Unspoken Coordination

Guan Shengnan was startled. Her attention was focused on Murong Qing, and she didn't notice the faint figure standing next to her.

Fang Hong said, "She didn't hide anything at all. I noticed it the moment she stepped onto the stage. You're just being prejudiced and blinded by your own biases."

"Why are you spouting so much nonsense! Why do you keep undermining me? Are you even my teammate?"

The referee sensed that if he didn't announce the start soon, there would be infighting within the International Union Academy. He didn't care that the commentators hadn't finished introducing the backgrounds of both teams, and quickly unleashed a palm strike, making the gong ring.

Guan Shengnan raised her hand and flicked her fingers, sending out streaks of emerald phosphorescent meteors that shot through the air with the force of needles, yet as agile as birds in flight.

"Fire Talisman Jade Subtle Needle?"

Murong Qing saw that Si Ming had used this martial art before, and it looked somewhat familiar, but she wasn't quite sure. After all, the same martial art would have different effects when used by different people, and perhaps the other party's special ability was fire control.

However, she didn't care. She activated the Glacier Divine Art and flicked her sleeves. Rolling cold air surged like a tide. The emerald phosphorescent flames struggled and flickered a few times upon touching the cold air before gradually going out.

At the same time, Fang Hong had entered the battle, changed his dazed appearance. He took three deep breaths, his face turned blood red, his chest bulged, and he kicked his legs hard, rushing over like an arrow. His single fist struck out with a sound like thunder.

Murong Qing raised her palm to block, but was forced back a step by the force. However, relying on her superior cultivation, she firmly held on, the force continuing unabated, while at the same time, a chilling aura surged forth, about to penetrate her body.

Fang Hong roared, unleashing the hidden power within his chest. One of his arms, which was tucked under his hip, was pressed against his tailbone and violently lifted along the midline of his back, like a horse raising its tail. The shoulder joints of both arms shifted forward, and the shoulder blades seemed to spring out of the shoulder sockets, instantly doubling the power of his punch!

At the same instant, Guan Shengnan, whose initiative had been easily broken, suddenly formed a Law Seals. Her beautiful, bright green eyes shone with a strange light, and ripples spread out in the air, as if opening the gates of hell. One after another, hideous and grotesque demons materialized and rushed towards Murong Qing with shrieks.

"Dark Jade Reflects the Rose!"

Continuing to fight empty-handed would be presumptuous, so Murong Qing her sword in her palm, swirled it with her energy, and unleashed icy Sword Qi like flower petals, forcing Fang Hong while blocking all the illusory evil spirits. Then, she unleashed a burst of power, and ice crystal petals flew out.

This move was originally just a defensive move, but with his current level of swordsmanship, Murong Qing is no longer bound by the fixed variations of Swordsmanship and can use it at will.

Guan Shengnan and Fang Hong were in a flurry of activity, managing to block all the ice crystal petals. However, they ultimately suffered from a disadvantage in terms of cultivation level. The Glacier Divine Art was no ordinary Internal Cultivation; not only was it highly powerful, but the cold energy it contained was also extremely troublesome.

Before Liu Qingqing even made a move, Murong Qing alone had already gained the upper hand, and the outcome of the battle seemed to be decided. Many viewers began to discuss who each side would send in the next match, and whether Linked Mountains University could achieve a complete victory in three matches.

"As expected of a Nascent Spirit Transformation, there's no chance of victory without using your trump cards."

Guan Shengnan glanced at Fang Hong and said, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and transform."

Fang Hong nodded slightly, then his eyes suddenly glowed red, his aura surged, his muscles swelled, and thick hairs sprouted from his pores. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a two-meter-tall ape demon.

The ape demon snorted heavily, its eyes bloodshot and filled with a violent rage. The aura it exuded was chaotic, and no one would be surprised if it went berserk at any moment.

"Calm down!"

Guan Shengnan reached out and touched the other's arm, releasing a burst of mental energy. The ape demon's aura immediately stabilized, and the bloodshot in his eyes faded. Although he was still full of violence, he had regained his rationality.

"Round two begins."

Chapter 787 Invisible Cooperation

Once he regained his composure, Fang Hong did not rush to attack. Instead, he adopted the starting stance of the Heavenly Dipper Fist. Someone as muscular and burly as him, resembling a gorilla, should give the impression of violently unleashing brute force and destroying everything in his path with a lack of skill. However, when he adopted the stance of the fist technique, there was an inexplicable sense of coordination.

Fang Hong braced himself up, his spine arching upwards as if supporting the heavens like a pillar, his legs planted firmly on the ground like anchors. Generally speaking, such a steady posture would easily give people a clumsy impression, but Fang Hong's body had a flickering feeling, as if a great force the Unseen above was lifting him up, thus counteracting gravity.

