The atmosphere on Shrek Academy's simple training ground was so tense it felt almost tangible. All the students, whether from the Shrek Seven Devils or the Royal Fight Team, held their breath, their gazes fixed on the tall, straight figure at the center of the field—Marco.
He still wore simple black martial attire, his hands hanging casually at his sides, his face bearing that habitual, elusive faint smile. He hadn't released his Martial Soul, showed no fluctuations in Soul Power, and even his stance appeared relaxed and natural. Yet, this seemingly defenseless posture imposed an immense, unparalleled pressure on the fourteen young geniuses standing warily opposite him.
Led by Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng, the fourteen spread out in a fan formation, their Soul Power restrained but ready, their eyes sharp as they sought any opening. But they soon discovered, to their despair, that Marco stood there as if merged with his surroundings, with not a single discernible "weakness" to be found.
"Begin," Marco said calmly, his voice soft yet clear in everyone's ears.
"Attack!" Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng roared almost simultaneously. As the captains and strongest assault points of their respective teams, they had to lead the charge! Dai Mubai instantly activated his White Tiger Vajra Transformation, his body swelling as he charged toward Marco's left side with unstoppable momentum. Yu Tianheng's body erupted with lightning, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Avatar enveloping him, his third Soul Ring glowing as Thunder Fury empowered him, and a fierce Thunder Dragon Claw struck straight for Marco's right side!
At the same time, Xiao Wu activated her teleportation, appearing behind Marco, her Waist Bow poised to strike! Zhu Zhuqing, like a phantom, darted in from the flank, her Cat Claw aimed at Marco's ribs! Ma Hongjun spewed his Phoenix Fire Line, sealing off the air above Marco! Tang San's Blue Silver Grass slithered out like spirit snakes, stealthily coiling toward Marco's feet from the ground! Dugu Yan's Muddy Earth Poison Mist spread, attempting to corrode and slow him! Osler moved like lightning, seeking an opportunity for a decisive strike! The Shímò and Shímó brothers raised their Black Tortoise Turtle Shields, advancing steadily to compress Marco's movement space! Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda flashed repeatedly, precisely bestowing strength and speed boosts on her teammates! Oscar's Flying Mushroom Sausage and Recovery Sausage were also at the ready!
Though the coordination among the fourteen was slightly rough, under the immense pressure, they erupted with astonishing synergy and power! The assault swept toward Marco at the center like a storm from all directions! The spectators—Flender, Zhao Wuji, Qin Ming, and the Grandmaster—couldn't help but hold their breath!
Yet, faced with this combined attack that would fluster any Soul King or even an ordinary Soul Emperor, Marco merely lifted his eyes slightly.
In the next instant, his figure moved! There were no dazzling Spirit Ability glows, no earth-shattering commotion—only speed! A movement technique pushed to its extreme! As if strolling through a courtyard, he slightly turned his body, and Dai Mubai's powerful White Tiger Light Wave brushed past the edge of his clothes. With a light shift of his feet, Yu Tianheng's fierce Thunder Dragon Claw landed on empty air. Without even turning his head, he pointed a finger backward, accurately striking Xiao Wu's attacking ankle. Xiao Wu felt a resilient yet irresistible force surge through her, her Waist Bow instantly broken, and her entire body was sent floating away. At the same time, his other hand casually swept aside, and Zhu Zhuqing's lightning-fast Cat Claw seemed to crash into an invisible wall of energy, her attack trajectory deflected as she brushed past Marco!
Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire Line? Marco simply opened his mouth and gave a gentle blow. A stream of highly condensed cyan-red energy roared out, actually dispersing the blazing flames from within! Tang San's Blue Silver Grass entanglement? Before it could even get close, it was shattered inch by inch by the nearly imperceptible energy pulses under Marco's feet! Dugu Yan's poisonous mist? The moment it approached within three feet of Marco, it dissipated on its own as if meeting its natural nemesis!
Throughout the entire process, Marco's calm voice rang out, like the strictest teacher conducting a live demonstration:
"Yu Tianheng, the pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is not recklessness. Thunder Fury is an amplifying Spirit Ability, not meant for you to exhaust your Soul Power through brute force. Condense your Soul Power and focus it another thirty percent—this claw's power could increase by half while consuming even less Soul Power."
Yu Tianheng, whose blood was already churning from his failed attack, trembled violently upon hearing this, as if struck by lightning. He instinctively tried to condense his Soul Power as Marco had instructed and indeed felt the energy flow much more smoothly, with a noticeable increase in power! He stared at Marco in disbelief.
Marco's figure flickered again, evading Osler's sneak attack. With a light flick of his finger against Osler's wrist, Osler's entire arm instantly went numb and weak. "A sneak attack demands a one-hit kill. Don't let your killing intent leak out."
