The lineup had changed, and their strength seemed to have changed as well.
Over the next three matches, the Evil-Eyed
Days passed one by one. Tang San's recovery was faster than the physician had estimated — in just three days, his wounds had closed, scabbed over, and he could move freely again. He was brimming with vitality once more. When Tang San expressed his desire to rejoin the Promotion Round matches, he was met with unanimous opposition from the entire Shrek Academy team.
Left with no choice, Tang San was relegated from absolute mainstay to spectator. Today marked the sixth day of competition. In the first five matches, Shrek Academy had achieved a perfect record.
Today, Shrek Academy's opponent was Plant Academy — the very same academy that Tang San hadn't been able to see through. Facing this academy, the Great Master fielded a completely different lineup from the previous matches. The first three to take the stage were none other than
Not long after the match began, everyone watching was stunned. In the first three bouts, Shrek Academy had been swept three in a row by Plant Academy. A single Plant Academy member had defeated Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Tai Long in succession.
This Plant Academy member's Martial Soul was a type of vine, similar in function to Tang San's
After Tai Long, the third to enter, was crushed and defeated, a single remark from the opponent sent a shift through the entire Shrek Academy team.
Having won three consecutive victories, this Plant Academy student had clearly gotten carried away. After defeating Tai Long, he remarked: "Shrek Academy really isn't all that impressive, huh."
"Damn it, I can't take this anymore! Just watch how I deal with them!" The fourth to take the stage for Shrek Academy was none other than
Just then, a broad, steady hand landed on the Fatty's shoulder. "Did you see how your opponent fights? Your goal is to crush them all. Conserve your Soul Power as much as possible."
When Ma Hongjun looked back, he saw that the speaker was none other than the Great Master. Tang San, watching from the sidelines, understood perfectly — the Great Master had sent Tai Long and the others out first to observe the opponent's fighting methods. Sending Ma Hongjun fourth had only one purpose: elemental counter. Just like how the Inferno Academy had once thought they could counter Tang San's Blue Silver Grass.
When Ma Hongjun stepped into the arena, the Plant Academy student who had just defeated three Shrek Academy members nearly burst out laughing.
Though Ma Hongjun wasn't quite as fat as he'd been two years ago, his body was still decidedly round — his cheeks, in particular, were puffed out adorably. While he wasn't the youngest member of the Shrek Academy team by age, he certainly looked the part. And in all the previous matches, Ma Hongjun had never once taken the stage.
Even the Four Element Academies had never paid him any attention. They would watch Tang San, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and
Having won three consecutive matches, this Plant Academy member's Soul Power had been considerably drained, but his confidence had soared to its peak. He didn't take Ma Hongjun seriously in the slightest.
"Hey little fatty, why don't you just go back down? It would be such a shame if big brother accidentally hurt you." Though a smile plastered his face, undisguised contempt gleamed in the Plant Academy student's eyes.
After spending so much time together at Shrek Academy, everyone's personalities had been shaped by their companions — and the Fatty was no exception. He blinked his eyes, putting on an innocent expression. "But the teacher told me to go out there. If I just walk back down like this, I'll get punished when I go back. How about this — big brother, why don't you knock me off? Just… go easy on me, okay?"
"Sure, no problem. I wouldn't pick on a little kid."