Chapter: 171 - 185

Chapter 171: Ning Rongrong's Hidden Depths

Oscar reluctantly drank, his peripheral vision catching Yunfeng, who sat nearby, drinking along with him.

"Alright, good drinking habits reflect good character. Yunfeng, I toast to you and thank you for your help in the end," Ning Rongrong said, standing up with her glass and downing it in one gulp.

"Rongrong, don't drink so aggressively," Yunfeng kindly reminded her, noticing her flushed cheeks, which made her look exceptionally adorable. However, realizing his words wouldn't dissuade her, he eventually gave up.

"We're teammates, Rongrong, so no need to be so formal. Come on, let's drink, but you're all too young, so take it easy," Yunfeng added.

But the more they drank, the harder it was to control. Even Yunfeng, who initially suggested restraint, ended up continuously asking for more.

Despite their young age, as soul masters, they had far greater physical tolerance than ordinary people. Coupled with their training over the past months, their ability to handle alcohol was remarkable.

The drinking session lasted two whole hours before it finally ended.

When everyone woke up from their drunken stupor the next day, the only clear memory they had was that one person had drunk the most yet remained sober until the end.

Surprisingly, it wasn't Yunfeng, who had the highest soul power, nor anyone else—it was Ning Rongrong, whose face had turned red after her first drink.

The first to pass out was Ma Hongjun, whose poor alcohol tolerance was evident. Oscar followed next, then Xiao Wu. To everyone's shock, even the oldest, Dai Mubai, was the fourth to fall. Zhu Zhuqing and Tang San collapsed together shortly after.

Yunfeng could have held out, but seeing Ning Rongrong's competitive determination, he chose to let his guard down, releasing his soul power restrictions and letting the alcohol take over. After all, if the drinking continued, who knew what might happen to Ning Rongrong in her relentless pursuit to outdrink everyone?

Yet in the end, Ning Rongrong didn't fall. Not only did she remain standing, but she drank the most of anyone. Her drinking style—downing entire glasses in one gulp—was reminiscent of her fiery temperament. According to Ning Rongrong herself, this was her first time drinking.

Afterward, whenever the group recalled this event, only one word came to mind: talent.

The group's spirit battles continued. Over the next month, the Shrek team dominated in the sub-arena of the Soto Great Spirit Arena. Yunfeng participated in a few battles himself but faced little pressure.

In a month, the Shrek team participated in 27 group battles, winning every single one. In the 30-level category, they were undefeated.

In the two-on-two matches, Tang San and Xiao Wu also achieved an impressive 27-win streak. Meanwhile, the Twin-Winged White Tiger duo, consisting of Dai Mubai and Oscar, achieved 16 wins and 11 losses. This was expected, as Dai Mubai fought alone while Oscar's sausages had limited utility in this format.

The Seven Treasure Spirit Cat duo of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing outperformed them, achieving 22 wins and 5 losses in the 20-level category, earning significant points with an 8-match win streak.

In the individual matches, the Shrek students shone even brighter.

Dai Mubai achieved 25 victories in the 30-level category, losing only twice to control-type soul masters. Tang San, thanks to his good fortune, avoided opponents with fire-based martial souls and remained undefeated with 32 wins despite his lower level. His Spider Web Binding skill proved nearly impossible to break at this level.

Xiao Wu, despite her unique teleportation ability, faced several opponents who countered her techniques, but she still managed 20 victories. Ma Hongjun performed exceptionally in the 20-level category, securing 23 wins out of 27 matches.

Zhu Zhuqing, however, stood out the most with an undefeated record in one-on-one matches. Her sheer number of battles far surpassed Tang San's, earning her the highest total points. Although the arena calculated consecutive win bonuses at the end of each month, Zhu Zhuqing's performance had already pushed her beyond the Iron Spirit Badge.

The Shrek team's stellar performance attracted the attention of the Soto Great Spirit Arena. If not for their low badge levels, which disqualified them from the central arena, they would have already been invited to participate in the main matches.

As the month drew to a close, the Soto Great Spirit Arena was brightly lit, bustling with spectators. Luxurious carriages carrying nobles and prominent families arrived, entering through the VIP entrances to watch the central matches. For commoners, the spirit battles offered both entertainment and the chance to place small bets.

The Shrek team, including Grandmaster, Flender, and Zhao Wuji, entered the arena separately to avoid attracting attention. Despite their achievements in the sub-arena, they were still considered underdogs compared to the central competitors.

Nevertheless, the Shrek team had become household names among regular spectators. While they hadn't yet reached the central arena, their remarkable performances in the sub-arena had solidified their reputation.

Chapter 172: "Sort of."

The Shrek team's title had long become an exciting buzzword among the audience, ingrained in their minds.

To avoid unnecessary trouble and entanglements, starting ten days ago, the Shrek team entered the Spirit Arena in their original appearances. Afterward, they would head to a designated location to change into different outfits and put on masks before registering for the matches.

Because of this, guessing which division the Shrek Seven Devils would appear in had become an enjoyable pastime for the audience in the outer Spirit Arena.

Today was no exception. Wearing simple, inconspicuous attire, the group entered the Great Spirit Arena. To anyone else, they appeared as nothing more than a few ordinary teenagers.

Over the past few months, Tang San and Ma Hongjun had turned thirteen. In just a few more months, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing would also reach the thirteen-year-old bracket. Their age had become their best disguise.

They were particularly grateful to Yu Xiaogang for insisting on the use of masks, which saved them from much unnecessary trouble.

The team battle, though held last, was always the first event to register for. To avoid running into each other during the one-on-one and two-on-two matches, Yu Xiaogang had devised a strategy: he would assign a specific division for the team battle, and the Shrek members would then participate in the first two event categories in separate divisions.

This arrangement prevented their matches from overlapping, thereby preserving their winning streaks.

For the team battle registration, Yu Xiaogang and Yun Feng acted as the Shrek team's representatives. Today, the master chose the eighth battle division to register on behalf of his disciples.

After months of battles, the once seemingly unattainable Silver Spirit Fighter rank was now within reach thanks to their consecutive victories. They only needed to wait until today's matches concluded for the points to be tallied.

Yu Xiaogang did not want his students to attract too much attention. If their ages were revealed, they would undoubtedly face relentless scrutiny and interference from various factions. More critically, Yu Xiaogang feared that other forces might try to poach his students. If that happened, he would have nowhere to vent his frustration.

Thus, he had already decided that after today, he would take the Shrek team to begin the third stage of their training.

Habitually arriving at the team battle registration desk, Yun Feng handed over the Shrek Seven Devils' registration badge to the staff.

"Please register us for the team battle."

The staff member, accustomed to the routine, took the badge. But upon seeing the engraved name, his expression changed dramatically, and he exclaimed in a low voice, "The Shrek Seven Devils?"

While Yun Feng remained indifferent, Yu Xiaogang furrowed his brow. The Great Spirit Arena staff were usually well-trained, showing little reaction even when dealing with high-level Spirit Fighters. This staff member's reaction was clearly unsatisfactory.

"Excuse me, sir, are you the leader of the Shrek Seven Devils?" the staff member tentatively asked.

At this, Yun Feng slowly nodded. "Sort of. Please hurry up."

