Chapter 17: Freshman Tournament Finals — Clash of Titans
The grand battle arena of Shrek Academy thundered with excitement.
From the packed stands to the hovering platforms above, every soul master present knew they were about to witness something historic. This was not just a contest—it was a stage where futures would be carved.
Team Yuhao versus Team Tang.
From my vantage point atop the observation deck, I, Xiao Tian, watched silently, arms folded, a faint breeze tugging at the hem of my cloak.
My gaze was sharp, my mind calculating.
Today… legends would be born.
The Arena: Living Battlefield
The massive circular field was a masterpiece of tactical terrain—trenches snaking across rocky outcroppings, small lakes reflecting the sunlight, towers rising like jagged teeth. Hovering platforms above were filled with Pavilion Elders whose expressions ranged from anticipation to critical analysis.
Every student in the outer courtyard had gathered to watch. Whispered bets, excited chatter, and nervous tension flooded the air.
Beneath the golden banners of Shrek, two teams stepped onto the stage.
Team Yuhao:
Huo Yuhao: Spirit Eyes glowing, body taut with determination.
Wang Dong: Wings unfurled, radiating blue-gold light, his presence commanding.
Xiao Xiao: Calm and composed, both the Three Lives Soul Sealing Cauldron and Nine Phoenix Dancing Flute shimmering in readiness.
Team Tang:
Tang Ya: Her aura serene but overwhelmingly potent, Blue Silver Emperor vines gently rustling like a living ocean around her.
Wu Feng: Scarlet hair blazing, her scales gleaming under the sun, a literal comet of fury.
Jiang Nannan: Moving like a shadow—silent, deadly, unstoppable.
Their formation exuded absolute confidence.
Opening Announcements
From his position atop a soul-illuminated referee platform, an Inner Court elder projected his voice across the arena.
"By decree of the Sea God Pavilion—Freshman Tournament Finals! Victory will be decided by incapacitation, surrender, or inability to fight. Life-threatening attacks are forbidden!"
A heartbeat of silence.
"Begin!"
First Movement: The Dance of Predators
Without hesitation, Team Yuhao clustered together, adopting a defensive triangle.
Yuhao activated Spiritual Detection Sharing, weaving invisible threads between his teammates.
Wang Dong hovered slightly above, light gathering rapidly at his wings.
Xiao Xiao summoned her Three Lives Soul Sealing Cauldrons, splitting them in an intelligent defensive net.
Team Tang, in contrast, exploded into synchronized aggression.
Wu Feng blurred into motion—a red streak splitting across the terrain.
Jiang Nannan vanished into the trenches, her body flickering between shadows.
Tang Ya spread her hands—and the battlefield responded. Vines erupted from every direction, weaving walls, spears, and traps.
From my vantage point, I narrowed my eyes.
As expected. A clash of instincts versus strategy.
First Clash: A Raging Inferno
A sonic boom cracked through the arena as Wu Feng clashed against Wang Dong in midair.
Clang!
Blazing claws met radiant blades. Fire and light screamed into the air, sending shockwaves that forced the audience to shield their eyes.
Wang Dong fought with surgical precision, blades of light forming barriers, cutting at angles impossible to predict.
Wu Feng fought with raw devastation, every strike carrying the fury of a volcanic eruption. Flames wrapped her form like a second skin, her aura almost palpable in the air.
Meanwhile, Jiang Nannan began her silent assassination.
Xiao Xiao's cauldrons pulsed with defense fields, but Jiang Nannan slipped through the gaps like a specter, delivering pinpoint strikes that rattled Xiao Xiao's defenses. Each Thunderstep Blink teleported her unpredictably across the battlefield.
Tang Ya continued to manipulate the environment with terrifying finesse, cutting off escape routes, predicting Yuhao's attempted retreats, forcing him into disadvantageous positions.
Despite Yuhao's enhanced perception, the battlefield grew increasingly claustrophobic.
Team Yuhao was being suffocated.
Shift of Tactics: Struggle for Survival
Yuhao gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his forehead. He transmitted a rapid series of mental commands.
Xiao Xiao split her cauldrons wider, laying multiple layered sonic traps.
Wang Dong disengaged from Wu Feng, shifting to a harassing flyby strategy, slashing with pinpoint attacks then retreating.
Yuhao activated Spiritual Interference, targeting Tang Ya's command rhythm.
For a brief moment, the tide shifted.
Wang Dong managed to clip Wu Feng across the shoulder, forcing her to snarl and stagger.
Xiao Xiao's traps finally caught Jiang Nannan's foot for half a second, halting her teleport.
Yuhao, breathing heavily, smiled grimly.
Not giving up. Never.
The Golden Road: Gamble of Desperation
With a mental pulse, Yuhao and Wang Dong clasped hands.
Fusion Skill — Golden Road Amidst Withering Resplendence!
The arena exploded in golden light. A straight line of annihilation shot forth, vaporizing vines, burning trenches into glass.
The spectators gasped.
It was a magnificent, terrifying display of potential.
Tang Ya's response was instantaneous.
With the precision of a veteran general, she wove her vines into a slingshot, yanking Wu Feng and Jiang Nannan clear just before the golden road incinerated their positions.
The light faded—but Team Tang stood untouched.
Yuhao and Wang Dong collapsed to their knees, panting heavily, their soul power nearly drained.
From the observation deck, I let out a breath.
So close. But not enough.
Above, Elder Xuan nodded in quiet approval at Tang Ya's perfect judgment.
Final Act: Ruthless Execution
Tang Ya seized the moment.
Wu Feng roared, triggering Raging Flame Roar. A wave of fire slammed into Yuhao and Wang Dong, stunning their drained bodies.
Jiang Nannan teleported directly behind Xiao Xiao, delivering a stunning palm strike to her neck, disabling her control over the cauldrons.
Tang Ya unleashed her Blue Silver Cage, imprisoning Wang Dong in razor-edged vines. He struggled—but exhaustion and injuries robbed him of strength.
Yuhao tried to rise, spirit eyes flickering… but Wu Feng descended like a meteor, driving him into unconsciousness with a single brutal kick to the chest.
In less than thirty seconds, it was over.
The referee descended instantly.
"Victory: Team Tang!"
Aftermath: Birth of Legends
The stands erupted into deafening cheers. Thunderous applause shook the arena.
Despite their loss, Team Yuhao had earned admiration.
Tang Ya, breathing hard but smiling, personally helped Yuhao to his feet.
Wu Feng offered Wang Dong a nod of respect.
Jiang Nannan quietly bowed toward Xiao Xiao.
High above, the Pavilion Elders conversed.
"They have the hearts of warriors," Mu En said, his voice gravelly but pleased.
"Even in defeat, they soared," Xuan added, his eyes twinkling.
"But so did Team Tang," Elder Song murmured. "The future looks… promising."
In the shadows of the observation deck, I turned away.
This was their day.
But mine is still to come.
Beyond the tournament, greater storms gathered.
Over oceans vast and lands unseen, the Titan World Turtle awaited.
A future filled with war, gods, and destiny.
And I, Xiao Tian, would meet it head-on.