On the stage, the Seven Treasures team was locked in a fierce battle with the Tian Shui team.
Shui Bing'er's area-of-effect crowd control significantly slowed down the Seven Treasures team's offensive rhythm.
Before the match, Feng Xiaotian had already explained that the best way to deal with the Tian Shui team was to use strong winds to blow them off the stage.
In terms of individual strength, they were no match for the Seven Treasures team.
However, as an extreme-style team, with everyone's spirit power amplifying their abilities, Shui Bing'er's control effects became extraordinarily powerful.
Every step Ning Tianchen and Feng Xiaotian took forward, the biting cold they felt increased.
Wiping away the frost forming on his lips, Ning Tianchen quickly gave instructions. "Xiaotian, Zhuqing, flank them from the sides and find a way to evade their control."
Feng Xiaotian reminded him, "Captain, her control covers a wide area—we probably can't get close."
Before Ning Tianchen could think further, a blue figure suddenly darted out beside him.
Yu Hairen's martial soul was the coral barracuda, skilled at weaving through the battlefield and finding opportune moments to deliver fatal blows to opponents.
"Second soul skill: Explosive Waves."
She stomped her right foot on the ground, and countless droplets of water seeped out of the floor, merging into a tidal wave that surged toward Ning Tianchen.
"Good timing."
The sharp edge of the Seven Kill Sword gleamed as it slashed through the incoming tide.
Immediately afterward, Ning Tianchen reached out with his left hand, attempting to capture her.
A faint smile appeared on Yu Hairen's lips as her body, like a fish, slipped into the water and quickly retreated.
Ning Tianchen wanted to pursue her but suddenly felt a chilling sensation. The water released by Yu Hairen instantly froze, trapping Ning Tianchen's legs in ice.
"Not even a shred of resistance," he thought bitterly to himself.
All of the Tian Shui team's soul skills complemented each other perfectly, and they continuously used crowd-control techniques against him, making him feel powerless.
"I'm coming for you."
Shui Yue'er chuckled lightly, her body gliding swiftly across the icy surface.
Her martial soul was the Crystal Jade Dolphin, and she specialized in agility-based attacks.
"Boss, be careful!" Before Chen Huayu could rush to support him, his feet slipped, and he fell flat on the spot.
---
On the high platform, after brief discussions, Ning Fengzhi, Huo Lie, and Shui Ningbing quickly reached an agreement.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would provide protection to the two families, and in return, the two families would arrange marriages with disciples of the sect and assist in handling certain matters.
Seeing the spirit battle reach a deadlock, their attention turned back to the stage.
Huo Lie sneered, "Old Shui still had this trick up her sleeve. This match's biggest dark horse might just be your team."
The Tian Shui team's coordination was impeccable, and they had successfully restricted Ning Tianchen and Feng Xiaotian, preventing the Seven Treasures team from mounting an effective offense.
Gu Rong, however, didn't agree with his assessment.
While control-type soul skills could restrain the Seven Treasures team, they couldn't cause substantial damage. Once Shui Bing'er's spirit power ran out, the Tian Shui team would undoubtedly lose.
"Let's continue watching the match," Ning Fengzhi said confidently, not believing the Seven Treasures team would lose.
---
"First soul skill: Azure Dragon Breakthrough."
The azure dragon sword qi dispersed the cold air in front of Ning Tianchen. Just as he prepared to counterattack, the sword qi was frozen solid by the icy currents released by Shui Bing'er.
"The help of auxiliary-type soul masters, huh?" Ning Tianchen clicked his tongue.
Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu possessed a Spirit Fusion Technique—their coordination must be extremely high.
Ning Tianchen's gaze sharpened as he unleashed multiple sword qi blasts, driving back Shui Yue'er who had been harassing him.
At the same time, the spreading sword qi shattered all the ice covering the arena floor.
Ning Tianchen was thankful that the thunderstorm weather from the previous days had already passed—otherwise, their situation would have been even more dire.
After all, when temperatures dropped, even soul masters' reaction speed and agility were restricted.
"Third soul skill: Gale Wings." Feng Xiaotian quickly ascended into the air, his claws rapidly moving to gather the surrounding air, gradually forming a wind tornado.
