Chapter 108: Shrek's New Tactics

At this moment Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke, "Yang Xiong, let's discuss the future tactics together; perhaps we can achieve better results."

Yang Xiong didn't hesitate, pulling Ning Rongrong into the team, his face showing a hint of confusion: "Master, I'm not very familiar with tactics; just set them up and I'll execute."

"Anyway I'll just follow your arrangements; whether as part of the Agility Attack System or the Defense System, I can adapt."

At that moment Yang Xiong felt odd; normally Yu Xiaogang and Tang San devise tactics, Dai Mubai occasionally adds a comment, but the real decision‑maker is mostly Tang San, so being asked to set tactics for himself is certainly not a good thing.

After a pause Yu Xiaogang said, "Yang Xiong, Shrek's team hasn't had an easy road to get here; we're already in the finals. I hope everyone gives their all, so we might go further and even have a chance at the championship."

Yang Xiong forced a smile and glanced at everyone present, "Master, that might be a bit difficult. I've been watching the other teams these past two days, and we have little confidence of winning against the three strong teams."

Seeing Yang Xiong's expression, Yu Xiaogang grew a bit angry, "Yang Xiong, I know you've been holding back some strength; if you give it your all against those three strong teams, we might have a chance."

Yang Xiong laughed, "What does 'full‑strength' even mean? The core of our team is Tang San, the captains are Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng; I'm just an ordinary member. You can't have such high expectations of a regular teammate."

"Moreover, I've been taking every battle seriously from start to finish, fully following your plans; at least my performance isn't worse than anyone else's."

"When you set up the formation, did you ever consider me individually? My role in the team is the most uncertain, and no tactics have been designed specifically for me. Why bring this up now?"

Yang Xiong isn't without temper; he just doesn't want to be flashy. In the promotion match he was listed as the finale, yet he didn't actually appear in a single round.

As for tactical design, no one paid any attention; whenever others shone brightly, Yang Xiong was always the most low‑key member, even though he had long proven his strength to be the strongest in the team.

The Continental Soul Grandmaster Elite Competition was originally a stage to showcase individual ability; even though Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was countered many times, he remained the team's core. Claiming that Yu Xiaogang and the others are unbiased would even fool a ghost.

Flanders seemed to sense the awkward atmosphere and quickly tried to smooth things over, "Yang Xiong, we all recognize your performance; you're truly the anchor of our team. We know you're powerful, but in a crucial tournament it's best not to wear such cumbersome load; you might shine even brighter."

Yang Xiong nodded, "Thank you, Dean, for your concern. From now on I won't wear any load in the arena and will surely demonstrate the corresponding strength."

"But I have to add, the team needs to be fair and just. I'll complete every task, yet some things can't rely on me alone, and in the end we get nothing."

Everyone fell silent upon hearing that; as the strongest member, being neither the tactical core nor the captain, he really had no clear standing.

Just as Yang Xiong was about to leave, Dai Mubai suddenly spoke.

"Classmates, there's something I'd like to ask of you; I hope everyone can help me."

Everyone turned their heads toward Dai Mubai; as the former captain of Shrek, his words still carried weight in the team.

Flanders said, "Mubai, just say what's on your mind; we all fought our way here together and are good friends."

After thinking carefully, Dai Mubai spoke, "You should all know my martial soul with Zhu Qing; I actually come from the Dai Family of the Star Luo Empire, I'm a prince of the Star Luo Empire."

"Our family has an extremely strict selection system; princes of the same generation must undergo brutal competition, and only the final victor can emerge, while the others have their martial souls and soul power stripped."

"My biggest rival is Dai Weisi, but Dai Weisi is six years older than me, and this Soul Master Competition is my last chance to compete with him. I hope everyone can help me defeat the Star Luo Royal Academy Team with all our strength."

"Of course I'll give it my all; even after winning the championship I won't need any soul bone. I hope everyone can give me a hand; we must not lose to the Star Luo Royal Academy."

The others were surprised to hear that; they hadn't expected Dai Mubai's background to be so noble and offered words of comfort.

Dai Mubai looked at Yang Xiong as if making a request; to truly defeat the Star Luo Royal Academy, Yang Xiong is the only unknown factor in the team.

Yang Xiong thought for a moment, "No problem. If we face the Star Luo Royal Academy, I'll give my all and at least counter Dai Weisi. But I'll add that if we actually win the championship, I'll pick one of the three soul bones first, because I believe my contribution to the team deserves it."

Dai Mubai quickly nodded, "Of course. We're all aware of your strength, Yang Xiong; purely in combat power you truly are the strongest in our team."

The others fell silent upon hearing that, evidently accepting it; after all, the championship is so distant that without Yang Xiong's full effort there might not even be a sliver of hope.

……

Soon the third round arrived; this time it was another weak team, and Shrek's team won effortlessly, securing a victory and advancing into the top six.

