Chapter 56: A Formidable Opponent

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Ning Fengzhi paused for a moment, then spoke seriously:

"Your Majesty, in this Continental Advanced Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, the combined number of participants from both empires is nearly two thousand, yet those who have reached the level of Spirit King likely number fewer than five. Talents like Feng Xiaotian will naturally attract the attention of the Spirit Hall."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded, his expression grave.

"Sect Master Ning, that is precisely what concerns me."

"Indeed, Feng Xiaotian comes from Godwind Academy, which advocates the extreme flow philosophy, but we cannot afford to be complacent. The Spirit Hall won't hesitate to act in their pursuit of talent to rival the two empires."

"What does Sect Master Ning suggest we do at this stage?"

Ning Fengzhi pondered briefly before continuing his analysis:

"Your Majesty, judging from Salas's behavior today, his intentions are becoming quite clear. The drawing of lots and the match-ups were by no means a coincidence.

"In the first round, when Tang San displayed his ten-thousand-year spirit ring, I'm sure it caught Salas's eye. After learning that my daughter is studying at Shrek Academy, he knew he couldn't recruit Tang San.

"So, he deliberately summoned Huyan Zhen and arranged for Elephant Armor Academy to face Shrek Academy, aiming to suppress Tang San and the other young talents. Fortunately, Shrek Academy emerged victorious.

"Now, with the sudden emergence of a Spirit King-level talent like Feng Xiaotian, Salas is bound to have new designs. I suspect he may arrange for Godwind Academy to face Shrek Academy next, using Feng Xiaotian to suppress Tang San."

After hearing Ning Fengzhi's analysis, Emperor Xue Ye nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"You're absolutely right. With Salas's tactics, he would certainly do that."

"Considering the strength of both Godwind Academy and Shrek Academy, it's almost certain they will both reach the finals. If they clash in the preliminary rounds and someone gets injured, it would be a loss of talent for the Empire—exactly what the Spirit Hall desires."

Emperor Xue Ye, realizing the gravity of the situation, quickly said:

"It seems we need to find a way to prevent an early match-up between Godwind Academy and Shrek Academy. After all, there are only five slots leading to the finals, and we must ensure that both of these powerful academies advance."

"Your Majesty, that would be a wise move. If both academies can enter the finals with their teams intact, the Empire will have a greater chance of ultimate victory."

"Well said, ha ha!"

Following this, Ning Fengzhi and Emperor Xue Ye discussed strategies to manipulate the draw and prevent an early confrontation between the two academies. Their conversation delved deeper into potential obstacles and the tactics that Salas might employ. They knew that securing a fair competition was critical to preserving the talents the Empire so desperately needed.

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Ten days passed quickly, filled with anticipation and relentless training. The results of the various academies were finally in, bringing both surprises and expected outcomes.

Godwind Academy, with an impressive record of ten consecutive victories, ranked at the top, solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in the tournament. Their dominance had been relentless, a testament to their rigorous training and the extraordinary talent of their leader, Feng Xiaotian. His prowess as a Spirit King was a key factor in their success, making him the most talked-about participant in the competition.

In addition to Godwind Academy, four other teams shared the same undefeated record: Blazing Academy, Tianshui Academy, Thunderclap Academy, and Shrek Academy. These five teams were leading the standings by a significant margin, their performances setting them apart from the rest. The competition among them was fierce, and everyone knew that these teams would be the ones to watch in the coming rounds.

On the other hand, Elephant Armor Academy, despite being an elemental academy with a proud history, had a less than stellar performance. With 5 wins and 5 losses out of 10 matches, they found themselves in the middle of the rankings, their chances of advancing past the preliminary rounds hanging by a thread. Their struggle was evident, and it was clear they would need a miracle to turn their fortunes around.

During this time, the Shrek Seven Devils hadn't missed a single one of Godwind Academy's matches. They were intent on studying Feng Xiaotian's tactics, knowing that understanding his strengths and weaknesses would be crucial if they were to face him in the finals. Each member of Shrek Academy paid close attention, analyzing every move, every strategy, hoping to uncover a flaw they could exploit.

Unfortunately, most of Godwind Academy's opponents were well aware of their own limitations. Faced with a Spirit King like Feng Xiaotian, many simply chose to forfeit the match rather than suffer a humiliating defeat. This strategy of surrender had become a trend, much to the frustration of those who were eager to see Feng Xiaotian's full capabilities in action.

As a result, Feng Xiaotian hadn't had much opportunity to showcase his abilities, leaving many questions about his true power unanswered. The only team that posed any challenge, Elephant Armor Academy, was swiftly defeated by the powerful assault from Godwind Academy's members. Their loss only highlighted the gap in strength between them and the tournament's leading teams.

Today marked the 11th round of matches, a critical point in the tournament. Thanks to Feng Xiaotian's presence, Godwind Academy had become a standout, naturally earning them a spot in the main central arena, where they were the first team to compete. Their opponents, who had recently secured two consecutive victories, chose to forfeit as well, giving Godwind Academy yet another win without a fight.

Support for Feng Xiaotian and Godwind Academy was growing rapidly. Feng Xiaotian's fanbase had surpassed that of Tang San and the others, placing him in a league of his own. His popularity was unmatched, with crowds eagerly awaiting his next appearance, hoping to finally see him pushed to his limits.

However, the audience couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. Despite their anticipation, they still hadn't seen the full extent of Feng Xiaotian's true power as a Spirit King. This only heightened their expectations, fueling speculation about just how strong he truly was.

Today, there was another highly anticipated match that had everyone talking. Blazing Academy was scheduled to compete in the second round, and their opponents were none other than Shrek Academy. The long-awaited clash between these two top-five teams had finally arrived, and it was no surprise that they were also placed on the central stage.

The match hadn't yet officially begun, but the atmosphere was already electric. The Shrek Academy members were all waiting in anticipation, their focus sharp, their resolve unwavering. Over the past few days, Tang San had focused most of his energy on Feng Xiaotian, leaving little time to pay attention to anyone else. In his mind, Feng Xiaotian was the only one who could truly be considered his rival.

Although the other three elemental academies were strong, Tang San didn't view them as serious threats. So, even now that they were up against Blazing Academy, Tang San remained full of confidence, determined to lead his team to victory.

(End of Chapter)