"Nine Treasures has fame, third is spirit."
Ning Rongrong provided him with spirit power amplification.
---
The Shrek Academy group watched the stage intently, afraid of missing any detail.
The Tian Shui team's area-of-effect crowd control was formidable—if it were the current Shrek Academy, they wouldn't stand a chance.
"Teacher, if we used the Seven Treasures team's fast-attack tactic, could we win?" Tang San couldn't help but ask.
The fast-attack tactic referred to the strategy the Seven Treasures team had used in their match against the Thunderclap Academy.
Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment, considering the Seven Treasures team's situation, then shook his head. "It wouldn't work. The Tian Shui team's control-type soul masters are too strong. Before the Seven Treasures team could even reach them, all of them might be immobilized."
Flender interjected, "The best approach would be for Feng Xiaotian to use the gathered wind force to blow them all off the stage."
Without the assistance of a wind-attribute auxiliary soul master or environmental factors, the wind force Feng Xiaotian gathered might not be enough to blow the entire Tian Shui team off the stage.
Yu Xiaogang sneered, "The Seven Treasures team won't lose so easily. Their tactical arrangements always surprise people. Perhaps they have other tactics prepared. Let's keep watching and try to learn them. When we face the Tian Shui team in the future, we'll know how to respond."
---
As expected, the Seven Treasures team emerged victorious in this match.
Although the Tian Shui team had managed to suppress Ning Tianchen in the first half of the match, Ning Tianchen wasn't one to sit idly by. With Feng Xiaotian's cooperation, they quickly eliminated Shui Yue'er.
With the numerical disadvantage, the Tian Shui team found it increasingly difficult to organize effective attacks.
Additionally, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu chose not to use their Spirit Fusion Technique, leaving the outcome of the match without any real suspense.
After the match, Shui Yue'er approached Ning Tianchen and praised him, saying, "Ning Tianchen, you're amazing. If you ever get the chance, could you come to the Tian Shui Academy for an exchange?"
After speaking, she batted her eyes, eagerly awaiting his response.
Her intentions were as clear as day—everyone knew what was on her mind!
Ning Rongrong stepped in front of Ning Tianchen, deliberately leaning into his arms as if to assert dominance.
"Sorry, we're not interested." After speaking, Ning Tianchen wrapped his arm around Ning Rongrong's slender waist and walked off the stage.
Shui Yue'er muttered under her breath.
"Yue'er, stop fooling around," Shui Bing'er coldly reminded her.
---
"Seven Treasures team total score: 119. Tian Shui team total score: 103."
The Seven Treasures team claimed the championship, while the Tian Shui team came in second place. It was worth noting that the Thunderclap Academy performed poorly in the latter half of the team battles and failed to even make it into the top three.
The third-place team was the Tian Dou Imperial Academy team.
The Tian Shui team's freezing abilities could freeze Dugu Yan's toxic mist, which was why they lost a match to the Tian Shui team.
Ning Fengzhi stepped onto the stage to personally present awards to everyone.
As the champion team, each member of the Seven Treasures team received a reward of ten thousand gold spirit coins, along with an additional five thousand gold spirit coin voucher for the mall, courtesy of Gu Rong.
"Tianchen, you've never disappointed me. For the upcoming Soul Masters Tournament eight months from now, the Seven Treasures team will rely on you," Ning Fengzhi said, patting Ning Tianchen on the shoulder and entrusting him with great responsibility.
"Uncle Ning, rest assured," Ning Tianchen nodded solemnly.
"I really hope the Soul Masters Tournament comes soon," Ning Rongrong said with anticipation.
During the inter-academy exchange tournament, everyone held back, and the matches weren't truly satisfying.
Only when both sides fought with all their might did the battles become interesting.
Ning Tianchen shared the same sentiment.
Among the team members, he had the most hidden trump cards. If there was no opportunity to use them, what was the point of keeping them?
Overall, this year's inter-academy exchange tournament was a success, leaving both hosts and participants satisfied.
Ning Fengzhi's generous rewards made many students proud to participate in the event and recognize its value.
It was foreseeable that before the next Soul Masters Tournament, even if the Seven Treasures Academy didn't host the inter-academy exchange tournament, many would beg them to do so.
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