Chapter 148

He retreated to the edge of the field, sat down in the stands with one leg crossed over the other, and took a swig of wine.

Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yaoheng exchanged a glance.

Behind Ma Xiaotao stood Gongyang Mo, Xixi, Xue Lingyun, Huo Yuhao, He Caitou, and Xiao Xiao.

Behind Dai Yaoheng stood Chen Zifeng, Ling Luochen, Yao Haoxuan, Beibei, Jiang Nannan, and Wang Dong.

Neither side moved first. The Assessment Area fell silent for a moment, with only the wind blowing through the gaps in the dome.

Ma Xiaotao withdrew her gaze and looked at Dai Yaoheng across from her, the corner of her lips curving slightly.

"Hasn't Dai Yaoheng been unhappy ever since I came back to lead the team? Today, I'll beat him until he accepts it."

Before her words had even faded, she was already the first to charge out. With a tap of her toes against the ground, she shot forward like an arrow. Scarlet feathers quietly emerged one after another, her eyes blazing with fierce light as dense golden-red flames burst forth and illuminated the entire arena. Yet she deliberately controlled her speed, maintaining formation with the teammates behind her.

At the same time Ma Xiaotao moved, Xixi also sprang into action. She was even faster than the Outer Court students had imagined—faster even than Ma Xiaotao. With what seemed like a mere flicker, she arrived behind Ma Xiaotao, as if her entire body had merged into Ma Xiaotao's flames. The instant she vanished, Ma Xiaotao's blazing Phoenix Flame seemed to gain a trace of chill.

Gongyang Mo spread a pair of broad wings, their feathers growing into the colors of a rainbow, from crimson at his back to violet at the tips. Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple gleamed with