Chapter 157: Battle Against Canghui Academy
"Teacher, when are we going to the Spirit Hall's prison?" Tang San asked impatiently.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "Not yet. Heaven Dou City is still investigating the royal prison incident. It's best we lay low for now."
He added, "We'll act near the end of the ranking matches. For now, get used to your newfound strength. Your spirit power rose sharply—you'll need time to master it."
Yu Xiaogang never forgot to remind Tang San about control. Power gained too easily was usually unstable; uncontrolled strength was useless.
…
Time passed quickly, and the third round of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament preliminaries began.
Back at the Great Spirit Arena, Luo Ling spotted Tang San.
Tang San carried himself differently now, his confidence practically radiating. When his eyes met Luo Ling's, there was even a trace of provocation.
Under Luo Ling's terrifying spiritual perception, Tang San's level had risen to 47—higher than Yu Tianheng's.
His sudden surge in power gave him the confidence he lacked before. He now fully understood the potency of divine power. It had strengthened him effortlessly, raising him to new heights without burden.
No matter how strong Luo Ling was, Tang San thought, he was still a mortal. Before divine power, mortals were ants.
Glancing once more at Luo Ling, Tang San withdrew his gaze. He would wait—soon, he'd reclaim his pride.
Clenching his fist, he eased his excitement.
He picked up a stack of papers—information on their opponent for the day. It was a second-rate academy, nothing particularly threatening.
On the other side, Luo Ling received word of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's next opponent—it was Canghui Academy.
That should have been Shrek's opponent, but now fate had shifted.
The name brought back fragments of the original tale—Canghui's leader, Shi Nian, who once attempted to assassinate Tang San after a match but ended up slain instead.
Now it was Heaven Dou Royal Academy facing Canghui. Would Shi Nian still act, and if so, would his target be Tang San—or Luo Ling himself?
"Alright," said team leader Sun Buyu, addressing the group. "Your opponent today is Canghui Academy. Based on their previous matches, they're not particularly strong. Who's volunteering to fight?"
The members of the second team looked over curiously. Though today's opponent wasn't a threat, they were eager to see Luo Ling's performance again.
That ability to make people fly—it had left quite an impression.
"I'll go," Luo Ling said, raising his hand.
He wasn't seeking attention; he merely wanted to observe Canghui's 'Seven Asura Mirage' firsthand.
His Desire Spirit was also mental-type, but he had no illusion-based abilities. The Seven-Man Fusion Technique intrigued him—it might offer some insights.
"Good. Luo Ling will fight. Anyone else?" Sun Buyu asked.
From the crowd, Oslo stepped forward. He was a level-39 agility-type spirit master—not a Soul Ancestor yet, but strong enough.
"Count me in." Oslo grinned, glancing at Luo Ling. "Hey, leave a few for me to handle, will you? Don't wipe them all out yourself!"
Luo Ling chuckled and waved him off. "No problem. I'll hang back and support you at first."
Though he said so lightly, deep inside he knew once Canghui unleashed their Fusion Technique, Oslo and the others would likely fall into its illusion.
He, however, had nothing to fear. His spiritual power already rivaled that of a typical Titled Douluo—no illusion from seven Soul Kings could touch his mind.
Soon, the match began. The first bout featured Heaven Dou Royal Academy against Canghui Academy.
After their impressive earlier victories, the crowd's attention was entirely on Heaven Dou. Both Luo Ling and Dugu Yan had demonstrated immense strength.
Under the eyes of every spectator in the Great Spirit Arena, both teams entered the stage. When Luo Ling appeared, many gasped in admiration.
In the VIP seats, Emperor Xue Ye's expression turned expectant.
"So this is the Luo Ling you've all talked about?" Huyan Zhen muttered upon spotting him. His first impression was of Luo Ling's striking looks—silver hair, crimson eyes, and the calm grace of a born noble.
"Not bad," Huyan Zhen said with a booming laugh. "But let's see if he fights as well as he dresses."
Emperor Xue Ye cast him a sidelong glance and said evenly, "Then watch closely."
Meanwhile, in the Blazing Academy's rest area, Fire Dance bristled upon seeing Luo Ling take the stage. "What's that supposed to mean? Does he think our Blazing Team was weaker than Canghui Academy?"
"Canghui doesn't even have a single Soul Ancestor!" she fumed.
Beside her, Huo Wushuang could only smile helplessly at his sister's temper and said nothing.
At Canghui Academy's side, when team leader Shi Nian saw Luo Ling enter, his eyes narrowed dangerously, a faint glimmer of malice flashing across them.
He addressed his seven students: "That's a dark-element Soul King you're facing. It's time to show everyone your true capabilities."
"Defeat him—let the world see that we are not to be underestimated!"
His calm tone carried weight, instantly igniting the morale of his team. They knew better than anyone the true extent of Canghui's power.
The Seven-in-One Martial Spirit Fusion Technique—something that shocked even the Spirit Master world.
For years, only the legendary Golden Iron Triangle was spoken of—a three-person fusion technique said to be conceived by a so-called 'Grandmaster.'
Shi Nian's gaze turned briefly toward the Shrek team area, landing on Yu Xiaogang. Contempt flickered in his eyes.
That man had once been praised as "the Grandmaster."
Shi Nian had always questioned how a mere level-29 spirit master could devise theories known only to high-level experts.
Eventually, he discovered the truth—all those theories were borrowed research from others.
Borrowed, at best. Stolen, more accurately.
Shaking his head slightly, Shi Nian withdrew his gaze. This match, he vowed, would prove who the true master really was.
On the stage, the referee raised his hand and declared the start of the match.
As before, Luo Ling unleashed his dual abilities—Soul Liberation and Desire Spirit Armor—on the five front-line fighters, excluding the support type.
Oslo, feeling the effects for the first time, was stunned beyond words.
A spirit master with terrifying offensive strength who could also provide such overwhelming support—Luo Ling defied all logic.
Across from them, Canghui Academy's team faced Heaven Dou's pressure with eerie calm. Forming a precise formation, they summoned their crystal-like spirits in unison.
Seven colored rays illuminated the arena stage.
It was less a battle, and more a dazzling performance of radiant illusion.
(END CHAPTER)
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