Douluo Continent: The Great Summoner Huo Yuhao

At worst, it's just a piece of gold made from living things; it's nothing special.

Hyotei muttered to themselves as they withdrew.

"What's meant to be mine will always be mine." The three-eyed golden lion jumped back onto Huo Yuhao's head.

"Let's go. I know you're still thinking about someone else. Go stab her."

The person the Three-Eyed Golden Lion was referring to was Wang Dong, who was still in a coma.

After sensing the intense life force of the Blade of Life, Huo Yuhao's first thought was whether he could use this immense life force to awaken Wang Dong.

"Haha, as expected of Your Majesty, you are the best."

He brought the Three-Eyed Golden Lion to Wang Dong's room, and then, to Ma Xiaotao's surprise, he took out the Life Blade and put it into Wang Dong's hand.

As life force continued to be injected, Wang Dong's body was also covered with a layer of green.

"Let Wang Dong absorb it like this for now. He might feel better in a couple of days."

I really want you to be your usual energetic self again.

Huo Yuhao shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions.

He then looked at Ma Xiaotao, now that it was certain that he could absorb evil energy.

Therefore, Ma Xiaotao's insistence on not fighting is somewhat outdated and represents a significant loss to the team's strength.

"Sister Xiaotao, I need your help. Tomorrow's competition, we unfortunately drew the 2-2-3 battle strategy. And our opponent, Thousand Spirits Academy, has a Soul King in their ranks."

It's highly unlikely that Shrek Academy will only field three players in the battle.

"In order to prevent Shrek Academy from being overtaxed, I need your power."

"But..." Ma Xiaotao's expression was complicated. She wanted to fight properly, but she was prone to going berserk when she used her full strength.

It might even lead to a negative impact at that time.

"Don't worry, Sister Tao. I'll absorb all your evil energy just like before. With me and you in one match, and Senior Ling and Ning Tian in another, we can basically guarantee our victory and advancement."

Huo Yuhao knew exactly what Ma Xiaotao was worried about.

"Besides, if you don't trust me, can't you trust Hyotei's ultimate ice? If I can't do it myself, I'll ask her to help you suppress the evil energy."

Having said that, Ma Xiaotao naturally agreed.

Being able to fight and contribute to the competition would be ideal.

After all, she is the captain of the Shrek team.

……

The bustling atmosphere at Xingluo Square remains as vibrant as ever, with rumors still flying everywhere.

The mastermind behind the scenes seemed to have tasted success and released the 2-2-3 strategy as the selling point of this match early on.

Huo Yuhao wanted Ma Xiaotao to play because he had read the match report and predictions.

It's called a prediction, but it's actually a behind-the-scenes operation.

However, the audience doesn't care about any of that; for them, investing in the contestants they like and getting a return is the most important thing.

"Despair? Shrek Academy has a Soul Emperor among them."

After seeing the lineups for both sides, everyone from Qianling Academy wore bitter expressions.

For them, winning was no longer an option.

"There's still a chance. Shrek Academy sent out a five-ring Soul King and a three-ring Soul Master for the first match. If we can win the first match, then concede the second, and drag it out to the third, we'll have a chance."

Shen Ce, the captain of Qianling Academy, seriously analyzed the situation between the two sides.

"It's a pity we didn't get a 7v7 team battle. Otherwise, even if the opponent had a Soul Emperor, our Spirit Shield Formation, with its coordination, might still have a chance."

With a silent sigh, it was clear that Qianling Academy had poured all its resources into this competition.

The lineup can be summarized in two sentences.

Four shields combined into one form an impregnable fortress; ice and fire control combined with a thousand-strike spear.

You can use a variety of flexible approaches to deal with enemies with different characteristics.

But the only problem now is, how do we win against an opponent like Shrek Academy?

Shrek Academy has Soul Emperors and Soul Kings, and even its reserve team has produced a monster like Huo Yuhao.

On the other hand, Qianling Academy only had him as a Soul King, while the other team members were only four-ring Soul Masters.

It's so frustrating to admit defeat outright.

"The highest odds right now are betting that we should concede directly, conserve our strength to face other opponents, and try our best to qualify. You could say that this is a viable option, or rather, the most rational one."

Shen Ce looked at his companions. Faced with Shrek Academy, the great demon king, were they really going to back down?

"Now that I'm here, I should at least know the gap between myself and the number one on the continent, right? Everyone thinks I'll give up, but I choose to fight them head-on, even in defeat, I'll be honorable!"

"Even in defeat, we are still honorable, Captain!" The members of Qianling Academy were all filled with excitement.

"Here's my strategy: An Lengye and Fei Yuyan, you'll be in the first match. Shrek Academy has sent out a control-type Soul King and a support-type Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. We can't just sit back and take the hits. Let Shrek Academy show us our five years of training in ice and fire dual control!"

Shen Ce's eyes reddened. Why did it have to be the 2-2-3 battle formation?

This tactic is like a stepping stone specifically designed for Shrek Academy students; it completely fails to utilize the teamwork that Thousand Spirits Academy has been preparing for for five years.

Yes, even in a team battle, they would probably lose against Shrek Academy at their peak.

But that was only due to the difference in cultivation levels between the two sides, not due to tactics or teamwork!

"Hmm, Shrek Academy has one five-ring Soul King and one three-ring Soul Master, while we're both four-ring Soul Kings, and we even have dual control abilities, so we'll have a chance!"

An Lengye and Fei Yuyan, one in blue and one in red, exchanged a glance before going on stage.

Is there a chance?

Of course not.

Logically speaking, the suppressive power of a double-control team is very strong. Even if the single-control team is a level higher, the double-control team can only drag the game into a war of attrition because of the support that cannot exert its combat power.

But the Soul Kings of Shrek Academy are not ordinary Soul Kings.

Not to mention that Ling Luochen also had Ning Tian with him, who could provide a percentage-based boost.

With his Soul King level cultivation and an additional 40% boost, Ning Tian also possesses a skill specifically designed to remove negative effects from control skills.

As expected, even though An Lengye used his Soul Bone skill in the end, he was still completely suppressed by Ling Luochen and Ning Tian and ultimately lost.

"A narrow defeat." Ling Luochen's intention was that without Ning Tian's buff and debuff removal, she was indeed under some pressure.

However, these words brought a bitter smile to An Lengye and Fei Yuyan's faces.

"There's no such thing as a narrow defeat; it's a complete rout. It seems the gap between us and the number one team on the mainland is still too large..."

The two sides nodded to each other again, and then stepped down from the stage and returned to their respective preparation areas.

"Thank you both for your hard work. The next round will be handled by me and Sister Xiaotao."

Huo Yuhao and Ma Xiaotao stepped onto the arena.