Chapter 731: Shrek's Counterattack, Part One
As Ye Wen basked in the crowd's cheers, he slowly approached the edge of the stage where Dai Mubai was slumped, looking down on him from above.
"Evil-Eyed White Tiger," Ye Wen stated, voice calm yet cutting, "watch your mouth next time. Words have consequences. If you ever mouth off to a real powerhouse again, you might not walk away with your life as easily as you did today."
With that, he turned and strode away, embodying a composed strength. Dai Mubai's expression flickered with frustration, wanting to say something but, in the end, keeping silent. He knew he couldn't match Ye Wen's strength, and here he was, a prince in exile outside his own kingdom, without the authority to intimidate or demand respect from anyone.
Dai Mubai ultimately chose to swallow his pride. He wouldn't lose any skin over a few words, he thought. But when his gaze fell on Zhu Zhuqing's dissatisfied expression, his face darkened once more.
No. He couldn't let things end like this. If he wanted to regain his fiancée's respect and turn his image around, he needed to claim victory. Otherwise, even if they were forced to compete together in the royal trials, Zhu Zhuqing's lack of trust in him would keep them from achieving the synergy needed to unleash their martial spirit fusion skill. If he failed, his claim to the throne would collapse.
Just the thought of being imprisoned, his life wasted in confinement, sent a chill down Dai Mubai's spine.
He made up his mind quickly. Alone, he might be outmatched by Ye Wen. But his overall skills were close; with the added support of a group attack—Tang San's martial arts expertise, Ma Hongjun's evil fire, and Oscar's assistance—they might still turn the tables. No, if he could humble himself enough to recruit Ning Rongrong, with the boosts from her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, they could challenge Ye Wen head-on.
Xing Luo's royal education didn't encourage honor or virtue. Their training focused on using whatever tactics necessary to climb to power and command followers, even if it meant using less-than-noble methods. Only through that ruthlessness could a Xing Luo Emperor earn the right to call himself "Sole Monarch."
Though Dai Mubai's nature leaned toward cowardice, he was resolute once he set his mind to a goal. His decisive personality was one of action.
With long-standing camaraderie as his leverage, Dai Mubai first approached Ma Hongjun, who readily agreed. Oscar hesitated briefly but, remembering their years of friendship, eventually agreed as well. After a moment's thought, Tang San nodded, eager for the chance to vent his frustration on Ye Wen after years of feeling slighted. Tang San even rationalized his desire:
"Someone like Ye Wen, capable of such viciousness toward Dai Mubai, must be taught restraint. I'll correct him and guide him back to the right path," he told himself.
The Shrek students were surprised to learn that Tang San, Ye Wen, and Ye Wen's companion Wei Na were all from the same primary academy. Three spirit masters who reached Spirit Elder by the age of twelve, all from a small, out-of-the-way school—it was almost magical, the workings of fate.
Tang San, glancing at his own soul power level of thirty-one, chose not to mention that the Notting Academy could've been home to four powerful cultivators if not for his own standing at the bottom. It might tarnish his reputation as a prodigy.
Still, Tang San couldn't shake a troubling thought. Even with his advanced skillset, granted by the Mysterious Heaven Technique, he had only just reached thirty-two. Yet these three natives of Douluo were progressing so much faster, especially Wei Na, already at thirty-five. Could this be the speed of true innate full soul power?
With Shrek's lineup now reinforced, Dai Mubai, still haunted by his previous beatdown, decided to seek Ning Rongrong's help. Although he anticipated having to grovel due to their recent argument—where he'd threatened her—she surprisingly agreed right away.
Under Flender's influence, Ning Rongrong had come to value the bonds of teamwork, seeing this opportunity as a chance to deepen those bonds. Plus, with her mischievous nature, she found this situation entertaining and didn't want to miss out.
In the end, Zhu Zhuqing was the only one who chose not to participate. But she decided to join them anyway, hoping to keep the group in check if things got out of hand. She recognized that Ye Wen and Wei Na's backgrounds were far from ordinary; if the group went too far, it could trigger significant backlash, regardless of their connections.
Their teachers at Shrek quickly noticed the students' unusual group behavior but chose not to interfere, instead observing them from a distance. Apart from Yu Xiaogang, all of Shrek's teachers came from common backgrounds and didn't view group battles as disgraceful. In their eyes, not using available resources would be the real foolishness.
The teachers were thus happy to see Dai Mubai's initiative, but Flender, who had witnessed the previous fight, discreetly followed the students from afar. He knew that while a bit of fighting was normal, killing could lead to serious consequences, especially with the power behind Ye Wen's family. If things escalated, Flender, a mere Soul Saint, would be caught in a crossfire he couldn't handle.
It didn't take long for Dai Mubai's group to locate Ye Wen and his friends on the street. Standing before them, Ye Wen glanced at the six Shrek students with mild exasperation. Clearly, this wasn't a chance encounter but a deliberate confrontation. Yet, in a busy public space, fighting would attract unwanted attention.
Dai Mubai stepped forward, cracking his knuckles, each pop resounding with an aggressive rhythm. "Kid, you must've had a great time beating me back there. How about we go somewhere more private and do it again?"
Ye Wen rolled his eyes. "So you're saying that losing on the stage wasn't enough, and now you're hoping a group attack will salvage your pride? Show off the forces behind you?"
At that moment, Xiao Wu interjected, "So this is the 'beaten challenger' you mentioned, huh, Brother Wen? Ugh, talk about shameless."
Even though Dai Mubai had already steeled himself to disregard appearances, Xiao Wu's pointed words stung, making his cheeks flush in embarrassment.
It was then that Ma Hongjun, ever the loyal sidekick, stepped forward to defend him.
"Please. Dai just had an off day. If he was at full strength, your so-called 'Brother Wen' wouldn't have stood a chance. Unless he's too scared, let's see him fight again!"
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 732: Shrek's Counterattack, Part Two
Xiao Wu couldn't stand being taunted in public and was ready to snap back, but Ye Wen raised a hand, stopping her.
"When a dog barks at you, would you stoop to barking back? Winning is winning, and losing is losing. No need for excuses," Ye Wen said calmly, eyes steady. "Boss Dai, right? If you want a rematch, then let's go."
He glanced around at the bustling street. "This isn't the place for it. Follow me."
Without another word, Ye Wen turned, gesturing for the girls to follow, and began leading the way. Ma Hongjun, who'd just realized that Ye Wen had indirectly called him a "dog," was left fuming, his face turning as red as a beet. He wanted to shout something back but couldn't think of a sharp enough comeback.