Yu Xiaogang stood stiffly to the side but said nothing.

"Please wait a moment," the staff member said, then quickly left his post, heading to the back of the operations area with the Shrek Seven Devils' badge still in hand.

Although Yu Xiaogang was displeased, there was nothing he could do since the badge required for registration had already been taken. He could only wait patiently.

What Yu Xiaogang didn't know was that as long as the badge was presented at the Soto Great Spirit Arena today, the response would have been the same, regardless of the division.

After a brief wait, the staff member returned with another individual. "Thank you for your patience," he said, courteously handing the badge back to Yun Feng.

The person accompanying the staff member was familiar to Yun Feng: the supervisor Ao, who had hosted the Shrek Seven Devils' first team battle at the Soto Great Spirit Arena.

As Ao had been responsible for issuing the Shrek team's badges, Yun Feng had a distinct impression of him.

Supervisor Ao greeted them with a smile. "Hello, esteemed leader. May I speak with you briefly? It won't take much of your time."

Yun Feng responded calmly, "Are you speaking on behalf of yourself or the Soto Great Spirit Arena?"

"Of course, I'm representing the Soto Great Spirit Arena," Supervisor Ao replied quickly.

Realizing what was happening, Yun Feng stepped aside, allowing Yu Xiaogang to take the lead. This situation had been anticipated. After all, given the Shrek team's outstanding performance over the past month, some attention was inevitable.

Among the group, Zhu Zhuqing and Tang San had been especially exceptional, winning every match throughout the month. They were bound to become focal points of interest.

Though Yu Xiaogang was reluctant to engage with the Great Spirit Arena, its vast influence—so significant that even nations had to tread carefully—meant he could not afford to offend them. He nodded and followed Supervisor Ao into a quiet room behind the registration area.

"Let me get straight to the point," Supervisor Ao said gravely. "On behalf of the Soto Great Spirit Arena, I would like the Shrek Seven Devils to participate in today's team battle in the central main arena."

"Oh?" Yu Xiaogang's expression remained calm as he replied, "That doesn't seem to align with the rules. According to the Spirit Arena regulations, only Silver Spirit Fighters and above are eligible to appear in the main arena. The Shrek Seven Devils are merely Iron Spirit Fighters."

Supervisor Ao forced a smile. "There's no need to be modest. Given the Shrek Seven Devils' performance this month, they will undoubtedly earn Silver Spirit Fighter badges after today's matches. Advancing the recognition by a single day is hardly an issue."

While Yu Xiaogang's face betrayed no emotion, he was inwardly amused. Outwardly, he remained composed. "If that's the case, you shouldn't mind waiting until tomorrow, should you?"

Supervisor Ao sighed. "To be frank, three days ago, a team of Spirit Masters arrived. They are all Silver Spirit Fighters, seemingly brought in by several noble families in Soto City. For the past two days, these nobles have placed heavy bets on this team, which has unsurprisingly won every match, causing significant losses for the Spirit Arena."

"You're familiar with the Spirit Arena's practices. Typically, Silver Spirit Fighters have a Spirit Power level of over forty. However, this team's members are all Spirit Elders. We cannot breach the rules by pitting them against a team of Spirit Ancestors with levels above forty."

"But if this continues, the Spirit Arena cannot sustain such losses. Perhaps emboldened by their winnings, the nobles have increased their stakes again today. If we lose again, I'm afraid…"

Chapter 173: "Of Course, Yu Xiaogang Can't Be Considered a Scholar!"

Yu Xiaogang's mind was as clear as a mirror, and he instantly understood what Supervisor Ao meant. A thought crossed his mind as he said, "A team at the Spirit Elder level has already reached the Silver Spirit Fighter rank. It seems they are quite powerful."

"So, what kind of teams did the Spirit Arena send against them in the past two days?"

Supervisor Ao, clearly prepared, replied, "Since we don't have any Silver Spirit Fighter teams at the Spirit Elder level in the Soto Great Spirit Arena, we had no choice but to send Spirit Elder teams at the Bronze Spirit Fighter rank to compete against them."

"One of these teams was the Mad Battle Team, which had recently advanced to the Bronze Spirit Fighter rank and had previously fought against the Shrek Seven Devils. However, they were utterly defeated."

This statement immediately caused the group to frown. No one understood the Mad Battle Team better than them. Back then, they had only defeated the Mad Battle Team with Yun Feng's assistance. To hear Supervisor Ao describe their loss as "utter defeat" was surprising.

Ning Rongrong thought for a moment and asked, "The Mad Battle Team's strength is already impressive among Spirit Elder teams. Could the members of this Silver Spirit Fighter team have an even higher level?"

Supervisor Ao shook his head and replied, "No, it's not about spirit power levels. The key difference lies in their spirit rings."

"This Silver Spirit Fighter team, like the Shrek Seven Devils, has the best spirit ring combinations. Their overwhelming advantage in spirit abilities left the Mad Battle Team with no chance at all."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression changed slightly. As one of the most renowned theorists in the Spirit Master world, he knew exactly what the so-called "best spirit ring combination" entailed.

This meant the first ring was a hundred-year spirit ring, the second a five-hundred-year spirit ring, and the third a thousand-year spirit ring. For Spirit Masters, this manifested as two yellow rings and one purple ring, just like Yun Feng, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Oscar, and Xiao Wu.

"Even so, how can the Great Spirit Arena be so certain that the Shrek Seven Devils will win this fight? After all, we only have four Spirit Masters above level 30, and the remaining three haven't reached that range yet."

Supervisor Ao smiled slightly and said, "You're being modest. Everyone knows that, in terms of spirit power levels, the Shrek Seven Devils rank near the bottom among Spirit Elder teams. However, in your last twenty-seven team battles, you've achieved an unbroken winning streak. This is unprecedented in the history of the Soto Great Spirit Arena."

"The principle of existence being reasonable leads us to believe that the Shrek Seven Devils have the ability to stand against this Silver Spirit Fighter team."

Yu Xiaogang's eyes glinted with thought. After a moment of silence, he said, "If I recall correctly, participating in battles in the central main arena comes with additional rewards, doesn't it?"

At this point, the group fell silent. When they had fought the Mad Battle Team, they had struggled. Now, Yu Xiaogang's hesitation suddenly made sense—it wasn't just reluctance. His true motivation had surfaced!

Supervisor Ao, seeing Yu Xiaogang's apparent interest, was delighted and quickly added, "Of course. Participating in the main arena grants each Spirit Master a direct reward of five hundred gold spirit coins. Moreover, since your team is being specially invited, if you win this match, the Spirit Arena will provide an additional reward of ten thousand gold spirit coins."

"However, since the Shrek Seven Devils haven't yet received their Silver Spirit Fighter badges, their points will still be calculated according to the usual rules. Fortunately, their consecutive victories in team battles have already accumulated a substantial number of points."

Before Yu Xiaogang could speak, Supervisor Ao continued, "To ensure this match goes smoothly, I suggest that the Shrek Seven Devils skip today's one-on-one and two-on-two battles."

"While we cannot break the rules by granting extra points, within our authority, we can ensure their one-on-one and two-on-two opponents today forfeit. This way, the Shrek Seven Devils can fully focus on the upcoming match."

