If it weren't for Tang San's presence, the outcome of this battle would have been decided long ago. The current gap between Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall Academy was simply too vast. However, as long as Tang San had not yet fallen, hope remained.
The Charm Demon clashed with Tang San. His three purple and one black soul rings pulsed rhythmically as he began to swing the Clear Sky Hammer. Although the Charm Demon's control effects were powerful, Tang San had a way to counter them. A thick layer of stone armor appeared over his body—the soul bone skill of his Stone-Armored Bear torso bone, a formidable defensive ability.
Though Tang San's reactions had slowed, this defensive soul bone skill ensured that even if the Moonblades struck him, they would not inflict fatal wounds. This allowed him to continuously stack his Disorderly Splitting Wind Hammer Technique. If he could just land the final strike, he would have a chance to shatter the Charm Demon. Once the Spirit Fusion Skill was broken, Xie Yue and Hu Liena would inevitably lose their combat capability. That was his chance.
The Charm Demon and Tang San locked in a struggle of strength, the metallic clanging of their weapons echoing continuously within the red mist.
Outside the red fog, Yan, one of the members of the Golden Generation, demonstrated exceptional combat prowess. Even as he watched the rest of the Shrek team fly out of the control range of the Spirit Fusion Skill, he didn't show the slightest hint of panic.
Scorching dark-red flames erupted from his body. Simultaneously, under the influence of his first two soul rings, his frame expanded violently. His upper garments shattered instantly as his muscles bulged, becoming as solid as granite. In a mere moment, his height surged to two and a half meters, far larger than Dai Mubai after using White Tiger Vajra Transformation. He slammed his fists together, producing a metallic explosion. In stark contrast to the searing heat of his flames, his gaze grew increasingly cold.
Among the other four Spirit Hall Academy members, three battle soul masters stepped forward to meet Ma Hongjun, Meng Yiran, and Zhu Zhuqing, while the support soul master's light fell upon them.
With tiger claws extended, Dai Mubai attacked Yan with sharp blades over a foot long. Yan swung his fists, meeting the charge without backing down. Amidst a thunderous boom, Dai Mubai was blasted back, sent flying seven or eight meters by the sheer force of Yan's direct impact.
Ma Hongjun faced a female Soul Ancestor with a Golden-Waisted Swift Martial Soul. Her martial soul quality might not have matched his, but her rank was 45, while he was only Rank 41. Ma Hongjun was suppressed from the start. Zhu Zhuqing faced a Soul Ancestor wielding a greatsword. Her opponent was Rank 47; if not for her speed, she likely wouldn't have survived a single strike. Meng Yiran faced a Rank 46 Soul Ancestor with a Great Wild Boar martial soul. Against such terrifying defense, she had almost no way to land a meaningful hit, and her poison was largely ineffective.
In an instant, Shrek was pinned down. Without immortal herbs and without the Hell White Tiger, they lacked the strength to go toe-to-toe with their opponents. Their only recourse was using Oscar's Flying Mushroom Sausages to dodge, doing their best just to delay their elimination.
Inside the red fog, Tang San was also calculating his soul power consumption. Fighting a Spirit Fusion Skill comparable to at least a high-level Soul Emperor by himself put him under immense pressure, even after using his trump card, the Stone-Armored Bear torso bone. The suppression of the red fog was too strong; even the 10% all-attribute boost from Oscar's Stimulating Pink Sausage couldn't bridge the gap.
The hammer and Moonblades collided repeatedly. His soul rings pulsed, lighting up to release skills and parry fatal blows. If he could land the final accumulated strike, Tang San was confident he could break the fusion! However, because he was fully occupied with the Charm Demon, he had no way to monitor his teammates outside the mist.
By now, the one-minute duration of the mushroom sausages had expired. Oscar had only two left, which he gave to Dai Mubai and himself. Ma Hongjun didn't need one due to his own flight ability. Tai Long had already been eliminated. Without the flight sausages, Meng Yiran and Zhu Zhuqing were no match for the Spirit Hall members; they were knocked off the stage by fourth soul skills within a few moves.
Now, only Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai were left struggling. Ma Hongjun had no chance for a counterattack; his opponent was four ranks higher and faster than him. Another minute passed. Oscar and Dai Mubai landed, and Yan, the Rank 52 Soul King, seized the chance to eliminate them both. Only Ma Hongjun remained, fleeing frantically through the sky.
Just then, a terrifying pressure erupted from the red mist. The fog retreated at a staggering speed for nearly twenty meters before abruptly dissipating. The Spirit Fusion Skill had been broken.
"Nana!" Yan immediately rushed to catch Hu Liena, his face full of concern.
The other Spirit Hall members looked coldly toward Tang San. He was clad in rock armor, his short hair a mess, leaning on the Clear Sky Hammer to support his body. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. As he wiped it away, Tang San realized that not a single teammate remained on the stage, save for Ma Hongjun, who was still darting around in the sky.
"This..." Tang San felt a wave of bitter frustration. If his teammates had been just a little stronger, victory would have tilted toward them the moment he broke the fusion. Though he had shattered the Charm Demon, his own condition was poor. While Xie Yue and Hu Liena were temporarily out of the fight, the enemy still had Yan and three nearly fresh battle soul masters.
Tang San sighed inwardly. It was over. He was alone. If there was still time, the members of his team would still be within the age limit for the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. They would have another chance.
Finally, Tang San conceded. Knowing he was no match for the remaining forces, he saw no point in staying to be beaten. Breaking the opponent's Spirit Fusion Skill single-handedly had already proven his strength and talent. That was enough.
With the referee's announcement of Spirit Hall's victory, the fourth round of the Grand Finals concluded. The three advancing teams were the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, the Seven Treasure Team, and the Spirit Hall Team. In three days, they would compete in the final championship battle!
(End of Chapter)
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