Fang Ming Battles Gu Yue

A few days later, it was Saturday.

The morning sunlight spilled across Eastsea Academy. A light breeze brushed through the tall trees beside the field, making them rustle softly.

In Class One of the first grade, Ye Yingluo pushed open the door and entered.

"Today is Saturday. We have practical combat class."

Standing at the podium, she calmly swept her gaze across the class. Her voice was clear. "All students, assemble at the field."

"Yes, Teacher Ye."

Everyone answered in unison, their voices carrying both anticipation and nervousness.

After all, this was their first practical combat class since enrolling. No one knew what Teacher Ye had planned.

Led by Ye Yingluo, Class One filed out of the classroom in an orderly fashion.

On the field at Eastsea Academy, the morning air still held a slight chill.

When Ye Yingluo brought Class One to the field, they spotted Class Five running laps from afar.

One lap, then another...

Their steps had already grown heavy, their breathing labored, and beads of sweat covered their foreheads, yet no one dared stop.

Wu Changkong stood at the edge of the field with his hands behind his back, expressionless and cold-eyed.

As if this were nothing more than the most ordinary training.

"Isn't that Class Five? Why are they running laps so early in the morning?"

Xie Xie could not help muttering, his tone holding both gloating amusement and curiosity.

"No idea."

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi shook their heads at his words.

"Boss, what do you think?"

As Xie Xie spoke, he suddenly realized Fang Ming was gone and began looking around.

He looked left and right, but could not find that familiar figure.

"Over there."

Wang Jinxi reminded him.

Fang Ming was standing with Gu Yue, and the two seemed to be talking about something.

"Gu Yue, you wicked woman!"

Xie Xie called out with exaggerated indignation, "Give my boss back!"

He made as if to step forward, but his feet remained rooted to the spot. His mouth was making plenty of noise, but his body was painfully honest.

"..."

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi exchanged a glance, both speechless.

It could only be said that he was indeed Xie Xie. His words were always quicker than his actions.

"Alright, stop staring, everyone."

Ye Yingluo clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention back. "Today's practical combat class is very simple—sparring."

"Sparring?"

A low murmur immediately rose from the crowd, and many pairs of eyes lit up.

"Yes."

Ye Yingluo nodded, a hint of scrutiny in her gaze. "Practical combat is the most direct way to test one's strength."

"You've only just enrolled, and I need to understand everyone's true level."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the students before finally landing on Fang Ming and Gu Yue.

"The first match: Fang Ming versus Gu Yue."

Ye Yingluo announced the first pairing.

Class One immediately erupted. They had all heard about the cafeteria brawl.

Everyone's eyes fell upon Fang Ming and Gu Yue.

Besides, this was a battle between two level-thirty-eight Soul Elders. Just thinking about it made their blood boil.

"Boss versus Gu Yue..."

Xie Xie rubbed his hands excitedly. "Now this is going to be good."

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi nodded as well, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Fang Ming and Gu Yue stepped onto the field and faced each other.

Gu Yue's expression was cool and calm, revealing no emotion.

Fang Ming looked equally composed, as though this were merely an ordinary spar.

"Begin!"

Ye Yingluo gave the order, crisp and decisive.

Almost at the same instant, both of them moved.

"Water Element!"

Gu Yue raised a hand and waved. The three yellow soul rings behind her lit up together.

Water Elemental Possession. A faint blue glow spread around her, and the air filled with a moist aura.

The spectators were immediately baffled. They could not understand Gu Yue's move.

Logically speaking, one should seize the initiative and attack first at the start of a battle.

Yet Gu Yue had chosen Water Elemental Possession instead. It seemed far too conservative.

"Oh?"

Fang Ming saw through Gu Yue's intentions at a glance. She was guarding against his Nether Poisonfire.

Once the poisonfire was inhaled, it would inflict continuous damage.

Gu Yue used the water element to protect herself precisely to block the poisonous fumes from entering her body.

"First Soul Skill: Nether Dragon Flame!"

Fang Ming spoke slowly. The three purple soul rings behind him flickered as light flowed across them.

A green flame appeared in his hand.

The flame churned and transformed into a vicious flaming dragon head, carrying scorching heat as it howled toward Gu Yue.

The flaming dragon head bared its fangs and claws, as though it would devour everything in its path. A scorched smell filled the air.

The green flames looked especially eerie beneath the sunlight, as if they had risen from the depths of the underworld.

Gu Yue remained composed and lightly waved her hand again.

Behind her, three yellow soul rings lit up in succession, their light flowing.

First Soul Skill: Elemental Tide!

Second Soul Skill: Elemental Control!

Elemental energy from heaven and earth surged toward her like a tide, filling the air with a dense elemental aura.

"Water Dragon Blast!"

Gu Yue spoke, and the water element suddenly became violent.

An enormous water dragon condensed into existence and charged at Fang Ming with bared fangs and claws.

The water dragon was deep blue throughout, carrying an overwhelming force as though it would swallow everything whole.

The fire dragon and water dragon collided in midair.

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle..."

A vast amount of water vapor instantly rose and spread out, shrouding both of them from view.

The steam roiled, blurring everyone's vision. Only the sounds from within could be heard.

"Gale!"

Seeing this, Gu Yue had an idea.

A green light flickered and condensed into a small hurricane.

The hurricane howled across the battlefield, absorbing all the lingering water vapor.

Like an invisible vortex, it swallowed every trace of steam.

The field of vision became clear again.

Fang Ming's figure reappeared before everyone.

At that moment, a terrifying elemental fluctuation emerged.

Fire, water, wind, earth.

Four elements appeared around Gu Yue at once, reflecting one another as they slowly spun above her palm.

The blazing intensity of fire, the pliancy of water, the sharpness of wind, and the heaviness of earth merged together, radiating an aura that made hearts tremble.

A wave of startled cries erupted from Class One.

"Four elements?!"

"How is that possible? How could one person control four elements at the same time?"

Xie Xie was stunned as well, his face full of disbelief. "Damn, what... what is this?"

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi were equally dumbfounded, unable to speak.

The third yellow soul ring behind Gu Yue flickered, and its light abruptly bloomed.

"Third Soul Skill: Elemental Fusion!"

"Elemental Fire Rain!"

Gu Yue's voice was cold, yet it carried an unquestionable force.

The spinning mass of elemental energy above her palm suddenly compressed, then burst forth.

In an instant, a dazzling rain of fire poured down upon Fang Ming like falling meteors.

The fire rain contained violent elemental energy. It gave off sharp sizzling sounds as it tore through the air, as though it would set the entire sky ablaze.

The spectators instinctively retreated several steps.