Coordinating to Capture the Light Orbs

The instant Jiang Donghua stepped onto the third floor, discomfort washed over his entire body. Thick Dou Qi pressure permeated the air, making every step feel like he was trudging through a swamp.

Looking up, he saw star-like light orbs filling the entire dome. Visible chains of energy coiled around each orb, producing a trembling hum.

"As expected... these are the real treasures."

He narrowed his eyes.

A sudden noise came from the right.

A blue-robed student leaped high into the air. The moment his fingertips touched a purple light orb, he was violently flung away, crashing hard into the wall before sliding down.

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on the floating light orbs on the third floor.

These orbs were even more dazzling than those on the second floor, and their energy fluctuations were several times stronger. Each seemed to possess a will of its own as it darted through the tower at astonishing speed along unpredictable paths.

"Let's give it a try!"

Jiang Donghua's figure flashed as he unleashed the Cloud-Chasing Steps to their fullest. He turned into a blur and shot toward the nearest crimson light orb.

Yet, just as his fingertips were about to touch it—

Whoosh!

The orb suddenly accelerated like a living creature, easily dodging his grasp before vanishing into the distance in an instant.

"Damn it!"

Jiang Donghua frowned and cursed inwardly.

At this speed, there's no way a Two-star Dou Master can catch it!

He looked around and found that many students were likewise trying to seize the light orbs, but most were just like him—they could not even touch the edge of one.

Some even forced themselves to use their Movement Techniques, causing their Dou Qi to become chaotic. They stumbled to the ground, their faces deathly pale.

However, at that moment—

Boom!

A figure suddenly burst forth, moving at a terrifying speed like a bolt of black lightning as he pursued a golden light orb!

Jiang Donghua's pupils contracted.

"A Five-star Dou Master?!"

It was a black-robed man whose aura was deep and powerful as an abyss, far surpassing that of most people present.

His Movement Technique was even more exquisite. With every step, faint ripples of Dou Qi spread beneath his feet, as though he were stepping upon invisible stairs, his speed steadily rising!

Bang!

The man struck out with his palm. The golden light orb shook violently and was forcibly halted for an instant!

"Got you!"

He shouted lowly, his five fingers curving into claws as he fiercely seized the edge of the orb.

The orb struggled wildly, golden energy surging like a tide against his arm. Yet he did not budge. Dou Qi erupted from his body as he forcibly suppressed it!

Hiss—

Sharp intakes of breath sounded all around.

"A monster..."

Someone muttered in a low voice, their eyes filled with awe.

Jiang Donghua's expression turned grave.

A Five-star Dou Master truly was not someone he could compare to yet.

A faint smile suddenly curled across Jiang Donghua's lips.

"Since I can't outrun them, I'll use another method."

He stopped chasing blindly and instead stood still, slowly closing his eyes.

He was sensing them.

These light orbs were fast, but they were ultimately masses of energy—and energy must follow patterns!

Jiang Donghua narrowed his eyes and carefully observed the energy light orbs on the third floor.

Although the orbs came in different colors, aside from the strength of their energy fluctuations, there was no way to tell what they contained.

It could be a Mysterious Tier High-grade Combat Skill, or it could merely be a rare medicinal herb!

Unless I get my hands on one, there's no way to know what it is.

He pondered inwardly.

This is completely a gamble on luck!

As he thought, the competition in the hall quietly began to change.

Several quick-witted students seemed to have discovered the pattern as well. They suddenly stopped running around like headless flies and exchanged glances instead.

"Surround that purple light orb!"

A blue-robed youth shouted.

At once, five students closed in from different directions, forcing a drifting purple light orb into a corner.

The orb darted left and right, but it could not break through their encirclement.

"Now!"

A red-haired girl suddenly sprang into action. She formed a hand seal, and a chain of Dou Qi shot from her palm, instantly wrapping around the light orb!

"Caught it!"

