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"Rank 58 Spirit King?!"
The entire Shrek team gasped in shock. Even Flender was taken aback, nearly dropping his glasses. The age limit for the Spirit Master Tournament was twenty-five, meaning that Feng Xiaotian was nearing the rank of Spirit Emperor before even reaching that age. In comparison, his proudest student, Qin Ming—the second youngest Spirit Emperor on the continent at age thirty—was nothing in front of such talent.
After calming himself, Tang San shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, but I can't accept your challenge."
Feng Xiaotian frowned in confusion. "Why not? Given the gap between our levels, fighting on equal ground should actually improve your team's chances of winning, shouldn't it?"
"We are a team. I cannot make decisions on my own that affect my teammates. I can only speak for myself, not for the entire Shrek Academy team." Tang San replied calmly.
Feng Xiaotian was momentarily speechless.
---
Outside the Shrek Team's Rest Area
Huo Wu's beautiful eyes shimmered with tears. Her radiant, sun-like face was filled with grievance as she stomped her foot hard, her voice choking with emotion. "Brother, why? I've set aside my pride. I've never thrown a tantrum in front of Feng Xiaotian. So why, after all these years, does he still refuse to acknowledge me?!"
She knew very well that Feng Xiaotian's challenge to Tang San wasn't about avenging her loss. It was for someone else entirely. And because she understood this all too well, the usually strong-willed Huo Wu couldn't hold back her tears.
"Sister, Xiaotian is simply too outstanding. But more importantly… his heart already belongs to someone else. Why not choose another person? The number of people in Heaven Dou Empire who admire you could form a line from Element City to Heaven Dou City. Why waste your feelings on him?"
Huo Wushuang sighed helplessly. If Feng Xiaotian had been leading her on, as her brother, he would have confronted him regardless of how strong he was. But it was clear that Feng Xiaotian had been rejecting Huo Wu all along—yet she clung to him like an unshakable shadow.
From their first meeting, she had called him "Feng Xiaotian." After losing to him in the Divine Wind-Blazing Fire match, she had started calling him "Senior Feng." Then it became "Brother Feng," and now, just "Xiaotian." She thought that changing how she addressed him would bring them closer, but to Feng Xiaotian, it didn't matter—so long as he wasn't insulted, he didn't care what others called him.
Huo Wu shook her head defiantly. "No, I refuse. I only want Feng Xiaotian. He is the most outstanding man I've ever met—the first man to defeat me—and the most devoted and kind-hearted man I've ever seen!"
Hearing this, Huo Wushuang felt utterly drained. He knew his sister's stubborn nature better than anyone. Unless she reached true despair, once she set her mind on something, not even ten oxen could drag her away from it.
---
Inside the Shrek Team's Rest Area
Dai Mubai's voice rang out, "Accept his challenge, Xiaosan. We believe in you. Give him the battle he wants, a real fight between men. You are the soul of our team. Let Feng Xiaotian see who the true number one genius of Heaven Dou Empire is!"
Dai Mubai clapped Tang San's shoulder, grinning.
Flender, too, smirked mischievously and nodded. "Xiaosan, since Feng Xiaotian is so sincere, you might as well accept and settle it in the ring."
"Alright, I accept your challenge."
At that moment, Tang San's gaze turned razor-sharp. The aura surging from within him was like a dormant volcano erupting, slamming into Feng Xiaotian with overwhelming force.
Feng Xiaotian was briefly stunned but then grinned. "I hope you keep your word."
---
Weeks Later—The Individual Matches Begin
Unlike the original course of events, in this timeline, Dai Mubai was completely overpowered by Yu Tianxin from Thunderclap Academy, getting dominated with just one hand. Against the Botanical Academy, he was rendered helpless under full control abilities, nearly questioning his existence. Even Ma Hongjun, despite his martial soul advantage, was helpless—after using his mere Rank 32 spirit power to take down one opponent, his spirit power was completely drained by the second.
If not for Tang San stepping in time and again—revealing his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul and exposing the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone's flight ability—Shrek Academy would have suffered at least two defeats.
Now, the thirteenth round of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was about to begin. For most participating academies, their rankings in the qualifying rounds were already set in stone. In these final matches, many teams were deliberately holding back, prioritizing their members' safety to ensure they were in peak condition for the finals.
However, two academies remained locked in a fierce standoff—Shrek Academy and Divine Wind Academy, both sitting at twelve consecutive victories.
Each academy had to compete in fourteen rounds, and neither Shrek Academy nor Divine Wind Academy faced strong opponents in the final round, making their victories almost guaranteed. That meant today's match would determine the top-ranked team in the Heaven Dou Empire division. It was a direct clash between two undefeated teams.
---
Divine Wind Academy's Rest Area
The Divine Wind Academy team stood in a straight line, with Feng Xiaotian positioned at the front.
"Brothers, do you trust me?" Feng Xiaotian asked in a low voice.
The teammate standing on the far left responded without hesitation, "Captain, go for it. No matter the outcome, we support you. You're not just our leader—you're our core, our academy's pride, our belief. So what if he has the Clear Sky Hammer? So what if he's a twin martial soul genius? I believe you can defeat him!"
The others all nodded in agreement.
Feng Xiaotian smiled slightly, stretching out his arms to embrace his six teammates one by one. "Don't worry, I won't lose. After this match, we'll head to Element City to relax. I'll cover all the expenses."
"Alright! Long live the captain!" ×6
The Divine Wind Academy team erupted into cheers.
---
Inside the Tournament Arena
As Tang San and Feng Xiaotian walked onto the battlefield from opposite sides, the spectating academies burst into excited chatter.
No one had expected Shrek Academy and Divine Wind Academy to send out their strongest members right from the first match.
Divine Wind Academy's team captain, Feng Xiaotian – Rank 58 Assault System Battle Spirit King, Martial Soul: Strom Double-Headed Wolf
Shrek Academy's vice-captain, Tang San – Rank 42 Control System Battle Spirit Ancestor, Martial Souls: Blue Silver Grass, Clear Sky Hammer
(End of Chapter)