Yu Xiaogang initially wanted to push for more favorable conditions, but seeing the slightly uneasy expressions of his students, he reconsidered. After some thought, he decided to let it go, especially since the offered terms were already generous.

Most importantly, Yu Xiaogang wasn't primarily drawn by the points or money. His main motivation was the opportunity to train his disciples. A Silver Spirit Fighter team capable of drawing such attention from the Soto Great Spirit Arena, coupled with the best spirit ring combinations, would provide invaluable experience for the Shrek Seven Devils.

Of course, another reason was to temper his students' pride and make them more obedient to his guidance.

With this in mind, Yu Xiaogang slowly nodded. "Very well, I accept. Please prepare the opponent's information. I'll discuss strategy with my students."

"Excellent. I've already prepared the opponent's details. You can review them and strategize before heading to the central main arena."

With that, Supervisor Ao quickly departed, presumably to inform the higher-ups of the Shrek Seven Devils' agreement and make the necessary arrangements.

There was still an hour before the team battle began, giving the Soto Great Spirit Arena ample time to prepare. Soon, not only were the Shrek Seven Devils brought to a designated room, but even Flender and Zhao Wuji were invited over, further demonstrating how closely the Spirit Arena had been observing them.

Yu Xiaogang calmly repeated Supervisor Ao's words and spread the opponent's details across the table. Standing nearby, Tang San noticed a fire in his teacher's eyes—a fire of battle. It was the first time Tang San had seen such intense fighting spirit in Yu Xiaogang's gaze.

Yun Feng, standing to the side, regarded the situation as a joke. "For that pathetic bit of self-respect?" he thought. But little did Yu Xiaogang know, the opposition had never even thought of him this way. Everything was just Yu Xiaogang's own delusion—delusions of being abandoned by his family and needing to prove himself.

But these were meaningless in Yun Feng's eyes. Even if given the chance, Yu Xiaogang would never change. He would always believe that the world looked down on him, oblivious to the fact that his failures were of his own making.

Take, for instance, the "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Spirits." This concept had misguided countless innocent Spirit Masters. Even after receiving criticism, Yu Xiaogang showed no intent to reflect or revise his theories.

A clear example was Tang San breaking the limit by absorbing the Man-Faced Demon Spider's spirit ring. Yet, Yu Xiaogang never updated his "Ten Core Competencies" in light of this.

As a scholar, such an attitude was truly appalling.

Then again, Yu Xiaogang could hardly be considered a scholar at all.

Chapter 174: Forcing It?!

Compared to Yun Feng's internal reflections, Flender, standing to the side, sighed helplessly and said,

"Xiao Gang, you shouldn't have agreed to them so quickly. At least wait for us to arrive first."

"Since they mentioned that a noble placed a hefty bet, the stakes must be enormous. If we had negotiated better, they might've offered us more compensation."

The group fell silent, though Yu Xiaogang shot Flender a disdainful look before retorting,

"Such greed!"

Flender, hearing his old friend's lack of tact, chuckled bitterly.

"It's not like I want to, but even a hero can't live without money. We need funds."

Yu Xiaogang glanced at his students, noticing their expressions, and declared with an air of righteousness,

"If we win this time, our gains are already significant. Ten thousand gold spirit coins is a large sum. I've already decided to give each student a thousand coins, with the remaining three thousand reserved for the academy."

"This will support the third stage of their training I have planned. Do any of you have objections?"

The last sentence wasn't directed at Flender or Zhao Wuji but rather at the Shrek students.

While the group didn't hold much affection for Yu Xiaogang, his words stirred them slightly.

Maybe, just maybe, he was a good teacher after all.

However, Ning Rongrong and others had no such thoughts.

What the academy could teach, their families could teach far better.

Xiao Wu, being a soul beast who had lived longer than everyone else combined, naturally understood the strengths of her kind.

And Zhu Zhuqing, now under Yun Feng's guidance, had little regard for Yu Xiaogang.

Despite this, the group collectively shook their heads. They were aware of the academy's financial situation, and none of them lacked money.

Over the past month, their battles in the arena hadn't just increased their points but also brought substantial rewards.

After five consecutive wins, each additional victory earned a hundred gold spirit coins. After ten consecutive wins, the reward doubled to two hundred per match.

Two days ago, Flender had even joked that each of these kids was now wealthier than the academy.

Yu Xiaogang knocked on the table to draw everyone's attention, his expression serious.

"Enough about that. We'll discuss it later. For now, let's analyze the opponent. This will be an extremely difficult match for you."

The white cloth on the table was bordered with gold embroidery, marked with the Soto Great Spirit Arena's insignia, and meticulously detailed a team's profile.

Everyone bent down to read it. Even Tang San, who rarely showed much emotion, couldn't help but take a sharp breath.

A cold chill ran through the group.

According to the rules of team battles, each team could have a maximum of ten members and a minimum of seven. During a match, the number of participants was determined by the team with the fewest members.

The team described in the profile consisted of seven members, just like the Shrek Seven Devils.

Team Name: Emperor Team

Team Composition: All members hold Silver Spirit Fighter badges.

Captain: Yu Tianheng, Martial Spirit: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Level 39 Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.

Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan, Martial Spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent, Level 38 Control System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.

Member: Shi Mo, Martial Spirit: Black Tortoise Turtle, Level 38 Defense System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.

Member: Shi Mo's twin, Shi Mo, Martial Spirit: Black Tortoise Turtle, Level 37 Defense System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.

Member: Yu Feng, Martial Spirit: Wind Bell Bird, Level 36 Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.

Member: Oslo, Martial Spirit: Ghost Leopard, Level 36 Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.

Member: Ye Lingling, Martial Spirit: Nine Heart Begonia, Level 35 Support System Tool Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow, One Purple.

The profile provided no information about their spirit abilities, a fact Yu Xiaogang and the others understood. It wasn't that the Great Spirit Arena didn't want to disclose such details—it simply couldn't.

After all, who could guarantee that their opponents hadn't deliberately hidden their true abilities in previous matches?

A wrong assumption about their spirit abilities could spell disaster. Thus, the Great Spirit Arena left it up to the Shrek Seven Devils to find out for themselves.

After reviewing the profile, everyone exchanged glances, reading the astonishment in each other's eyes.

They had expected their opponents to be strong, but not this strong.

Flender adjusted his crystal-framed glasses and remarked,

"If I'm not mistaken, this team must be well-known in their city. Why have they suddenly come to Soto City? Xiao Gang, you really shouldn't have agreed to this. Shrek Academy is no match for them."

Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong all nodded in agreement.

Xiao Wu, in particular, was familiar with the Emperor Team. It was precisely because of this familiarity that she felt confused.

Why would such a powerful team come to this small city for a match?

This wasn't a challenge—they were clearly looking for trouble.

Moreover, Ning Rongrong even recognized some of the members.

Yu Xiaogang, ignoring Flender's concerns, spoke with an air of self-importance.

"Pressure creates motivation. If we retreat in the face of difficulties, we'll never become true strongmen. Flender, where's the boldness you had in your youth?"

Flender's expression turned sour, while Zhao Wuji, standing nearby, fanned the flames with a tone both mocking and sarcastic.

