250 Chapter 250: Standstill between Enemies

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Shrek Academy's main battle stage was similar to the battle stage in the Spirit Arena, with a diameter of 100 meters in a circular area surrounded by spectator seats. The purpose of this battle stage was for the students to practice and for various competitions, such as gambling matches and Spirit fights between classes.

Shrek Academy had several similar venues, but the main stage was not easily opened. It was only for very important Spirit master battles that the main battle stage would be used.

When Zhu Zhuqing and the others arrived at the main battle stage, the audience seats were already buzzing with excitement.

"What's going on? Has the whole school gathered here?!" Ning Rongrong was startled by the scene. She thought that Zeng Yi had only provoked Teacher Liu Erlong, and they were just going to have a friendly match. But she didn't expect it to be so official, it felt like a Spirit battle in the Spirit Arena.

"The principal notified the whole school to come and watch this battle. I don't know what got into the principal's head. They could have resolved this privately." Oscar said helplessly. Although he wanted to see Zeng Yi suffer a defeat, Zeng Yi was still the person he admired the most and the mentor who guided him onto the path of battle. He felt a bit uncomfortable with the principal summoning the whole school to watch Zeng Yi's defeat.

Although Oscar knew that Zeng Yi was very strong, even at a freakishly high level, his opponent was the strongest Mother Fire Dragon in the academy, making it almost impossible for him to win.

A Spirit Elder defeating a Spirit Saint. It was unimaginable.

Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar found Xiao Wu in the venue first. Xiao Wu had already reserved the best seats for them, and they sat together in a row.

Before long, Ma Hongjun arrived with Dai Mubai.

"Dai Bro, how's your cultivation going?" Oscar asked with concern when he saw Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai smiled, with a somewhat proud expression on his face, and said, "Not bad. I should be able to break through to Rank 40 in a few days."

"Really? Then let us congratulate you in advance. You will be the first person in our Shrek Academy to become a Spirit Elder."

"Hahaha, when I break through, I'll treat you all to drinks in Heaven Dou City!" Dai Mubai laughed heartily. Although his talent was not the best among them, being able to break through to Spirit Elder before them was still something to be proud of.

At this moment, the key players in this duel had not yet appeared before the audience. The six of them chatted for a while, and after about ten minutes, the main characters finally arrived.

Liu Erlong and Zeng Yi both appeared on the battle stage.

"Hey, who is that guy? I haven't seen him before."

"Not sure, probably not a well-known student in the academy. It's normal if nobody recognizes him."

"No reputation? How can he compete with Teacher Liu Erlong then?"

"I know this guy. He's a new student in the class next to mine."

"He just joined a few days ago and has already gained the admiration of many girls. This damn world really values appearance!" one person said with a sour tone.

"What's his strength? Can he really attract the whole school to watch the fight? "

...

As Zeng Yi appeared, the students in the audience began to speculate about his identity. The venue was suddenly bustling, just like a busy morning market.

"Quiet down!" Hearing the noisy voices, Liu Erlong frowned and shouted loudly. Her voice, infused with Spirit power, resounded through the venue like the roar of an angry dragon. Instantly, the entire venue fell silent. After all, they all knew Liu Erlong's temper very well.

Standing on the stage, Zeng Yi looked around at the audience and couldn't help but swallow nervously. He said to Liu Erlong, somewhat awkwardly, "Teacher Liu, it's just an assessment. Is it necessary to make it so grand? It makes me feel a bit nervous, and it might affect my performance."

"Hehe, I heard that you performed quite well in the Spirit Arena, so you shouldn't have any problem with this small occasion, right?" Liu Erlong sneered.

"Stop with the nonsense. Let's get ready and start!" Liu Erlong, as a Spirit Saint about to break through to the Spirit Douluo realm, naturally wouldn't make things too difficult for a Spirit Elder like Zeng Yi. As long as Zeng Yi could hold on for the duration of an incense stick, he would pass the assessment.

Moreover, summoning the whole school to watch the battle between her and Zeng Yi was also intentional on Liu Erlong's part. If a graduate's assessment was carried out secretly, would it still be called a graduation assessment? Although her purpose was to prevent Zeng Yi from passing the assessment, which was also the idea of Flender and Yu Xiaogang, what if something unexpected happened and Zeng Yi actually managed to last the entire incense stick? They couldn't go back on their word, and they would have to let Zeng Yi pass the assessment smoothly.

Calling the entire school also served the purpose of introducing Zeng Yi to everyone. If Zeng Yi passed the assessment, they would know that their academy had produced such an outstanding graduate, which would serve as motivation for the students.

"Alright, let's start now." Zeng Yi stared at Liu Erlong with a serious expression.

"Fine." Liu Erlong said and took out an incense stick. With a snap of her fingers, a hot flame ignited on her fingertip.

The incense stick was lit and Liu Erlong flicked it, shooting it towards the edge of the battle stage where it easily pierced the granite floor, emitting a slender wisp of white smoke.

"You know the rules, right? If you can hold on for the duration of an incense stick, you pass the assessment." Liu Erlong crossed her arms in front of her chest and calmly said, her beautiful eyes fixed on Zeng Yi.

A bitter smile appeared on Zeng Yi's face. Although an incense stick's duration sounded good, it was roughly around thirty minutes! It seemed like Liu Erlong was really determined to make things difficult for him.

Zeng Yi thought for a moment. With his current Spirit power and his strength fully unleashed, combined with the effects of his two major boost skills, his combat power was enough to fight a powerful assault-type Spirit Emperor. But at the rate his Spirit power burned, he could only maintain that state for about ten minutes. Even if he used his Spirit bone's skill to instantly recover his full Spirit power, it would only be for twenty minutes. What about the remaining ten minutes?

Moreover, he would be facing a high-level Spirit Saint.

Of course, Zeng Yi knew that Liu Erlong wouldn't go all out in the battle. After all, fighting a Spirit Elder with all her strength? She still wanted to save some face. Second, Zeng Yi didn't need to confront Liu Erlong head-on. His goal was to last for the duration of an incense stick. Third, relying on his speed, Zeng Yi was confident in engaging with Liu Erlong.

"The battle begins!" Flender shouted loudly from the side. As the referee, he was supervising this assessment to prevent Liu Erlong from getting carried away and forgetting to pull back her punches, in which case he would intervene.

After finishing his words, Flender couldn't help but glance at Zeng Yi.

I hope Erlong doesn't go too hard, or else this handsome young man... if anything happens, what will we do? Sigh~

With a sigh in his heart, Flender jumped and left the stage.

With Flender's command, Zeng Yi's gaze sharpened. He took a step forward, holding the scabbard in his left hand and tightly grasping the hilt with his right hand. With a fierce look in his eyes, it seemed as if a chilling sword aura was about to shoot out.

Seeing Zeng Yi's movements, Liu Erlong also became vigilant, on guard against Zeng Yi's attack.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the entire venue became tense, as if a chilly wind had blown by, bringing a slight chill.

As the saying goes, "If the enemy doesn't move, I won't move." Zeng Yi firmly held onto this idea. He didn't need to launch an attack actively; he just needed to buy time.

In this way, on the battle stage, a dozen seconds passed. A breeze blew over, stirring up a faint dust mist.

Liu Erlong, seeing the person on the opposite side maintaining a stance with his sword drawn, twitched the corner of her eyes. Her hands subconsciously clenched into fists, and an unnamed anger rose within her heart.

Daring to play with me! Very well!