He was serving as a stepping stone here.
Without confirming the exact order of appearance for the Blazing Fire Academy, Shrek had to place a few elite members in the most appropriate positions.
If, as they expected, Lin Meng was the first to appear, they could immediately adjust their personnel afterwards.
Conversely, if Blazing Fire didn't change the order, Ma Hongjun, with his fire attribute resistance and flight ability, would have advantages against a Fire Star spirit that others wouldn't have.
Not only against the Fire Star spirit, but even against the unknown Lin Meng, Ma Hongjun could exchange blows and probe out many of his methods.
In a real fight, the role he could play might be stronger than that of an ordinary Soul Ancestor.
His strength might be at the bottom of Shrek's, but it must be said that arranging him to appear first was a very effective strategy.
Lin Meng on the opposite side, seeing Ma Hongjun's appearance, had a slight look of surprise in his eyes.
However, information about Ma Hongjun quickly flashed through his mind. As a top-tier Fire Phoenix spirit, he had noticed Ma Hongjun before during the preliminary competition.
Based on this, he and his teammates had carefully reviewed Shrek's information last night.
Lin Meng's fingers moved slightly as he spoke to the opposite side: "Ma Hongjun, right? I remember you."
Ma Hongjun was a little surprised to be suddenly named. He didn't reply, but instead looked at Lin Meng with a wary expression.
Seeing that the other party didn't reply, Lin Meng didn't mind and continued to speak to himself: "I know your spirit, the Evil Fire Phoenix. Even in the history of Blazing Fire Academy, there have been few such top-tier spirits.
Looking at you, you shouldn't be from a noble background.
It's a pity. If our academy's reforms were a few years faster, you would definitely receive the best treatment and training if you came to Blazing Fire Academy."
As a special recruit and a Soul Master from a commoner background, Lin Meng saw similarities between Ma Hongjun and himself.
This could be considered a kind of mutual appreciation, and Lin Meng's tone was mixed with some regret.
Part of this regret was for Ma Hongjun, and the other part was for Blazing Fire Academy.
However, Lin Meng's words unexpectedly touched his sensitive spot, directly triggering the anger in Ma Hongjun's heart.
He retorted angrily: "Compared to us Shrek, what is Blazing Fire Academy?
Even if your dean personally invited me back then, I wouldn't have chosen your Blazing Fire Academy."
Ma Hongjun was angry because Lin Meng's words implied a belittling of Shrek Academy, although Lin Meng had no such intention at all.
But for Ma Hongjun, the academy was the sustenance of his soul, and he would not allow outsiders to belittle Shrek Academy.
Therefore, even if the opponent was the powerful Lin Meng, he dared to scold him.
Lin Meng was refuted by a junior with weak strength, and there was no big fluctuation in his heart, only a little surprise.
He said lightly: "I didn't mean to underestimate Shrek. If my words made you feel offended, then I apologize to you.
However, just like you support your own academy, I, Lin Meng, will not allow anyone to insult my academy.
Ma Hongjun, be prepared, the battle will end soon."
As soon as the words fell, Lin Meng's aura rapidly climbed, and his gaze towards Ma Hongjun became extremely aggressive, with a deep red glow flashing in his pupils.
This made Ma Hongjun, who was being watched, seem to be locked on by a ferocious beast, his whole body seemed to be trapped in a quagmire, and cold sweat kept flowing out.
The anger in his heart was washed away by the chill of fear.
At this moment, Ma Hongjun completely woke up and realized how terrifying Lin Meng was.
Seeing that the two sides had talked almost enough, the referee did not hesitate and immediately announced the start of the match.
As soon as the words to start the match fell, Ma Hongjun's body retreated backwards without the slightest hesitation. At the same time, he took the lead in bursting out with a sharp phoenix cry.
Second Soul Skill, Nirvana Phoenix.
Third Soul Skill, Phoenix Wings Soaring.
Ma Hongjun's two soul rings flickered at the same time, and his whole body erupted with an evil purple flame.
Surrounded by purple fire, a pair of flame phoenix wings quickly stretched out from his back, and his body flew backwards and upwards under the drive of the phoenix wings.
Compared to the proud, pure Ice Phoenix, Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix was full of disgusting uncleanliness.
However, the majesty of a top-tier beast spirit was the same.
Under the blessing of scorching flames far exceeding that of fire attribute Soul Masters of the same level, Ma Hongjun's explosive power was very amazing, and he flew off the ground in the blink of an eye.
Just when he thought he was about to escape Lin Meng's attack range, a low roar that was not as loud as the phoenix cry, but was unusually clear, came out.
This was like the roar of an engine before a sports car starts.
Also, at the moment when this muffled low roar came out, Lin Meng, who had been motionless, instantly turned into a red flash, heading straight for Ma Hongjun.
From stillness to movement, this change was too abrupt, and Lin Meng's speed was too fast, which caused Lin Meng to suddenly disappear in place in the eyes of most people.
When the afterglow of their pupils observed a flash of red light, and they subconsciously chased the red light, they found that Lin Meng, who had disappeared in place, reappeared in front of Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun was obviously not expecting this either, and his face was also full of panic.
You must know that the starting distance between the two was as much as twenty meters, and at the beginning of the match, he further widened the distance. Many people could not reach such a distance with instantaneous remote attacks.
Lin Meng actually appeared in front of him in the blink of an eye, dragging his heavy body.
At this time, Ma Hongjun's eyes only had a blurry phantom of Lin Meng, and a blood-red claw mark.
And these phantoms only remained for a moment, and a violent pain surged into his mind.
"Pfft."
Several straight lines of blood spurted from Ma Hongjun's chest, accompanied by the pain of his chest being torn apart, and a sluggish explosion impacted his chest.
He slammed Ma Hongjun, who was still in mid-air, **** on the ground.
Ma Hongjun didn't even have time to react, and his body was repeatedly hit hard. When his back fell to the ground, his brain instantly crashed and he completely lost consciousness.
Before the picture in his eyes was interrupted, the last picture he saw was the phantom of Lin Meng as fast as lightning.
Everything returned to calm. When everyone realized what had happened, Ma Hongjun on the field had already fallen down, not knowing whether he was alive or dead.
Only Lin Meng, with his body surrounded by a scarlet fire, coldly overlooked Ma Hongjun on the ground.
The fire gradually dissipated, revealing unusually strong and smooth limbs, and his hands and feet were transformed into large claw shapes like those of a leopard.
Not only were there soft and elastic pads on the palms, but sharp claws protruded between the fingers.
Pay attention to his back, there are still straight fire lines and two unusually clear leopard footprints.
The hard ground was as soft as moist soil after rain. There was no shattering around the footprints, like a baby's commemorative footprints, complete and clear.
