Trading Injury for Injury

"Heh, I'd like to see how many more times your Afterimages can hold out." Facing Lei Yunfan, Tong Yanbin found him a bit troublesome. Every time he stabbed at Lei Yunfan, it was an Afterimage. And when Lei Yunfan tried to seize an opening for a counter-kill, Tong Yanbin could dodge with his Silver Mid-tier strength. The two had exchanged over a dozen rounds without either landing a hit on the other.

"Looks like there's only one way to turn this around." Lei Yunfan silently mulled over a plan. He was at Bronze Mid-tier strength; even though Tong Yanbin had already fought two matches in a row, a Silver Mid-tier's Spiritual Power wasn't something a Bronze Mid-tier like him could match. Dragging it out would still end in his loss. Offstage, the Shancheng Martial University team members were all sweating for Lei Yunfan.

Just as Tong Yanbin thrust at Lei Yunfan again, Lei Yunfan shifted slightly to the side, letting the blade sink straight into his left shoulder. When Tong Yanbin thought he'd hit another Afterimage, fresh blood flowed from the blade.

Tong Yanbin froze. How did he actually land a hit? Was his Spiritual Power running low? In that split second of hesitation, Lei Yunfan reached out with his left hand and clamped down hard on Tong Yanbin's right wrist. Then he bared a savage grin. "Finally got you."

At that moment, Tong Yanbin felt a surge of dread, a deathly aura washing over him. Lei Yunfan, left hand gripping Tong Yanbin, drove the Sky Halberd in his right hand straight toward Tong Yanbin's left thigh. Screams rang out.

But in that instant, Tong Yanbin counterattacked, stabbing his left-hand blade toward Lei Yunfan's left shoulder. He meant to force Lei Yunfan back with this strike. Yet Lei Yunfan didn't dodge at all. Ignoring the incoming short blade, he yanked the Sky Halberd out of Tong Yanbin's left thigh and drove it into his right thigh instead.

Tong Yanbin was horrified. "You bastard, are you trying to die?"

Lei Yunfan paid him no mind, pulling out the Sky Halberd and thrusting again. Seeing Lei Yunfan coming at him once more, Tong Yanbin quickly blocked and retreated out of combat range. By now, both of them were drenched in blood.

"Damn it, what kind of freaks does Shancheng Martial University have? Do they all have a death wish?" Tong Yanbin cursed inwardly. But Lei Yunfan gave him no chance to catch his breath. Stomping his foot, he charged at Tong Yanbin again. Tong Yanbin, now furious to the extreme, started brawling with Lei Yunfan hand-to-hand.

Lei Yunfan didn't defend at all. You stab me once, and I'll punch a hole in you. The fight dragged on for a full five minutes, and by then both were soaked in blood.

"Aren't we going to stop this?" Fang Wei and Jiang Tianhai were both watching the match. "No need. Martial university students need a fight like this. When they face fierce beasts later, it'll only be more brutal. Just make sure no one dies." Jiang Tianhai shook his head.

The audience and the martial university faculty and students were all stunned. There was no cheering, only silence. In the VIP seats, Fang Yao had already covered Lin Xiaorou's eyes—the scene was too bloody. Both fighters' weapons were slick with blood.

Lei Yunfan kept attacking Tong Yanbin relentlessly. Tong Yanbin, with his strength, could have easily dodged Lei Yunfan's strikes, but his legs had been wounded earlier, slowing him down. Combined with Lei Yunfan's trade-blow-for-blow style, fear quickly took root in Tong Yanbin's heart.

When they clashed again, Tong Yanbin flinched. The moment he was hit, he pulled back to defend. But Lei Yunfan still pressed forward. Whenever Tong Yanbin dared to attack, Lei Yunfan would trade wounds. After a minute, Tong Yanbin was overwhelmed by terror, shouting for the referee to save him.

Yet Lei Yunfan's assault didn't let up—it seemed he was bent on killing him. Watching the spear tip grow larger in his vision, Tong Yanbin wet himself, feeling like he was about to die. That Shancheng Martial University student was a madman, dead set on taking his life.

The referee moved swiftly, grabbing hold of Lei Yunfan's Sky Halberd and announcing loudly, "Third match of Modu Martial University versus Shancheng Martial University, Shancheng Martial University wins. Please send out Modu Martial University's second contestant."

As the referee finished, Lei Yunfan shot Tong Yanbin a contemptuous look.

"Isn't your Modu Martial University all about the strong ruling? Don't you look down on weaker teammates? So how did you lose? How did you beg for help? You toy with and insult those weaker than you, but when someone dares to fight you to the death, you scream for rescue. You don't even have the resolve to die fighting. Someone like you is just trash on the battlefield. Which teammate would trust their back to a bully like you? Is everyone at Modu Martial University this pathetic? Garbage."

With that, he turned and walked back to Shancheng Martial University's preparation bench without looking back.

Modu Martial University's Principal was livid. How many years had it been since anyone dared to insult Modu Martial University like this, especially on a national broadcast during the Hundred Schools League? As the Principal of a top-tier martial university, he had to uphold its dignity. "That kid is dead!" the Principal fumed inwardly.

Lei Yunfan returned to the bench, and the medical staff rushed to check his injuries. He had a total of 37 wounds, large and small, all over his body. They quickly administered emergency treatment, then carried him to the medical room.

The other Shancheng Martial University team members looked at Lin Hao with complicated expressions. Jiang Weiwei and Su Xiaorui also watched him with worried eyes. Black Thunder was already crackling around Lin Hao, his fists clenched tight. "Xiaoxiao, Wang Meng, Xia Qiuling, go look after Lei Yunfan." He didn't say much, his tone eerily calm. But everyone knew—Lin Hao was furious.

Xiaoxiao tried to argue. "Lin Hao, I..."

He cut her off. "Go. They need someone there."

Jiang Weiwei gave Xiaoxiao a meaningful look. Of everyone, she understood Lin Hao best. On the surface, he was calm, but inside, he must be raging.

Lin Hao walked slowly onto the competition stage, no flashy moves. Modu Martial University sent out their second contestant. The referee gave Lin Hao a strange look, then checked the contestant list. "This match features Shancheng Martial University's Xiaoxiao. Are you Xiaoxiao?"

Lin Hao replied flatly, "Xiaoxiao forfeits. I'm the next contestant."

In the judges' seats, Jiang Tianhai's eyes lit up. Could Lin Hao not hold back anymore? Fang Wei glanced at Shancheng Martial University's roster. When he saw Lin Hao's info, his pupils dilated. He's Lin Hao? The one Yaoyao can't stop thinking about? An E-grade Lightning elemental ability user—what can he do up there?

In the VIP seats, "Big brother's on stage!" Lin Xiaorou's eyes sparkled at the sight of her brother stepping onto the platform, her little hands clapping. Both Fang Yao and Lin Yueyue were sweating for Lin Hao. Seeing the miserable state of the earlier Shancheng Martial University students, their eyes were full of worry.

"What is that brat still going up there for?" Lin Yueyue was frantic with concern. Fang Yao said nothing, her small hands clenched tight and slick with sweat.