As steady as a pillar of heaven, yet as light as a feather, these two forms appearing simultaneously on Fang Hong seem incredibly Anomalies. However, a discerning martial artist can immediately see that this is clearly the "pivotal" level of Grandmaster, capable of handling both heavy and light matters with ease, able to control the weight of things at will.

"You haven't reached the level of being truly significant," Murong Qing saw more through her Supra-Sensory State. "You've only mastered the technique of making light work of heavy tasks, but you've strengthened your physical body through your Bloodline Ability, causing your strength to surge, thus giving you the ability to make light work of heavy tasks. You know how, but you don't know why."

"That's right, but so what?" Fang Hong admitted. "In martial arts cultivation, understanding the 'why' is key, but in martial arts combat, understanding the 'how' is enough. I did take a shortcut, but that's still my power."

As soon as he finished speaking, he curled his toes and leaped out like a bird. Then, he threw a punch in an arc, his eyebrows and hair bristling, the violent force of his punch pressing down like a train crashing into him.

If Murong Qing were wielding her sword "Moon God's Tear," she could simply condense her Sword Qi and slash at it. If her opponent dared to meet her head-on, the divine sword would cut them in two. However, she was using an ironwood sword. Although the material was hard enough, it was no different from a paper sword in terms of the power of her fist. Therefore, she had to unleash her cold energy to condense an ice shield.

The Heavenly Dipper Fist shattered the ice shield, Murong Qing felt her steps falter, as if her body was about to be thrown into the air by the punch. However, she had sparred with Si Ming many times and had long since found a way to deal with powerful opponents. Immediately, she focused her mind, relaxed her muscles and bones, shifted her left foot back, and took a small step back to deflect the force with softness.

Immediately following, Murong Qing twirled, her graceful movements like those of a celestial maiden, drawing gasps of amazement from the audience.

However, beneath the beautiful sword dance lay an undeniable sharp murderous intent. The icy Sword Qi, like a beautiful brocade, rolled out across the sky and the ground, dense and mysterious, as fine as a hair, seeping into the space and enveloping Fang Hong.

"The Heavenly Dipper Rolls Up the Sun!"

Fang Hong displayed agility beyond his physical stature, retreating to gain the opportunity to gather strength. He then threw a backhand Sword Qi. With the remaining force, he continued to attack Murong Qing.

"Thousand Directions Afterimages!"

Murong Qing didn't give an inch, but instead charged forward, her feet twirling lightly as her figure Blink in all directions, unleashing sharp Sword Qi that cleaved the rocks into dust.

Fang Hong clenched his fists, channeling his True Qi. Arcs of electricity coiled around his ten fingers as he unleashed his ultimate technique, Thunder Lightning Light Palm, unleashing powerful palm strikes that clashed with the sword light that pierced through the air.

Lightning Light Palm is originally an internal martial art, designed to injure people with the power of lightning rather than external force. However, with Fang Hong's current strength, the Lightning Light Palm strike he unleashed was like a hawk, whistling through the air. Coupled with the power of lightning, it was even more imposing and powerful.

Time seemed to stand still. Between the azure sword light and the golden lightning, an unpredictable flash of thunder appeared, followed by a deafening roar that shook the entire arena, sending sand and stones flying in a spectacular display.

During the fierce fight, Guan Shengnan did not step forward to help her companion; her target was Liu Qingqing.

This was the tactic set before the match: Fang Hong would keep the Spirit Transformation Grandmaster Murong Qing occupied, while Guan Shengnan would defeat Murong Qing's teammates with quick attacks, thus freeing up her hands to help Fang Hong.

Guan Shengnan knew that Fang Hong had a "Three Heads and Six Arms" killing move. If used properly, it might be able to defeat Spirit Transformation Grandmaster. However, this move had a clear transformation phase when used, and the opponent obviously couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Therefore, another person would be needed to restrain him.

"Liu Qingqing is skilled in archery and Divine Arts, making her better suited for group battles than solo combat. Therefore, she only participates in two-on-one battles, as close combat can reduce the opponent's abilities by 50-60%."

Guan Shengnan recalled the information. In the past, Liu Qingqing always cooperated with her teammates, attacking simultaneously from both close and long range, not giving the opponent a chance to split up and attack. But this time, perhaps because Murong Qing was Spirit Transformation expert, she just watched silently from the side and did not make a move.

"Arrogance and underestimating the enemy are cardinal sins in Military School."

In an instant, Guan Shengnan's figure vanished from the spot like an illusion, and then she appeared behind Liu Qingqing, holding a pair of rapidly accelerating rings in her hands, their edges cutting through the air as she slashed towards the back of Liu Qingqing's neck.

Guan Shengnan's Bloodline Ability is mental power, which can create illusions and help Fang Hong calm his mind.