"The enemy's control-type spirit master is Xuan Ye, Spirit Elder, Level 31. His spirit is Poison Vine—it's not only tough but also paralyzing. Everyone should prioritize eliminating him. As for Zhuo Hong, his spirit is a Giant Bear. Brother Xu Hao, I'll leave holding him off to you."
Though Qing Qing was shy, her tactical thinking was sharp. Lin Xuan knew her martial spirit was the Xiao (a flute), which had no combat power. That meant they had to assign someone to guard her. The team didn't know each other's skills very well yet. Technically, Lin Xuan should've been the one to take down Xuan Ye, but to let Qing Qing maintain command authority, he didn't voice his suggestion.
"My martial spirit is Chicken Wings. My first skill, Spicy Wings, puts you in an excited state for one minute. My second skill, Sweet Wings, replenishes spirit power. I can make up to seven wings per skill before I run out of spirit power."
Lin Fan chimed in after Qing Qing. He was the only food-type spirit master in the class, so he was extremely important. Ning Qin's team division was reasonable, since their side lacked offensive power, they were given more support-type members.
"Let me say one more thing. Tuo Dun, you're a defense-type spirit master. You must protect these two. Wang Li, Cui Ya, Xiao Si—you each focus on one enemy Spirit Master. Just keep them occupied. I'll go eliminate Xuan Ye alone."
Tuo Dun and the others nodded, secretly relieved. No one wanted to be poisoned—leftover damage could affect their future cultivation.
"Alright, let's begin!"
Ning Qin glanced at the time—ten minutes had passed. Both teams had entered the arena. The enemy lacked support and defense-type spirit masters, so their formation was 6-1, with Xuan Ye in the center. Lin Xuan's team had a 2-1-3-2 formation, with him and Xu Hao at the front.
"Release your spirit rings. Begin."
With that, Ning Qin retreated to the sidelines. Everyone released their spirit rings—yellow light flooded the field, but four purple rings stood out.
Xuan Ye acted first. His first ring lit up, and seven poison vines burst from the ground, stabbing straight toward Lin Xuan's group. Lin Xuan swiftly retaliated, slashing his Zhu Xian Sword seven times in the air and severing all the vines.
"Roar!"
Zhuo Hong, the enemy Giant Bear spirit master, slammed the ground. His third ring lit up. Lin Xuan and Xu Hao felt danger and instinctively jumped—sure enough, the ground shook violently. The other five teammates, unable to stabilize their footing, were knocked down.
"Xu Hao, hold him off!"
Lin Xuan shouted, then charged toward Xuan Ye with his sword. Oddly, the enemy didn't try to stop him—instead, they allowed him to get within five meters of Xuan Ye.
"Crap! It's a trap!"
Lin Xuan realized too late—it was a classic bait-and-trap. His teammates were still dazed from the quake, and now he was alone in enemy territory.
"Spicy, crispy roasted wings!"
"Sweet, tender roasted wings!"
To his surprise, Lin Fan was the first to recover. He immediately activated both his skills and conjured two drumsticks. Qing Qing also recovered—her first spirit ring lit up, and a melodious tune flowed from her jade flute. The enemy team slowed down slightly. Lin Xuan seized the chance and broke through from Ye Chen's position—he was the weakest, and his spirit was Lightning Spear. Weapon spirits were heavily speed-dependent, and under Qing Qing's slowing effect, Ye Chen couldn't react in time.
"Strike!"
Though he knew he couldn't beat Lin Xuan, Ye Chen activated his second spirit ring. Lin Xuan blocked hastily with his sword, then used his Spirit Elder body to knock Ye Chen aside. Cui Ya and the others had also recovered and began engaging their targets. Xu Hao, being a fellow Spirit Elder, found himself in a favorable position—Zhuo Hong was too bulky to touch him.
"Big bro, wings!"
Lin Fan saw Lin Xuan retreat and immediately tossed him two wings. Lin Xuan caught them without turning back. His second spirit ring lit up, three icons flashing above his head. He continued to retreat.
"Earth Tremor!"
Tuo Dun, with his Crocodile Turtle spirit, slammed his spiked shield into the ground. Several Spirit Masters were dazed by the shockwave. Lin Xuan's icon stopped on the Sword Blade—his strength doubled instantly, though it would only last one minute.
Receiving Lin Xuan's signal, Qing Qing activated her second ring. The solemn flute melody echoed again. Lin Xuan felt a slight power boost—it was subtle but noticeable.
"Three of them, huh?"
