The next evening, the long-awaited clash between the Shrek Team and the Emperor Battle Team finally arrived.

The Great Spirit Arena was packed to the brim, a true sea of people shoulder to shoulder. Waves of deafening cheers surged through the air like crashing tides—but every single one was for the Emperor Battle Team. The Shrek Team had its supporters too, but compared to Emperor Battle Team's overwhelming fan base, they were barely noticeable.

On any other day, the arena manager would have been thrilled to see such a turnout. Today, however, he couldn't muster a smile.

He had done the math—if the Emperor Battle Team won again tonight, his own life might as well be over.

In the VIP stands, the Grandmaster, Flender, and Zhao Wuji sat with varying expressions.

"Xiao Gang… do the kids really have a sixty percent chance of winning? " Flender couldn't hold back his doubt any longer.

The Grandmaster cast him a glance, showing no intention of sugarcoating the truth. He shook his head. "No."

"What!? Then why—" Flender shot to his feet in shock.

"The children need confidence." The Grandmaster's face was calm, his voice unwavering.

Seeing how composed the Grandmaster was, Flender sank back into his seat with a sigh, frustration washing over him. "As long as they're not in real danger…"

The Grandmaster didn't answer. Flender didn't press further either.

Danger? What counts as danger? The stone stele outside the Spirit Arena was carved with names that only grew in number—never less.

Zhao Wuji remained silent. He figured there was no point in arguing; if both the Grandmaster and Flender agreed to this, what difference would his opinion make? Besides, he didn't believe for a second that the Grandmaster would let Tang San and the others risk their lives in this match. Flender and the Grandmaster wouldn't dare take that gamble.

"Everyone must have been waiting long enough! "At that moment, the voice of the host rang out. The arena manager had hired a stunning young hostess to liven up the crowd, and it worked like a charm. The atmosphere soared to a fever pitch as soon as she spoke.

With a confident smile, she raised her voice. "Tonight's match may only be between two Soul Elder-level teams, but both sides boast impressive records. This will be a battle of prodigies—a true clash of dragons and tigers! "

"Emperor! Emperor! Emperor! "

The crowd erupted, their roaring chants of "Emperor Battle Team" drowning out the host entirely.

When the audience finally calmed enough, she continued loudly: "Enough talking! The battle between the Shrek Team and the Emperor Battle Team begins now! "

In the tunnel, Oscar listened to the roaring audience and suddenly felt his legs go weak. "There are so many people out there…"

"Pathetic!"

Han Feng grabbed Oscar by the collar and snapped with a grin, "You're scared now? The scenes you'll face in the future will be hundreds, thousands of times bigger than this! "

"Don't flatter me," Oscar muttered with a bitter smile, not daring to argue.

Han Feng only chuckled and said nothing more.

At the front, Dai Mubai didn't hear their exchange. When the hostess announced the start of the battle, he bellowed, "Brothers! Let's go! "

From the opposite tunnel, Yu Tianheng led the Emperor Battle Team forward. Seven figures walked side by side, faces calm and confident, as if they didn't even consider the Shrek Team worth their attention.

When the two teams stepped into the arena, not a word was spoken. The only sound was the clash of their invisible auras colliding midair.

"Please give us your guidance! "Yu Tianheng looked at Dai Mubai, his words polite but his tone dripping with disdain, his eyes full of contempt.

"Hmph." Dai Mubai didn't bother replying. He simply let out a cold snort before looking away.

Yu Tianheng frowned. He had never met anyone more arrogant than himself.

Just as he was about to speak, Han Feng stepped forward from behind Dai Mubai. Yu Tianheng's face twitched slightly as he muttered, "Blazing Aegis? I've heard of you. There's no point trading meaningless taunts—we all know how this ends."

Han Feng froze for a split second, eyes flickering with an unreadable light. Even Dai Mubai's expression shifted slightly, but this wasn't the time for internal bickering. He activated his White Tiger Body Enhancement, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Enough nonsense! Let's fight! "

"Gladly!"

Yu Tianheng roared in response, his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon armor flaring to life. In an instant, all fourteen fighters activated their martial spirits—the arena was illuminated by the dazzling glow of thirty-nine spirit rings!

"Charge! "Yu Tianheng led the assault, storming forward with Yu Feng and Oslo at his side like an unstoppable force. Blue lightning crackled wildly as his first spirit ability unleashed, summoning a rainstorm of thunderous dragon heads crashing toward Shrek Team!

Dai Mubai wasn't backing down. He charged forward, his first and third spirit abilities bursting to life as his white mane whipped around him.

Behind him, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu consumed Oscar's third spirit ability, their speed exploding as Ning Rongrong layered buffs on them. Zhu Zhuqing's sheer speed left even Yu Feng and Oslo in the dust!

"Hah! Fools' courage! "Yu Tianheng sneered at their head-on approach, his eyes flashing coldly.

"Fall! "He slammed down his Thunder Dragon Claw, aiming to crush Dai Mubai in a single blow.

But to his shock, Dai Mubai didn't even glance at him. Instead, he charged straight ahead like a man seeking death—

Boom!

A crimson shield flashed between them, absorbing the brunt of Yu Tianheng's strike. Raindrops of thunder fell like sparks onto its surface, yet none broke through.

"Tch! And here I thought you'd take this chance to get back at me! "Dai Mubai, he growled as he brushed past Han Feng.

"Get lost! "

Han Feng was fully unleashed now. Wrapped in the blazing armor of the Flame Lord and wielding his expanded Blazing Shield, he stood like an unshakable fortress, blocking Yu Tianheng's storm without a single gap!

"Blazing Aegis! " Yu Tianheng roared, blasting away an incoming Sunfire strike. His anger flared, but his gaze grew more cautious.

Unlike in the original timeline, the Emperor Team wasn't underestimating Shrek. Yu Tianheng knew exactly what Han Feng could do. Even he would struggle to break through Han Feng's defense quickly—and if Han Feng had time to charge up his counterstrike, the situation could flip in an instant!

Han Feng grinned behind the inferno. "Sorry, but you'll be staying here with me for a while."

"Hmph! "Yu Tianheng snorted coldly, trying to bypass Han Feng to chase Dai Mubai.

"Your opponent… is me."

Han Feng sneered, his flaming shield sweeping out to block Yu Tianheng's path. Fire roared around them, carving a sea of flames into the arena floor.

Behind Han Feng stood Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar. Ahead of him, Dai Mubai and the others clashed with the Emperor Team.

"You think pinning me down means victory? Or are you dreaming of defeating me? " Yu Tianheng asked coldly, his voice calm despite the burning flames, his pride unshaken.

Their clash was only beginning.

PS: Read Advance Chapters at patreon.com/c/Shinazuki