Victory (Please Support)

Fortunately, Liang Ji had undertaken this trial in a team with Peng Yue and Fang Xiaohan. After his Half-Dragonfolk followers were surrounded and ambushed, the other two's follower forces rushed over to support them.

The first to arrive were Fang Xiaohan's Shadow Serpentfolk. They could not withstand the enemy's charge head-on, but amid such encirclement and close-quarters fighting, they were in their element.

The Shadow Serpentfolk appeared and vanished like ghosts. Every time they emerged, a Spotted Serpentfolk would die beneath their daggers and barbed spikes. Sometimes, several Shadow Serpentfolk even worked together to break through and take the life of a Crimson Serpentfolk.

Close behind them came Peng Yue's five hundred Ice Soul Serpentfolk, charging in with twin blades in hand. They ignored the ordinary Spotted Serpentfolk, their targets fixed squarely on the Crimson Serpentfolk.

The twin blades wielded by these Ice Soul Serpentfolk were Rune Artifacts engraved with runes, containing bitterly cold power. As they clashed with the crimson greatswords of the Crimson Serpentfolk, ice and fire collided once more.

Amid booming explosions, most of the Crimson Serpentfolk were held back, while the Spotted Serpentfolk were slaughtered and scattered. Liang Ji's Half-Dragonfolk followers were finally freed.

"Kill!"

Having just broken free, Chi the Sixth seemed determined to vent the frustration he had suffered moments ago. He led the Half-Dragonfolk force in a wild charge through the Spotted Serpentfolk. Wherever they passed, it was like mowing grass—vast numbers of Spotted Serpentfolk were cut down, their bodies shattered and scattered across the ground.

Already shaken by the Shadow Serpentfolk's ghostly assassinations, the Spotted Serpentfolk could no longer endure this grass-cutting charge. They collapsed on the spot and fled in all directions.

Seeing this, Chi the Sixth did not pursue the fleeing Spotted Serpentfolk. Instead, he turned and charged toward the Crimson Serpentfolk still entangled in battle with the Ice Soul Serpentfolk.

To the Half-Dragonfolk force, those Spotted Serpentfolk were merely annoying flies—kill a few and chase the rest away. The Crimson Serpentfolk were the truly venomous snakes that killed. The dozens of dead and wounded Half-Dragonfolk had all fallen to their hands, so the Half-Dragonfolk naturally bore even greater hatred and killing intent toward them.

Now that they had broken free, they naturally sought revenge and a counterattack.

In terms of equipment, skills, and combat strength, these Crimson Serpentfolk were roughly equal to Peng Yue's Ice Soul Serpentfolk. Their only advantage was their somewhat greater numbers, but even that was limited. At present, they were tightly entangled by the Ice Soul Serpentfolk and had no strength to spare against the Half-Dragonfolk's ambush.

Thus, it became a replay of the earlier battle—except this time, it was the Half-Dragonfolk who carried out the unrestrained slaughter.

After only two charges, more than a dozen Crimson Serpentfolk had been cut down by the Half-Dragonfolk.

"Retreat!"

The leading Crimson Serpentfolk seemed to have received an order and immediately commanded a withdrawal. The Crimson Serpentfolk force began fighting as it retreated.

The Half-Dragonfolk and Ice Soul Serpentfolk forces immediately pursued, clinging to them without respite.

At this moment, the several hundred Crimson Serpentfolk archers deployed in the distance fired arrows in support, only for their volleys to be intercepted midair by the Ice Soul Serpentfolk archers at the rear.

Ice and fire collided in the sky with booming explosions. Shattered frost and flames continuously rained down from above, scattering across the battlefield.

Such collisions, explosions, and falling ice and fire had not ceased since the battle began.

It was only that, at first, the Crimson Serpentfolk archers had been intercepting the Ice Soul Serpentfolk's arrow volleys. Now, offense and defense had switched places, and it was the Ice Soul Serpentfolk archers intercepting the Crimson Serpentfolk's arrows.

This pursuit and battle lasted for more than half an hour. The retreating Crimson Serpentfolk could never shake off their pursuers and instead suffered dozens more losses in succession, with total casualties now exceeding a hundred. As for the Spotted Serpentfolk, they had long since been completely scattered by the ghostly Shadow Serpentfolk, collapsing and fleeing, unable to regroup.

Seeing this, starlight gathered above the opposing Crimson Serpentfolk force and formed a human figure. It was the opposing Star Lord participating in the trial, descending in projection through the power of the Celestial Star Array Diagram.

"Peng Yue, I know it's you!"

"You've won this battle. I concede!"

The opposing Star Lord's expression was grim, but he had no choice but to admit defeat.

This trial involved students from the Star Lord Classes of all ten high schools in Xiūshé City. Not only were the teachers and principals of every school watching, even the City Education Bureau was paying attention.

What capable Star Lord would not wish to take first place in this trial, display their abilities, and spread their reputation?

Not to mention the gains to be made on this trial star—if one performed well, there would surely be rewards from one's class and school afterward. It was even possible to receive rewards and support from the Xiushe City Education Bureau, gaining both fame and fortune!

Who could refuse that?

Unfortunately, though the opposing Star Lord was strong, he had chosen the wrong target from the outset, leading to his present defeat. But if he did not concede in time and preserve what remained of his Crimson Serpentfolk force, then it would truly be difficult for him to turn things around in the trials ahead.

"It's Xia Yuanqiu!"

The moment the opposing Star Lord appeared, Fang Xiaohan recognized him as well.

The next instant, Liang Ji and Fang Xiaohan both turned their gazes toward Peng Yue.

Among their three-person group, it was plain to see that Peng Yue's Ice Soul Serpentfolk followers were currently the strongest. Moreover, Xia Yuanqiu had directly called out Peng Yue by name.

Therefore, how they would respond now depended on Peng Yue's wishes.

Though Peng Yue had always seemed somewhat aloof, she showed no sign of timidity now. She said directly, "Then let's go meet him."

As she spoke, she took the lead in descending in projection above her own force through the Celestial Star Array Diagram.

Seeing this, Liang Ji and Fang Xiaohan did not hesitate either. They descended in projection as well, taking positions to Peng Yue's left and right.

"Xia Yuanqiu, you may concede. But by custom, you must leave compensation behind."

After the three descended in projection, Peng Yue looked across at him and spoke directly.

"No problem," Xia Yuanqiu said at once. "Earlier, I obtained a Blood Grape spirit root. I'll offer it as compensation."

Peng Yue shook her head and said, "There are three of us here. You must provide three portions of compensation."

Hearing this, Xia Yuanqiu glanced at Liang Ji and Fang Xiaohan beside her before finally saying, "Aside from the Blood Grape spirit root, I also obtained a Wind Cave Stone spirit seed. I'll give them both to you."

"I'll owe you the remaining portion of compensation for now. I'll give it to you after this trial ends."

"Fine." Peng Yue nodded.

They knew each other, and their backgrounds in Xiūshé City were roughly comparable. Peng Yue believed he would not renege on the debt.

With the negotiation concluded, both sides immediately ordered their forces to withdraw. Xia Yuanqiu left behind the spirit root and spirit seed, regathered the scattered Spotted Serpentfolk force, and swiftly departed.

Peng Yue then looked to Liang Ji and Fang Xiaohan. "You two can divide these compensations first. I'll take the portion he still owes."

Liang Ji and Fang Xiaohan had no objections. After a brief discussion, Liang Ji took the Wind Cave Stone spirit seed, while Fang Xiaohan took the Blood Grape spirit root.

My heartfelt thanks to all readers for your tips and monthly ticket support!