Three-Person Team Competition

A Pyrrhic Victory!

Ye Xinglan collapsed onto the ground, her eyes somewhat unfocused. Even the glaring sunlight seemed dim in her eyes now.

Since childhood, she had never won so arduously against someone her own age.

She had always considered herself extraordinarily gifted. And that was indeed true—being able to enter Shrek Academy's Inner Court at her age was enough to show just how exceptional her talent was.

She had never suffered a single defeat among her peers, nor had she ever encountered anyone her age who made her feel threatened in battle.

Tang Wulin was only a ten-year-old child. Why did he possess such intense fighting spirit? And those dragon claws of his were truly powerful. Even her Stargod Sword had nearly failed to block him.

This was the first time.

From the very beginning, she should have fought while maneuvering. Her own arrogance had put her at such a disadvantage.

Wu Zhangkong had already drifted onto the platform. He took Tang Wulin from the referee, and a faint layer of frost mist enveloped him, sealing every wound on Tang Wulin's body. Without even sparing Ye Xinglan a glance, he carried Tang Wulin off the platform.

Guyue and Xie Xie rushed toward Wu Zhangkong almost at the same time. Looking at Tang Wulin, who was covered in blood, Guyue suddenly raised her head. In that instant, her originally bright eyes filled with violent fury.

Lin Xiuran stood behind them, gazing at Ye Xinglan from afar.

In terms of Soul Power, Lin Xiuran was stronger than Ye Xinglan, so he did not fear her. Though the Stargod Sword was powerful, he had received Gu Yuena's special training and possessed the Phoenix Bloodline.

Moreover, the recent battles had given him confidence. Even if his opponent was Ye Xinglan, even if she was from Shrek Academy.

Only after Wu Zhangkong had examined Tang Wulin's condition did he say, "He's fine. They're only superficial wounds."

He picked Tang Wulin up, then looked at Lin Xiuran. "The rest is up to you, Xiuran."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned into a wisp of smoke and vanished from the spot.

As for why it was certain that Lin Xiuran would fight Ye Xinglan next, that was beyond doubt. Tang Wulin had not originally been meant to fight Ye Xinglan; the match had been rigged by the other side.

Then Lin Xiuran would naturally have to face her as well. Given her attitude, it was inevitable.

Ignoring everyone else, Ye Xinglan walked up to Lin Xiuran and said coldly, "I keep my word. You're next!"

Guyue's expression changed. She rose angrily, about to say something, but Xie Xie stopped her.

"I'll be there to the end."

Lin Xiuran stood before the two of them. His gaze toward Ye Xinglan was cold, yet it also carried the passion of battle.

How could fighting an even stronger opponent not excite him?

Yet no one noticed that a streak of black light flashed through the depths of Lin Xiuran's pupils before vanishing.

"I hope so." Ye Xinglan snorted coldly, then strode off the platform. There was none of the joy she had expected from defeating Tang Wulin; instead, her expression was heavy and complicated.

Xu Lizhi looked anxious as he tried to persuade Ye Xinglan while frantically apologizing.

"You know how to forge?"

Gu Yuena looked at the smug girl beside her and asked in confusion.

Logically speaking, how could a refined girl like Tang Wutong, the daughter of a God King from birth, know such rough work as forging?

Tang Wutong raised her brows slightly and said with a smile, "I don't know how to forge, but I have the Clear Sky Hammer, and I know the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer."

"Just now, I infused the power of the Clear Sky Hammer into Xiuran's hammer, then used power guidance to help him execute the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer."

That was precisely why dark gold was an insurmountable gulf for youth division blacksmiths. Yet once a blacksmith reached rank forty, dark gold became the easiest material.

Because this piece of metal did not require any technique at all. As long as one had sufficient Soul Power and strength, it could be forged.

The smile on Tang Wutong's face was nearly impossible to suppress. She was already breathtakingly beautiful, but the smile on her exquisite face made her even more dazzling.

Like a girl who had just eaten candy, she was brimming with pride, as though helping Lin Xiuran had made her exceptionally happy.

"You're not helping your little brother, but you're helping Xiuran like this?"

Tang Wutong shook her head helplessly. "There's nothing I can do. My father has placed far too much attention on my little brother. The moment I show myself, I'll definitely be noticed."

"Has your relationship reached this point already?" Gu Yuena asked heavily.

Tang Wutong merely smiled indifferently. "There's no turning back."

Gu Yuena was slightly stunned. Just as she was about to say something, she seemed to sense something. Her expression shifted as she looked at Tang Wutong.

Tang Wutong seemed to realize it too. She instantly transformed into a pink-blue ball of light and slipped into the depths of the Sea of Consciousness.

"Sister Na, what happened to me today?" Lin Xiuran asked Gu Yuena as soon as he entered the Sea of Consciousness.

After all, he knew very well that what had happened today was definitely not his own doing. That power was strange, and that hammer phantom felt more and more like the Clear Sky Hammer the more he thought about it.

"Sister Na, you helped me again."

Gu Yuena shook her head. Her cool eyes glanced sideways toward the depths of the Sea of Consciousness before she said, "It wasn't me."

Lin Xiuran furrowed his brows slightly, clearly unable to understand.

"You'll find out in a few days. Don't rush. Go prepare for the competition first. Also, use more Ice Element during the matches and get more familiar with it."

Since Gu Yuena had said so, Lin Xiuran naturally could not ask further.

Besides, his competition was indeed urgent. He had been making preparations for it these past few days.

Lin Xiuran spread his hands. "All right, then I'll head out first."

After Lin Xiuran left, the pink-blue-haired girl revealed herself behind Gu Yuena.

"That scared me to death. I almost got discovered." Tang Wutong patted her well-developed chest with her small hand and let out a breath.

Gu Yuena looked at her helplessly before saying, "When do you plan to meet him? It's not good to keep this up."

Tang Wutong frowned slightly. After thinking for a while, she let out a deep breath. "But he doesn't recognize me now. What if he doesn't like me? What if he even hates me?"

Gu Yuena shook her head slightly. She had not expected that to be her concern, so she explained, "There's no need to worry. You can't hide in there for the rest of your life."

Tang Wutong fell silent. She merely pressed her lips together, her beautiful face full of conflicted emotions.

The blacksmithing competition had already ended. The champion had unquestionably gone to Lin Xiuran, with Mu Xi taking second place and Tang Wulin taking third. Of course, that was only for the youth division.

Competitions such as mecha manufacturing, mecha design, and mecha repair were still underway. Compared to the blacksmithing competition, their processes were far more complicated.

What Skysea City's residents loved most were still the Soul Master competitions. Whether individual matches or team matches, they were a visual feast that came only once every few years.