Kicking Yu Tianheng out of the arena, Dai Mubai felt no guilt—he even found it amusing. He wondered how long it would take for Yu Tianheng to recover from this crushing blow.
Striking at the heart was always the best strategy. Against opponents like him, this approach was far more devastating than outright defeating them.
"When I say I'll beat you without using my spirit power or hands, I mean it," Dai Mubai declared nonchalantly, ignoring the astonished looks from those around him.
"Too bad... you're still too weak."
With that, Dai Mubai's figure vanished once again. When he reappeared, he was standing right in front of Shi Mo.
His right foot lifted...
"Stop! We surrender!"
Yu Tianheng struggled to his feet and shouted with all his might.
Victory was utterly out of reach. Continuing the fight would only result in humiliation and elimination.
Having been together for so many years, his teammates had always called him their captain, their leader. How could he stand by and watch as Dai Mubai picked them off one by one?
"Dai Mubai's strength... there's no way he could only be at the Soul King level!"
Yu Tianheng wasn't inexperienced in fighting Soul Kings. Even against Soul Emperors, it was inconceivable for someone to have such speed without unleashing their spirit power.
If he still failed to grasp the truth, he would truly be a fool.
He resolved to train harder. If he couldn't surpass Dai Mubai in ten years, he would take twenty. If twenty years weren't enough, then thirty! One day, he would defeat Dai Mubai! And then...
By that time, Dai Mubai and Dugu Yan's child might even be old enough to participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament!
The thought struck Yu Tianheng like a bolt of lightning, leaving him dazed.
Thirty years of East River, thirty years of West River.
Just imagining the events thirty years from now gave Yu Tianheng a headache.
Dai Mubai glanced at Yu Tianheng with some surprise. Despite being provoked to this extent, Yu Tianheng had still chosen to concede. It seemed the boy had grown quite a bit.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy concedes!"
"Round three, match three: Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Shrek Academy. Shrek Academy wins!"
As the captain of the Emperor Team, Yu Tianheng was authorized to forfeit on behalf of the entire team. If it had been any other member, they wouldn't have had such authority.
Only the captain or the supervising instructor could officially surrender, a rule meant to prevent intentional losses.
The crowd erupted once more. They had never expected anyone to display such overwhelming strength. Even after the referee announced the results, many were still stunned.
Dai Mubai hadn't even activated his spirit power!
A Spirit Master's strength relied heavily on their martial spirit, which was their foundation. Yet Dai Mubai's raw speed was something even agility-type Spirit Masters couldn't match—without any spirit power enhancements!
Over at the Spirit Hall, the Golden Generation—Hu Liena and the others—were left dumbfounded. They recalled Yu Tianxin's taunts earlier and now witnessed Yu Tianheng's despair. They finally understood why these two brothers were the way they were.
"Ahh..."
Yan drew in a sharp breath. Moments ago, he'd confidently claimed he could hold off Dai Mubai. But after watching this match, his confidence had evaporated.
If Yu Tianheng was despairing, Yan felt no better.
As a defense-type Spirit Master with strong attack capabilities, speed was not his forte. He, like Yu Tianheng, had failed to see Dai Mubai's movements clearly.
"Can we really win?"
Hu Liena's lips trembled, her eyes clouded with doubt as she murmured to herself.
Under normal circumstances, Yan would have reassured her with confidence. But now, he remained silent.
Defeating and killing Soul Elders was within his abilities, but doing so with the ease Dai Mubai displayed? Impossible.
"We can win—and we must win!"
Xie Yue clenched his fists, his eyes brimming with determination.
They couldn't afford to lose.
Xie Yue wasn't concerned about the three spirit bones as much as he was about his sister, Hu Liena. She needed this championship title to solidify her position as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall.
"Yes, we must win!"
Recalling how Bibi Dong had been opposed by the Spirit Hall elders just to secure these three spirit bones, Hu Liena bit her lip and silently resolved to give it her all.
As if sensing their gazes, Dai Mubai turned to look in their direction. This simple act nearly made him laugh out loud.
Those few? They're fantasizing about defeating me?
His lips curled into a smirk as he made a dismissive hand gesture.
Although Hu Liena and the others didn't understand the gesture, it didn't feel like a good sign. Paired with Dai Mubai's mocking expression, it only fueled their anger.
"You..."
"Yan!"
Seeing Yan about to retort, Hu Liena quickly stopped him.
The Spirit Hall prided itself on its martial prowess. When had they ever endured such humiliation?
"Na Na, he's mocking us! He's mocking us!"
Yan, who had never raised his voice at Hu Liena before, shouted in frustration.
Hu Liena's face darkened. "I know, but we can't stoop to his level. Once we defeat him, you can mock him all you want!"
"Yan, Na Na's right," Xie Yue said, nodding as he turned to Yan.
Yan paused, confused. He glanced at Xie Yue, then at Hu Liena, sensing something was off. Why did Xie Yue's words sound so familiar?
Of course, Na Na was right, but wasn't it usually his line to echo Hu Liena? Why was Xie Yue now using it?
Blinking in confusion, it took Yan a moment to process the situation.
"Ah, yes, yes..."
"You're both right!"
Yan finally gave up, throwing his hands up in defeat. With both Hu Liena and Xie Yue agreeing, what else could he say?
But when he looked again at the mocking Dai Mubai, he realized the man had already left with his teammates. Only an older, bespectacled man remained in Shrek Academy's rest area.
"..."
Meanwhile, Flender was overjoyed. Shrek Academy was one step closer to claiming the championship!
He had no complaints about Dai Mubai's tactics—anything went as long as they won.
As for Tang San, Flender scowled and ordered Huang Yuan and Jing Ling to carry him off.
That disgraceful failure! Daring to contradict the team captain in public—did he really think he was the core of the team?
Flender already harbored resentment toward Tang San, and now his disdain only deepened.
"Hmph! Once this tournament ends and Tang San graduates, I'll have Old Zhao properly..."
(End of Chapter)
Notes-Read all chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X