"Master, you're absolutely right. Only by facing challenges head-on can we reap rewards."

Flender wanted to argue further, but Yu Xiaogang interrupted him,

"If we truly can't win, we can just forfeit, can't we?"

This nearly made Flender choke. Thinking about how much money he had bet on their victory, he shouted,

"But I've already bet everything on Shrek winning! What will we live on if we lose?"

Everyone's eyes turned toward Flender. Yu Xiaogang nearly choked on his own words.

"What?! You bet everything?!"

Flender, regretting his outburst, stammered,

"I thought we had a chance to win! I was doing it for everyone!"

At that moment, Yun Feng, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

"How about I step in? Since my badge level doesn't meet the requirements, I could fight them alone as a Spirit King. Perhaps they'd agree to that."

Yun Feng's calm voice lit up Flender's eyes with hope.

Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, looked as if he had swallowed something bitter.

He wanted to prove himself, but if Yun Feng took the stage, how would he prove anything?

Forcing it?!

Chapter 175: "I'll Take on Ten!"

"Is this really feasible? It completely defies common sense!"

Yun Feng shrugged nonchalantly, then replied with indifference,

"What's the big deal in asking? It's better than walking into a sure loss just to hand over money, right?"

Though Yun Feng's words were blunt, they weren't without merit.

After all, there was no harm in trying. Who knows—they might actually agree!

However, unlike the others who found some logic in Yun Feng's statement, Xiao Wu glanced at him with concern and asked,

"Yun Feng, what if they really agree? Can you handle seven opponents on your own?"

Yun Feng chuckled at her worry, then confidently said,

"Seven? That might not be enough. I'll take on ten!"

Hearing this, the previously tense group broke into laughter, especially Flender.

Seeing that no one objected, Flender quickly left the room, muttering as he went,

"Wait here. I'll go talk to Supervisor Ao and see what we can arrange!"

Yu Xiaogang, watching Flender leave, knew the situation was now beyond his control. His gaze turned somber as he stared at Yun Feng for several seconds, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

He deeply regretted not accepting Yun Feng as his disciple back then. If he had, his theories would have been validated far sooner—and even more explosively than through Tang San!

After hesitating for a moment, Yu Xiaogang finally turned to Yun Feng, who was casually chatting with Xiao Wu and the others, and said,

"Yun Feng, would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Before Yun Feng could react, Tang San froze as if he'd heard the most shocking news. His eyes widened, and he took two steps back in disbelief.

"Teacher, you…?"

But Yu Xiaogang ignored Tang San, his fiery gaze locked on Yun Feng.

Yun Feng felt a chill run down his spine and muttered internally, Why is he looking at me like that? I'm not into this kind of thing.

Zhao Wuji furrowed his brows, clearly surprised by the sudden development. Ever since being forced to apologize to Yun Feng by Flender, Zhao Wuji had quietly collected quite a bit of dirt on Yu Xiaogang.

While he still held some resentment toward Yun Feng for their previous conflict, as a teacher, seeing Yu Xiaogang's behavior ignited an uncontrollable fury within him.

"This is ridiculous!" Zhao Wuji exclaimed.

He turned to Yu Xiaogang and said,

"Master, are you trying to swoop in and claim credit just because Yun Feng is strong? That's not right. Even though I haven't taught Yun Feng much, I'm still technically his teacher! What you're doing is crossing the line!"

Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened, but he ignored Zhao Wuji and repeated his question to Yun Feng,

"Yun Feng, will you be my disciple?"

Yun Feng, feeling awkward under Yu Xiaogang's intense gaze, replied after a moment of thought,

"Master, you already have Tang San as your disciple, and I've been training on my own for years. I'm not used to having a teacher, so I'll have to decline."

Yun Feng's response sent Zhao Wuji into peals of laughter.

"Exactly! Everyone has their own way of doing things. Who'd want to learn your so-called 'Ten Core Competencies' anyway?"

Tang San, already wounded by Yu Xiaogang's actions, felt as though another dagger had been driven into his heart. He couldn't understand—what had he done to deserve this?

Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang, though expecting rejection, still felt uneasy. Yun Feng was a Spirit King, after all—a talent he had just let slip away.

Soto Great Spirit Arena – VIP Lounge

In the luxurious third VIP room, a grand space of over 200 square meters, a massive white leather sofa stretched over 15 meters, comfortably accommodating more than a dozen people.

The room's decor was dominated by gold—golden lamps, golden wallpaper, and various golden embellishments gave the space an opulent and extravagant feel.

In front of the large sofa sat a crystal coffee table laden with exquisite snacks and beverages. Most importantly, one wall of the room was made entirely of transparent crystal. The special design allowed those inside to view the central arena, while those outside couldn't see into the room.

Beyond the crystal wall lay the main stage of the Soto Great Spirit Arena.

Inside the room sat seven individuals, each unique in their presence, all appearing to be in their early twenties.

Seated at the center of the sofa was a tall, slender young man with long black hair. Though not particularly handsome, his expressionless face and rigid demeanor made him appear cold and dangerous. Dressed in simple blue attire without any decoration, he exuded an air of deadly simplicity.

Resting against his shoulder was a woman with deep purple hair, striking green eyes, and an alluring yet eerie charm. Though not conventionally beautiful, her unusual appearance gave her a captivating, otherworldly allure. She lazily played with her green-painted nails, her long legs propped carelessly on the crystal table.

"Yan, can you stop teasing everyone? We're all single men here. What if someone gets… ideas? That wouldn't be good," quipped a golden-haired youth leaning against the crystal wall, his handsome face filled with mischief.

The green-eyed woman cast him a disdainful glance and sneered,

"Why don't you come over? Want me to teach you how to be a real man?"

"Uh… no thanks! Your Jade Phosphor Poison isn't something I can handle!" The youth recoiled, his face filled with exaggerated terror.

The woman's eyes flickered with a hint of gloom, but she said nothing more.

"Serves you right! Who told you to provoke Yan?" mocked another youth sitting opposite the golden-haired one, dressed entirely in black. His delicate features were so striking they could rival a woman's beauty.

The golden-haired youth glared at him and retorted,

"Leopard, you want to settle this? How about a one-on-one match after today's battle? I'll show you who's boss!"

The black-clad youth smirked,

"A one-on-one with me? Seriously? You're a flying Spirit Master, and I'm a ground-based one. That's just bullying."

"If you've got guts, challenge the captain to a one-on-one. Don't aim to win—just survive for three minutes, and I'll admit defeat."

"You…"

The golden-haired youth faltered, unable to refute. He knew all too well that lasting three minutes against their captain was a near-impossible feat.

Chapter 176: "He Alone is a Team!"

"Alright, quiet down. Can't you conserve your energy like the Shi brothers?"

The blue-clad youth, who had been sitting motionless on the sofa, finally spoke.

The "Shi brothers" he mentioned were seated on the floor against the wall, meditating with their legs crossed. Both were robust men with straight noses and square jaws, exuding a calm and steady aura just by sitting there.

The handsome youth chuckled.

"Boss, do we really need to conserve energy? With our strength, reaching Silver Spirit Fighter before level 40, I can confidently say there isn't a team in Soto Great Spirit Arena that can beat us."

