Because Huang Yuan knew that Xiao Wu's third soul skill was teleportation, and the maximum range was only about five meters, he always kept his distance from her, waiting for her to attack first so that he would not be caught off guard by her Charm.
Huang Yuan and Xiao Wu could be considered relatively gentle in their approach. Seeing that Huang Yuan did not attack, Xiao Wu lightly moved her small steps, gradually closing the distance between them.
She was suited for a decisive strike, and once she made her move, she would usually only have one chance, since her opponent would surely be more cautious next time. Therefore, she was in no hurry and remained patient.
On the second battle stage, Jing Ling already had several injuries and was bleeding onto the platform, but Zhu Zhuqing had not finished him off, because his Bone-Crushing Claw carried a kind of poison that increased her spirit power consumption.
To avoid injury, Zhu Zhuqing relied on her speed to attack, hoping to wear him down.
But the next moment, a halo fell upon Jing Ling, and his injuries rapidly healed, rendering Zhu Zhuqing's previous efforts wasted.
"First Soul Skill Healing Halo!"
This came from Jiangzhu's first soul skill. Since Huang Yuan and Xiao Wu had not yet engaged in a real fight, Jiangzhu only needed to assist Tai Long and Jing Ling, and her spirit power was sufficient.
Before long, Jing Ling's wounds had fully healed. Zhu Zhuqing frowned, realizing she could not delay any longer, or she would only exhaust herself to death.
At that moment, Tang San on the first stage and Xiao Wu on the third stage exchanged a glance with Zhu Zhuqing. The next instant, Zhu Zhuqing once again turned into a shadow and rushed at Jing Ling.
Xiao Wu also stopped hesitating, quickening her steps to approach the circling Huang Yuan.
Meanwhile, Tang San had already reached Tai Long. The sinister grin at the corner of Tai Long's mouth did not escape Tang San's notice. The next moment, countless Blue Silver Grass surged out in front of Tang San, who no longer cared about conserving his spirit power.
Their goal was to first force the opponents to consume spirit power, make Jiangzhu use her support skills, and then launch an all-out attack, leaving Jiangzhu unable to determine where her support was most needed.
Tai Long's massive fist smashed down, shattering the Blue Silver Grass, and he continued his offensive against Tang San.
Tang San remained calm, stepping aside with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to avoid Tai Long's punch, then moved behind him and quickly retreated further.
At his peak state, Tai Long pursued relentlessly, only to once again be caught in a flood of Blue Silver Grass.
Frustrated but not slowing down, Tai Long tore furiously at the grass binding him. At the same time, Tang San sent out a few more strands of Blue Silver Grass to tie him up into a "dumpling," then used Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon to fling the entire "dumpling" away.
Realizing the danger too late, Tai Long was thrown off the stage and heavily crashed to the ground.
Tang San could not completely bind him with Blue Silver Grass, but winning this way was still possible.
However, Tang San had consumed too much spirit power recklessly, and now he was nearly exhausted. He sat cross-legged on the stage to recover.
When Tai Long finally broke free from the bindings, he was already beneath the stage. Seeing Tang San meditating to recover, anger welled up inside him.
If he had been defeated head-on, Tai Long would not have been upset, but would have admired Tang San instead, just as he once respected Oscar, who had beaten him without even using a martial spirit.
Although Tai Long was angry, he understood this was how spirit masters fought. Control-type spirit masters did indeed restrain others to a degree. He just had not expected Tang San's so-called trash martial spirit, Blue Silver Grass, to have such powerful control.
Bang!
Tai Long slammed the ground with his fist, glared at Tang San, then turned his gaze to the other two stages.
He had lost this round, but Jing Ling and Huang Yuan still remained. With him eliminated, Jiangzhu could focus her support more freely on them.
Although Jing Ling and Huang Yuan were not superior in spirit power, Jiangzhu's assistance could compensate for it.
But they overlooked one key factor the combat awareness and instincts of the spirit masters themselves. Tai Long and his group were once considered geniuses at the academy, but they had not undergone the kind of rigorous training Zhu Zhuqing and her companions had.
When strength levels were close, combat awareness and training determined victory.
Zhu Zhuqing's unmatched speed prevented Jing Ling from landing effective hits. But with Jiangzhu's healing and power recovery, Jing Ling did not fall behind completely.
Yet when Tang San and Xiao Wu made their sudden moves, Jiangzhu became distracted, especially after Tai Long was eliminated. She was stunned.
Tai Long had been the academy's top student, his strength unquestionable, yet he was the first to be eliminated.
At that very moment, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing both made their moves.
Zhu Zhuqing launched her second soul skill Nether Hundred Claws head-on. Jing Ling used his third soul skill to boost his speed and power, pressing her back slightly.
But just as Jing Ling thought he had the upper hand, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly withdrew, moved to his side, and unleashed her long-suppressed third soul skill at the perfect moment.
"Third Soul Skill Nether Slash!"
This was her strongest single-target attack. Using the gap in speed, Zhu Zhuqing's strike rendered Jing Ling incapable of fighting. When he tried to counter, her sharp claws were already at his throat.
Jing Ling's expression dimmed. "I lost…"
On the third stage, Xiao Wu seized the moment, using her second soul skill Charm to stun Huang Yuan briefly. When he recovered, Xiao Wu had already used two teleports to appear behind him.