Osler staggered back, his face filled with shock.
At that moment, Dai Mubai adjusted his stance and charged forward with another furious roar. Under the effects of his White Tiger Vajra Transformation, his strength had surged dramatically. Marco neither dodged nor avoided it. Instead, he extended his right hand, fingers spread, and effortlessly pressed down against Dai Mubai's full-force tiger paw strike!
Thud! A dull impact echoed as shockwaves rippled through the air! Dai Mubai felt as if he had crashed into an immovable mountain—all his strength swallowed as if sinking into a bottomless sea! His face turned red with strain, yet he couldn't force Marco to retreat even half a step!
"Dai Mubai, the White Tiger Vajra Transformation is a top-tier amplifying Spirit Ability. It's a pity your technique is too crude. Strength isn't meant for brute confrontation. The coordination of force application, angle, and timing—you haven't even utilized thirty percent of it. You possess strength but don't know how to wield it. You have the form but not the essence." Marco commented indifferently, then gave a slight twist of his wrist, sending out a clever force. Dai Mubai felt a spiral-like energy surge up his arm, sending him spinning uncontrollably through the air before landing awkwardly on the ground, completely unharmed.
Zhu Zhuqing attacked again, shadowing him like a phantom, her Cat Claw transforming into multiple afterimages aimed at Marco's vital points. Marco's footwork was mysteriously profound, as if foreseeing every move, always evading her attacks in the nick of time. Simultaneously, his fingers moved like lightning, striking precisely at the weakest points of Zhu Zhuqing's assaults each time, forcing her to retreat repeatedly.
"Zhu Zhuqing, your speed is passable, but your attacks are too scattered. Your Martial Soul is the Netherworld Spirit Cat, not a cheetah. Pursuing extreme speed isn't wrong, but with dispersed attack power, how can you break through defenses? Try concentrating all your speed, strength, and Soul Power into a single point, even if it's just the tip of your claw. One strike is enough." Marco's voice carried a hint of guidance.
Zhu Zhuqing's delicate frame trembled slightly, her cool eyes bursting with astonishing brilliance as if she had grasped some crucial insight. When she attacked again, the afterimages of her Cat Claw converged, all power concentrated at the tip of her right finger—faster, with greater penetrating force! Though Marco still evaded it effortlessly, the sharp sound of tearing air made all the spectators take notice!
The battle was completely one-sided, a crushing domination. Marco moved like a butterfly flitting through flowers, handling the siege of fourteen people with ease. Without using any powerful Spirit Abilities, relying only on his incredible footwork, precision vision, and microscopic control of power, he effortlessly neutralized all attacks while periodically pointing out flaws in each person's techniques and Spirit Ability usage—each comment hitting the mark, striking at the core!
Shimò and Shímó's defenses were like nonexistent before him, often collapsing at their weakest points with just a light touch from him; Tang San's Hidden Weapon techniques were easily seen through, all projectiles knocked down by invisible energy before they could reach him; Ning Rongrong's amplifications and Oscar's sausages showed minimal effect against such an absolute gap in strength; Dugu Yan's poison couldn't even approach his immediate surroundings...
In just the time it takes an incense stick to burn, all fourteen genius Soul Masters, including the strongest—Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, and Tang San—were left panting and collapsed on the ground, some clutching their wrists, others pressing their chests, their faces filled with shock, defeat, and... a hint of indescribable respect and enlightenment.
Marco stood with his hands behind his back, his breathing steady as if he had merely taken a stroll. His gaze swept over the fallen figures, finally settling on the pale-faced Yu Tianheng and the contemplative Tang San. He said calmly, "Today's guidance ends here. Remember, while Soul Power level and Soul Ring age are important, understanding the essence of power, mastering your Spirit Abilities, and delving into your Martial Soul are the foundations of a Soul Master's path. Take this to heart."
With that, he paid no further attention to the others, turning and walking toward the edge of the field. Sunlight bathed his upright figure, as if plating him with a layer of golden radiance.
The field fell into dead silence. Everyone was still immersed in the shock from that unbelievable "spar." To face fourteen alone, dominate completely, and precisely point out each person's flaws—what terrifying strength and insight!
Qin Ming and the Grandmaster exchanged a glance, seeing both astonishment and relief in each other's eyes. Astonishment at Marco's unfathomable depth, relief that their students had such an opportunity to receive personal "guidance" from such a powerhouse. Though the process could be called "humiliating," the gains from it were enough to benefit them for a lifetime!
The members of the Shrek Seven Devils and the Royal Fight Team struggled to rise from the ground, watching Marco's departing back with incredibly complex expressions. At this moment, titles like "genius" or "monster" seemed so pale and powerless before a true powerhouse. The name "Mainland's Top Genius" was truly well-deserved!