The Shrek group followed, Dai Mubai growing more uneasy with each step. He had expected to provoke Ye Wen into a flustered reaction, but Ye Wen's unshaken confidence made it feel as if he'd predicted every move. The composed demeanor was unsettling, especially to someone used to being the aggressor.
Among the group, Ning Rongrong took special notice of Ye Wen. She had been raised around people with power, and Ye Wen's calm aura and poised confidence felt oddly familiar, like her own father's bearing. Her eyes lingered on him with growing interest. Who would have thought a young man barely in his teens could seem so composed, even wise?
Meanwhile, Oscar, who had been nursing a secret crush on Ning Rongrong, felt his stomach twist. He couldn't help but think, I was here first!
Eventually, Ye Wen led the group to a quiet, open area outside the city. Turning to face them, he casually rolled up his sleeves and looked at Dai Mubai. "Do we need a referee, or should we just start?"
Ye Wen's straightforward approach caught Dai Mubai off guard. His original plan had been to take Ye Wen by surprise with a group attack, but Ye Wen's calm had thrown him off balance. Despite his doubts, Dai Mubai steeled himself—he was backed by his teammates, after all. Just then, Ma Hongjun stepped up, playing the tough guy as always.
"Boss Dai, why waste words on him? We're here to teach him some respect for his seniors. He clearly needs it! Martial Spirit, Evil Fire Phoenix!" Ma Hongjun's spirit power surged as a small pair of wings sprouted from his arms, igniting with flames.
However, his chubby physique and tiny wings didn't quite exude the fearsome aura of a phoenix; instead, he resembled an oversized, angry chicken. Xiao Wu couldn't help herself and burst out laughing.
The laughter infuriated Ma Hongjun. With a shout, he unleashed his first spirit ability, Phoenix Fire Wire! Yet the sight of him spitting flames like a fire hose only made his "phoenix" appearance seem more absurd.
Having expected such a move, Ye Wen immediately activated his own martial spirit. "Second Spirit Ability, Wind Element Control: Wind Shield!"
A spiraling shield of wind formed in front of Ye Wen and the two girls, deflecting Ma Hongjun's flames. Xiao Wu, now thoroughly irritated, activated her martial spirit and joined Ye Wen, muttering curses about the "fat jerk." Wei Na, always quick on her feet, had already summoned her bow, her eyes sharpening in focus as she prepared to fire.
The Shrek team followed suit, each of them activating their own martial spirits. Tang San, with his battle-hardened instincts, was the first to move offensively, launching his first spirit ability, Blue Silver Bind, attempting to ensnare Ye Wen.
Ye Wen narrowed his eyes, instantly shifting the Wind Shield's angle to redirect the remnants of Ma Hongjun's flames. The redirected fire coalesced into a fireball.
"Here, catch!" Ye Wen launched the fireball back at the Shrek team.
Caught off guard, the Shrek group scattered, narrowly avoiding the redirected flames. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was instantly scorched, forcing him to halt his attack. His Purple Demon Eye ability allowed him to react just in time to back away and reassess his approach.
Dai Mubai, however, misjudged his timing and accidentally aimed his White Tiger Light Wave directly at Tang San, who cried out in pain as the unexpected attack struck him.
The Shrek team turned to see Tang San stagger back, injured and confused.
"Watch out for their archer," he warned, recovering himself. "Her first spirit ability causes hallucinations. Don't attack unless you're certain it's the enemy, or you might hit one of us by mistake!"
The team looked at one another, their faces a mix of confusion and frustration. The realization of Wei Na's deceptive spirit ability left them uneasy, especially Ma Hongjun, who cursed aloud, "Damn, this ability's insane! It's like it's made to sabotage teamwork!"
"Bingo," Wei Na said coolly, unleashing an arrow that sped toward Ma Hongjun.
He froze, not recognizing the incoming arrow as a real threat due to Wei Na's illusion. Tang San, relying on his hearing, picked up the faint sound of the arrow's flight and intercepted it with a concealed weapon, knocking it off course.
But he quickly felt the strain of having to counter Wei Na's skill. In a one-on-one duel, her tactics might be manageable, but in the chaos of a group battle, identifying friend from foe became a daunting task.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 733: Shrek's Counterattack, Part Three
Inwardly, Tang San was furious with Dai Mubai. He'd joined in just to watch some fun and back Dai Mubai up, but he hadn't expected them to involve Wei Na as well. With her mastery in disrupting group fights and Ye Wen's overwhelming power, their chances of victory seemed almost non-existent!
While Tang San stood briefly in frustration, Wei Na seized the opportunity to follow up, raising her bow and letting two arrows fly. Realizing the situation, Tang San closed his eyes to focus on sound rather than sight, relying on his hearing to locate the arrows. He tossed two concealed weapons, deflecting Wei Na's attacks, and quickly called out to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
"Boss Dai, Fatty! Fire your long-range abilities at 20 degrees left!"
As a control-type spirit master, Tang San's command was absolute in team combat. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun instantly obeyed, launching White Tiger Light Wave and Phoenix Fire Wire without relying on their sight.
Just as Ye Wen was preparing to use his earth-based abilities to defend, Xiao Wu called out confidently, "I'll take care of it!" She dashed forward, eager for action.
"Self-created spirit skill: Bunny Impact!"
A translucent rabbit-shaped figure appeared, formed from Xiao Wu's spirit power. With a forceful throw, she sent it hurtling toward the incoming attacks. Xiao Wu's unique talent had been evident even in the original storyline, where Tang San often marveled at how effortlessly she kept pace with him despite his rigorous training. In the comic version of Douluo, she had even crafted her own spirit ability after minimal guidance from Yu Xiaogang, showcasing her extraordinary aptitude.
With a resounding explosion, the Bunny Impact countered Dai Mubai's White Tiger Light Wave, though Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire Wire was not so easily dispersed and continued straight toward Xiao Wu. If it connected, her hair might be reduced to ashes, if not worse.
But Xiao Wu smirked with confidence. Leaning back to an impossible angle, she executed a perfect backflip, her true form igniting as she gathered spirit power at her heel. In a single fluid motion, she sent a powerful kick forward.
"Self-created spirit skill: Storm Leg!"
Though Phoenix Fire Wire was Ma Hongjun's first spirit ability, his lack of discipline, much like Dai Mubai's, had left it far less potent than it could have been. Xiao Wu's powerful kick cleaved the fire in two, redirecting it toward Ma Hongjun.
Sensing the attack, Ma Hongjun felt a surge of panic. Without a second thought, he activated his second spirit ability, Phoenix Fire Bath, igniting in flames that bolstered his defenses by thirty percent. For a brief moment, the two powers clashed, holding each other at bay.