"Not just here—there's no match for us even in the Imperial Capital's Heaven Dou Spirit Arena," he boasted.

The blue-clad youth responded calmly,

"Even so, you can't afford to develop a careless habit. The Spirit Master world is full of powerful individuals, and you never know when someone stronger might appear."

He then turned to another figure in the room, a woman standing in the darkest corner.

"Lingling, come sit on the sofa. Standing there will only drain your energy."

The woman, draped in black robes and wearing a veil over her face, stood silently in the shadows. Her slim figure and long waterfall-like blue hair gave her an ethereal presence. Her matching blue eyes were void of any emotion, emanating only loneliness and melancholy.

"No need. I'm fine here," Ye Lingling replied. Her voice was melodious but hauntingly hollow, making it feel almost unreal.

These seven individuals were none other than the members of the Emperor Team, whose profiles Yun Feng and his group had studied earlier.

The blue-clad youth was their captain, Yu Tianheng, while the sharp-eyed purple-haired woman lounging beside him was the vice-captain, Dugu Yan.

The handsome youth with the playful demeanor was Yu Feng, the Wind Bell Bird Spirit Master.

The black-clad man bantering with him was Oslo, the Ghost Leopard Spirit Master.

The meditating duo, the Shi brothers, were both Black Tortoise Turtle Spirit Masters.

And in the corner stood the team's sole support Spirit Master, Ye Lingling, the wielder of Nine Heart Begonia.

In the luxurious VIP Room No. 3 of Soto Great Spirit Arena's advanced suite area, the Emperor Team was waiting for their upcoming team battle.

The room's door suddenly opened, and a middle-aged man stepped inside.

His arrival prompted an identical reaction from the otherwise varied personalities of the Emperor Team. Even Yu Tianheng, their captain, rose to his feet, along with the meditating Shi brothers.

The seven members stood respectfully and greeted him in unison.

"Teacher."

The man, who appeared to be in his thirties, had an unremarkable face and wore plain black attire. He seemed unassuming, like any ordinary person. Yet, the respect he commanded from the Emperor Team proved he was far from ordinary.

His expression was peculiar, something even Yu Tianheng had never seen before. Stepping forward cautiously, Yu Tianheng asked in a low voice,

"Teacher Qin, is something wrong?"

A flash of light appeared in Qin Ming's deep black eyes as he said,

"This time, you may have met your match."

Qin Ming briefly explained the Great Spirit Arena's unusual arrangement.

The Emperor Team members exchanged incredulous looks. Yu Tianheng, visibly taken aback, blurted out,

"Seven versus one? Is this some kind of joke?"

The confusion wasn't Yu Tianheng's alone—the rest of the team shared the same thought. After all, such an arrangement was unprecedented and completely against the norm.

Qin Ming nodded slightly, his expression tinged with helplessness.

"But that person claimed, 'I alone am a team.'"

"And don't underestimate him—he's a level-50 Spirit King. So far, he's the only one who dared to accept your challenge."

"Whether or not you want to proceed is up to you. This is what the Soto Great Spirit Arena has proposed."

The seven members of the Emperor Team exchanged glances, clearly stunned by Yun Feng's audacity. But their shock soon gave way to curiosity.

Finally, Yu Tianheng turned to Qin Ming and declared,

"In that case, we'll take on this Spirit King and see what he's truly capable of!"

Soto Great Spirit Arena – Central Main Arena

The central main arena wasn't as large as the spectators in the division arenas might imagine. If anything, they might mistake it for just another division arena upon seeing it.

The main arena was only slightly larger than the others, but its most striking feature was its silence. Unlike the division arenas, which had open-air stands, the main arena was surrounded entirely by enclosed VIP boxes.

The crystal glass walls of the boxes allowed the occupants to view the arena while remaining invisible to anyone outside.

These VIP spectators, often influential nobles or elites, preferred to maintain their anonymity. They wouldn't cheer or shout like ordinary spectators—they came for the prestige and the thrill of wagering large sums in private.

The stakes here were far greater than all the division arenas combined, making it essential to avoid conflicts among the nobility. Hidden identities ensured that even if someone lost a fortune, no grudges could be pursued.

The arena floor, illuminated by brilliant golden soul tool lights, sparkled under their glow. The main battle stage, a massive platform with a diameter of 70 meters, was vast enough to accommodate battles involving hundreds of participants.

The grandiosity of the arena was further highlighted when a golden pillar rose from its center. Standing atop the pillar was a young woman, her figure commanding attention.

She appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed in an elegant white gown. Her cascading brown curls and delicate features were complemented by her graceful demeanor. Her curvaceous figure and slender waist exuded breathtaking allure.

Holding a cone-shaped soul tool microphone, she wore a professional smile as she addressed the audience.

Chapter 177: Walking Alone

"It's an honor to see all the distinguished guests again."

The woman in the white dress, standing atop the raised platform, twirled gracefully before waving toward the surrounding VIP boxes.

The platform that had elevated her to the stage silently descended back into the ground, leaving no trace of its existence.

"To host tonight's team battle in the central main arena is a great privilege for Dou Dou. I hope all the esteemed guests enjoy themselves this evening."

"Tonight, we have a special treat: a single, unprecedented match that promises to astonish and excite!"

"If I were to describe the participants, I'd say that the word 'genius' suits them perfectly."

Dou Dou, the host in the white dress, continued her introduction skillfully, building anticipation among the VIP audience.

"The Emperor Team—Captain: Yu Tianheng, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master. Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan, Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit Master."

"The Shrek Team—Captain: Commander, Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master."

However, the announcement of the Shrek Team seemed unusual. Dou Dou mentioned only one member before stopping, leaving the audience in confusion.

Why was there only one name? Was there a reason for this?

The spectators quickly erupted into murmurs, their curiosity piqued.

Dou Dou, unfazed by the commotion, addressed the crowd with enthusiasm.

"This match pits one member of the Shrek Team against the entire Emperor Team! The Shrek Team's sole participant is a Spirit King at level 50. Please do not think that our Great Spirit Arena is unfairly favoring one side!"

Her sweet voice, paired with her professional charisma, instantly calmed the audience and refocused their attention.

"Now, without further ado, let's welcome the participants to the stage!"

As she spoke, a brilliant white light erupted from her body. Her brown wavy hair gained a streak of white, and a pair of pure white wings unfurled behind her.

Three yellow spirit rings surrounded her, with the third one glowing brightly. She lightly flapped her wings, rising gracefully into the air while holding her amplification soul tool.

Dou Dou, as she claimed, was indeed a Spirit Elder-level Spirit Master. While her third ring wasn't the optimal thousand-year level, it still granted her the precious ability of flight—a crucial trait for a Spirit Master with a flying martial spirit.

Her martial spirit was the White Dove, a symbol of peace and gentleness.

As Dou Dou hovered above, the arena doors on both sides silently opened, and the participants began to enter.

From the left came the Emperor Team, led by Yu Tianheng, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master, with Dugu Yan leaning casually on his shoulder.

Behind them were the Shi brothers, their burly figures exuding an unshakable aura. Following them were Oslo, the Ghost Leopard Spirit Master, and Yu Feng, the Wind Bell Bird Spirit Master. Walking at the rear was Ye Lingling, the mysterious Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Master.

