Complete Victory

A faint smile appeared on Ling Luochen's face.

Ma Xiaotao's intent to attack was far too obvious. By charging in alone, she had played right into their hands. With Chen Zifeng's immense offensive power combined with Yao Haoxuan's mental shock, Ma Xiaotao would not only struggle to dodge, but she might even lose her ability to fight altogether.

As long as they crushed Ma Xiaotao, they could split up to deal with the control-type and support-type soul masters in the back. They had every chance to bridge the gap in soul power and win this battle!

"Second soul skill, Falling Blossom Storm!"

"Second soul skill, Break!"

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously. A purple soul ring lit up beneath Yue Ling's feet, and a golden light flashed from the Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum in his hand. Countless chrysanthemum petals exploded instantly, transforming into high-speed rotating blades that lunged straight at Chen Zifeng.

Yue Ling had seen everything clearly from the back. Ling Luochen intended to use Yao Haoxuan's mental shock to briefly restrict Ma Xiaotao, then have Chen Zifeng deliver a heavy blow to create an opening and pick them off one by one. Good grief, that plan was far too loud!

Seeing Ma Xiaotao stunned, the corners of Chen Zifeng's mouth curled upward.

The opportunity had arrived!

His second soul ring shimmered, and a three-inch blood-red blade of energy extended from the tip of his Soul-Chasing Sword. Carrying formidable armor-piercing power, it thrust straight toward Ma Xiaotao.

Ma Xiaotao's pupils contracted sharply. Affected by Yao Haoxuan's mental shock, her body felt sluggish, and she could not dodge quickly. Just as the blood-red sword was about to strike, the petals suddenly transformed into sharp blades, all of them swarming toward Chen Zifeng!

"Oh no!" Chen Zifeng's expression changed, and he hurriedly mobilized his soul power to block the incoming onslaught.

The clanging sounds of collisions rang out incessantly.

"Damn it!" Ling Luochen bit her lip.

The plan had been exposed. No matter how fluidly they linked their moves, the massive gap in raw strength stood before them, rendering their original deployment useless.

Yue Ling cursed himself inwardly; he really was like a student who forgot everything the moment the exam started!

The Wonder-Silk Heavenly Chrysanthemum around him vibrated violently. Petals as hard as refined steel detached from the flower, turning into hundreds of sharp blades. The sky full of chrysanthemum blades changed direction, sweeping toward Ling Luochen and her two teammates simultaneously.

Golden light rained from the sky, and the piercing sound of blades cutting through the air echoed one after another. The overwhelming offensive instantly shocked the watching students and teachers.

Someone on the viewing platform turned to look at Wu Ya: "Wu Ya, are these students from your Class One?"

Wu Ya nodded with a smile: "That's right. This batch of children in Class One this year all have solid foundations."

The teacher beside him looked envious: "Good grief, all the good seedlings have ended up in your class!"

Wu Ya looked toward the thirteenth combat zone, feeling secretly proud.

High above, Elder Xuan and Yan Shaozhe kept their eyes fixed on the battlefield, nodding slightly.

Elder Xuan watched the scene, feeling a bit empty, so he pulled out a piece of smoked bear meat and began to gnaw on it, chewing and mumbling indistinctly.

"Not bad, truly not bad." It was unclear whether he was praising the bear meat or his own disciples.

Yan Shaozhe also looked satisfied. Yue Ling's timing for this strike was perfect. Ma Xiaotao had nearly been injured just moments ago, but thanks to his timely intervention, he had not only shattered the opponent's tactics but also forced the three of them into a desperate situation.

However, the disparity in martial soul quality and soul power levels still remained.

No matter how exquisite the tactical coordination, when faced with a gap in raw strength, many plans ultimately struggled to be effective.

Inside the arena.

Ling Luochen, Chen Zifeng, and Yao Haoxuan all had their expressions change at once.

This is bad!

Ma Xiaotao was in mid-air, positioned higher than the three of them. She lifted her chin, looking down at the falling petals with a hint of arrogance.

"What... what kind of attack is this? Is he really a control-type?"

Ling Luochen was somewhat skeptical, but she didn't have time to dwell on it; holding off this attack was the priority!

"Second soul skill, Ice Shield Wall!" she shouted. A flash of blue light appeared in her hand, and an ice wall even larger than the previous one stood in the arena, firmly shielding her and Yao Haoxuan.

"Ha... ha..." Ling Luochen panted heavily.

Using her soul power this time had consumed a massive amount of energy; she wouldn't be able to use it a second time in the short term.

"First soul skill, Crimson Power!"

Under the support of Gongyang Mo, most of Yue Ling's flower blades attacked Chen Zifeng, while a small portion rushed toward Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan.

Since he couldn't split his focus, he could only control that small batch of blades with greater precision, maneuvering them around the ice wall to press toward the stunned Ling Luochen.

Yao Haoxuan tried to punch the blades away, but unfortunately, he was too slow!

Under Yue Ling's control, the blades bypassed his fist and headed straight for his throat. Meanwhile, Ling Luochen, who was slumped on the ground, lacked the soul power and the will to resist this strike.

Yao Haoxuan swallowed, his throat dry, and he could only helplessly shout: "I concede..."

Ling Luochen looked at Yue Ling with indignation, but she also helplessly chose to concede and left the arena.

Inside the arena.

Chen Zifeng, who was still struggling to resist, clanging against the flower blades, was stunned when he heard his teammates concede. Ma Xiaotao seized the opportunity and punched him flying.

Just as he tried to struggle to his feet, he looked up to see countless flower blades pressed against his face—they were almost touching his skin.

He let out a long, gloomy sigh and, looking completely dejected, chose to concede.

Ling Luochen felt a chill in her heart, yet she was filled with questions.

They were all freshmen, so why was the gap so large? Just one person had single-handedly changed the tide of the battle, leaving them with no way to fight back.

Sigh, if only she hadn't been lazy during her cultivation. If she had obtained her third soul ring, perhaps this battle would have had a different outcome?

On the other side.

Gongyang Mo cheered.

"Yeah, we won!"

He looked toward Yao Haoxuan with a hint of smugness, but the latter turned his head away, choosing not to look at the triumphant little man.

Ma Xiaotao descended from the sky, wanting to say something, but Yue Ling spoke first.

"Thanks to you, Xiaotao. You're clearly the long-range attacker, yet I made you fight in close quarters. I've really wronged you."

Ma Xiaotao was stunned, a warmth spreading through her heart.

"Hey, it's fine. I actually found this battle quite exciting, and besides, I almost got hurt earlier—it's thanks to your protection."

Gongyang Mo widened his eyes and pointed at himself.

"What about me? What about me? What about me!"

Yue Ling and Ma Xiaotao couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, yes, yes, the biggest credit goes to you. Your support was absolutely vital."

"Hmm~ That's more like it!"

As everyone laughed, Zhou Yi slowly walked over.

"The Yue Ling team from Class One wins this match." After announcing it, she recorded the result in the file she was holding.

As for the three from Class Two, thanks to Yue Ling's deliberate restraint, they hadn't suffered any injuries, though their soul power was mostly depleted.

Yet, there was no shame on their faces after the defeat, which made Yue Ling and his group look at them with newfound respect.

Off to the side.

After finishing the registration, Zhou Yi looked at the group and thought to herself that this group of students was likely the strongest team in Class One...! Their strength was truly not to be underestimated; they were already three-ringed Soul Elders at such a young age.

If only they had applied to the Soul Tool Department when they enrolled...

She sighed softly before turning to announce the next battle.