Yang Xiong's role changed again, this time from a Defense System soul master to a Strong Attack System soul master, and the supportive guardian issue of Ning Rongrong will be handled by Tang San's Blue Silver Grass.

In fact this is the most logical formation; given Shrek's team's situation, it's clearly strong offense and weak defense, and only by maximizing attack can we truly contend with strong teams.

Tang San's Blue Silver Grass moves at extreme speed; although the enemy counters it, according to his original Meteor Hammer tactic, protecting a support is still very easy, provided Tang San's desire to attack and show off isn't too strong, which also helps mask the grass's weaknesses.

Once the top six is reached, there are no more weak teams, including the three most outstanding squads: New Divine Wind Team, Star Luo Royal Academy Team, and the Spirit Hall Team.

As for Shrek's team, they didn't fight in the first two rounds; in the third they faced a weak team, showing strong power but not the overwhelming combat force.

After the fourth‑round draw, Flanders and Yu Xiaogang seemed a bit discouraged, because the draw landed on the New Divine Wind Team, while the Spirit Hall Team and the Star Luo Royal Academy Team did not appear, meaning those two squads should easily advance to the top three.

Both the Shenfeng Team and the Chi Huo Xue Yuan have defeated Shrek's team before, and even now Yu Xiaogang hasn't devised a tactic against the Shenfeng Team.

Seeing everyone unusually discouraged, Yang Xiong couldn't help but sigh; given their mental fortitude, it's surprising they still think of the championship, and no one knows who gave them such blind confidence.

Yang Xiong glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him; the little girl seemed indifferent, as if she feared neither heaven nor earth.

Yang Xiong, puzzled, asked, "Rong Rong, why do you seem unafraid of the New Divine Wind Team?"

Ning Rongrong spat at Yang Xiong, "Xiao Xiongzi, what are you thinking? With a teacher guiding tactics, even if we're outmatched on the field, aren't you still in front of me? You wouldn't let me get hurt, would you?"

Yang Xiong was speechless at her words; the little girl really could say that.

Flanders, a bit puzzled, asked, "Yang Xiong, do you have any way for us to defeat the New Divine Wind Team?"

Yang Xiong smiled, "Actually the New Divine Wind Academy isn't that terrifying; it's even less formidable than the original Shenfeng Academy. A slight adjustment on our part is enough."

Yu Xiaogang hurriedly said, "What should we do then? Shenfeng Academy has seven Soul Ancestors, and the Wind Attribute and Fire Attribute soul masters cooperate, essentially doubling their power; we'll have a hard time coping."

Yang Xiong shook his head, "Their strength is indeed impressive and they coordinate well, but this causes them to lose their own advantage; at least they've lost the all‑member Flight air‑superiority they had in the Qualifying Tournament."

The crowd looked at Yang Xiong with great puzzlement, as if waiting for him to reveal a tactic.

Yang Xiong sighed, "Against Shenfeng Academy, they can no longer have all members fly. What we need to do is wear them down, using our strength to exhaust them to death."

"It would be best if Rong Rong and Dugu Yan don't go, and even Xiao Wu stays off the field; replace them with the Shi Brothers. We can rely on our bodies to clash head‑on with them. Although the three from Chi Huo Xue Yuan have huge burst power, their endurance is relatively weak. If our five‑person combat power plus the Shi Brothers' sturdy defense is combined, the outcome becomes uncertain."

Tang San, a bit puzzled, asked, "Yang Xiong, in the Qualifying Tournament the Shi Brothers were at a disadvantage; they were swept off the Arena by a tornado. Now their strength is probably even greater…?"

When Tang San reached this point, he instantly grasped Yang Xiong's meaning: "I get it. They're no longer seven Wind Attribute soul masters; they've far lost the agility they had in the Qualifying Tournament. As long as the Shi Brothers are careful, they won't repeat the mistake. All of us who go out are battle soul masters with considerably stronger defense. If we clash head‑on and our defense holds, their soul power will be exhausted first, giving us the chance to win."

Yu Xiaogang also quickly understood the purpose of Yang Xiong's proposal; perhaps this is the key to victory.

Yang Xiong internally muttered, with such good substitutes Shrek's team still aims for both offense and defense; can't they think more flexibly?

……

Soon it was Shrek's team's turn to face the New Divine Wind Team, but when Shrek laid out its formation and lineup, everyone present was taken aback.

The Shenfeng Team still fielded a strong‑attack formation, with seven Soul Ancestors, and Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang at the front of the team.

Unexpectedly, Shrek's team arranged a very strange formation.

At the front of the team were the brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo, with Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng standing beside them, and Yang Xiong positioned in the middle.

The ones still standing at the end were two people; among them one was Tang San, and the other turned out to be a Soul Grandmaster who had never appeared before.

Shrek actually fielded a 2-1-4 formation, a bizarre lineup that had never appeared in the entire Soul Master Competition.

(End of chapter)