In stark contrast, Yun Feng, the sole representative of the Shrek Team, had no teammates and no uniform.

Instead, he wore a sleek black combat suit paired with a white half-mask, giving him an air of mystery.

The outfit, specially prepared by Ning Rongrong, was meant for battles like this. While the attire hid his figure and the mask concealed his face, his piercing gaze was impossible to disguise.

As the two sides stepped onto the stage, Yun Feng's and Yu Tianheng's eyes met in midair, locking in a silent clash.

In that moment, a faint roar of dragons and tigers seemed to echo through the arena.

Yu Tianheng's heart skipped a beat. The intensity in Yun Feng's gaze bore down on him like a tidal wave, making him realize that this Blue Silver Grass Spirit King was not to be underestimated.

Do not underestimate him just because his martial spirit is Blue Silver Grass, Yu Tianheng reminded himself.

The tension in their locked gazes exploded, their auras clashing fiercely even before the battle began.

Hovering in the air, Dou Dou's soft yet commanding voice rang out.

"Participants of the team battle, you now have one minute to summon your martial spirits. The match will begin only when I announce it. The battle will end when one side surrenders, is completely incapacitated, or is forced out of the arena."

The VIP spectators listened to her enchanting voice as though it were music, while the Emperor Team felt the weight of the imminent battle.

When the Emperor Team emerged from their tunnel, they immediately spotted Yun Feng walking out from the other side—alone.

Seeing this, Yu Tianheng smirked.

"So, this is the person who claimed to be a one-man team? Let's see just how arrogant he really is."

On Yun Feng's side, his entourage consisted of Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Zhao Wuji. Lacking VIP credentials, they could only watch from the sidelines.

Meanwhile, the Emperor Team's advisor, Qin Ming, stood proudly on their side.

Flender, noticing Qin Ming from a distance, froze briefly before relaxing. His initial tension seemed to ease.

"Looks like I don't need to worry anymore. Zhao Wuji, do you see who's leading the other side?"

Zhao Wuji squinted at the opposing team, his eyes widening in shock.

"How could it be him…"

After all, Qin Ming was one of Zhao Wuji's former disciples!

Yu Xiaogang, puzzled by their reactions, asked,

"Do you know the opposing team's advisor? What's going on?"

Flender chuckled.

"That's a secret. I'll explain after the match."

On the central battle platform, the Emperor Team simultaneously unleashed their spirit powers. Seven powerful auras erupted, shaking the air.

Even Dou Dou, hovering above with her white dove wings, had to ascend higher to avoid being overwhelmed by their pressure.

While she had witnessed many intense battles, the sheer determination and fighting spirit displayed here were rare.

Facing the overwhelming energy of the Emperor Team, Yun Feng, standing alone, seemed entirely unfazed.

Instead of focusing on the battle, his thoughts wandered elsewhere. How do I win over Dugu Yan?

His interest in Dugu Yan wasn't purely romantic. He was after the Immortal Herb she possessed. Of course, taking her along as a bonus wouldn't be a bad deal either. After all, he'd never "conquered" a snake before.

The Emperor Team, observing Yun Feng's calm and seemingly disinterested demeanor, felt their anger boiling.

This guy is completely looking down on us!

From Dou Dou's perspective, there was only one word to describe the participants below: strong.

Regardless of which side, they were all individuals she could only look up to.

As the match's commentator, she found herself at a loss for words.

She knew that what was about to unfold would be an epic clash—a battle where every move was like a needle against a blade. The true test was about to begin.

Chapter 178: The Weight of Pressure

The blue-gold strands of Blue Silver King quietly flowed from Yun Feng's body, spreading across the ground as his spirit power surged. Since advancing to the Spirit King realm, the number of Blue Silver Grass strands he could summon had significantly increased.

In his palm, blue light flickered continuously. The Blue Silver King spread like an endless tide, occupying the ground on his side of the arena.

Watching Yun Feng release his martial spirit, the Emperor Team didn't delay. However, before unleashing their own spirits, they positioned themselves carefully.

They knew that anyone bold enough to choose a one-versus-seven battle couldn't be a weakling. They were determined not to underestimate their opponent and risk an upset.

The Emperor Team swiftly arranged their formation.

At the forefront stood not their captain, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master Yu Tianheng, but the two Black Tortoise Turtle Spirit Masters, the Shi brothers.

Positioned to the left and right, the Shi brothers roared in unison as soon as Dou Dou announced the start of the battle. A deep, earthy yellow light surged from their feet.

The sound of cracking bones echoed as they prepared for battle.

Before releasing their spirits, the brothers shed their shirts, revealing their granite-like, rock-solid muscles.

As their martial spirits activated, their shoulders extended forward, and their backs arched slightly. The earthy yellow glow of their spirit power gathered behind them, forming massive, dark yellow turtle shells.

The turtle shells bore pale yellow patterns, and the Shi brothers' skeletal structures seemed to transform along with the emergence of the shells.

Not only did the shells appear on their backs, but also on their fronts. Their limbs shortened slightly as they became more compact and robust.

On the abdominal plates of their shells, a large symbol glowed faintly with blue light.

Two yellow and one purple spirit ring circled each of their enlarged bodies. The rings, distorted by the size of their forms, seemed almost to bend around their massive figures.

The imposing aura emanating from Yun Feng was forcefully halted by the Shi brothers, shielding the rest of the Emperor Team from its pressure.

As expected of the Black Tortoise Turtle spirit, Yun Feng mused.

Through the gap between the Shi brothers, Yu Tianheng could be seen standing behind them.

As one of the top-tier beast martial spirits, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon ignited the enthusiasm of the VIP audience as soon as it appeared.

A dazzling blue light burst from Yu Tianheng's forehead and spread instantly, coursing through his entire body. Streaks of blue-purple lightning slithered like serpents, crackling around him.

On the surface, Yu Tianheng's transformation seemed minimal. Other than the appearance of a lightning-shaped mark on his forehead, there was only one major physical change.

That change was his right arm.

The sleeve of his right arm had been obliterated by the rapid growth of his limb, leaving it exposed. His arm had grown more than half a foot longer, becoming grotesquely muscular and covered in blue-purple scales. His hand had morphed into a claw, its joints thick and reinforced with the same scaly armor.

The blue-purple lightning danced around his arm, either condensing or coursing through it.

Unlike other Spirit Masters whose spirit rings encircled their entire bodies, Yu Tianheng's rings revolved solely around his transformed right arm.

Observing this transformation, Yun Feng's mind immediately retrieved knowledge about the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's unique characteristics and weaknesses.

As a Spirit Master with this martial spirit, all spirit rings must come from dragon-type beasts, or they would be ineffective.

From level 30 onward, each spirit ring added to a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master would further transform their body, making them increasingly dragon-like.

By level 70, they could achieve full dragon transformation, unleashing terrifying power.

It was said that, among Spirit Masters of the same rank, a fully transformed Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master was the most fearsome of all power-attack types.

If Yu Tianheng and Zhao Wuji were both at level 70, the latter's Vajra Bear transformation wouldn't stand a chance against the dragon form, Yun Feng thought.

Behind Yu Tianheng, a verdant green aura enveloped Dugu Yan. Her body swayed fluidly, her red-green eyes gleaming sharply. There was an icy detachment in her expression, devoid of human emotion.

