After the incident in the system room allowed Jing Liu to successfully absorb the 7,000-year spirit ring and Arthur to absorb a bit of natural energy, their spirit power increased drastically! Jing Liu rose by 4 levels to level 24, while Arthur broke through to level 20 and still hadn't decided which ability he wanted… But it seemed he had chosen one of three abilities to heal allies without relying on enemies to activate it:
🔹 Turn the surrounding ground into an altar that continuously heals allies and traps enemies inside!
🔹 Provide a shield that makes allies immune to abnormal status effects and grants them continuous healing!
🔹 Create chains that attach to allies, providing continuous healing, and even allow them to be pulled toward the user for mobility!
Meanwhile, Jing Liu had obtained her second spirit ring and successfully acquired the ability she desired! With this ability, Jing Liu would not be easily defeated in a one-on-one battle, even if another spirit master was 10 levels above her! This new ability also granted Jing Liu extraordinary mobility!
After resting for a long time in the system room, Arthur had mostly recovered, and both had successfully concealed their spirit power with exceptional control. Unless they encountered a Saint-level expert or higher, their true levels would remain undetected. They decided to exit the system room just as the other members woke up, and the day of reckoning had finally arrived!
"So, is anyone nervous?" Art said in a teasing tone.
"No, Sir! We're not nervous! We're super excited! It's time to show the results of our training!" Whang Cheng tried to boost everyone's morale.
"Great! I thought you all still hadn't had enough exercise," said Jing Liu, showing a spirit ring that was a dull yellow. But even so, a yellow spirit ring indicated a 100-year spirit beast, which was extremely rare in this region!
"Wow! Sister Jing Liu is amazing! When did you break through to level 10 and get a 100-year spirit ring?" exclaimed one of the surprised members.
Jing Liu just smiled widely. "Of course, I wanted to surprise everyone! I just reached Level 10 a few days ago. As for this ring..." she sighed dramatically, as if recalling something traumatic. "I got it by accident. Initially, I was just looking for a suitable spirit beast that was old enough, not necessarily 100 years. But fate had other plans!"
She played with her ring, making sure everyone could see it. "I found a Silver Snow Wolf, a beautiful and powerful spirit beast! Unfortunately, it was dying after a fierce battle with another spirit beast. Seeing its pitiful condition, and to end its suffering, I was able to absorb its spirit ring peacefully." Her story sounded plausible and was quite common for cases where Spirit Rings were obtained without a bloody fight.
"Enough! Let's head straight to the academy grounds! Let's show them we're not afraid of Xiao Ganyu's group!"
The morning air at the South Wind Academy dormitory was tense and electric! The long-awaited day had finally arrived: the day of the battle between the part-time students and Xiao Ganyu's group! The students gathered on the field, their faces showing a mix of curiosity, anticipation, and excitement.
Just as the sun began to cast its golden rays, the door to the headmaster's office opened! From within, the headmaster and his deputy emerged, walking calmly. Their spiritual aura enveloped everyone present perfectly, radiating energy at Spirit Ancestor levels 46 and 42—an overwhelming pressure for students their age! But it wasn't meant to suffocate or test them, only to show their presence and that they had no issue with this duel.
After the headmaster revealed his aura, Xiao Ganyu's group also arrived! But they seemed to have brought two seniors from this year's graduating class! It looked like this would be a 6 vs. 6 battle… or so Arthur thought. However, the headmaster began to speak.
"Alright! It seems all challengers and challenged have gathered on the field. I will now announce the rules of this battle! The duel will consist of two rounds. The first round will begin with 1-on-1 matches, with 3 players selected from each group of 6. Those who defeat their opponent can advance to the second round or choose to continue fighting! But if they lose, they cannot proceed to the next round! The second round will be a 3-on-3 group battle, with participants based on the results of the first round. Is there anyone who doesn't understand?!" the headmaster explained with a booming voice.
"Understood, Sir!" everyone shouted.
"Good! The first round will begin in the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn (30 minutes)! Use this time wisely to plan your strategy! Because in battle, it's not just strength that matters—knowledge and strategy will also determine the outcome! So remember my words well! Don't fight without thinking and regret it later! Well, the time starts now!"
"Alright! For the first round, Wang Cheng, Lee, and I will go first! And Wang Cheng, you'll be up first! If you win, don't retreat; keep fighting the other opponents! Even if you lose, at least the enemy will have expended their spirit power, and we can definitely win the second round with Jing Liu as our spearhead!" Arthur directed.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Xiao Ganyu's group was making similar plans! But for the first match of the first round, she chose to send out a senior with spirit power level 11 first to reduce as many opponents as possible!
After discussing strategies, each group still had about 20 minutes left for warm-ups! And soon after, the first round began!
"I assume you've all discussed your strategies and chosen who will compete in the first round! Three members from each group, step forward!" the headmaster's voice boomed across the field.
TO BE CONTINUED...