Shi Yu vanished as he retreated.Both Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao stiffened, their vigilance rising to the extreme.
A heartbeat later, Shi Yu reappeared behind them.This time, however, he wasn't focused on one opponent. Instead, his movements kept both guessing—forcing them to waste their concentration and mental energy trying to predict who his real target was.
Huo Yuhao had long been prepared. His Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track let his body sway unpredictably, and his hands gleamed faintly with the strength of Mysterious Jade Hand, giving him some measure of close-combat defense.
But against spatial power, tricks alone were insufficient.The jade glow in his hand blunted the worst of the impact, yet his body still staggered. The force sent him tumbling backward, his arm buzzing with numbness. Without the protection of Mysterious Jade Hand, his palm would have been ruined.
Wang Dong seized the chance to counterattack. Bright, radiant butterfly wings unfurled as she slashed forth with dazzling light.
But Shi Yu merely smirked and flickered away with Teleportation. Even if he could block her blow, why risk it? Teleportation was his core strength—using it was second nature.
The luminous strike cleaved only empty air.
"Be careful!" Huo Yuhao warned sharply. "He may appear behind you next!"
Wang Dong's heart tightened. Yes, she was the obvious target now. She had just committed to an attack—if Shi Yu teleported behind her, it would be hard to defend.
Yet Shi Yu's true choice… was still Huo Yuhao.
He blinked into existence at Yuhao's back, his Eight Spider Lances lashing forward like a cage of venomous spears. At the same time, spatial energy condensed into a massive phantom hand, clamping down to immobilize him.
Huo Yuhao's pupils shrank. He could not dodge.
Those spider lances were not a joke—even a Spirit Ancestor could fall from a single stab. Deathly pressure crushed his chest.
"Brother Tianmeng—help me! I can't lose! I must win!"
His desperate cry echoed in the depths of his soul.
This wasn't just a match. This was against Dai Huabin's team. Losing here would mean losing to him, and that was something Yuhao's heart would never allow.
Even if Dai Huabin had already been eliminated, even if Shi Yu had no personal feud with him, this was still a battle that could not be lost.
Even if it meant cheating.
He had prepared for this moment.
Before the match, Yuhao had already spoken with Tianmeng Iceworm, explaining the bitter blood feud he carried against Dai Huabin. The ancient spirit had agreed readily.
As long as the interference was "reasonable"—a sudden burst of power that looked like an accidental awakening—they could avoid suspicion from the powerful teachers overseeing the battle.
Thus, when Yuhao called, Tianmeng responded.
Very well, Tianmeng's vast voice murmured, amused and eager. I will lend you strength. Just a touch—enough to turn the tide.
"Ahhh!"
Yuhao's roar shook the field. His Spirit Eyes blazed as a purple mental light erupted outward.
It fused the Tang Sect's Purple Demon Eye technique with Tianmeng's overwhelming mental energy, condensing into a beam of pure spiritual assault.
Referee Du Weilun's heart clenched—he stood ready to intervene at the slightest misstep.
Up in the stands, Yan Shaozhe and the other teachers stirred in astonishment.Such mental force… from a freshman?
Shi Yu felt danger crash into him like a tidal wave.Not good!
He reached instinctively for Teleportation—but the light was already upon him.
A last-second instinct saved him. Time force—formless, elusive—spread from his body, subtly warping the flow of time in the area.
The spiritual attack slowed. Just slightly—but enough.
Shi Yu's second soul ring blazed. Displacement.
At the very limit, he swapped positions—with Wang Dong.
A scream tore from Wang Dong's throat as the purple mental light slammed straight into her forehead.
"Ahhh!"
Her hands clutched her skull, her body convulsing from the sheer agony. It felt as if her very soul was being ripped apart.
"Wang Dong!" Huo Yuhao's blood went cold. His attack—his own attack—had struck her instead!
Panic seized him. He lunged forward, but before he could reach her, golden light surged violently within Wang Dong's spiritual sea.
A hidden, domineering force awakened.
The invading spiritual power was instantly obliterated, and a golden backlash shot forth like a divine judgment—lancing straight into Huo Yuhao's glabella.
"Ahhh!"
Yuhao collapsed, clutching his head as waves of agony tore through him. His body writhed on the ground, rolling uncontrollably.
Inside his spiritual sea, Tianmeng Iceworm recoiled in shock.This power… this is dangerous!
He hastily unfurled his own might, shielding Yuhao's fragile consciousness from being annihilated. But the golden backlash pressed fiercely, forcing even Tianmeng to strain.
Yuhao's screams pierced the arena. His entire body shook violently, veins bulging as though he might shatter at any moment.