Another Kind of Genius

Feng Changzhi stepped forward. "Does Shrek really think they're that amazing?!"

Ru Shenqi quipped, "You want a do-over? Oh wait, you didn't stand a chance the last time."

Fire Dragon Domain.

Flames burst upon her body. She took a step forward.

"Surely Aunt has told you about the power of the One Horned Tyrant Dragon?"

Feng Changzhi's eyes widened. But then he cleared his throat and recomposed himself.

"My spirit restricts yours."

Ru Shenqi smirked. We'll see about that. Domain of Nine Stars.

Just then, she was engulfed in a bright, celestial-like light. An astral yellow nine-pointed star appeared centered just above her eyebrows, similar to the Sea God's Trident marker on Tang San's forehead. The Golden Iron Triangle's jaws dropped. Everyone stared at her.

"T- this... I never imagined that I'd see the Goddess of Nine Stars Domain again."

Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian approached.

"Mom, Dad, this little cousin is bullying me again!" Feng Changzhi whined.

"Changzhi, enough," Feng Xiaotian chastised. "Grow stronger to be able to fight your younger cousin."

"WHAT?! She- she's only twelve, how powerful can she be?!"

Ru Shenqi smirked. Focusing her spirit power, she was able to use her Goddess of Nine Stars Domain to create an illusion.

Four spirit rings descended around her. Yellow, yellow, purple, black. Just like Gu Xingyun.

Everyone gaped at her. She raised her chin haughtily.

"Older Cousin, can you match me?"

"B- black decade millennium spirit ring?!" the School of Four Elements Battle Team cried.

They thought back to the last person who fought in the Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition with a black ring as his fourth.

That Tang San...

"Xiao Shen," Yu Xiaogang said quickly. "Recall your domains."

She grumbled but did as she was told. Both domains and her rings disappeared. Flender turned towards Huo Wu.

"Vice Dean Huo, perhaps somewhere a little more private will be good for a further conversation?"

Feng Xiaotian took the initiative to nod. "Huo Wu and I will take our students back first. Then we'll come to Shrek Academy to talk."

Both schools agreed and parted ways outside. The Golden Iron Triangle led their students back to Shrek Academy.

<><><>

When they returned, two figures stood in front of the entry gate. The adults stepped forward before realizing who they were. Flender, Liu Erlong, and Yu Xiaogang saluted respectfully.

"Clan Leader Ning, how can Shrek help you?"

"Dean Flender, I'd simply like to meet your team." Ning Fengzhi's eyes scanned the children. "There's three here who haven't appeared in the Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition yet."

Taking the opportunity, Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, then how would Clan Leader Ning like to watch an exhibition match? Shrek doesn't compete tomorrow, so we can have a little training now."

"Hmm, an exhibition match?"

Liu Erlong caught on and nodded. "That's right. The Shrek Seven Tyrants against Sword Douluo?"

The Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, stammered. "Y- you want me to beat up children?!"

Flender laughed, "Hahahahahaha! We call them the Shrek Seven Tyrants for a reason! Just don't be too harsh on them, Sword Douluo."

Chen Xin turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Clan Leader..."

"Wouldn't you like to see Shrek's team this year?"

"Haven't we already? They thoroughly defeated the School of Four Elements today."

"That wasn't our full power," Yu Xiaogang said simply. "For the beginning rounds, why would we display it? Wouldn't it be a detriment to ourselves?"

"And you allow us to see Shrek Academy's full power?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

"Why wouldn't we?" Liu Erlong countered. "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda isn't competing in this Advanced Spirit Master Grand Competition, so there's nothing to fear."

"Fair enough."

"Let's go out to the back courtyard," Flender suggested.

Everyone nodded and followed him.

Inside Shrek Academy, the Golden Iron Triangle, Ning Fengzhi, and Shrek's substitutes stood outside of the courtyard ring. Within the ring stood Chen Xin. Across from him, the Shrek Seven Tyrants formed their usual 3-4 formation.

Before they began, Ning Fengzhi asked, "These three new ones... what are their ranks?"

Flender answered mysteriously, "You'll see."

Liu Erlong, as the designated officiant of the exhibition match, called out, "Release your spirits!"

Two yellow, two purple, and five black spirit rings descended around Chen Xin. Five sets of two yellow and two purple spirit rings descended around the Shrek Seven Tyrants. Around Gu Xingyun, two yellow, one purple, and one black ring descended, shocking Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin.

"A decade millennium spirit ring?" they gasped. "Like Tang San?"

Ru Shenqi turned her head to look at Yu Xiaogang. "Grandmaster..."

Knowing the reason for her hesitation, he answered, "You have no restrictions for this match."

Nodding, she turned forward. As she released her spirit, her eyes flashed lucent and transparent. After a slight delay, she smirked.

"Ru Shenqi, spirit Clear Crystal Eyes, sixty fourth ranked Control System Battle Spirit Master."