Xiao Wu, unamused, vaulted up again and unleashed another Storm Leg, layering it atop the first to form a crisscrossing slash of energy. Tang San, sweat dripping from his brow, assessed their deteriorating situation. Each sound he picked up from the fight underscored their disadvantage.
Determined to turn the tide, Tang San extended his right hand, gesturing with a precise signal toward where he guessed Ye Wen and Wei Na were positioned.
"Third spirit ability: Spider Web Binding!"
At the same time, he called out to Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, snap out of it and start boosting us!"
Ning Rongrong had maintained a safe distance, wary of accidentally boosting the wrong people under Wei Na's deceptive illusions. But Tang San's call restored her resolve. Without hesitation, she activated her spirit and began chanting, "Seven treasures, arise as glass. First: Power!"
A trio of soft pink lights spread over Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun, boosting their abilities. Ning Rongrong hadn't yet reached level 30, so her first spirit ability only granted a 30% increase in power. Given the disorienting illusions, she refrained from adding speed, knowing it could make her allies' movements even more erratic.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen noticed Tang San's abilities and mused silently. Despite Xiao Wu joining his side, Tang San still retained his spirit bone advantage. It was an interesting twist of fate. After all, the greatest gift the Man-Faced Demon Spider had given him was its external spirit bone, not the third spirit ability that came with it.
As Ye Wen prepared another wind attack, Wei Na took the initiative, loosing several arrows in rapid succession. The Spider Web Binding wasn't fast enough to catch all her projectiles, and two of her arrows slipped through the gaps, hitting Dai Mubai and heading straight toward Tang San.
Tang San managed to dodge in time, but Dai Mubai was less fortunate, letting out a pained scream as one arrow lodged in his side, puncturing a lung. Removing the arrow would lead to profuse bleeding, but leaving it in would make every breath feel like a knife through his chest. The injury effectively knocked Dai Mubai out of the fight.
Shrek Eliminated: +1
On the other side, Ma Hongjun's face turned purple from exertion as he struggled to maintain his flame attacks. However, Xiao Wu's Storm Leg remained unyielding. Leaping high into the air, she conjured another Bunny Impact, sending it hurtling at Ma Hongjun.
Unwilling to leave Ma Hongjun defenseless, Tang San quickly intervened, launching a concealed weapon that detonated the Bunny Impact prematurely, sparing Ma Hongjun from a direct hit.
Xiao Wu pouted as she landed, muttering, "Always getting in the way, aren't you?"
Xiao Wu thrived on taking down weaker opponents; ambushing the vulnerable was her specialty. Ma Hongjun, out of options and drained, was her perfect target.
But Tang San was relentless, dodging Wei Na's next arrow before casting another Spider Web Binding to block Xiao Wu. Yet his confidence in his ability to control the fight was waning with each passing moment.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 734: Shrek's Counterattack, Finale
At this moment, facing any one of Ye Wen's trio alone, Tang San was confident he could hold his own and even match them evenly. But with his entire team in tow and facing the synergy of Ye Wen's group, he knew there was no chance of winning.
Xiao Wu's close-range capabilities were formidable, and Ye Wen's incredible manipulation of his own soul abilities, along with Wei Na's highly disruptive mental techniques, completely countered his hidden weapons. Forced to rely on them to bolster his power, Tang San's effectiveness was greatly diminished.
Tang San calculated his odds of victory. Perhaps if he could utilize poison-based attacks, he'd have a slim chance, but even then, he figured it would be 20% at best. Adding in his own team's limitations, he saw no hope of winning. So he decided: a strategic retreat was their best option.
"Oscar! The mushrooms!"
Oscar, the team's expert at tactical retreats, instantly understood. He began the incantation as his third soul ring glowed, saying, "Twin-Winged True Mushrooms!"
"Rain, stop him," Ye Wen instructed tersely.
If Tang San saw the battle as unwinnable, then Ye Wen saw it as a contest already decided. If Tang San was pulling out a retreat skill like this, it could mean only one thing: he intended to flee. And there was no way Ye Wen would let him off so easily after he had brought the fight to their doorstep.
Without hesitation, Wei Na drew her bow and unleashed a volley of arrows aimed at Oscar. Tang San, fully committed to the escape plan, retaliated with a flurry of hidden weapons to shield Oscar from Wei Na's attack.
With Oscar still needing time to gather the necessary mushrooms for the whole team, he was now yelping in panic as Wei Na's arrows narrowly missed him, thrown off course by Tang San's interference. Yet, despite Tang San's efforts, some of the arrows veered dangerously close, making Oscar's task difficult and nerve-wracking.
Ye Wen shot Wei Na a stern look and offered calmly, "Focus on your arrows, Rain; I'll handle Tang San's weapons."
In a flash, Ye Wen stepped forward, summoning the energy for a powerful strike.
"Second Soul Skill: Wind Element Control - Gale Palm!"
A typhoon-like wind swept Tang San's projectiles away, as ineffective against the forceful gusts as pebbles in a storm, dropping harmlessly to the ground. Seeing his primary attack method neutralized, Tang San's expression darkened. It felt as if one of his limbs had been cut off.
But Tang San quickly steeled himself; if only he had mastered the supreme hidden weapon technique, Guanyin's Tears, he wouldn't have to worry about tricks like this. Undeterred, he sought an alternative method for stalling, slamming his hand down on the ground and channeling soul power.
Soul abilities weren't everything to a soul master; some could tap into their martial spirit to manipulate nature itself. Tang San's soul power spurred the scattered blue silver grass around them to life, shooting up to human height and completely blocking Ye Wen's line of sight.
Ye Wen had to admit that while the Blue Silver Grass lacked strength, its low energy consumption was ideal for prolonged use. But this still wouldn't prevent their escape. Wei Na, already flanking from a new angle, loosed an arrow from a blind spot Tang San couldn't cover, shooting straight at Oscar.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, taking advantage of the obstructed view, stealthily circled around and now stood just a few meters away from Ma Hongjun.
"Finally, a chance to teach you a lesson, you chubby fool!" Xiao Wu grinned wickedly as she closed in, her legs tensed to deliver a powerful kick at Ma Hongjun.
Seeing her approach, Ma Hongjun's face turned white with fear. Having already spent nearly all his energy on his previous moves, he was utterly defenseless against Xiao Wu's powerful close-range attacks. By the time Tang San realized what was happening, it was too late—he was as much a prisoner to his own barrier as his opponents.
He cursed his own carelessness, though he figured Ye Wen's team wouldn't take things too far. Surely, they would settle for just roughing them up a bit.
