Returning to the platform, Wu Bai was indeed shaken by Jing Shaoyu's thousand-year spirit rings. But as the shock faded, his eyes burned with excitement and fighting spirit. He trembled with eagerness to battle.
Jing Shaoyu sensed Wu Bai's desire for combat and felt a surge of respect. To return that respect, he closed his eyes briefly in focus. In an instant, a magnificent green light enveloped the platform as his Primal Spirit Crown expanded, and a towering shadow of a tree emerged in a dazzling display.
The Qing Yue Willow, a five-thousand-year-old spirit beast, had arrived.
The air on the platform transformed, filling with a fresh and delicate plant fragrance that brightened the mood—well, for the sole observer, the referee. At first, the judge relaxed, but soon his body tensed as he felt the potent aura of the ancient spirit beast. Although it was no threat to him as a Soul King, for the contestants on the platform, especially Wu Bai, its presence was lethal.
The referee felt a twinge of helplessness and awe. Was this handsome young contestant, Jing Shaoyu, really capable of summoning such a spirit? The boy's abilities were enough to make others feel insignificant.
Wu Bai stood there, momentarily spellbound, simply staring at the towering, uniquely-shaped willow tree.
Perched atop the Qing Yue Willow, Jing Shaoyu remained calm, hidden among the thick canopy of leaves, his figure shrouded by the curtain-like willow branches. He didn't need to act—his spirit beast alone would be sufficient.
Though not particularly offensive in nature, the Qing Yue Willow was still a formidable spirit beast. Against a prodigious talent like Wu Bai, it was more than adequate.
Before Wu Bai could fully process his shock, Qing Yue Willow moved into action. Several green willow vines shot from either side of Wu Bai, slicing through the air with a sharp, whistling sound. The force was palpable, causing the air around them to shiver.
"Snap!"
A vine struck Wu Bai's arm, snapping him out of his daze. The pain jolted him awake, and he looked at the vine wrapped around his arm with a flicker of fear—it hurt, badly. He retreated, raising his guard, and with a powerful swipe of his claws, he severed another incoming vine.
However, despite breaking the vine, Wu Bai's expression grew even more serious.
Before him hovered dozens of vines, each moving as if alive, suspended like green serpents in mid-air, poised to ensnare him at any moment.
Wu Bai already understood the outcome of this match. From the moment the Qing Yue Willow had emerged, his chance of victory had dwindled to near zero. Though he didn't know how Jing Shaoyu could summon such a powerful beast, he was certain he wasn't strong enough to defeat it.
His only goal now was to lose with dignity.
Setting his expression, Wu Bai went on the offensive. Behind him, a purple glow surged, and his body seemed to swell, his tiger paws enlarging, sharp claws gleaming like blades.
His thousand-year spirit skill—Vajra Annihilation Claw!
With a battle cry, Wu Bai lunged forward, leaping toward the nearest vines. His claws slashed down, severing three or four vines in a single blow, the cut pieces falling to the ground and dissolving into green light.
But the Qing Yue Willow had no intention of yielding. The remaining vines converged, lunging for Wu Bai's neck, arms, waist, and legs, each vine gleaming with a faint green glow, moving swiftly and precisely.
Wu Bai landed and rolled forward to evade, then sprang back to his feet, his eyes flashing with determination as he charged toward the Qing Yue Willow's main body.
Watching Wu Bai's determination, Jing Shaoyu smiled, a hint of admiration in his gaze. He reached out and gently patted the tree.
In response, the entire tree emitted a green glow, and all the willow branches quivered in unison. Moon-shaped leaves drifted down, covering every corner of the arena.
Wu Bai halted as a wall of willow leaves materialized before him. Infused with the spirit beast's power, each leaf was razor-sharp, forming an impenetrable barrier radiating a chilling aura.
With a determined cry, Wu Bai surged forward, hammering a mighty tiger fist into the wall. The impact created a deep dent but failed to break through. His face darkened as he tried to pull his fist back, only to find it trapped by an unseen force binding him.
Had he looked beyond the leaf wall, he would have seen vines securely holding his arm, preventing him from withdrawing.
But Wu Bai had bigger problems. All around him, countless vines waited, poised just a meter away, ready to ensnare him at any moment. It was clear—he couldn't escape.
Regret welled up in his heart, but it was too late.
The match ended with Jing Shaoyu's victory.
As the Qing Yue Willow disappeared, the platform became an empty expanse once more. Wu Bai, looking somewhat despondent, glanced at Jing Shaoyu, who was beaming brightly. He offered a respectful bow. "You're strong. I hope we meet again someday. Next time, I'll be the one who wins!"
"Anytime," Jing Shaoyu replied with a smile. He genuinely admired Wu Bai's spirit. A confident yet humble person like Wu Bai was easy to get along with and would make a good friend.
Wu Bai nodded, gave him a casual wave, and left the stage. With the referee's cue, Jing Shaoyu also departed, securing his place in the fifth round—the final sixteen.
Although the match had concluded, its impact resonated through the audience.
In one section of the stands, Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi had witnessed the entire match. Their expressions mirrored each other's—a mixture of awe and uncertainty. Compared to Jing Shaoyu, the two Shrek Academy students felt almost ordinary.
"Did you see that, Xinglan-jie? He's actually a Soul Exalted!"
"Xinglan-jie, all his spirit rings are thousand-year rings!"
"Oh my gosh! Xinglan-jie, he can even summon a thousand-year spirit beast. Isn't that just ridiculous?"
"Xinglan-jie, are you still planning to challenge him?"
"...Shut up!" Xu Lizhi's excited exclamations were cut short by Ye Xinglan's outburst. Her expression was complex—a mix of shock, doubt, determination, and maybe a touch of irritation.
The chubby Xu Lizhi fell silent immediately.
Meanwhile, in the VIP box, the deans expressed their amazement.
"That strange willow spirit beast must be at least five thousand years old, right?" Zhang Leipeng asked in surprise.
"Yes," Xu Le confirmed. "This pretty much seals the championship for the youth division. Who could compete against a five-thousand-year-old spirit beast?"
"Even the youth division would struggle," Xie Xueyun added with a wry smile. "Jing Shaoyu… he's a phenomenon—a monster. How did Shrek Academy miss him, leaving him to a backwater like the Tianhai Alliance?"
"Who knows?" Long Huan said, shaking his head helplessly.
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