When their support-type Soul Master was attacked by Lu Wuchang and Xu Qing, Kuishui Academy instantly lost their rhythm. In a hurry, they dispatched a control-type Soul Master and an assault-type Soul Master to stop the two.
However, as Lu Wuchang and Xu Qing withdrew, the previously seamless coordinated defense of Kuishui Academy revealed a vulnerability. Yu Nantian seized the opportunity and broke through with a lightning strike, creating a hole about two meters in diameter.
Zhu Zhu reacted swiftly and dashed straight through the gap in their defenses. Fang Chang followed right behind her, and in an instant, the battlefield shifted entirely to Kuishui Academy's side.
By the time their Soul Masters reacted, Zhu Zhu was already within two meters of their formation. Without hesitation, she activated her sixth Soul Skill—Spiderweb Killing Array.
Dense spider silk erupted from the ground, enveloping the two closest members of Kuishui Academy.
Entangled in the spider silk, the two instantly lost mobility. They could only struggle with all their strength, trying to break free by channeling their Soul Power.
But one of them had just reached the early Soul King level (around Rank 50), and the other was only a Soul Ancestor. Within Zhu Zhu's web, they had little hope of escape.
At that moment, Yu Nantian and Xu Zhu also caught up, increasing the pressure on Kuishui Academy's side.
"Use that move, now!" shouted Kuishui Academy's team leader from the stands, clearly in a panic.
Perhaps hearing the cry, Kuishui Academy's remaining members visibly calmed. They gave up all defenses and allowed their Soul Power to resonate through some unknown link.
Suddenly, a formless water pillar surged from the ground, blasting away Fang Chang and his group who had gathered near the seven.
A Martial Soul Fusion Skill? That was the first thought that crossed their minds. But on second thought, it didn't seem quite right. A seven-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill with only that much power?
Besides, performing a seven-person Fusion Skill was far more difficult than a two-person one—almost impossible, in fact.
"Look at their hands," Fang Chang suddenly said, drawing everyone's attention back.
Only then did they notice that each of the seven from Kuishui Academy was holding a circular Soul Tool, faintly glowing blue. Their Soul Power seemed to be merging through that device.
So that's it. The realization dawned. It wasn't a true Fusion Skill, but rather a temporary Soul Power merge achieved through Soul Tools, allowing them to unleash a strike beyond their normal capabilities.
But even after that, the attack had failed to injure the team from Spider God Academy. The expressions on the students of Kuishui Academy turned grim.
Still, the blow had disrupted Zhu Zhu's Spiderweb Killing Array and forced Lu Wuchang and Xu Qing to retreat. Reuniting with Fang Chang and the others, the crisis on Kuishui Academy's side was momentarily averted.
This move had been their trump card—meant to be used in a later round. Who would've thought they'd encounter such a fierce team like Spider God Academy right from the start?
"Keep going! I refuse to believe they can withstand a second, third strike!" the Kuishui Academy captain growled. The seven stood in a row again, linking their Soul Power once more through the Soul Tools.
"Go!" With his command, another wave-like attack surged forward from the seven, barreling toward Fang Chang's team.
Fang Chang's group quickly regrouped. Xu Zhu, Yu Nantian, and Fang Chang—three assault-types—stood at the front, while the rest took cover behind them.
The three began charging their attacks simultaneously, with Nangong Yue providing support from the rear.
Xu Zhu struggled the most—his defense barely held.
Yu Nantian, leveraging his superior Soul Power and elemental advantage, punched the ground. A massive surge of lightning burst forth, neutralizing most of the incoming wave.
This time, Fang Chang didn't hold back. All six of his simulated Soul Rings lit up as he charged forward alone.
As he neared the wave, he remained completely fearless and smashed right into it. The water wave didn't harm him in the slightest, nor did it slow him down.
Watching this lone charge, the students from Kuishui Academy smirked.
"This guy's got a death wish, trying to take on all seven of us alone. Let's show him what we're made of!" they scoffed, preparing another joint attack.
"Wait! Look at his Soul Rings!" a female member suddenly screamed as Fang Chang drew closer.
Following her pointing finger, the others finally saw the Soul Ring configuration they had previously missed—one yellow, two purple, two black, and one red.
Six Soul Rings weren't necessarily terrifying, but that configuration was outright monstrous—especially the last one, a crimson ten-thousand-year Soul Ring. Their jaws dropped.
Fang Chang flashed past them and raised his right fist, slamming it into the attack the seven had just conjured.
Boom! A deafening roar rang out. Water splashed everywhere, and a wave of invisible pressure rippled outward. It seemed to rain for a moment as a damp mist filled the sky.
From within the mist, a man walked out calmly, not even looking back. He clapped the dust from his hands and gave an "OK" sign toward the Spider God Academy team.
Judging by his looks and demeanor, who else could it be but Fang Chang?
As the mist cleared, the scene within was revealed. The once-proud team from Kuishui Academy, who had just launched a Soul Tool-enhanced group attack, now all lay on the ground.
Their clothes were soaked by their own water attack. Only two of them managed to prop themselves up with trembling arms, barely conscious. The other five had been knocked out by Fang Chang's single strike.
"Sigh…" Kuishui Academy's team leader let out a long breath from the spectator stand. He stood up and cupped his fists toward Spider God Academy's team leader.
"We admit defeat," he said, turning to the referee with a helpless expression.
At this point in the battle, there was no reason to drag it out any further.
The old referee nodded in understanding and raised a hand to both sides.
"This match is over. The winner: Spider God Academy."
As he announced the result, cheers erupted from Fang Chang's side.
It hadn't been easy. This was only the first match, and the opponent's overall strength was lower than theirs. Yet it had taken a serious effort to win.
Clearly, no team in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament was weak. They could not afford to let their guard down in future matches.
Yu Nantian and the others rushed up to greet Fang Chang as he walked back. One after another, they hugged him, their recognition of his strength now complete.
Until now, Fang Chang had always kept a low profile. Everyone knew he was powerful but feared he might slack off during the tournament. After today's battle, many of those worries were put to rest.