A smile appeared on Ling Luochеn's face.
Ma Xiaotao's intention to attack was far too obvious. She charged forward alone, playing right into Ling Luochеn's hands. With Chen Zifeng's formidable attack power, backed by Yao Haoxuan's Mental Shock, Ma Xiaotao would not only struggle to dodge, she might even lose her ability to fight outright.
As long as they defeated Ma Xiaotao, then split up to deal with the Control Type and Support Type Spirit Masters in the rear, they had every chance of overcoming the gap in Soul Power and winning this battle!
"Second Soul Skill, Falling Blossom Storm!"
"Second Soul Skill, Break!"
Two voices rang out almost simultaneously. The purple Spirit Ring beneath Yue Ling's feet lit up. The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in his hand flashed gold, and countless petals burst apart, transforming into swiftly spinning blades that shot straight toward Chen Zifeng.
Yue Ling had watched everything clearly from the rear. Ling Luochеn planned to use Yao Haoxuan's Mental Shock to briefly restrain Ma Xiaotao, then have Chen Zifeng strike and severely wound her. They would break through their formation and pick them off one by one. What a scheme—he could practically hear the gears turning!
Seeing Ma Xiaotao stunned, Chen Zifeng's lips curled slightly.
The opportunity had come!
The Second Soul Ring flashed. Three inches of blood-red sword energy extended from the tip of the Soul-Chasing Sword, carrying a powerful armor-piercing force as it thrust straight toward Ma Xiaotao.
Ma Xiaotao's pupils contracted sharply. Under the effects of Yao Haoxuan's Mental Shock, her body had slowed, and she couldn't dodge quickly enough. Just as the blood-red sword was about to reach her, petals abruptly turned into blades and swarmed toward Chen Zifeng!
"Not good!" Chen Zifeng's expression changed, and he hurriedly marshaled his Soul Power to fend off the incoming attack.
Clang! Clang! Clang! The collisions rang out without pause.
"Damn it!" Ling Luochеn pressed her lips together.
Their plan had been exposed. No matter how seamlessly they chained their moves together, the enormous gap in raw strength stood in their way. Their original strategy was useless now.
Yue Ling cursed himself silently. He really did forget everything he learned, year after year!
The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum around him trembled violently. One by one, its golden petals—hard as fine steel—broke away from the flower, turning into hundreds of razor-sharp blades. The sea of Chrysanthemum Blades changed direction and swept toward Ling Luochеn and the other two all at once.
Golden light rained through the air, accompanied by the shrill, unceasing whistle of blades. The overwhelming assault instantly startled all the students and teachers watching.
Someone in the stands turned to Wu Ya. "Wu Ya, are these students from your Class One?"
Wu Ya nodded with a smile. "That's right. This year's batch in Class One has a solid foundation."
The teacher beside him looked envious. "Good heavens, all the promising young talents ended up in your class!"
Wu Ya gazed at the Thirteenth Battle Zone, secretly pleased with himself.
On the high platform, Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe watched the battlefield intently and nodded.
Watching the fight, Xuan Zi felt his mouth grow empty. He pulled out a piece of smoked bear meat and took a big bite, speaking indistinctly as he chewed.
"Not bad, really not bad." It was hard to tell whether he was praising the bear meat or his own disciple.
Yan Shaozhe also looked pleased. Yue Ling had chosen the perfect moment to strike. Ma Xiaotao had nearly been injured just now, but luckily Yan Shaozhe had intervened in time. Yue Ling had not only torn apart the opponents' tactics but had also forced all three of them into a perilous position.
But the gulf created by the difference in Martial Soul quality and Soul Power Level still remained.
No matter how ingenious their teamwork was, many schemes would ultimately fail against a disparity in raw strength.
Inside the arena.
Ling Luochеn, Chen Zifeng, and Yao Haoxuan all changed expressions.
This was bad!
Ma Xiaotao was in midair, higher than the other three. She lifted her chin with a touch of pride and looked down at the shower of petal blades about to fall.
"W-what kind of attack is this? Is he really a Control Type?"
Ling Luochеn was dubious, but she had no time to dwell on it. Holding off the attack came first!
"Second Soul Skill, Ice Shield Wall!" she shouted. Blue light flashed in her hand, and an ice wall even larger than the previous one rose in the arena, firmly shielding her and Yao Haoxuan.
"Hah... hah..." Ling Luochеn panted heavily.
Using her Soul Power this time had drained a great deal of her energy. She couldn't use the skill again anytime soon.
"First Soul Skill, Crimson Power!"
With Gongyang Mo's support, most of Yue Ling's Flower Blades attacked Chen Zifeng, while a smaller portion charged toward Ling Luochеn and Yao Haoxuan.
Since he couldn't use Heart Separation Control, he could only guide that smaller group of Flower Blades with even greater precision. They circled around the ice wall and bore down on Ling Luochеn, who stared at them in disbelief.
Yao Haoxuan tried to punch the blades away, but he was too slow!
Under Yue Ling's control, they slipped around his fist and shot straight for his throat. Ling Luochеn had slumped to the ground, drained of Soul Power and unable to muster the strength to resist.
Yao Haoxuan swallowed, his throat dry. He could only call out helplessly, "I surrender..."
Ling Luochеn glared angrily at Yue Ling, but she too had no choice. She surrendered and left the arena.
Inside the arena
Chen Zifeng was still fighting desperately, clanging away at the Flower Blades. When he heard his teammates surrender, a flicker of astonishment crossed his face. Ma Xiaotao seized the opening and punched him flying.
He had just tried to struggle back to his feet when he looked up to find countless Flower Blades pressed against his face. They were practically touching him.
He let out a faint sigh, his face full of dejection, and surrendered.
Ling Luochеn felt a chill settle in her heart, along with a trace of confusion.
They were all new students, so why was the gap between them so huge? One person alone had completely turned the tide, leaving them utterly unable to fight back.
Sigh, if only I hadn't slacked off during training. If I'd gotten my Third Spirit Ring, maybe this battle would have had a shred of suspense.
On the other side
Gongyang Mo cheered.
"Yeah, we won!"
He glanced at Yao Haoxuan with a smug look. The latter angrily turned his head away, refusing to look at the insufferably triumphant little man.
Ma Xiaotao descended from the sky and was about to say something, but Yue Ling spoke first.
"We couldn't have done it without you, Xiaotao. You're clearly our long-range attacker, but you had to fight in close quarters. You really got the short end of the stick."
Ma Xiaotao was taken aback, her heart warming.
"Hey, it's fine. This fight was pretty thrilling for me, actually. Besides, I nearly got hurt just now, and I have you to thank for protecting me."
Gongyang Mo opened his eyes wide and pointed at himself.
"What about me? What about me? What about me?"
Yue Ling and Ma Xiaotao laughed.
"Yes, yes, you deserve the most credit. Your support was crucial."
"Mm, that's more like it!"
As everyone laughed, Zhou Yi walked over.
"Yue Ling's team from Class One wins this match." After making the announcement, she recorded the result in the file she held.
The three students from Class Two had suffered no serious injuries, thanks to Yue Ling deliberately holding back. They had only used up most of their Soul Power.
But their faces showed no shame at losing, which earned Yue Ling and the others' admiration.
Nearby,
After finishing the registration, Zhou Yi looked at the group and thought to herself, This must be Class One's strongest team... Their strength is truly not to be underestimated. They're so young, yet already at the three-ring Soul Elder level.
If only they'd enrolled in the Spirit Guidance Department...
She sighed softly, then turned to announce the next match.
Before you continue