Ning Fengzhi gaped at Yu Xiaogang. "A sixty fourth ranked Spirit Emperor at what, eleven, twelve? Last I knew, she was still a fifty ninth ranked Spirit King!"

Chen Xin was equally shocked. He stared at the little girl in front of him.

Yu Xiaogang answered, "Xiao Shen is twelve now."

Flender encouraged, "Xiao Shen, show your rings. It's okay, Clan Leader Ning and Sword Douluo are friends with Tang Sect."

Reassured, she nodded.

Two sets of eyes widened as they watched each ring appear.

Black.

Black.

Black.

Black.

Red.

Red.

"WHAT IS THIS?!" Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exclaimed.

"Youyou!" Ru Shenqi suddenly cried.

"First spirit skill, Flowering Lotus Regrowth! Fourth spirit skill, Flowering Lotus Ten Ton!"

"After being boosted, Ru Shenqi called, "Jiaxiang!"

Launching her first spirit skill, Shu Jiaxiang disappeared. She reappeared near Chen Xin and activated her third spirit skill. Poisonous fog exuded from her. Launching her fourth spirit skill, her ethereal body was able to save her from Chen Xin's sword.

Liao Suyin shot forward, launching her third spirit ability. Her tarantula legs shot out, propelling her on.

Gu Xingyun roared and launched his third spirit skill, ramming towards Chen Xin.

"Third spirit skill, Clear Crystal Armor!"

After protecting everybody, Ru Shenqi called, "Yong!"

"Third spirit skill, Dragon Qin Wailing!"

His music barely affected the Title Douluo, but it did enough to distract him from Liao Suyin.

"Fourth spirit skill, Tarantula Web!"

A strong web suddenly surrounded Chen Xin.

Taking the opportunity, Ru Shenqi roared, "First spirit skill, Clear Crystal Scatter! Swift Demon Cougar skull bone, Swift Demon Attack!"

After the disorientation, her eyes flashed black. Suddenly, Chen Xin's eyes flashed black. He clutched at his head.

"What is this?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

Yu Xiaogang explained, "Her skull bone launches a spiritual attack. It can make spirit masters lose their minds or give them a temporary craze. With Sword Douluo being a Title Douluo, it won't have much affect on him."

Just then, Ru Shenqi roared, "Xingyun!"

Knowing what she meant, he said, "Raging King Tiger left arm bone, King Tiger Halberd!"

The halberd appeared, shocking Ning Fengzhi. "Another with a spirit bone?"

The Golden Iron Triangle nodded.

Chen Xin launched his seventh spirit skill, turning into a huge sword.

"Ninth spirit skill, Phantom Blade!"

"Gather!" Ru Shenqi quickly screamed.

The other six suddenly appeared around her in a tight circle. As the center, she took a deep breath.

"Youyou."

"Third spirit skill, Flowering Lotus Regrowth!"

After all of them regained their spirit power, Ru Shenqi declared, "Fifth spirit skill, Clear Crystal Myriad Flames! Fire Dragon Domain!"

Her external spirit bone grew from her back. The black scaled wings immediately caught on fire. Flames surrounded the Shrek Seven Tyrants, blocking Chen Xin's line of sight.

An innate domain already? At twelve? Chen Xin thought, shocked.

"Third spirit skill, Flying Sword Wings!"

"Ultimate Darkness Straight Line!"

Ru Shenqi's attack met head on with Chen Xin's. Knowing she had to protect her friends, she launched her third spirit skill again. As the reverberations from the crash hit them, they were saved by her shields.

"Spread out!"

All seven children stood equal lengths apart around the rim of the courtyard ring.

"Flight of Nine Stars!"

Chen Xin felt his spirit power slowly beginning to drain away. He stared at Ru Shenqi in shock.

"Goddess of Nine Stars Domain!"

The spirit power drain became more drastic.

Ning Fengzhi asked, "It seems she really is Ru Zuanshi's daughter. But to have two innate domains?"

"Wait and see," Yu Xiaogang replied.

Ru Shenqi smirked. "Xingyun, now!"

Their two voices merged as they said, "Death God Domain, Evolved Skill: Demon Hell!"

Ning Fengzhi choked. Chen Xin's eyes widened. "TWO DEATH GODS?!"

Under the effects from the domains, Ru Shenqi requested, "Youyou, give me another spirit power boost."

"Your skills barely drain any spirit power. Why do you need another boost?"

"Please!"

"Alright, alright. First spirit skill, Flowering Lotus Blossom! Third spirit skill, Flowering Lotus Regrowth! Flowering Lotus Ten Ton!"

After receiving the boosts, Ru Shenqi swallowed. The others all noticed how nervous she was.

"Xiao Shen, we believe in you."

"O- okay. Then follow my lead."

The six all nodded.

With a shaking voice, Ru Shenqi revealed, "Sixth spirit skill, Clear Crystal Pack Hunt!"

Suddenly, the other six noticed something was different.

"Lock on Sword Douluo!" Ru Shenqi commanded.

They did as they were told.

"Pack Howl!"