Tang San turned, reluctantly abandoning Ma Hongjun and intending to grab a mushroom from Oscar to escape. But at that moment, his vision cleared, and he saw an arrow flying straight at Oscar. Tang San couldn't reach him in time, and both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing could do nothing to intercept it.
Meanwhile, Oscar, terrified, could only stare as the arrow sped towards his face, his mind racing with regret.
"Why did I ever go along with Dai Mubai's foolish scheme? I haven't even experienced love, haven't even lived my dream. I don't want to die here!"
Oscar's life flashed before his eyes, brimming with unfulfilled dreams. But a few tense moments passed, and the pain he expected didn't come. Confused, he opened his eyes, only to see a thin figure standing before him, holding the arrow that should have struck him.
"Dean?!"
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 735: Useless
"How many times have I told you to practice your escape skills? Now you're scared stiff, aren't you? Such a disgrace!" Flender scolded, exasperated.
Oscar gave a sheepish grin, trying to find words, but his legs gave way, and he slumped helplessly to the ground. Seeing this, Flender sighed, realizing there was little more he could say—after all, for a support-type soul master, the recent events had been overwhelming enough.
Seeing that Flender had arrived, Xiao Wu's eyes flashed mischievously as she halted her pummeling of Ma Hongjun and rejoined Ye Wen with Wei Na.
Tang San initially blinked in surprise at Flender's arrival but quickly relaxed. With such a powerful senior on their side, he could at least feel confident that their safety was assured. With a deep breath, he deactivated his Blue Silver Grass, allowing both groups to come into full view. Tang San then calmly retreated to Flender's side.
Flender's gaze narrowed as he took in the sight of Ma Hongjun, whose face was swollen and bruised, and Dai Mubai, who was trying to stand but trembled with the effort. Suppressing his anger, he stepped forward, pulling the arrow from Dai Mubai's shoulder before calling to Oscar.
"Xiao Ao, bring some tofu over here."
"Oh—right!" Oscar stammered, quickly reciting his spell and pressing tofu into Dai Mubai's mouth.
Although Oscar's incantation said "fresh, fragrant tofu," it was actually more like stinky tofu, especially mixed with the tang of blood—it tasted terrible. Yet, compared to death, Dai Mubai forced himself to swallow it, no matter how awful it was.
Nearby, Ma Hongjun also quickly clamored for some tofu, clutching his swollen face, desperate for relief. Once the emergency aid was dealt with, Flender turned his gaze back to Ye Wen and his companions, his expression complicated.
Due to the unique nature of his martial spirit, Flender had initially kept a safe distance, but the battle had taken a sudden turn while he made his way over, leaving the Shrek students bruised and battered. Though no one was gravely injured, he still felt responsible.
Still, his characteristic nature soon emerged. With a shift in demeanor, he spoke up with a stern tone.
"Young man, it was supposed to be just a sparring session. Was it necessary to go this far? Don't you think you owe us an explanation?"
As he spoke, Flender allowed a faint hint of his Soul Saint-level pressure to seep into his voice, intending to intimidate Ye Wen's group just enough to assert some authority.
Ye Wen's brows rose in surprise at Flender's boldness. He hadn't expected Flender to twist the narrative this way. Sparring? Who had ever seen a three-on-six sparring match?
After considering Flender's character, Ye Wen saw through his tactics and decided to confront it directly.
"So, you're resorting to bullying the younger generation, Flender?" Ye Wen asked coolly. "If that's the case, we're prepared to stand our ground. But if our elders come asking questions afterward, that's out of our hands."
Flender's feigned confidence faltered at Ye Wen's words, the corner of his mouth twitching. It was a clear warning that the youth's background had been thoroughly investigated, leaving Flender feeling exposed. As he hesitated over how to defuse the situation, his blundering student, Ma Hongjun, fully recovered, decided to speak up.
"Teacher, you have to stand up for us! We were only sparring, and they went and injured me so badly. My face hurts!" Ma Hongjun whined loudly.
Flender's expression tightened; this idiot was making things worse. Did he honestly think a three-on-six brawl was "just sparring"? Just as Flender opened his mouth to silence Ma Hongjun, Ye Wen let out a small, amused laugh.
"So this is your idea of a 'sparring session'? Quite the unique teaching method you have, Flender."
Flender felt his face flush with embarrassment. While he had no shortage of tricks, he was still a man who cared about his reputation.
"That's enough, Ma Hongjun. Keep quiet!" he snapped, regaining his composure before turning back to Ye Wen. "Alright, young man, let's discuss compensation. I'll see that you get a fair settlement—as long as it's not unreasonable, I'll agree."
Watching the usually domineering Flender take a back foot, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but smirk. She found herself admiring Ye Wen even more. Here was someone able to keep this notoriously stingy teacher at bay with a few well-placed words. But soon, a trace of disappointment flickered in her gaze. After all, it seemed this rare find was already taken—and by both women, no less. Her hopes dashed, she resigned herself to admiration from afar.
Unaware of Ning Rongrong's thoughts, Ye Wen pondered over the idea of compensation. Financial compensation was hardly necessary, and he knew that whatever funds Flender had would be tied up in supporting the Shrek Seven. The academy's state of near-bankruptcy, thanks to Flender's endless loyalty to Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, had left it severely depleted.
And even if there were any worthwhile resources, Flender was unlikely to part with them readily. At best, Flender could offer his services for soul ring hunting expeditions, but as a sensitive-agility type, his effectiveness would be limited, especially if they were hunting higher-level rings. Even for reconnaissance, Ye Wen had access to Wei Na's skills and her mother's hawk martial spirit, both equal to or better than Flender's scouting abilities.
As Ye Wen weighed the options, Flender's sensitive eyesight caught the brief flash of disdain on Ye Wen's face. For a Soul Saint who took pride in his rank, this silent dismissal from a mere youth was infuriating.
Flender thought briefly of proposing something grand to showcase his generosity, but when he considered the state of his finances, he froze in place, stuck between pride and poverty.
Ah, yes... it dawned on him: he truly had nothing to offer.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 736: Dai Mubai's Promise
For a moment, silence filled the air as both parties stood still, unsure of what to say next. Flender was at a loss for any reasonable compensation, while Ye Wen, on his end, was hesitant to make an enemy of Flender without cause.
After a moment's thought, Ye Wen sighed internally. Although Flender's combat skills were somewhat limited, he was still a high-level Soul Saint. He could handle a powerful attack-type spirit master like Zhao Wuji, even if primarily through type advantage. Surely, Flender's strength had some use.
Ye Wen considered carefully, then spoke. "Senior, as compensation, how about helping one of my family members hunt a ten-thousand-year soul ring in the future?"
