Chen Ying'er

In the Trial Arena, Lin Xin stood far away with his hands over his ears, watching the eighteen Elemental Fire Shields he had cast shatter one after another like rotten wood. Astonishment crashed over him like a towering wave.

He was not only amazed by the power of the Mingwang Cannon, but even more shocked by Jiang Feng's physical defenses.

He clearly remembered how, two days earlier, Jiang Feng had been caught off guard and taken a direct hit from the Mingwang Cannon, yet had weathered its power at the cost of only a mouthful of blood.

Thinking about it that way, did that mean Jiang Feng's body was tougher than eighteen Elemental Fire Shields?

The more Lin Xin thought about it, the more terrifying it became. What kind of monstrous physical strength was that?

He was certain that even an ordinary seventh-tier professional would never dare take Wang Ming's attack head-on with their body, not even knights or warriors with their superior physical strength.

Yet Jiang Feng had done exactly that.

On the other side, Wang Ming braced both hands against his Immovable Wisdom King Shield and panted heavily. That attack had nearly drained all his Spiritual Power, and the Mingwang Cannon he had unleashed was even more powerful than the one he had used against Jiang Feng two days earlier.

That was why the Mingwang Cannon had shattered eighteen Elemental Fire Shields in succession.

Since a single attack would decide the outcome anyway, he had no reason to hold back. Naturally, he had gone all out and poured everything into it.

Lin Xin walked over. Losing the match was a little regrettable, but without any offensive skills at all, he had no chance of defeating an opponent unless they forfeited outright.

So a loss was a loss. Taking it graciously, he said, "Referee, I concede."

"In the first match of the fourth round of the Round-Robin Tournament, Wang Ming wins."

After the referee announced the result, Lin Xin chuckled. "Brother Wang, you've really won me over this time."

Judging by appearances alone, Wang Ming was clearly much older, probably around twenty.

Lin Xin was eighteen or nineteen that year, so calling Wang Ming "Brother" was only natural.

"You're very strong too. It's clear that your control over the Fire Element surpasses that of most professionals at your tier. If you could cast offensive magic, you might have won," Wang Ming said.

"There's no point talking about that. If I can't learn offensive magic, then I can't learn it. Maybe I'll spend my whole life as a Mage who can't attack." Lin Xin wore a smile, but a trace of profound sorrow lay hidden in his eyes.

This kid Lin Xin has something weighing on his mind.

Wang Ming patted Lin Xin's shoulder. Although he had noticed something in Lin Xin's eyes, he wisely chose not to ask.

The two returned to the competitors' seats.

Next came the second match.

"Second match of the fourth round of the Round-Robin Tournament: Jiang Feng versus Chen Ying'er. Enter the arena," the referee called loudly.

Jiang Feng stood and entered the Trial Arena, his expression slightly grave. After all, Chen Ying'er might well be his strongest opponent in the Round-Robin Tournament!

Watching Chen Ying'er skip along opposite him like a little girl, Jiang Feng made no move. He quietly waited for the match to begin, then left everything to luck.

"Begin!" the referee shouted.

At the referee's command, Chen Ying'er calmly cupped her hands in front of her chest, and a large Crystal Ball appeared in them.

Then, with a hum, the Crystal Ball released a gentle pulse of energy. Rippling fluctuations of Spiritual Power spread outward like waves across water.

Chen Ying'er looked at Jiang Feng across from her and said with a sweet smile, "Big Brother Jiang Feng, are you really going to wait for me to finish my Summoning Magic?"

Jiang Feng shuddered. That sugary "Big Brother Jiang Feng" nearly covered him in goose bumps. She was already a cute girl with a sweet smile; anyone would struggle to resist being addressed in such a coy voice.

But Jiang Feng did not fall for it at all. "You're just an unreliable summoner," he said irritably. "Hurry up and get on with it. If you can summon a level-eight Magical Beast, I'll count this match as your win."

"Hmph! How dare you call me unreliable? Just wait. You're in for some rotten luck."

Chen Ying'er rolled her eyes, then focused entirely on the Crystal Ball in her hands.

She had noticed that Jiang Feng almost always left the Trial Arena as soon as he finished his own match, so she had thought he might not know much about her. On a playful whim, she had decided to tease the strongest competitor in Group One.

Who would have thought her reputation as the most unreliable summoner had already spread?

Jiang Feng chuckled and silently addressed Chen Ying'er. Do you even know who you're facing? Once you marry Yang Wenzhao, you'll have to call me Martial Uncle.

As a pale blue halo spilled outward, a six-pointed star pattern appeared on the ground before her.

Then an ornate gate slowly rose from the six-pointed star, towering more than forty feet high. All sorts of strange sounds rang out at once: chirping insects, singing birds, roaring tigers, and bellowing dragons. The cries of countless creatures echoed through the Trial Arena.

"Open, Gate of the Holy Spirit. Spirits of all things, heed my summons. Return, my companion."

Chen Ying'er's clear voice rang out, followed by a flash of white light. The enormous Gate of the Holy Spirit slowly opened, and a pillar of light appeared in the Trial Arena.

At the sight, Jiang Feng was already preparing to draw his two swords.

But when the pillar of light before the Gate of Life dispersed and revealed the figure within, he could not suppress his laughter.

There before Chen Ying'er was a little pink rabbit, hopping about.

"What the heck? What's going on?" Upon seeing the little rabbit, Chen Ying'er said angrily, "You're completely useless! Hmph."

No sooner had she made her bold threat than she had been thoroughly humiliated. Looking at the little rabbit before her, Chen Ying'er's pretty face flushed red. The rabbit she would normally have found adorable now seemed utterly hateful.

"I concede."

She stamped her foot in anger, then turned and walked away.

The enormous Gate of Life slowly sank into the ground, and the six-pointed star dispersed with it.

The referee glanced at Chen Ying'er. He was already used to this girl opening every match with a powerful summoning skill that only an eighth-tier Spirit Emperor could use, and he knew just how unreliable she was. Including this match, she had fought four times and won two through good luck.

"The match is over. Jiang Feng wins."

Jiang Feng walked up to the little rabbit, grabbed its ears, and lifted it. After examining it closely, he muttered to himself, "A little rabbit like this is no use at all."

You dared disrespect your Martial Uncle. Now you're in for some rotten luck.

Jiang Feng huffed and started to leave with the little rabbit in his hand.

But the little rabbit stared with its large pink eyes at Chen Ying'er's retreating figure.

Naturally, it knew who had summoned it, so it began to struggle, wanting to go to Chen Ying'er.

"Oh? Keep misbehaving, and I'll stew you later," Jiang Feng said fiercely. Ignoring the little rabbit's struggles, he carried it by its ears out of the Trial Arena.