The Teams Clash, and a Third Party Snatches the Prize

The atmosphere in the stands boiled with excitement.

The moment Chu Bai's crimson figure became the first to set foot on the mist-shrouded summit in the Water Mirror, cries of surprise and cheers erupted through the crowd.

The first-year students dressed in blue were especially excited. They waved their arms and stamped their feet as though they were even happier than if they had taken first place themselves.

"Chu Bai's in the lead again! Looks like he'll take first place this round too!"

"He's so fast! How long has it been? He's already swept through the mountainside, and now he's staking out territory on the summit!"

"My heavens, look! What's he doing? That... that's a Tiger Demon at the middle stage of Qi Refining!"

"He's hunting a Great Demon on his own? That's insane! He's only at Qi Refining Third Layer!"

Praise and sharp intakes of breath rose one after another. Every gaze clung to the largest Water Mirror, afraid to miss a single moment.

Yet amid the jubilation, Zhou Changkong sat in the Instructor section with his brows knitted. His hands gripped the armrests so tightly his knuckles whitened. Far from looking pleased, he wore a faintly grave expression.

"Old Zhou, look! That kid's left everyone behind again."

Instructor Lei had a booming voice. Pointing at the water mirror, he grinned from ear to ear. "Ji Li was leading last round, but the wheel's turned. Now our first-year youngster is stealing the show."

He turned to his old friend, only to find Zhou Changkong looking worried. Startled, he asked, "Old Zhou, things are going so well. What's got you fretting?"

"I'm afraid..."

Zhou Changkong drew a deep breath, never taking his eyes off the boy fighting the Tiger Demon. "The tree that towers above the forest is the first