This request left room for interpretation, as ten-thousand-year rings could technically mean anything up to ninety-nine thousand years. However, knowing Flender's personality, Ye Wen figured the soul master would flee if he encountered an opponent beyond his capabilities. Ye Wen's primary objective was to keep this arrangement as leverage—if the Golden Iron Triangle caused trouble in the future, he could then lure Flender out and deal with him. After all, the formation of the Golden Iron Triangle with Liu Erlong, who would later reach Soul Douluo, and Flender could potentially present a Titled Douluo-level threat.
Flender, unaware of Ye Wen's foresight, could still detect the loophole in Ye Wen's request. He quickly added a condition. "I'll help hunt, but the soul beast must not exceed fifty thousand years in age, nor can it be of a draconic type, sub-draconic type, or any beast with unusually strong combat capabilities. Otherwise, I reserve the right to refuse."
Ye Wen's mouth twitched in response. He might as well have just asked not to be assigned any "hard-to-chew" beasts. But no matter—this request wasn't really about needing Flender's help. Nodding, Ye Wen agreed, adding, "Don't worry. The soul ring will be for my mother-in-law, whose martial spirit is also an eagle type, and it'll be her sixth ring. It shouldn't be too difficult for a Soul Saint like yourself. And who knows, you may have broken through to Soul Douluo by then, making it even easier."
Flender, reassured, nodded and signed a written agreement, ensuring that Ye Wen could seek him out in the future and that he would fulfill his promise without excuse.
With this, the entire incident was settled.
The rest of the Shrek team didn't show much reaction, but Dai Mubai's mood had soured noticeably. His loss had been devastating, both in combat and to his pride, as he had been the one most severely injured. This was supposed to be his moment of resurgence, but instead, he had been utterly humiliated.
Late that night, unable to sleep, Dai Mubai found himself recalling the day's events—how Tang San had deftly dodged each attack, skillfully countering while simultaneously giving commands. A thought crossed his mind.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Tang San, are you awake?" Dai Mubai asked softly, rapping at his door.
It was Oscar who responded, his voice thick with sleepiness. "Dai, is that you? Tang San went to the training grounds to practice. You'll find him there...zzZ."
Dai Mubai nodded and left, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes. Tang San had already proven himself powerful by holding his own against him back when he was at rank 29, even though Dai Mubai was at rank 37. But now this already-strong soul master was out practicing his skills in the middle of the night. Dai Mubai couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect.
A genius isn't scary; a genius who outworks you—that's truly terrifying.
He soon found Tang San in the training grounds. Tang San wasn't cultivating soul power but refining his hidden weapon techniques. Like other soul masters, Tang San couldn't continuously meditate, as excessive mental strain would reduce efficiency and risk deviation. Therefore, most soul masters would train for fixed periods each day to optimize results.
The battle earlier had revealed to Tang San the need to further sharpen his skills with hidden weapons; he couldn't allow another situation where Ye Wen's mere gust of wind had neutralized his attack.
Mid-practice, Tang San sensed footsteps approaching and stopped, asking, "Who's there?"
"It's me, Tang San," Dai Mubai replied.
Tang San relaxed when he recognized Dai Mubai, though he was curious. Usually, the playboy prince would be resting at this hour, not wandering the training grounds. "Is there something you need, Dai?"
Dai Mubai hesitated briefly but then clenched his fists and spoke. "Tang San, I want to learn how you fought even when your sight was impaired. Would you teach me that technique?"
The relaxed atmosphere suddenly turned tense. While sound-based combat techniques weren't extraordinarily advanced, they were still part of Tang San's unique repertoire—a self-created ability that wasn't even mentioned in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. Sharing this with another soul master was no trivial matter.
Dai Mubai was well aware of the importance of self-created abilities, yet he felt he had no choice. He spoke earnestly, "I understand this is a significant request. I'm prepared to compensate you for teaching me. I promise, once I learn it, I won't teach it to anyone else. You know my status, right? If I succeed in becoming the Emperor of Star Luo one day, you'll have my support in any endeavor."
Tang San's thoughts shifted. Originally, he had pegged Dai Mubai as someone destined for failure and was even considering how he might "accidentally" let him meet an unfortunate end. However, this offer intrigued him.
Although Tang San was unaware of the Hao Tian Sect, he had always dreamed of building Tang Sect into a grand organization. Having Dai Mubai's promise meant access to resources that could be crucial for realizing his ambition in this world. Establishing a new sect would require an enormous amount of both human and material resources—funds he couldn't hope to raise solely from blacksmithing or soul master stipends.
Tang San considered Dai Mubai's request and ultimately decided to teach him the sound-based combat technique. After all, it wasn't an especially advanced skill; even ordinary people could learn it with some training. But in a world where soul masters prioritized soul techniques over physical abilities, such techniques were rare. Trading a minor skill for the future support of a potential emperor felt like an excellent bargain.
As for the mentor who had taught Tang San this technique in his previous life, he consoled himself with a single thought:
It's all for the sake of the Tang Sect!
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 737: The Seven Monsters
During the next few days, Ye Wen, Huo Yuer, and Xiao Wu continued to roam and occasionally compete in fights around Soto City. As a result, their fame grew considerably in the surrounding areas. However, the city eventually began to bore Huo Yuer, especially given her view of her ancestor's lackluster performance here, so she eventually asked, "Ye Wen, I'm starting to get tired of Soto City. How about we move on to another place for some fresh excitement?"
Xiao Wu, munching on a caramelized carrot skewer, also nodded in agreement. With her free-spirited nature, staying in one place for too long felt tiresome.
Ye Wen closed the book he'd been reading, nodding slightly. "True enough, but let's stay just a bit longer. I've been considering waiting here for someone specific." Both women knew that Ye Wen was a determined and goal-oriented person, so they didn't press further.
As more time passed, news reached Ye Wen that the Shrek group, the same ones he had soundly beaten, had returned—this time under a new name: the "Shrek Seven Monsters."
Curious, Ye Wen pondered, Though I've often criticized the Shrek Seven for being lackluster, there's no denying that each one of them has talent. But I wonder—who's the seventh member now?
Rather than speculating, Ye Wen decided to buy a ticket to watch one of their upcoming matches. By sheer luck, the fight he chose to watch was one of the most famous battles in the original story: the Shrek Seven Monsters versus the Mad Battle Team.
In the arena, team matches were often the most exciting to watch. Unlike one-on-one or two-on-two fights, team battles showcased a coordinated array of talents. Team matches were also subject to the same rules as the advanced Soul Master competitions: the team level was determined by the highest-ranked member, but all members had to be within the same tier, or else it would risk accusations of deceit, which were strictly forbidden.