A diamond-shaped green scale had appeared on her forehead, and her legs had fused into a thick serpent's tail.

Xiao Wu and the others, watching from the stands, were visibly shocked. Dugu Yan now stood on her tail, swaying gently for balance.

Nearby, Oslo, the Ghost Leopard Spirit Master, underwent a subtler transformation. His entire body turned jet black, including his previously fair face. His eyes became vertical slits, exuding a chilling aura of danger.

Two yellow and one purple spirit ring surrounded him—a configuration that seemed almost standard within the Emperor Team.

Among the Emperor Team members, the most dramatic transformation belonged to Yu Feng, the Wind Bell Bird Spirit Master.

A pair of brown-yellow wings extended from his back, markedly different from Dou Dou's soft white dove wings. His wings appeared firm and strong, their feathers radiating a sense of resilience.

Unlike Dou Dou, whose wings were an additional feature, Yu Feng's wings had formed from his arms. Now, with his wings flapping, he hovered in midair, watching Yun Feng from above.

He even glanced at Dou Dou, who was flying higher, and whistled flirtatiously at her legs, clearly dismissing Yun Feng as a serious opponent.

Yun Feng, standing on his side of the stage, released his martial spirit in response.

Five rings materialized around him—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black.

The sight of these five spirit rings, radiating overwhelming pressure, silenced the arena.

What made Yun Feng's spirit rings even more terrifying was their nature—each had been absorbed far beyond the conventional limits. They had also been modified through his spirit ring alteration tool, granting him unparalleled advantages.

The combination of his "external tools" and indomitable will made Yun Feng a formidable foe against the Emperor Team.

The battle hadn't yet begun, but the spectators in the VIP boxes were already holding their breaths, the tension in the air palpable.

Both sides exuded a crushing pressure that made it clear: this was going to be no ordinary match.

Chapter 179: He's Fighting a Soul King!

Seeing Yun Feng like this, Yu Tianheng and the others exchanged glances.

Now they understood why Yun Feng dared to participate in the spirit battle alone.

This oppressive aura… it was even stronger than that of a typical Soul Emperor!

They were a little dazed but quickly realized that this was bound to be an unprecedentedly tough fight.

At this moment, Dou Dou, who was floating in the air with her martial soul activated, had a slight blush on her face as she looked at Yu Feng, who seemed completely at ease.

Nevertheless, she maintained her professionalism and uttered two simple words from her cherry lips that became the fuse to ignite this explosive battle:

"Begin."

As Dou Dou's voice rang out, Yun Feng wasted no time.

Under the enhancement of his soul skill, the Blue Silver King instantly expanded.

His body continued to swell, and in just a blink of an eye, it transformed into a massive Blue Silver King, towering over 100 meters high!

As it reached its peak size, it began splitting into countless strands.

First soul skill: Multiplication Technique!

With a single thought, countless massive Blue Silver Kings descended from the sky.

Yun Feng stood there like a god, not even lifting a finger.

Yu Tianheng and the others turned pale instantly at the sight.

They never expected such a development.

If they were hit by this massive Blue Silver King, they wouldn't just be injured—they'd be crippled, if not killed!

"Shi Mo, Shi Mo!"

With Yu Tianheng's furious roar, the Shi brothers' expressions, like the turtle shells on their bodies, remained unchanged. As the Blue Silver King loomed closer, the two fearlessly moved toward the center to block the attack head-on.

Their first soul rings lit up, and a heavy, solid aura emanated from their Xuanwu Turtle martial souls.

Yellow light surrounded their bodies, complementing their thick turtle shells, clearly prepared to withstand Yun Feng's soul skill.

Yun Feng, watching this unfold, also wanted to see if his soul skill could break through the defense of this top-tier martial soul.

The explosion of air and the deafening roar as the attack descended caused the Shi brothers to instinctively retract their heads into their chests—more precisely, into their tough turtle shells.

"Boom!"

A metallic clang echoed through the arena, shattering the ground beneath.

Dust and debris filled the air, blotting out the sun.

As the dust settled, all eyes were on the battlefield, where two turtle shells remained firmly embedded in the ground.

As two Xuanwu Turtle martial soul users, their defense was not so easily broken.

Yun Feng shook his head in mild dissatisfaction.

So tough!

It seemed he had to exert a bit more strength.

With that thought, Yun Feng activated his second soul skill.

"Second soul skill: Gravity!"

Boom—

An invisible pressure enveloped the entire battle arena.

Under Yun Feng's control, the Shi brothers were directly suppressed into the ground.

He then manipulated the Blue Silver King to cover them with soil, effectively burying them alive.

Of course, Yun Feng wasn't trying to kill them.

The Shi brothers had already lost the ability to fight, and there was no point in continuing to target them.

After all, he didn't want to cause any fatalities.

However, just as Yun Feng dealt with the Shi brothers, a blue figure appeared before him.

A thick dragon arm shimmered with dazzling blue light under the arena's spotlight.

Before the person arrived, blue lightning in the shape of a claw was already charging toward Yun Feng's exposed chest.

Everything seemed meticulously calculated.

As Yun Feng unleashed his soul skill, the captain of the Emperor Battle Team, Yu Tianheng, had begun his charge. He had hidden behind the Shi brothers as they closed ranks, completely shielding his movements from Yun Feng's view.

At the very moment Yun Feng's attack failed and left him wide open, Yu Tianheng leapt into the air, his first soul ring flashing as he launched his thunderous dragon claw.

This was the Emperor Battle Team's coordination.

Although it came at the cost of sacrificing two teammates, they hadn't expected Yun Feng's attack to be so terrifying!

Lightning's speed was unparalleled. As soon as Yun Feng saw the blue figure, the electric claw was already upon him.

A gleam of fanaticism flickered in Yu Tianheng's eyes.

A Soul King!

He was actually fighting a Soul King!

As the strongest Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon soul master, even if Yun Feng blocked his attack, Yu Tianheng was confident that he could follow up with another strike. With the cooperation of his teammates, the balance of victory would tilt in their favor.

But just as the blue lightning claw was about to hit its target, Yun Feng suddenly disappeared—vanishing right in front of Yu Tianheng.

Even with his composure, Yu Tianheng, mid-air, was stunned.

Yun Feng didn't know how to teleport, but don't forget—he had soul skills!

The moment Yun Feng saw Yu Tianheng, he had already activated his fourth soul skill.

Although his physical strength was sufficient to withstand Yu Tianheng's attack, Yun Feng wasn't about to take the hit.

How embarrassing would it be for a Soul King to suffer at the hands of a Soul Elder?

Yu Tianheng's lightning claw traveled over twenty meters before dissipating, distorting the air in its path with sharp crackling sounds.

The battle had ignited with a spark but burned out just as quickly.

Yu Tianheng no longer wanted to fight.

He could only gape as the massive Blue Silver King, tens of meters wide and over a hundred meters tall, surrounded Yun Feng completely.

Yun Feng unfolded the wings on his back and hovered in mid-air.

The Emperor Battle Team was dumbfounded.

The only one who could still attack Yun Feng now was Yue Feng.

But even she couldn't get past the barrier of the Blue Silver King!

