and said with a smile, "Teacher Qin, your judgment is truly accurate."
Qin Ming did not reply, but respectfully returned a salute.
On the Soul Duel Stage, everything returned to calm.
Having endured the six Spirit Abilities' attacks, Shi Gao was completely unharmed at this moment, because he had already undergone Spirit fusion, and only by activating his First Soul Skill, Turtle Shell Defense, was he able to remain safe and sound.
"Teacher, didn't you say no using Spirits and Spirit Abilities?" Yufeng flew in the air, from which he could see Shi Gao's situation in the dust more clearly. With his Spirit Ability activated, Yufeng's hands, transformed into wings, suddenly flapped, stirring up a strong wind that dispersed the dust.
Shi Gao's Spirit fusion state was exposed to everyone. Seeing the questioning gazes from Yu Tianheng and the others, Shi Gao immediately dispelled his Spirit fusion and said with a wry smile, "Alright, I lost this practical battle. You not only injured me but also forced out all my spirit power, and even made me use my Spirit and Spirit Abilities. For this class, you all get a perfect score. You won't receive any more punishment."
Upon hearing this, Shi Mo and Shi Gao were overjoyed and sat down, exhausted.
"Finally, no more punishment." Oslo had also used up all his spirit power and collapsed to the ground, complaining to Shi Gao, "I don't want to run a hundred laps around the training ground with a turtle shell on my back like you two brothers."
After speaking, Shi Gao and Oslo high-fived, then both collapsed to the ground.
Dugu Yan and Yufeng had the least consumption, so they could still stand. Dugu Yan's gaze fell on Lü Buliang. How could she have imagined that this time, she would not be punished in Teacher Shi's class and would get a perfect score in her first practical class? Dugu Yan was also experiencing the assistance of a Support System Soul Master other than Ye Lingling for the first time.
The feeling of being supported by Lü Buliang was actually so comfortable.