As the crowd cheered, the Mad Battle Team took the stage. It was a classic team of powerful commoner soul masters, with every member at least at the thirty-fifth rank—a true elite team aiming to secure their tenth consecutive victory to achieve Silver Soul Badge status.
Ye Wen focused his attention on the Shrek team members, his gaze lingering on a newcomer among them. His sharp posture and shock of white hair gave him the aura of a sword standing tall and ready to strike. Ye Wen's eyes narrowed as he thought, Could it be…?
The start of the match brought Ye Wen's musings to a halt. With the referee's signal, both sides activated their martial spirits, and the Shrek team's martial spirit projection flared to life above the arena, a spectacle intended to awe the audience.
The sight of this spirit projection answered one of Ye Wen's questions.
"A Seven Kill Sword martial spirit…" Ye Wen's eyes gleamed. "So this is another character not present in the original story. The changes in this world are becoming more and more significant."
Given Sword Douluo's deep affection for Ning Rongrong, it made sense he'd send someone from his lineage to assist. Ye Wen figured this "Seventh Monster" was likely a descendant or, even more likely, someone pining for Ning Rongrong's favor.
No wonder Sword Douluo had descendants, Ye Wen mused. After all, with his cultivation level being lower than both his father's and grandfather's, it's no surprise he'd be expected to continue the family line. In the original story, his descendants likely weren't mentioned either because they were too weak or died during the Spirit Hall's attack on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
With the referee's call, the fight was officially underway.
The Mad Battle Team's rhino warrior roared to life, his martial spirit unleashing immense power as he charged directly at the Shrek Seven. As Shrek's team leader, Dai Mubai refused to back down, activating his White Tiger Barrier and launching himself forward to meet the challenge. The two soul masters clashed, gripping each other's arms as they tried to overpower each other.
Though the rhino warrior appeared burly and strong, his commoner-grade martial spirit, equipped with a standard yellow and white ring configuration, left him unable to outmatch Dai Mubai in strength. Realizing he had the upper hand, Dai Mubai smirked and activated his third soul skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, further increasing his muscle mass and erupting with raw power.
The rhino warrior, undeterred, activated his Hundred-Year Soul Skill, Savage Charge. He ground his hooves into the earth and redoubled his efforts, pushing Dai Mubai back once again. Meanwhile, other members of both teams engaged in battle across the arena.
This was when the support-type soul masters came into play.
"Ruyi Plate—assist!" called the Mad Battle Team's support soul master.
"Seven Treasures—present!" Ning Rongrong's voice echoed almost simultaneously.
Each support skill took effect on their respective teammates, amplifying their capabilities.
"Light of Attack and Defense, amplify!" The Mad Battle Team's support gave a 10% boost to attack and 5% to defense.
"One word: Strength!" Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower granted a 30% increase in power.
With their strength suddenly amplified, both Dai Mubai and the rhino warrior realized they could not afford to remain locked in a stalemate any longer. Almost in unison, they disengaged, exchanging wary glances as they repositioned themselves.
As the battle continued to rage, Ye Wen clicked his tongue, unimpressed.
Is this all?
Team battles should emphasize coordination and synergy, yet the Shrek Seven fought as separate individuals rather than a unified force. Moreover, with two support soul masters, they were already down one attacker compared to their opponents. Despite their optimal ring configurations, Shrek's overall soul power still couldn't overcome the gap created by the Mad Battle Team's overwhelming strength.
"Hmph," scoffed the Shrek newcomer with the Seven Kill Sword martial spirit, whose codename was Deathly Seven Kill. After effortlessly knocking aside the two monkey martial spirit users that had surrounded him, he pivoted and drove his sword spirit straight toward the Mad Battle Team's support soul master.
Yet, the Mad Battle Team was not to be underestimated.
One of the goat martial spirit users, who had been locked in combat with Ma Hongjun, saw what was happening and pushed off the ground, moving to intercept the attack.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 738: Sky Net
Although the ram spirit master wasn't a dedicated defense soul master, his combat experience allowed him to handle Absolute Death's sword strike with ease. He used his hard horns and a charge-type soul skill to block the attack effectively.
The soul master with the Ruyi Plate turned to him and asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. The Defense Light you applied is still in effect," the ram spirit master replied calmly before rejoining the fray.
Meanwhile, the rhino warrior, realizing he couldn't overpower Dai Mubai head-on, shifted his focus and charged toward the slower-moving Ma Hongjun. Dai Mubai, meanwhile, was quickly intercepted by the white-haired control master.
This white-haired soul master, though, wasn't just a simple control-type. Her profound mastery allowed her to hold her ground even against Tang San, who hadn't yet deployed the Eight Spider Lances.
But just as the rhino warrior neared Ma Hongjun, the white-haired soul master noticed Dai Mubai's cocky, youthful grin. Instantly sensing something amiss, she shouted, "Rhino, be careful! It's a trap!"
Though the Shrek team hadn't expected their ambush to be detected, the setup was already complete. With a surge of spirit power, Dai Mubai activated the Unrestrained Heaven Strength technique to break free from the white-haired woman's hold and attacked the rhino warrior from behind, while Ma Hongjun unleashed a sudden blast of fire from the front.
The rhino warrior suffered a severe hit but, given his naturally thick defenses, managed to withstand the blow, remaining standing despite his injuries. He instantly resolved to fight back with all he had. But at that moment, Tang San intervened with his Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon technique, momentarily freezing the rhino warrior in place. Though the technique only held him for an instant, it was enough to open an opportunity for Dai Mubai.
At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing swapped opponents with Ma Hongjun, knowing her close-combat skills would better complement Dai Mubai's. Ma Hongjun, realizing his own fire-based skills wouldn't pair well with Dai Mubai's, moved to assist elsewhere.
Seeing this unexpected turn of events, the Mad Battle Team members rushed forward to support their captain. Ma Hongjun intercepted them with a burst of Phoenix Fire, temporarily isolating Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing with the injured rhino warrior. But the Mad Battle Team, relying on their higher spirit power levels, quickly broke through the flame barrier.
Just as they were about to reach their captain, Absolute Death's sword aura swept toward them, forcing them to retreat once more.
Realizing that her team's strategy was crumbling, the white-haired control master quickly took charge. She extended her hair to pull her teammates back, aiming to regroup and reassess their approach.
With the flames dissipating, both teams now stood on opposite sides of the arena, but the rhino warrior lay trapped in Tang San's Spider Web Bind, effectively neutralized. This put the Mad Battle Team in a difficult position.
