...
The days of training passed quickly, and before they knew it, a month had gone by. The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament was about to begin, and there was less than a week left.
Under Zeng Yi's demanding training, the strength of the Shrek Seven Devils improved. Among them, Tang San, who had the best foundation, had his spirit power increased by one level and was now at Level 42. Xiao Wu's spirit power also improved. Although she didn't break through to the Spirit Elder realm, she was the strongest among the Spirit Elder ranks with her level 39 spirit power.
Zhu Zhuqing had also improved her spirit power by one level, and now had a Level 42 spirit power. As for the others, their spirit power didn't change much, but their overall combat abilities had also greatly increased.
However, even with these improvements, the Shrek Seven Devils had already become incredibly strong. This was because Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing's combat abilities were in a league of their own. One could say that they were the strongest duo, deserving of the title "Shrek Twin Stars."
Yes, Zhu Zhuqing's strength was comparable to the Shrek Seven Devils; she was almost the strongest person in the team. Even Dai Mubai, who was two levels higher in spirit power, found it difficult to withstand her sword strikes. Even Tang San, without using his hidden weapons, struggled when facing Zhu Zhuqing, unable to do anything to her.
With Zhu Zhuqing as the team's sharpest sword and Tang San as its most powerful brain, plus Ning Rongrong's abnormal auxiliary abilities, it was hard for Yu Xiaogang to think of any team configuration that could compete with Shrek Seven Devils.
Yu Xiaogang had no idea how other academy's team could ever hope to beat the Shrek Seven Devils.
Now, the strengths of the Shrek Seven Devils were as follows:
---
[Name: Dai Mubai
Spirit: White Tiger
Rank: Level 44, Power Attack System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 2 Purple.]
[Name: Oscar
Spirit: Sausage
Rank: Level 41, Auxiliary Food System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 2 Purple.]
[Name: Tang San
Spirit: Blue Silver Grass
Rank: Level 42, Control System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 1 Purple, 1 Black.]
[Name: Ma Hongjun
Spirit: Fire Phoenix (Purified after eating Immortal Herb)
Rank: Level 41, Power Attack System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, two Purple.]
[Name: Xiao Wu
Spirit: Soft Boned Rabbit
Rank: Level 39, Power Attack System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 1 Purple.]
[Name: Zhu Zhuqing
Spirit: Star Spirit Mirage (After consuming the Immortal Herb, her Martial Spirit has undergone a mutation)
Rank: Level 42, Agility Attack System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 2 Purple.]
[Name: Ning Rongrong
Spirit: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda (After consuming the Immortal Herb, her Martial Spirit has mutated.)
Rank: Level 42, Auxiliary System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 2 Purple.]
Substitute Members:
[Name: Tai Long
Spirit: Primate Ape
Rank: Level 38, Power Attack System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 1 Purple.]
[Name: Huang Yuan
Spirit: Lone Wolf
Rank: Level 36, Power Attack System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 1 Purple.]
[Name: Jing Ling
Spirit: Skeleton
Rank: Level 35, Agility Attack System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 1 Purple.]
[Name: Jiang Zhu
Spirit: Healing Scepter
Rank: Level 35, Auxiliary System
Spirit Ring configuration: 2 Yellow, 1 Purple.]
---
On the training field, Zeng Yi, the Shrek Seven Devils, and Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang were all present today.
"Today's training will end here. Come over here, I have something to discuss with you all." Yu Xiaogang waved toward them and said.
Upon hearing this, they all gathered around Yu Xiaogang.
"Take a seat." Grandmaster waved his hand, indicating for everyone to sit.
The members of the Shrek Seven Devils surrounded Grandmaster and sat in a circle, while Zeng Yi leaned against a nearby tree trunk, quietly listening to Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's explanation.
"In a few days, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament will begin. Today, I will tell you the rules." After everyone sat down, Yu Xiaogang began.
"Don't dismiss the rules. Rules are restrictions, but they can also be advantageous if used properly. While strength is certainly important in a competition, you must also be clear about all the rules. Otherwise, you may be taken advantage of and lose all your hard work."
These words from Yu Xiaogang made everyone's faces turn serious.
Grandmaster continued, "The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is the largest-scale Spirit Master competition in the continent, jointly hosted by the Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire and the Spirit Hall. The rules must be followed. Firstly, the participating students from each academy must be under the age of 25 and maintain seven members for each match. Secondly, the purpose of the competition is friendly sparring, and it is strongly encouraged to avoid causing injuries to opponents. Death is strictly prohibited. If there is an act of killing, the academy responsible will not only bear the corresponding losses but will also be expelled from the tournament."
Dai Mubai frowned and said, "Isn't this rule a bit childish? We all strive for victory, and in a situation where our strengths are similar, we will go all out against each other, which may lead to injuries. If we are restricted by such rules, wouldn't fighting become as restrained as an exhibition match? What's the difference?"
Grandmaster nodded and said, "You have a point. However, you must understand that the participants representing the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament are all outstanding individuals in their respective academies and the future of the Spirit Master world. It is not easy to cultivate a Spirit Master, and the number of Spirit Masters is small on the continent. Prohibiting killing your opponents may have certain limitations, but it is also a guarantee for you children. From my perspective, this rule is very appropriate."
"In addition to these, there are other rules. On the field, you cannot use any food or medicine made by Food or Healing System Spirit Masters that you have prepared in advance. In other words, if you want to obtain supplies on the field, you must have an Auxiliary System Spirit Master who can produce them on the spot."
Everyone nodded in agreement. This rule was reasonable, and they could accept it.
"There is another rule." Grandmaster continued, glancing at Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing. "Using any weapons other than your Martial Spirit is prohibited. Tang San, your hidden weapons cannot be used in this tournament. Similarly, Zhu Zhuqing, you cannot use your sword. You must remember this, or else you will be directly expelled from the tournament."
"Ah!" Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong immediately raised a question, "Grandmaster, it's fine for Third Brother not to use hidden weapons, as he is still very strong without them. But with Zhu Zhuqing, most of her strength lies in her swordsmanship. Isn't it unfair to restrict her from using a sword?"
The others also nodded. Zhu Zhuqing was the main fighting force of their team. Not being able to use weapons other than their Martial Spirit would reduce their team's strength.
Grandmaster looked at Zhu Zhuqing and asked, "What do you think, Zhu Zhuqing?"
There was no change in Zhu Zhuqing's expression, and she calmly said, "It doesn't matter. Even without a sword, I have confidence in my own strength. And..."
Star like spirit power surged within Zhu Zhuqing's body. An adorable and mysterious phantom in the likeness of a starry spirit appeared on her shoulder and then condensed into a ray of light in her palm.
As the starlight shimmered and dissipated, a longsword crafted as if from celestial stars appeared in her hand. The blade reflected light, and the chilling intent of the sword permeated the space.
"My Martial Spirit can transform into any Sword I desire." Zhu Zhuqing looked at them and calmly said.
Seeing the longsword in Zhu Zhuqing's hand, everyone was stunned.
Only then did they remember that Zhu Zhuqing's mutated Martial Spirit had the ability to change. Because Zhu Zhuqing hadn't used it for a long time and usually fought using the Clear Shadow and Bamboo Sword, they had unintentionally overlooked the fact that her Martial Spirit had the power to transform.