How were they supposed to fight?

Yun Feng didn't attack the Emperor Battle Team immediately.

Instead, he looked at Yue Feng in the air and teased, "Are you coming down yourself, or should I knock you down?"

Yue Feng froze, remembering the Shi brothers' fate, and silently descended.

He was preserving his strength!

Yes, that's it! Not fear!

Although, as he landed, his knees accidentally buckled.

Dugu Yan, seeing how the battle had unfolded, realized the only hope for victory now rested on her shoulders.

Looking at Yun Feng's arrogant expression and demeanor, anger flared in her heart.

Her third soul ring lit up brightly.

Her originally emerald-green eyes turned a deep violet, and even the green scales on her snake tail were now coated with a faint purple glow.

Opening her mouth, she exhaled a thick purple mist that spread rapidly through the air, surging toward Yun Feng.

As the purple mist expanded, it formed a barrier between both sides, advancing slowly toward Yun Feng.

Unless Yun Feng retreated off the arena, he would inevitably be enveloped by the mist.

Chapter 180: Crushing Victory!

Before the poisonous mist arrived, a nauseating stench filled the air, making people feel sick and dizzy.

Sensing the power of the poison, Yun Feng couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

"As expected of a top-tier poison martial soul!"

But Yun Feng had no intention of losing this match.

Under the gaze of everyone, Yun Feng controlled the Blue Silver King, making it sway in a rhythmic, frenzied motion.

In an instant, these massive Blue Silver Kings resembled dozens of gigantic fans, dispersing the approaching poison mist entirely.

The mist was redirected toward the members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's team.

However, faced with the encroaching mist, the Emperor Battle Team didn't panic.

Each of them quickly put something into their mouths and remained unaffected by the green mist.

Seeing this, Dugu Yan's once-proud expression turned bitter.

Since the opposing team refused to admit defeat, Yun Feng had no intention of playing around any longer.

Descending from the sky, he pressed his palm onto the ground.

The gigantic Blue Silver King that surrounded the battlefield slammed down violently.

Once!

Twice!

Three times!

The immense force caused the entire arena to quake.

On the spectators' platform, Flender was utterly ecstatic, shaking Yu Xiaogang's shoulders frantically as he shouted,

"Xiaogang, we've struck gold! We've struck gold!"

"I knew Yun Feng could do it!"

In stark contrast to Flender's excitement, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San both wore bitter expressions.

Yu Xiaogang regretted deeply, while Tang San was grieving the loss of his beloved.

On the battlefield, after three crushing strikes, the Emperor Battle Team was entirely incapacitated, lying sprawled on the ground.

If it weren't for Ye Lingling's timely healing, they might not have survived.

Even so, they had lost all combat ability and had fallen unconscious.

The only one left standing was Ye Lingling, whom Yun Feng had intentionally spared.

After all, if something serious happened, Yun Feng didn't want to face the consequences.

Beyond Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Dugu Yan's grandfather, Dugu Bo, even the countless people Ye Lingling's family had saved would come seeking revenge.

For this reason, Yun Feng didn't use his second or third soul skills during the strikes.

If the hundred-meter-tall Blue Silver King, clad in armor and guided by gravitational pull, had unleashed its full power, Yun Feng couldn't imagine the outcome.

By now, all the combat-capable soul masters of the Emperor Battle Team had been defeated.

Nine Heart Begonia soul master Ye Lingling's eyes showed a mix of fear and disbelief. She couldn't understand how a mere Soul King could be this powerful.

Up close, Yun Feng noticed that this mysterious support-type soul master, veiled in black, had strikingly beautiful eyes.

Her gaze was clear and pure, with no impurities, and her long lashes curled slightly, blinking as if they could speak.

"Go heal them quickly, or things could get serious!"

After saying this, Yun Feng lifted his head and looked toward Dou Dou, who was still hiding atop the arena's chandelier.

"Beautiful referee lady, can you announce the result now?"

Snapping out of her daze, Dou Dou hesitated briefly before maintaining her professionalism and glancing at Ye Lingling.

Sensing the gaze, Ye Lingling didn't hesitate and immediately said,

"We concede!"

Hearing this, Dou Dou sighed in relief but didn't dare meet Yun Feng's eyes. She hurriedly declared,

"Team battle spirit match, Commander Yun Feng wins!"

After the announcement, she fled as quickly as she could, terrified by the massive Blue Silver Kings that had nearly reached her earlier.

On the other side, the Emperor Battle Team members, now partially healed by Ye Lingling, gathered with difficulty, supporting one another.

Every one of them looked grim, especially Yu Tianheng and the two Xuanwu Turtle soul masters, whose expressions were so dark they seemed to drip water.

Yu Tianheng locked eyes with Yun Feng, meeting the latter's calm gaze.

"You're strong," Yu Tianheng admitted.

"But next time, I won't lose!"

With that, he gave Yun Feng a deep look before leaving with his team's support.

As they walked away, Dugu Yan suddenly turned back under Yun Feng's watchful gaze.

"I'll never forget today's humiliation. One day, I'll make you kneel beneath my snake venom!"

Yun Feng chuckled.

"I'll be waiting, my beautiful lady!"

Turning back with her, Ye Lingling also glanced at Yun Feng. Unlike Dugu Yan's competitive spirit, her gaze carried a peculiar mix of fear and awe.

She looked like she wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent, following her companions out of the arena.

Applause erupted at that moment, broadcasted from the VIP rooms through specialized audio equipment.

Yun Feng's performance had won over all the distinguished spectators present, even though their number wasn't as large as the audience outside.

For such a victory, the applause was fitting, putting a perfect end to this clash of powerhouses.

Though, admittedly, one side was far more powerful than the other.

Qin Ming stood at the entrance to the passageway, waiting as his disciples approached one by one.

His face showed no displeasure. Instead, he wore a faint smile.

To him, this outcome might actually be a good thing.

"I'm sorry, Teacher Qin. We lost," Yu Tianheng said, stopping in front of Qin Ming and lowering his proud head.

Qin Ming said nothing, simply looking at him quietly.

Yu Tianheng was his most prized disciple and his pride.

Yu Tianheng continued,

"Today's defeat… Forget it. If you must punish someone, punish me."

Qin Ming, despite his typically strict and heavy-handed methods, surprised them.

"No, Captain. This isn't your fault. Who could've expected the opponent to be so strong?" the Black Panther soul master Oslo quickly interjected.

Yu Tianheng sighed and shook his head.

"No, Oslo. His strength is his strength. We lost, and that's final. Any excuse is just self-denial."

"If there's anyone to blame, it's me. As the control-type soul master and the team's core, I failed to guide us properly in battle."

Dugu Yan, who had rarely shed tears in her privileged and smooth life, now found humiliation's sting unbearable. Poison-based control, a noble lineage, and unparalleled soul power among her peers had always placed her at the top.

But today's defeat hit harder than anything else, and tears of shame flowed uncontrollably from her eyes.

The two Xuanwu Turtle soul masters remained silent. Yue Feng opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by Qin Ming's raised hand.

"For you, this defeat, though bitter, is a blessing in disguise," Qin Ming said with a smile, his tone devoid of the severity the Emperor Battle Team had been bracing for.

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