The two Spirit Masters with the Black Tortoise Martial Soul—the Shi brothers—remained calm and composed as Dai Mubai charged in. They didn't show a hint of panic. The moment he was within range, both brothers lunged forward simultaneously. Their first yellow Spirit Rings lit up, and the turtle shells on their backs gleamed with a heavy golden glow, appearing even sturdier than before.
Just then, a beam of dazzling seven-colored light enveloped Dai Mubai's body—Ning Rongrong's boost had landed. Instantly, Mubai felt a surge in strength, agility, and Spirit Power. He pushed off the ground with explosive force, soaring into the air as his White Tiger claws slashed at the two brothers.
Clang!
His claws struck the rock-hard turtle shells with a sharp metallic crash, sparks flying in every direction. Despite his formidable strength, the impact rebounded him backward. Fortunately, the White Tiger Body Barrier mitigated the damage, and he landed without serious harm.
Watching this, Yu Tianheng wasted no time in exploiting the opportunity. He launched his first Spirit Ability—Thunderclap Dragon Claw—straight at Dai Mubai.
Lightning attacks were incredibly fast. Dai Mubai didn't have time to react—the crackling claw of thunder was already in front of him.
But just as it was about to land, a black-purple Blue Silver Grass whip appeared around Mubai's waist and yanked him backward—Tang San had pulled him out of danger in the nick of time.
Yu Tianheng's Thunderclap Dragon Claw missed its mark. Repositioned by Tang San, Dai Mubai turned back toward the Shi brothers and lashed out with a powerful kick.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu and Lin Jie had already flanked the Shi brothers from either side, heading toward the Heaven Dou team's back line. Lin Jie kept pace with Xiao Wu—not overly fast, but positioned on the same horizontal line as the two turtle brothers.
Xiao Wu had already engaged in combat with the Windchime Bird Spirit Master in midair. Though the opponent had aerial advantage, Xiao Wu's nimble, agile movements weren't hindered in the slightest. The Ghost Leopard Spirit Master tried to intercept Lin Jie, but as the two were about to collide—Lin Jie suddenly vanished from his sight.
Back at the front, just as Dai Mubai's kick was about to land, the Shi brothers' bodies suddenly flared with a golden glow. Recognizing the danger, Tang San once again yanked Dai Mubai back using his Blue Silver Grass, avoiding a counterattack.
Tang San had already deduced that the Shi brothers' Spirit Ability included a recoil effect.
At that moment, Yu Tianheng, hovering in midair, activated his Thunderclap Dragon Claw again—this time aimed not at Dai Mubai, but at Tang San.
Yu Tianheng had correctly identified Tang San as a control-type Spirit Master. If he could eliminate him, Shrek's formation would crumble from within.
Just as the strike was about to land, Zhu Zhuqing launched herself skyward from the backline, right hand lifting slightly as she intercepted Yu Tianheng's path.
Meanwhile, Lin Jie—who had been moments away from colliding with the Ghost Leopard Spirit Master—suddenly halted. A deep violet Spirit Ring glowed around him. Despite being mid-fight, his teammates noticed the radiance from his third ring and immediately tensed—they recognized this as the signal.
Dai Mubai, locked in combat with the Shi brothers, saw the signal and instantly abandoned the engagement. He pivoted and charged straight at Yu Tianheng, who now found his retreat blocked by Zhu Zhuqing.
Xiao Wu, who had been trading blows with the Windchime Bird user, used her teleportation Spirit Ability to reposition herself—appearing right in front of the Ghost Leopard Spirit Master, cutting him off. Dugu Yan, seeing this rapid shift, realized instantly: it was a trap. Yu Tianheng had recklessly overextended into Shrek's formation, and now the exit was sealed.
The Windchime Bird Spirit Master tried to assist but was cut off by a fiery streak from behind—Ma Hongjun's ranged attack blocked the path.
At this moment, Lin Jie, empowered by his 4,000-year third Spirit Ring, reached the Shi brothers' side and unleashed his third Spirit Ability—Lightning Spider Web.
Two webs unfurled. One immediately entangled the Shi brothers, who were still tucked inside their turtle shells and close together. The second web was spread defensively to guard against interruption from the front.
Even though the Shi brothers had hidden within their shells, the electrifying energy of the web penetrated directly into their bodies. The added paralysis effect took hold immediately, rendering them unable to attack. Still not satisfied, Lin Jie prepared to strike again—but instead shouted toward Zhu Zhuqing.
She understood instantly and activated the ability granted by her Thunder Spider right-arm Spirit Bone. Pouring in her full Spirit Power, she launched three black-purple spider webs imbued with paralysis, adhesive properties, durability, and potent poison.
The webs enveloped the Shi brothers completely—shell and all. Their turtle-shell defenses were useless against the Spirit Bone-enhanced poison. Had they gone all out from the start, they might've escaped—but trapped in Lin Jie's lightning web first, they had no chance. Their resistance crumbled.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng was now fully engaged in a two-on-one battle. Dai Mubai attacked head-on while Tang San disrupted with control techniques. Zhu Zhuqing sealed his retreat, though Yu Tianheng couldn't understand why she hadn't joined the assault.
Xiao Wu now held off the Ghost Leopard user, and Ma Hongjun continued to delay the Windchime Bird Spirit Master, though he knew he couldn't hold him off for long.
Dugu Yan, still guarding Ye Lingling in the back, was growing anxious. She wanted to support her teammates, but doing so would leave their crucial support-type Spirit Master unguarded.
In the sky, Yu Tianheng made a quick decision—if he didn't go all out, he'd never break free.
Though Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had him bound, Yu Tianheng shook violently and broke the restraints—a reminder that Tang San's plants weren't yet as powerful as they would one day be.
With a shout, Yu Tianheng activated his third Spirit Ability: Thunder Fury.
A storm of blue lightning erupted from his body, his muscles bulging with explosive power.
Thunder Fury — Increases lightning attributes by 100% and boosts overall Spirit Power by 50% for a limited time. Puts the user into a temporary berserk state.
At the same time, Dai Mubai roared as a beam of white light burst from his body—his own third Spirit Ability was now active as well.