"Preliminaries, first round, Tianshui Academy versus Nuosi Academy, begin!"
As the referee's voice fell, the battle between both sides officially began!
Water Bing'er's first Spirit Ring lit up, and with a small wave of her hand, she said calmly, "First Spirit Skill, Freeze!"
In an instant, a chilling aura surged beneath the feet of the Nuosi Academy team. In the blink of an eye, all seven members were frozen into blocks of ice.
"So strong!"
Seeing this scene, in the spectator area of Blazing Academy, Huo Wushuang's pupils contracted slightly as he said with a serious expression, "She actually cast seven Spirit Skills instantly, and with such precise control. The people from Nuosi Academy were completely controlled in a single moment!"
Shenfeng Academy area.
"Interesting. Looks like his little sister is not to be underestimated either!"
Feng Xiaotian stroked his chin, watching Water Bing'er on the stage with great interest.
Instant-cast Spirit Skills were already rare, and this kind of continuously cast instant Spirit Skill was even rarer. Especially since this control-type Spirit Skill wasn't weak—if he were still a Spirit Ancestor, facing Water Bing'er would give him quite a headache.
Shrek Academy area. A middle-aged man with ordinary looks, average build, and slightly thin figure frowned after seeing the scene on the arena. "A control-type Spirit Skill that can be cast instantly in succession… Xiao San, you've got a rival this time."
This seemingly unremarkable middle-aged man was none other than Yu Xiaogang, known as the number one in Spirit theory.
"She is indeed an opponent worth taking seriously."
Tang San stared intently at Water Bing'er. That instant freezing move just now had brought him tremendous pressure.
He even began to think—if he were on the stage, how would he deal with such an attack?
The battle between Tianshui Academy and Nuosi Academy ended very quickly. In less than thirty seconds, the frozen members of Nuosi Academy were defeated by the girls of Tianshui Academy. It was no exaggeration to describe it as crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood.
Afterward, the girls of Tianshui Academy gracefully left the stage amidst the cheers of the audience, heading toward their team's area.
Upon returning to the spectator area, Water Bing'er sat beside Shui Wuhen and asked with a slightly expectant tone, "Brother, how was my performance?"
"Excellent. My Bing'er is the best!"
Shui Wuhen smiled as he responded.
Hearing his words, the corners of Water Bing'er's lips lifted slightly. Although she knew her brother had seen through her thoughts, she still felt very happy.
VIP seating.
After the match ended, Emperor Xue Ye turned his head slightly and asked Ning Fengzhi beside him, "Sect Master Ning, what do you think?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled and replied, "Tianshui Academy is very strong this year. They might even have a chance to contend for the championship."
"Their strength is indeed impressive. If everything comes together, they do have the potential to become champions."
However, at this moment, Platinum Bishop Salas, who had been listening nearby, suddenly interjected, "But in this competition, at most they can only fight for second place."
Hearing Salas' words, a trace of displeasure flashed in Emperor Xue Ye's eyes, but he still spoke calmly, "It seems Bishop Salas has great confidence in Spirit Hall's team this year. But speaking so absolutely—if things don't go as expected, it will be quite embarrassing."
"It's only natural for Bishop Salas to have such confidence. After all, Spirit Hall's team this year has three Spirit Kings!"
Seeing the situation, Ning Fengzhi quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Whether that is the case will be decided in a few months." Salas spoke indifferently, as if he hadn't heard Xue Ye's sarcasm at all.
When he said this, his tone was extremely confident. Although the competition had just begun, he spoke as if it had already ended.
Hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi exchanged a glance, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes.
Was this old fellow overconfident? Or had they underestimated Spirit Hall's strength?
...
More than a week later.
High in the sky, thousands of meters above the ground, Articuno carried Shui Wuhen as it flew.
After some time, a faint fluctuation of spirit power emanated from Shui Wuhen, who was sitting cross-legged on Articuno. Then he slowly opened his eyes.
"Phew… finally broke through to level sixty-three!"
Shui Wuhen let out a long breath and said.
After more than twenty days of meditation, he had finally filled in the last bit of spirit power and successfully achieved a breakthrough.
"Is it already this time? It's about time to head back."
He glanced at the slightly darkening sky and patted Articuno.
"Woo~~~"
In the next moment, Articuno cried out as its body rapidly descended.
A quarter of an hour later, Shui Wuhen returned to Tianshui Academy's resting area.
"Wuhen, come here for a moment."
Seeing his return, Shui Yue'er called out to him.
Hearing this, Shui Wuhen paused, then quickly walked over to her, looking at her with slight confusion.
At this moment, Shui Yue'er spoke, "Wuhen, you may need to go on stage in tomorrow's match."
"Alright. Who is the opponent tomorrow?"
Shui Wuhen nodded slightly and asked.
"Thunder Academy!"
The next day, on the arena, Tianshui Academy and Thunder Academy faced each other, their gazes clashing as if sparks of electricity flickered between them.
Yu Tianxin, the captain of the Thunder Team, looked at Shui Wuhen standing in front of Water Bing'er and the others, narrowing his eyes. "I've long heard that besides Feng Xiaotian, there might be another Spirit King in this tournament. Now I can finally see for myself."
"You will."
Shui Wuhen calmly looked at Yu Tianxin, his eyes completely steady.
After more than a week of battles, information about each academy had mostly been revealed. Although Yu Tianxin was strong, he still wasn't someone Shui Wuhen needed to take seriously.
At this moment, the referee spoke.
"The match is about to begin. Both sides, prepare!"
"Martial Soul, possess!"
Hearing this, everyone immediately activated their Martial Souls, and Shui Wuhen also summoned Articuno.
"Pa~"
The moment Shui Wuhen summoned Articuno, in the spectator stands, Yu Xiaogang abruptly stood up in excitement, his eyes fixed tightly on Shui Wuhen, showing disbelief.
"Third Brother, look! That person's Martial Soul can leave his body, just like the Master's Luo Sanpao!"
Beside Yu Xiaogang, a beautiful girl with a scorpion braid and pink clothing hugged Tang San's arm and pointed curiously at Articuno on the field.
Tang San was also surprised. "Teacher, this is…?"
"That is also a mutated Martial Soul!"
Yu Xiaogang looked at the arena with a complicated expression and explained to Tang San and Xiao Wu, "I've looked into this person. He and Water Bing'er are siblings, so this bird should be a mutation of the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul. However, unlike my Luo Sanpao's negative mutation, his should be a positive mutation!"
"A positive mutation? But teacher, didn't you say that the Ice Phoenix is already a top-tier Martial Soul? Then its positive mutation would be…?"
Hearing this, Tang San fell into shock. He found it hard to imagine what an already top-tier Martial Soul like the Ice Phoenix would become after evolving further.