Complete Victory

Since they didn't want to be late for the elimination tournament that morning, Yue Ling and Gongyang Mo hadn't had time to eat. Even Ma Xiaotao, who had arrived early to wait, was competing on an empty stomach.

After a hard-fought morning, all three were ravenous and weak, their energy and spirits nearly spent.

Ma Xiaotao's face was dark with displeasure. A chill radiated from her, making it clear she wanted no one near her or bothering her.

Gongyang Mo was so hungry his stomach was practically touching his back. He looked utterly listless, without a trace of his usual energy.

The three headed straight for the cafeteria. They didn't care about appearances, wolfing down food until they were stuffed. Only then did they start to feel better, their bodies regaining a little strength.

After drinking the last of his water, Yue Ling let out a long breath, his gaze firm once more.

"The thirty-two-to-sixteen matches are this afternoon. Let's give it everything we've got!"

"Let's go!"

Ma Xiaotao still looked a little awkward, but she answered in a low voice all the same.

"Let's go! Those three Spirit Bones are ours!"

"Exactly!"

After a brief rest and getting their unruly Soul Power under control, the three set off at once, heading back to the Assessment Area.

When the afternoon class bell rang, the thirty-two-to-sixteen round of the Freshman Elimination Tournament officially began.

After the morning's eliminations, the number of competing teams had been cut in half. The students drew lots again, then made their way to their assigned arenas.

The layout hadn't changed. The arenas were still divided into separate sections as they had been in the morning, though only the first sixteen battle zones were in use that day.

Yue Ling again drew lots on behalf of the team. This time, they were assigned to Arena Five.

But the instant Yue Ling saw their opponents, his heart sank.

The situation he'd feared had come to pass: their opponents were classmates from his own class.

A match between classmates was hard on everyone, win or lose. But the rules were the rules. There was no backing out; they could only face each other head-on.

Wang Yan was still overseeing the match.

"Both teams, enter!"

At Wang Yan's command, all six contestants stepped into the broad arena and took their places on opposite sides, each team forming up for battle.

Yue Ling's team held to their usual positions: Yue Ling took the front, absorbing pressure and leading the attack; Ma Xiaotao held the middle, ready to support; and Gongyang Mo guarded the rear, providing support and boosts.

The opposing team had a well-organized formation, too. At the front, a Power Attack Type Spirit Master and an Agility Attack Type Spirit Master stood side by side, while a Control Type Spirit Master held the rear. Their offense and defense were well balanced.

"Begin!"

The moment Wang Yan spoke, tension snapped across the arena, and all six moved at once.

Gongyang Mo immediately unleashed his Martial Soul. Two Spirit Rings lit up in succession as he simultaneously activated Crimson Power and Orange Soul.

Twin rings of colored light unfurled, enveloping Yue Ling and Ma Xiaotao in the front. The boosts strengthened them, sped up their Soul Power recovery, and let them unleash their Soul Skills faster.

With powerful support behind them, Yue Ling didn't hesitate. His First and Second Spirit Rings flashed together.

His Second Soul Skill, Falling Blossom Storm, sent countless sharp golden petals flying as his Chrysanthemum Blades burst forth. His First Soul Skill, Heavenly Chrysanthemum Body Protection, covered him from head to toe, a solid layer of golden light shielding his body and bringing his defense to its peak.

At the same time, Ma Xiaotao activated her Third Soul Skill, Phoenix Wings Soaring to the Heavens. Phoenix flames surged around her, blazing hot.

The two charged toward the opposing team's Power Attack Type and Agility Attack Type Spirit Masters, one on either side.

The opposing Control Type Spirit Master tried to stop them, but it was all in vain.

At the same time, Yue Ling directed the countless sharp Flower Blades through the air, turning them toward the enemy's rear and bearing down on their Control Type Spirit Master to block his crowd-control skills before he could use them.

With Heavenly Chrysanthemum Body Protection bolstering him, the attacks of the opposing Spirit Elders struck Yue Ling but were all firmly stopped by the golden light. They couldn't even break through his defense.

The beginnings of Indestructible Diamond gave him excellent resilience under pressure.

Ma Xiaotao deliberately held back, avoiding any fatal blows. She relied on a relentless stream of Phoenix Fireline to keep up the pressure, gradually forcing the two enemy frontliners backward until they were driven right off the platform and disqualified.

The Control Type Spirit Master at the rear watched his teammates fall one after another, while Yue Ling's dense Flower Blades sealed off every route. He lost all will to fight and surrendered.

The whole match was one-sided and ended in less than five minutes.

Yue Ling's team won without a hint of pressure, securing their place in the top sixteen of the freshman assessment.

Wang Yan and the other teachers watching nearby couldn't help but gape.

As expected of Class One's strongest seeded team. Not only did they execute their Soul Skills flawlessly, but they also used their formidable strength to break apart the enemy formation in no time and finish the match just as quickly.

After the swift victory, the three didn't leave in a hurry. They stood at the edge of the arena and watched the other teams compete.

In only one day of eliminations, most of the freshmen had already been knocked out.

Only the top sixteen teams remained in the competition on the second day, with a total of forty-eight students.

Everyone who had made it this far was among the best of this year's freshmen. Even across the entire continent, they would rank among the elite of their generation.

Dai Yueheng and Xixi's team finished their match soon after, winning cleanly. Their strength was clear, and they were not to be underestimated.

The viewing platform was far livelier than it had been the day before.

The stands were already packed before the matches even began.

Yue Ling and the others scanned the viewing platform and quickly spotted a familiar figure.

He looked to be about fifty, dressed in loose white robes, with short snow-white hair and refined, scholarly features. A faint smile rested on his face.

He seemed gentle and courteous, yet his eyes were keen, and he stood perfectly straight, carrying the natural authority of someone in a high position. He didn't need to show off his presence to make people think twice about meeting his gaze.

It was Yan Shaozhe, Ma Xiaotao's teacher.

Gongyang Mo stared at Dean Yan, eyes wide. He hadn't expected him to come watch.

When Ma Xiaotao spotted Yan Shaozhe, she immediately raised a hand and waved enthusiastically.

The students around them looked over in confusion.

Was there nobody there?

Up on the viewing platform, Yan Shaozhe noticed them and gave a warm nod in reply, acknowledging their greeting.

With her teacher there to watch, Ma Xiaotao perked up instantly, all her earlier fatigue and listlessness gone.

She turned to Yue Ling, her tone serious and leaving no room for argument.

"We'll finish the next match quickly, too. We have to give it our all and show Teacher what we can really do!"

Yue Ling nodded gently.

He understood. With an elder watching, everyone wanted to put on a good showing. So he didn't say anything more and simply went along with her plan.

Soon, the draw for the round of sixteen began.

This time, Yue Ling drew Platform Two.

There were no weak opponents left at this stage.

Every team that had made the top sixteen was far stronger than the teams they'd faced before. None would be easy to handle.

None of the matches from here on would be easy.

The competition area expanded once more, and matches began simultaneously across eight spacious arenas.