The Soul Arena rules were harsh, more akin to an ancient Roman gladiator ring. Though soul masters were discouraged from killing without cause, the violent nature of soul master battles often resulted in fatalities. As long as the death wasn't intentional, accidental killings would only result in a warning, allowing the fighters to return to the ring afterward. This rule meant there was often a loophole, and the stone monument outside the arena recorded many names of soul masters who had died in battle.
By capturing the rhino warrior but not forcing him out of the ring, Tang San clearly intended something beyond a simple victory.
The white-haired control master narrowed her eyes, suspecting that Tang San might use the rhino warrior as a human shield. This would force them into a situation where their own attacks could inadvertently harm their captain. The thought of such a ruthless tactic from someone so young made her grit her teeth in frustration.
What she didn't expect was that Tang San's plan was even more cunning than she imagined.
"Surrender. Your captain is in our hands," Tang San announced. "Don't bother trying to free him; my Spider Web Bind will only tighten the more he struggles, and it's laced with poison. You don't have much time to decide."
Tang San's choice—forcing them into a dilemma of either surrender or risking their captain's death—seemed even more ruthless than an accidental killing. This was, after all, just a match, not a battlefield!
But with only one win away from their promotion, the Mad Battle Team couldn't easily concede. The entire team looked to the white-haired control master, who was the true core of their formation.
Despite the rhino warrior being the team's captain, in the Mad Battle Team, the control master was the decision-maker. She quickly made her call, yanking out a lock of her own hair as she issued orders in a cold tone.
"Double Ram, guard my left and right. Double Monkey, fall back and protect Ruyi Plate."
The four teammates nodded in understanding, though one still asked, "What about saving the captain?"
The answer was clear—she would handle it herself. The white-haired soul master's hair extended rapidly, pushing her Earth Devil Spider martial spirit to its fullest potential.
Ye Wen watched her with admiration. She was decisive, intelligent, and ruthless—precisely the qualities of a true control master.
Ye Wen surmised that the Mad Battle Team had researched Shrek's capabilities before the match. The white-haired woman likely knew that Tang San's martial spirit was the Blue Silver Grass, so even if it was poisoned, it couldn't be that deadly. Confident her captain wouldn't die from a minor venom, she pressed on. Her martial spirit specialized in control rather than direct killing, giving her an advantage in this tricky situation.
"Earth Devil Spider's third soul skill—Sky Net!"
In an instant, her hair expanded into the air, transforming into a dense web that rained down upon the Shrek team like a cloud of silk.
Ye Wen whistled in approval. If he hadn't known that her martial spirit was the Earth Devil Spider, he might've thought it was something purely based on hair. Though her web lacked direct lethality, its sheer scope was intimidating, especially coming from a control-type soul master.
Realizing the danger of being ensnared, Tang San ordered Ma Hongjun to burn the webs with his flames.
But despite Ma Hongjun's best efforts, the white-haired soul master's higher spirit level and control mastery made it impossible for his flames to break through. Even with Ning Rongrong's boost, the fire failed to hold up.
Seeing his plan unraveling, Tang San grit his teeth and issued a final command to Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Absolute Death.
"No holding back! All long-range attacks—focus on a single point and break through together!"
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 739: Mad Battle - Part One
Without hesitation, the three launched their flame, light wave, and sword aura attacks in unison, shattering the net in an instant. Although this was the white-haired control master's most powerful skill, it couldn't withstand the simultaneous assault of such forceful abilities.
But she remained unfazed. With a mere flick of her hair, the net reformed and spread out again toward the Shrek team.
Dai Mubai and his teammates repeated their coordinated attack. This time, however, Tang San realized that her hair-based skill, like his Blue Silver Grass, was a low-cost ability. If they kept expending energy like this, they would eventually exhaust themselves.
Seeing that a head-on clash wouldn't lead to victory, Tang San's face darkened. But with the guidance of Yu Xiaogang's extensive experience, Tang San had prepared multiple strategies for this match. Gritting his teeth, he gave the order: "Switch to Plan B."
The Shrek members exchanged glances, then nodded in understanding. Tang San took the lead, his Blue Silver Grass surging up to tangle with the web as a diversion. Using this chance, Dai Mubai and the others charged toward the Mad Battle team.
In the audience, Ye Wen watched the escalating skirmish with calm detachment. He couldn't help but recall certain aspects of Douluo Dalu's reputation.
San Shao was a literary giant, but Douluo Dalu wasn't necessarily his finest work. Its iconic status stemmed largely from its adaptations, particularly the comic's "cleaned-up" version, which toned down many unsavory elements, thus attracting a larger fanbase. The current battle illustrated one of the major differences between the comic and the original novel.
In the novel, the Shrek Seven Devils struggled and were almost defeated, leaving Tang San barely able to stand as he ultimately resorted to using his Eight Spider Lances to overpower the Mad Battle team. But here…
The two teams' brawl intensified, with powerful techniques and moves recklessly unleashed. While Shrek's members indeed boasted high-quality martial souls, the absolute soul power difference left them at a disadvantage, especially in terms of stamina. Although Ning Rongrong's boosts were potent, Dai Mubai and the other main attackers were visibly starting to tire.
At this critical moment, each Shrek member took out Oscar's pre-made "recovery tofu" from their storage soul guides.
Ye Wen blinked in surprise. Are they really allowed to use pre-prepared items in a team fight?
With his team of only three people, Ye Wen hadn't delved deeply into team battle rules. But then he remembered the upcoming Shrek vs. Emperor Team match, where Tang San brought out realgar wine. So it seemed… yes, consumable items were allowed.
This seemed almost deceitful. With these recovery items, Oscar's ability to sustain his teammates was effectively doubled, or even tripled. Then again, considering the underhanded methods common in the arena, it made a strange kind of sense.
At least the Soul Arena must have restrictions—since this was not a death match, using directly harmful items would likely be banned. After all, Yu Xiaogang had once allowed Tang San to use his Zhuge Divine Crossbow to give Shrek an edge over opponents.
Seeing Shrek's "cheating," the white-haired control master's face turned sour. Yet there was nothing she could do; the rules allowed it.
With their soul power restored, the Shrek team surged back into the fight, fearlessly unleashing their powerful thousand-year soul skills, pressuring the Mad Battle's members into a corner. The two monkey brothers, previously guarding the auxiliary spirit master, grew anxious and moved to join the fray.
But the white-haired control master immediately noticed a shadowy figure stealthily approaching and shouted in anger, "Idiot! Get back and protect Ruyi Disk!"
