After Zhu Zhuqing was defeated in her battle against Osler from the Botanical Academy, Shrek Academy sent out Ma Hongjun. Although the captain of the Cryptid Academy had secured consecutive victories over Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, his remaining spirit power was insufficient, and he was easily defeated by Ma Hongjun.
In the end, only three spirit masters remained for Cryptid Academy. However, they were no match for the Fire Phoenix, which had already reached the Spirit Ancestor level. With a single breath, they were nearly burned to cinders.
Shrek Academy claimed an easy victory, and up next was their battle against the Botanical Academy.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong rushed over anxiously "Brother Jian, help!"
Seeing her urgency, Jun Tianlin immediately understood the reason and reassured her gently "It's okay, Rongrong."
Then, he turned to Ye Lingling "Senior, could you please help heal the little kitten from earlier? Otherwise, I'm afraid she won't be able to participate in the finals."
Ye Lingling nodded coolly and followed Ning Rongrong to Shrek Academy's resting area. With the support of the Nine Hearts Flowering Apple, Zhu Zhuqing's injuries would not be a major issue.
Since the promotion matches were structured as one-on-one duels, Ye Lingling's absence as a healer would not impact Botanical Academy's lineup at all.
As the match began, the Botanical Academy sent out their first contestant, a level 41 control-type Spirit Ancestor named Mu Yunteng, whose martial soul was the Vine.
"Just as I expected, they're leading with a control-type Spirit Ancestor to set the pace" Qin Ming observed with a slight smile "Osler, it's your turn. Show them what you've got."
"Got it! Watch me!" Osler somersaulted into the battlefield, his black figure flashing across the arena. His speed as an agility-type spirit master was fully displayed
Mu Yunteng smirked "An agility-type fighter? You should know that agility masters are the most restrained by control masters. Emperor Team only wins because of their high levels, but their combat ability is nothing special."
Even if they lost today, the Botanical Academy was determined to at least win a few rounds, unlike other teams who had been easily crushed. Their confidence lay in the natural advantage control-types had over other classes in one-on-one duels.
"Come on then! Try and catch me with your vines!" Osler taunted as he dashed toward Mu Yunteng. Compared to Zhu Zhuqing earlier, his speed was on an entirely different level.
"First spirit skill, Binding Vines!" Mu Yunteng's vines lashed out, mimicking the entanglement ability of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, though they were tougher than an unawakened Blue Silver Grass. Once ensnared, an agility-type spirit master would be rendered useless.
But, as Osler had pointed out, she had to catch him first.
Osler was not only fast but also incredibly nimble. With a series of unpredictable movements, he effortlessly evaded the vines, making them miss completely.
His footwork carried a faint resemblance to Jun Tianlin's Drunken Immortal Moon-Gazing Steps, but it was infused with a more heroic and aggressive flair.
"What kind of movement technique is this?" the students from the Botanical Academy exclaimed in shock. As control specialists, their strength relied on restricting opponents. But against Osler's bizarre movement patterns, they found themselves at a complete disadvantage.
Not only were they unable to restrain Osler, but they were the ones being countered instead.
Though Jun Tianlin and Osler were friends, Jun Tianlin would never casually teach the unique techniques of Shushan to outsiders. Instead, this footwork was a creation of Osler himself.
Just as Yufeng had developed his own combination techniques, Osler refused to remain stagnant.
For a long time, Osler had been captivated by the battles between Jun Tianlin and Yu Tianheng. Jun Tianlin's Drunken Immortal Moon-Gazing Steps allowed for unpredictable movement, while Yu Tianheng's family's inherited footwork focused on powerful, wide-ranging movements.
Then, one day, Osler suddenly exclaimed "I get it now!"
Without another word, he left in a frenzy. For seven days, no one saw him. When he finally returned, he looked completely disheveled, but his footwork had undergone a dramatic transformation.
During those days, Osler had trained on the most treacherous mountainside, perfecting his new movement technique. He named it "Dragon Soaring and Leopard Transformation."
The "Dragon Soaring" aspect drew from the power-generation methods of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, allowing for rapid leaps and bursts of movement. Meanwhile, the "Leopard Transformation" incorporated elements from Jun Tianlin's Drunken Immortal Moon-Gazing Steps, enabling swift and unpredictable directional shifts.
This was Osler's own self-created spirit skill.
"Damn it! He was on my left a second ago, but now I feel his presence from three different directions—front, back, and right! What do I do?!" Mu Yunteng panicked, unable to decide where to direct her vines
"My friend, it's dangerous to get distracted in battle!" Osler suddenly appeared right in front of Mu Yunteng
"Oh no! He's closing in!" The instructor from the Botanical Academy tensed. For a control-type fighter, allowing an opponent to get too close was the worst possible scenario
"Fourth spirit skill, Vine Fortress!"
Mu Yunteng wasn't a weak opponent. Reaching the Spirit Ancestor level at her age was proof of her intelligence and talent. She swiftly adapted, using what was originally a binding technique as a defensive measure.
Thick vines wrapped tightly around her, forming a protective barrier
Osler chuckled "Not bad. You turned a control ability into a defensive one. Clever… but still naive!"
"Fourth spirit skill—Ghost Leopard Thousand Claws!"
Osler unleashed his most powerful fourth spirit skill. The key to this technique lay in two aspects: speed and destruction.
Each of Osler's strikes chipped away at the opponent's defenses. Within seconds, Mu Yunteng's supposedly impenetrable Vine Fortress was slashed to pieces. What was once a durable barrier now crumbled like paper.
In the end, Osler grabbed Mu Yunteng by the neck and lifted her off the ground. The battle was decided.
"We surrender!" The instructor from the Botanical Academy quickly intervened, afraid that Mu Yunteng would suffer serious injuries.
Hearing this, Osler immediately let go. He had no intention of causing unnecessary harm.
Mu Yunteng walked off the battlefield with her head lowered. The crushing defeat had shattered her earlier confidence.
The Botanical Academy had placed their strongest spirit masters at the end, but their next four competitors were merely Spirit Elders. Against Osler's overwhelming speed and footwork, they could hardly land a single hit.
Before long, Osler had defeated five opponents in a row.
"Not bad, Senior Osler!" Jun Tianlin praised
"Five victories in a row. The Emperor Team really is on another level. I never expected Osler, who usually seemed unimpressive, to have such incredible strength."
The spectators murmured among themselves, finally realizing that every member of the Emperor Team was extraordinary.