Shrek Academy's opponent in this match was called Purple Star Academy. Like Elephant Armored, they also had three Soul Ancestors, but their levels were not as high as Elephant Armored's; all three were just around level forty-one to forty-two.
On Shrek's side, everyone also activated their Martial Souls. This time, Tang San didn't draw any attention; after all, he just had the humble Blue Silver Grass, and his level was only thirty-nine—not enough to attract interest.
Almost everyone was looking at Ma Hongjun.
"That's… the Fire Phoenix! A top-tier Martial Soul, second only to god-level martial souls, and he's already broken through to Soul Ancestor. Who would have thought such a small academy like Shrek would have such a talent," Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and others exclaimed in shock.
Unlike the original story, because Shrek had not gone to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, they still didn't know about the Shrek Seven Devils.
Emperor Xue Ye also stared fixedly at Ma Hongjun. Their royal family's Swan Martial Soul also belonged to the flying beast category and was considered quite good among ordinary martial souls, but compared to the Fire Phoenix, the difference was more than just a little.
"I wonder, what's this young man's background?" Salas asked. He was also interested in Ma Hongjun.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi spoke up, "Your Majesty, Bishop Salas, Hongjun is one of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, as is that food-type soul master. Also, my daughter is currently studying at Shrek, though she's not playing in this match."
"Oh? So, is Shrek secretly supported by your clan?" Emperor Xue Ye smiled. Although it was a pity that Ma Hongjun now belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and couldn't be recruited, it was still better than letting such a talent fall into the hands of Spirit Hall.
On the other side, Salas's face darkened. Ning Fengzhi's mention of his daughter at Shrek was a clear warning not to target Ma Hongjun or Oscar.
Facing Emperor Xue Ye's question, Ning Fengzhi replied with a light laugh, "That's not it. Shrek has nothing to do with my clan. My daughter was just being willful, had a little quarrel with Xiao Tian, ran away from home, and happened to join an academy. Coincidentally, there were a few geniuses at that academy, so she invited them to join the clan."
Ning Fengzhi spoke lightly, but the others couldn't help feeling envious. What luck Ning Rongrong had—to find such geniuses even while running away from home. Not to mention Ma Hongjun, even Oscar was an incredible talent. Considering the difficulty of cultivating as a food-type soul master, reaching level thirty-nine at his age meant his talent was no less than the so-called Golden Generation of Spirit Hall.
Emperor Xue Ye glanced at his younger brother, Prince Xue Xing, his gaze conveying a meaning: arrange for Princess Xue Ke to run away from home, and if she doesn't bring back three Title Douluo-level talents, don't let her come back.
His royal daughter, a noble princess, why should her luck be inferior to Ning Rongrong's?
Prince Xue Xing nodded, expressing his understanding, "Understood, big brother. I'll arrange it right away."
The match began atop the Soul Arena. Dai Mubai shouted, "Everyone, One-Hit Flow tactic, get ready!"
Shrek was at least much smarter than Elephant Armored. They had discussed various tactics in advance and even named them, so when fighting, they only needed to call out the name. After all, who knew exactly what the One-Hit Flow was supposed to do?
Unlike Elephant Armored, who would discuss who to attack and how right in front of their opponents—their intelligence was simply painful to watch.
"Second soul skill, Healing Array!" Jiang Zhu struck her staff hard against the ground, forming a healing array that spread across the field.
"This Shrek is arrogant, actually healing the opponents." With Gu Rong's sharp eyes, he could tell that Jiang Zhu's skill was aimed at Purple Star Academy.
Were they afraid the opponents would be too injured and lose their eligibility? It seemed they had great confidence in their so-called One-Hit Flow tactic.
"Third soul skill, Mushroom Sausage!" Oscar produced two mushroom sausages and gave them to Dai Mubai and Tang San. These sausages weren't for flying, but for acceleration.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, one already fast and the other able to teleport, didn't need them.
"So fast!" Watching the four Shrek members charge in, Purple Star Academy barely had time to react before being surrounded.
"Second soul skill, Charm!"
"Third soul skill, Nether Slash."
"Fourth soul skill, White Tiger Meteor Shower."
Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu attacked together. Dai Mubai's large-scale attack covered five people at once, while Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu each knocked back or charmed one.
To avoid the White Tiger Meteor Shower, the five Purple Star members retreated. At this moment, one was knocked over by Zhu Zhuqing, while another, charmed by Xiao Wu, obediently walked into their midst.
"Blue Silver Grass, Bind!" While the seven were gathered, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass turned into a large loop, tying them all up at once.
"So that's it—the purpose of this attack was to force their movement, not to hit them," Tian Lin saw through the tactic. Since Tang San didn't have the Blue Silver Prison from the original, he couldn't use a group control skill. To control all opponents at once, he had to get them together and then bind them with Blue Silver Grass.
So-called One-Hit Flow wasn't about attacking only once—it was about winning with a single overwhelming strike, and that strike would naturally come from the most explosive Ma Hongjun.
"Second soul skill, Bathing Fire Phoenix! Third soul skill, Phoenix Wings Ascend!"
As expected, Ma Hongjun began charging up. Both of these were enhancement skills: Bathing Fire Phoenix gave full defense and increased firepower by 30%. Phoenix Wings Ascend boosted flying ability and doubled the flame power of the next attack while increasing its area of effect by 50%.
"Fourth soul skill, Phoenix Howl Sky Strike!"
Finally, the big attack: Phoenix Howl Sky Strike, a skill of massive power but which couldn't target specific opponents, so it required a skilled controller to assist.
Because Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had lost its immortal herb and fourth soul ring, it no longer had immunity to water and fire and was much less tough than in the original story. In less than two seconds, the seven Purple Star members broke free.
"Tying up seven at once was just too much, huh?" Tang San frowned, "But, two seconds is enough."
Within those two seconds, Ma Hongjun unleashed his Phoenix Howl Sky Strike, stunning the opponents first. Then, magma erupted from the ground, and with the boost from Phoenix Wings Ascend, the area covered everyone.
In an instant, all seven were blasted away by this fierce attack, collapsing to the ground.
If not for Jiang Zhu's constant healing, the other side might have been dead or crippled. As it was, a few months' rest would be enough to fully recover.
One move, seven defeated—this was the so-called One-Hit Flow tactic. After eating the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Ma Hongjun's explosive power was simply terrifying.
Qin Ming's eyes glowed. "What a pity! This child is already the Dean's disciple. Otherwise, I'd want to recruit him too. His cultivation path is the same as mine, both fire attribute—he and I are truly kindred spirits."