Lin Xuan frowned. The enemy had left Luo Wen and Cao Guang to guard Xuan Ye. Lin Xuan could take on two at once, but he couldn't ignore Xuan Ye's spirit skills. So far, Xuan Ye had only used one.
"Hyaah!"
Lin Xuan struck first, slashing at Luo Wen. Luo Wen's spirit was Black Tiger, so he wasn't too afraid. His first and second rings lit up—one-meter claws extended, slashing toward Lin Xuan. Cao Guang, an agility-type spirit master with Lightning Mouse spirit, flanked from behind. The two formed a deadly pincer.
But Lin Xuan just smirked. Just as the attacks were about to land, Qing Qing's flute suddenly changed tone. Her first ring lit up again. Both enemies stiffened momentarily.
"Goodbye."
Lin Xuan dodged Luo Wen's attack, knocked him out with his sword hilt, then turned and stabbed Cao Guang in the thigh. If he'd had time, he wouldn't have hurt a classmate—but holding back here would only cause more trouble later.
"Luo Wen and Cao Guang eliminated. Get them off the field and treated!"
Ning Qin said sternly. A few classmates rushed over to carry the unconscious Luo Wen and the howling Cao Guang away.
"Pierce!"
Just as Lin Xuan sighed in relief, Xuan Ye finally acted. Several sharp poison vines shot up from the ground. Lin Xuan flipped backward just in time—otherwise, he'd have become a skewer.
"You're trying to kill me?"
Lin Xuan's expression darkened. Unless Xuan Ye explained himself, he'd kill him in return. Lin Xuan had sensed the killing intent, though brief, it was there.
"Poison Pollen."
Xuan Ye gave no reply. His second ring lit up, and the previously dodged poison vines bloomed into flowers, releasing pollen into the air. Lin Xuan ignored it and charged.
"Foolish!"
Watching Lin Xuan charge like a bull, Xuan Ye sneered. The pollen now covered Lin Xuan's body—only his eyes remained visible. Without an elemental-type spirit master, Xuan Ye believed himself nearly invincible.
"Tsk…"
Lin Xuan suddenly froze mid-charge. His body felt like lead, and his skin began to fester. Realizing he could no longer hold back, Lin Xuan's first ring lit up—instantly, all the pollen on his body vanished, and all negative effects were cleansed. After devouring another Spicy Wing, he charged again.
"Impossible! A weapon spirit master can't have a skill like that!"
Xuan Ye was stunned. He even forgot to keep casting spells. After a brief shock, he calmed down—Lin Xuan was deep behind enemy lines and had no more backup. He could stall and win.
"Without your third skill, I can't beat you."
Lin Xuan's second skill ended—its cooldown was five minutes. Without it, he was at a disadvantage. He only avoided being impaled thanks to heightened nerves. Vines erupted again, and Lin Xuan cut them down. Xuan Ye didn't waste soul power repeating ineffective skills—his third skill made Lin Xuan wary and unable to advance rashly.
"Stomp!"
Zhuo Hong had had enough of Xu Hao's harassment. He activated his third skill again, forcing Xu Hao to stop and dodge. Though Xu Hao had lost badly to Stone Pine, as an agility-type fighter, he was nearly flawless here. His soul power remained decent, but he couldn't end the fight quickly.
"Spicy, crispy roasted wings!"
Lin Fan kept making wings nonstop. He now had four, which he handed to Cui Ya and the others, who were struggling the most with low soul power and suppressed spirits.
Both Lin Fan and Qing Qing were panting. They were almost out of spirit power. Tuo Dun stood firm in front of them, not moving an inch, though no one was threatening them anymore.
"Break!"
Xuan Ye, unable to resist, activated his second skill again. With too many vine remnants on the ground, he tried to release their toxins quickly. But Lin Xuan's first skill was instant-cast, and cleared them again. Xuan Ye's move failed. However, Lin Xuan was also almost out of spirit power—it was a high-cost skill.
"Tuo Dun! Defend me for two minutes! Lin Fan, make me a Sweet Wing!"
Lin Xuan gave up attacking. If Xuan Ye refused to use his third skill, Lin Xuan would force it out. Lin Fan immediately made a Sweet Wing, and Tuo Dun raised his shield to cover Lin Xuan.
After eating the wing, Lin Xuan recovered about a quarter of his soul power. His heart calmed. Vast soul power erupted from him, forming sharp sword energy in the air around him.
"No!"
This time, it was Xuan Ye's turn to panic.
(End of Chapter)