She cried out excitedly and yanked the orb before her. The instant she touched it, the orb abruptly contracted, turning into an ancient bamboo scroll in her hand.

"A Mysterious-grade Mid-tier Movement Technique, Flowing Cloud Steps!"

The girl cried out in delight.

That scene immediately enlightened everyone.

Jiang Donghua saw the students in the hall swiftly divide into several groups, beginning to capture the light orbs in an organized manner.

The five students under Yan Feng quickly gathered together, exchanging tacit glances.

"No one can gain anything by fighting alone."

Lin Xiuyuan stroked the jade pendant at his waist, his gaze sweeping over the others.

"Since we'll be classmates for the next few years, why not start working together now?"

Shi Lie stood with his arms folded, his rough fingers tapping against his bicep.

"How do we divide the roles?"

Jiang Donghua's eyes flashed as he swiftly analyzed the situation.

"Brother Lin and I have the best Movement Techniques, so we'll drive the light orbs over. Brother Shi, Brother Zhao, and Miss Ouyang will intercept and capture them."

He paused.

"Whoever gets one first will help the others keep going. What do you think?"

A wisp of frost condensed at Ouyang Xue's fingertips as she gave a slight nod.

"Reasonable."

A sharp gleam flashed in Zhao Wuchen's eyes.

"Then let's move!"

Whoosh!

Jiang Donghua and Lin Xiuyuan sprang into action at the same time.

Lin Xiuyuan stepped in a seven-star pattern. His jade pendant suddenly blossomed with green light, spreading an arcing wall of air before him.

Jiang Donghua, meanwhile, used the Cloud-Chasing Steps. Violet-blue flames burst beneath his feet as he shot like an arrow toward a distant crimson light orb.

"Three zhang to the left!"

Lin Xiuyuan suddenly changed direction, sweeping his air wall sideways and forcing two drifting azure light orbs toward the encirclement.

The muscles across Shi Lie's body bulged as he slammed both palms against the ground.

Rock Eruption Prison!

Rumble—

Several stone pillars burst into the air, perfectly sealing off the light orbs' escape routes.

Zhao Wuchen flung seven darts from his sleeve. They formed a Spirit-Locking Formation in midair, freezing the light orbs for an instant.

Ouyang Xue seized that fleeting opening. Her frost-covered fingers curled like claws as she snatched one of the azure light orbs.

"A Mysterious-grade Low-tier cultivation technique, the Cold Marrow Art!"

A ripple passed through her cool eyes. She swiftly tucked the cultivation technique into her robes, then turned and helped Shi Lie intercept another light orb.

The students from the Central Plains class nearby suddenly stirred.

"Keep going!"

The five grew braver as they fought, their coordination becoming increasingly seamless.

The students from the other classes watched with envy, but lacking such tacit understanding, they could only look on helplessly as the five succeeded again and again.

On the Stargazing Platform atop the Scripture Depository, several elders guarding the pavilion were observing the scene below through a crystal wall.

When Elder Duan saw the five students from Yan Feng's class coordinating flawlessly to capture the light orbs, the teacup in his hand suddenly stopped in midair.

"Interesting."

He narrowed his cloudy old eyes.

"These little ones from this year are more sensible than those of previous years."

Another elder in gray robes stroked his long beard.

"Those so-called geniuses in previous years all strutted about with their noses in the air. They would fight until their heads bled over a single light orb, only for no one to gain anything in the end."

"Hmph."

Elder Duan sneered and pointed at the crystal wall.

"Look at those little brats who are Four-star and Five-star Dou Masters. They're still fighting on their own."

Sure enough, although those black-robed students in the image were all powerful, they kept their distance from one another. Even their occasional exchanged glances carried wariness.

One of them had barely managed to trap a golden light orb when two others struck out at the same time to snatch it. The orb exploded with a bang amid their struggle, scattering into motes of light.

"Idiots!"

Elder Duan shook his head.