Her long scorpion braid wrapped around his neck, her hands gripped his shoulders, her slender legs pressed against his waist, and her body glowed with her first soul skill.
"First Soul Skill Waist Bow!"
With the skill unleashed, Huang Yuan's body shot out like a cannonball, crashed into the stage, spat blood, and fainted.
Even spirit masters of the same level, if hit at close range by Xiao Wu's Waist Bow, would likely lose combat ability instantly, let alone Huang Yuan.
Though Jing Ling and Huang Yuan had fallen, Jiangzhu's support did not stop. Her two yellow and one purple soul rings lit up in turn, doing her best to minimize their injuries.
By now Tang San had stood up, joining Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu in looking at Oscar with smiles.
Oscar smiled back, threw them three Super Recovery Sausages, then lightly stepped to Jing Ling and Huang Yuan, giving each one a sausage.
Oscar then looked at Jiangzhu. "Not bad. As a support-type spirit master, you're barely qualified, but in my view, far from enough."
Jiangzhu paused, then smiled faintly and nodded. "I understand, captain. I'll keep working hard."
Oscar then turned to Tai Long. "Well? Any thoughts now?"
Tai Long clenched his fists, then replied, "A loss is a loss. I'll accept it. From now on, whatever the captain arranges, I'll follow."
"Good!" Oscar smiled. "This was just the first time. There will be many more battles in the future. I want to see your progress."
Huang Yuan, having just woken up, exchanged a glance with Jing Ling, then said, "Understood, captain. We'll keep training hard."
Oscar nodded and looked at Tang San's group. "You did well. At least you passed this time."
He returned to the spectator seats and continued, "There are less than nine months until the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. In the remaining time, I hope you give it your all, and aim for a good result at the tournament. Bring glory to the academy and prove yourselves."
Everyone responded in unison, "Understood!"
Oscar said, "You've all been tired lately. I'll give you three days to rest. After that, your good days will be over…"
Then they all went to eat in the cafeteria. Afterward, Oscar called Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong aside.
Oscar told Ma Hongjun, "Hongjun, you're already at level fifty. I've had your fifth spirit ring prepared. Go to Moli Town, where someone will help you obtain it."
Ma Hongjun felt warmth in his heart and nodded. "Got it, boss. When should I leave?"
Oscar thought for a moment. "Today. You'll make it back by tomorrow's lunch."
Overjoyed, Ma Hongjun realized he was about to become a Spirit King. At that level, he would be considered a true powerhouse.
And he was not yet fourteen. This achievement was unprecedented across the continent, since even Oscar had only reached Spirit King at fifteen.
But Ma Hongjun's situation was unique. From childhood, he had taken Whale Glue and Phoenix Nirvana Pills to build his foundation, and on top of that he trained diligently. His achievements were a result of both good fortune and hard work.
Then Ma Hongjun glanced at Ning Rongrong, making her a bit shy, before he said awkwardly, "Rongrong, I won't be going with you to hunt for your spirit ring this time."
Ning Rongrong did not mind. Since Oscar had already arranged the perfect ring for Ma Hongjun, she knew it would suit him well.
She smiled. "Congratulations. With such a great boss, you don't even need to worry about your spirit ring."
Ma Hongjun scratched his head sheepishly. "Hehe, that's my boss. Of course he takes care of me."
Oscar ignored him and turned to Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, your three soul skills are boosts for strength, speed, and spirit power. I think your fourth soul skill should be from a defense-type spirit beast. What do you think?"
Ning Rongrong thought for a moment. "No problem. The advantage of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is that we don't need to worry about the attributes of our spirit rings. Each additional ring simply increases the boost effect. So I'll listen to you, senior."
Oscar smiled. "Good. You're at level thirty-nine now. In two or three months, you'll probably break through to level forty. I'll help you find your fourth spirit ring so you won't waste time on it."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong giggled happily. Although her sect could easily provide her with a suitable fourth spirit ring, she was still glad to accept Oscar's kindness.
She understood now that her sect had formed an alliance with the Sword Sect behind Oscar, strengthening their ties. She already regarded Oscar, the strict senior, as an older brother.
And a younger sister naturally felt happy to receive her brother's kindness.
After arranging matters for Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong, Oscar took Ning Rongrong back to the villa, while Ma Hongjun set off alone for Moli Town.
After three months of development and reform, with sufficient funding and manpower, Moli Town now had the appearance and scale of a major sect's base. Though many details still needed improvement, it was already usable as a true stronghold.
To train the sect disciples, Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi had personally captured some spirit beasts and placed them in the newly built arena for training purposes.
Ma Hongjun's fifth spirit ring was currently sealed inside the arena, waiting for him to deal with it himself.
But Oscar had not made it that easy. Through a clone, he told Dugu Bo only to injure the Flame Phoenix spirit beast, reducing its strength to about level fifty.
If Ma Hongjun wanted the fifth ring, he had to kill it himself. Otherwise, he could just wait there.
If he lacked the ability, he was not worthy of such a powerful fifth soul ring.
Dugu Bo fully supported this approach. A true genius must be tempered this way, to awaken the deepest potential within and forge the spirit master's unwavering confidence.
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