"Oh?" Emperor Snow Night looked at
"Sect Master Ning is referring to tactics," said Platinum Bishop Salaris from the side. "Indeed, Shrek Academy's strength does surpass Thunderclap Academy's. But it certainly isn't by the margin we're seeing right now. The reason they've achieved such dominance is entirely due to the order in which their team members appeared and their tactical advantage, which was overwhelming. On the surface, there's no particular elemental suppression between the two sides' Martial Souls, but in reality, Shrek Academy forced their opponents into positions where they were completely countered. And not just partially—completely countered across the board. It's the application of tactics and the clever arrangement of participating members that produced what we see now."
Emperor Snow Night's gaze sharpened as he turned an inquiring look toward Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Bishop Salaris is correct. It is precisely because of tactics."
The Emperor said, puzzled, "In the earlier matches, I didn't seem to see anything particularly outstanding about Shrek Academy's tactics. If what you're saying is true, this clearly can't be coincidence."
Salaris smiled faintly. "Of course it isn't coincidence. With that person at Shrek Academy, how could it possibly be? It seems the Holy Lady made the right choice. This person's research into Martial Souls is truly profound. No wonder he was made an Honorary Elder."
Emperor Snow Night frowned. "Bishop Salaris, I'm not quite sure who you're referring to."
Salaris smiled slightly, rose to his feet, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to attend to, so I'll take my leave. As for what I meant, Sect Master Ning understands perfectly—you need only ask him." Without waiting for the Emperor to respond, he departed the VIP box with several guards in tow.
A flicker of irritation crossed Emperor Snow Night's eyes. In a voice only he and Ning Fengzhi could hear, he muttered, "That Salaris grows more insolent by the day. Sect Master Ning, what exactly did he mean?"
Ning Fengzhi replied, "The person he spoke of is
"The Great Master?" Emperor Snow Night had clearly heard the name before, and a contemplative light appeared on his face. "Sect Master Ning, what is your assessment of this Great Master?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and whispered a single sentence into the Emperor's ear.
A sharp gleam erupted from Emperor Snow Night's eyes. In that instant, the aura exploding from his body flashed and vanished—though it lasted only a heartbeat, Bone Elder
The burst of aura had been directed entirely forward. Aside from Ning Fengzhi at his side, no one else had sensed it.
The light in the Emperor's eyes subsided, and his expression returned to normal. The kingly presence that had erupted for that fleeting moment disappeared without a trace. "Sect Master Ning, are you certain?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded firmly. "Though he is called a waste within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, in my eyes, he is more important than the entire clan combined."
Emperor Snow Night drew a deep breath. "Once the advancement tournament is over, I would trouble Sect Master Ning to arrange an introduction to this Great Master for me."
The sentence Ning Fengzhi had whispered to the Emperor was: *He who wins the Great Master wins the world.* Ning Fengzhi sighed softly. "If the Great Master were so easy to recruit, he would already be at Spirit Hall. Let me offer Your Majesty a suggestion. If you wish to recruit the Great Master, start with Tang San. He is the disciple the Great Master cares about most. Only he could possibly influence the Great Master's path. As for anyone else—even if the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan were here, given the Great Master's temperament, he would never submit."
Emperor Snow Night and Ning Fengzhi exchanged a glance, and the Emperor let out a long breath. "I understand. I'll make the arrangements."
The competition continued. Shrek Academy still had
Lei Dong, forty-third rank Control Type Battle Soul Venerable. Martial Soul: Thunder Spider.
As Thunderclap Academy team's most powerful Control Type Soul Master, his overall strength was slightly below the captain's, but still formidable in the extreme.