Although Zhu Zhuqing was not particularly strong, her feline martial soul granted her remarkable agility, allowing her to slip past the monkey brothers and close in on the Mad Battle team's auxiliary spirit master.
In team battles, taking down the healer first is common knowledge.
To the crowd, it might have seemed pointless to go after the Ruyi Disk, as its boosts had already been distributed. But this move was actually part of Yu Xiaogang's carefully crafted strategy. While many of his theories were questionable, his knowledge of battle tactics was solid. And this time, he had gathered enough intelligence on the Mad Battle team to devise a winning plan.
After studying Mad Battle's many fights, Yu Xiaogang knew their third skill was powerful but came with severe side effects. Only when pushed to the brink would they use it. And this was precisely that moment!
Zhu Zhuqing struck, sending the auxiliary spirit master flying, almost knocking him out of the ring. But as he fell, he clenched his jaw and activated his most extreme skill.
"Ruyi Disk Third Soul Skill—Mystic Light!"
Yu Xiaogang, watching from the stands, frowned slightly and sighed. "Almost."
Streams of radiant light shot out, hitting each member of the Mad Battle team.
"Aaargh!"
The Mad Battle team members let out pained cries as they threw off the Shrek team's attacks and clutched their heads in agony. The third soul skill of the Ruyi Disk, Mystic Light, had forced them into a berserk state.
The auxiliary skill Mystic Light granted a 15% increase to all attributes, suppressing pain and erasing reason, essentially locking in all prior boosts. This skill unleashed the full potential of the Ruyi Disk, turning the team into relentless fighters.
The Shrek Seven stood frozen, cold sweat trickling down their foreheads as they took in the sight of the berserk Mad Battle team.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10
Chapter 740: The Final Blow - Mad Battle Part II
Ye Wen watched the intense effects of the berserk state with a smirk, wondering if he should recruit this auxiliary spirit master to his team. Though his enhancements were modest and he was somewhat older, the ability to simultaneously support seven teammates was impressive, especially considering he was a civilian spirit master without the Qibao Glazed Tile Sect's mental control techniques. Ultimately, however, Ye Wen decided against it.
The berserk state carried a considerable downside: it dulled rationality, which was incompatible with his group's need for precise, skill-based combat techniques.
Now fully in their berserk state, the Mad Battle team charged at the Shrek members like rabid beasts, their every movement devoid of self-preservation. Even the restrained rhino warrior began thrashing violently, the webbing around him visibly fraying under the strain.
Oscar attempted to kick the restrained warrior off the platform to reduce the number of enemies, but his efforts fell flat—he simply lacked the strength to budge the two-meter-tall powerhouse. Spotting the attempt, the white-haired controller struck back, her hair lashing out like a whip toward Oscar, only for Tang San's timely interference to pull him out of danger.
Although the whip missed Oscar, it latched onto the rhino warrior instead, allowing the white-haired controller to yank him toward her, attempting to rescue him.
Seeing their captured opponent slipping back to his side, Ma Hongjun sprang into action. Summoning a Phoenix Fire Wire, he targeted the controller in an effort to stop her. But the controller only smirked, positioning the rhino warrior as a shield.
Ma Hongjun's reaction wasn't entirely wrong, but Tang San quickly sensed something amiss. He shouted, "Stop, Ma Hongjun! Your flames counter my Blue Silver Grass—at this rate, that berserk rhino might break free!"
But Tang San's warning came too late.
Fire weakened both the spider silk and Blue Silver Grass that bound the rhino warrior. With an intense roar and enhanced strength, the rhino warrior burst free, shattering his restraints. Realizing the gravity of his error, Ma Hongjun's face paled with regret.
Yet the most terrifying aspect of the berserk state wasn't simply the retained enhancements but the raw power it unleashed, allowing the spirit warriors to go beyond their body's typical limitations. With a single blow, the rhino warrior shattered the platform beneath him, showcasing his newfound might.
Other berserk team members displayed similar ferocity. And if Shrek had exploited the loophole to bring restorative tofu, the Mad Battle team's twin monkey brothers saw no reason to hold back. Smashing the ground, they picked up pieces of stone debris and hurled them at Shrek, returning the favor.
The goat brothers finally embraced their martial spirits, charging recklessly without any attempt to defend themselves. Their attacks became relentless, their every collision shaking the ground beneath them. Within seconds, the Shrek team was on the defensive.
Tang San remained locked in battle with the white-haired controller, yet his attention flickered across the platform, calculating the team's stamina and spirit power—and timing.
When the moment was right, Tang San shouted an order to Oscar, "Prepare the mushrooms!"
Oscar, having waited for this signal, swiftly performed a hand sign and chanted, "Mushrooms of Twin Wings, fly free!" Producing seven mushrooms, he distributed them among his teammates.
With the berserk warriors closing in, Tang San sprang into action, using Blue Silver Grass to pull his team close. Each of them consumed their mushroom, sprouting spirit power-fueled wings.
Before Tang San even gave a command, Shrek's Seven took to the skies, leaving their enraged foes helpless below.
Seeing this, Ye Wen clicked his tongue. "Flight at this level is almost cheating… It's starting to feel like a battle in the Hidden Leaf Village or something." Then he frowned, pausing to think. Why did I think of the Hidden Leaf Village? Something felt strangely out of place about the association, but the thought passed quickly. He chalked it up to the similarity of worlds where bloodlines were everything.
On the platform, Shrek's Seven hovered in the air, facing off with the Mad Battle team below. It was then Ye Wen realized that none of the berserk team members had any long-range abilities. That's tough luck for a civilian team.
Yet Ye Wen knew the battle wasn't over. Oscar's third spirit ability only lasted one minute, nowhere near enough to outlast the berserk state. Furthermore, while he had exploited a loophole to prepare consumable items beforehand, the effects of his mushroom spirit would only diminish with time, hence his reluctance to prepare them earlier.
As expected, Oscar, now drenched in sweat, conjured up another batch of mushrooms but only had enough spirit power to hand them to Tang San, their "last hope."
The Shrek team's sword-wielding spirit master, Absolute Seven Kill, clenched his jaw in frustration. His spirit power was almost on par with Tang San's, yet he understood that Tang San was better equipped to handle the Mad Battle team alone. He understood the need for restraint and suppressed his pride.
The minute finally expired, and the Shrek members, save for Tang San, descended onto the platform, seemingly prepared to face the end.
And yet, the audience gasped in surprise.
Each Shrek member drew out an umbrella and opened it, holding it aloft. Together, the six umbrellas formed a single message: "Cheer up!"
Ye Wen chuckled, and the crowd stared in disbelief. In all the fights they'd watched, they had never seen anything so ridiculous.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10