"Muyan," Tianlei said through clenched teeth.
"I never expected a fool like you to actually pass all the tests, but I think this is fate. Now I can tear you apart."
In front of Muyan stood a pillar holding what seemed to be the core he had gained, while at the center of the room another core hovered in the air.
He moved forward and placed his core on top of the pillar.
Then the voice echoed.
"Congratulations on passing all tests. In order to gain the third core, engage in direct combat to become the victor. Serious injury is permitted. Killing is prohibited."
There was no way Tianlei hoped for victory. After all, he was facing a three-star Vanguard-level master with his pathetically weak soldier-class strength. This could only be described as suicidal.
In this game, two people had willingly sacrificed themselves so he could secure victory, and all of that was just to enter Golden Earth Academy. He had to win at all costs.
He activated his Black Tortoise Armor, the spinning blades roaring along the sides of his arms.
"Earlier this morning, I couldn't punish you properly, but I will ensure your defeat."
"If you're done blabbering, can we continue?"
The devilish grin on Muyan's face widened. "I wonder if you'll still open your mouth when I break every tooth in it."
He stomped his foot against the ground, taking a runner's stance, then launched himself at Tianlei with clenched fists.
He shot forward like a projectile. Tianlei intercepted the punch with his spinning blades, but they barely reacted to the attack.
Muyan suddenly flipped backward, his foot colliding with Tianlei's chin and hurling him away.
Tianlei hit the ground and coughed blood.
"Get up and come at me."
Despite the pain from the earlier cannon fire and now a direct hit from a Vanguard-level master, Tianlei forced himself up.
Muyan cracked his knuckles.
"I am going to crush you."
"Come and try me."
The spinning blades retreated, turning into liquid as they coiled around his armor before solidifying once more.
He extended his hand, and a silver light shot out from his storage ring, revealing the bull-head shield. Its smooth, polished surface and curved horns made it look like an intimidating battlefield artifact, but Muyan only let out a hollow laugh before charging again.
His fist collided with the bull-head shield, producing a vibration that cracked the ground beneath them. Muyan began punching the shield with both fists, but Tianlei held tightly against the force in front of him.
He didn't touch the shield directly, yet the impact from Muyan's blows made his feet slide backward.
Muyan kept punching while laughing.
"Is this all you've got? Now I'll show you."
Tianlei gritted his teeth. This fool and everyone else had indeed kept underestimating him.
The bull-head shield vanished just as Muyan threw another punch. The attack tore through the air and slammed into Tianlei's chest.
He coughed a mouthful of blood but in that moment , his hands shot up and grabbed Muyan's head.
"Drowning Cursed Mind," Tianlei said, staring into Muyan's eyes.
Muyan froze . A sharp light tore through his vision, sending him stumbling backward as he clutched his head.
Tianlei didn't give him time to recover. Part of his armor melted into liquid and surged toward his right arm, forming a long dagger.
He stabbed Muyan squarely in the stomach, then kicked him hard in the chest, sending him flying backward.
Muyan hit the ground, blood splashing from his wound.
"How is that for weak?"
Muyan laughed hollowly once again. "You little bastard are interesting."
He clutched his stomach and stood up.
"Who knew you had such tricks?"
"But—"
The crooked smile on his face vanished, replaced by a dark expression.
"Is that all you've got?"
"Try me."
A sharp silver light erupted in Tianlei's hand, revealing his lotus staff. He pointed it at Muyan, and two veins burst out, shooting toward him. Muyan stretched out his hand as if welcoming them.
They coiled tightly around his hand.
Tianlei tried to pull them back, but Muyan's grip shifted, grabbing the veins firmly. With a powerful pull, he swung Tianlei across the hall. Tianlei crashed into the ground, the lotus staff slipping from his grasp.
His vision blurred, but he saw silver light envelop Muyan's body as liquid solidified into armor around him. In his hand appeared a whip covered in spikes, which he snapped forward until it straightened.
"Just give up, and I won't beat you to death."
Tianlei stood up, the phantom needle gun already in his hand. He pulled the trigger.
Silver needles shot forward one after another, striking Muyan's armor without leaving a single scratch.
"Do you think your needles can pierce my Silver King Armor? Haha. What a joke."
Tianlei exhaled and tossed the phantom needle gun aside.
He walked toward Muyan as his armor withdrew. Even to him, it seemed foolish, but if he didn't end this enmity now, it would only continue.
After a while, he stopped in front of Muyan.
"Finally, you're going to bow."
"In this life, I will never bow to arrogant bullies unless they force me to. I did what I did as payback. You can do as you wish, but know one thing , you are not qualified to be respected by me."
Muyan's face twisted. He swung his whip, but Tianlei caught it midair, the spikes digging into his skin.
Muyan tried to yank it free, but Tianlei held on tightly. Every pull only tore the wounds wider, blood dripping steadily onto the floor.
"You want revenge, but tell me , how much blood have you taken from my body, and how much have I taken from yours?"
Muyan forcefully ripped the whip free and kicked Tianlei in the knee, making him drop to one leg. In the process, Tianlei nearly lost another finger.
"What you did shamed me, so I must have my revenge."
Tianlei laughed.
"And what about what you did to me? I don't think it was funny."
"You—"
"You want to hit me? Go ahead. But whenever you hunt a monster, the chances of getting hurt are always high."
He raised his torn palm, revealing mangled flesh and fingers barely holding on, blood dripping continuously.
Muyan's eyes widened as he stared. He stepped back, shock clear on his face.
Tianlei suddenly thrust his hand forward. Small black veins burst from his wounds and wrapped tightly around Muyan.
"Drowning Cursed Mind."
"Dragon Roar Shatters the Heavens."
A sharp light tore through Muyan's vision, followed by a deafening dragon's roar. His eardrums vibrated violently. He grabbed his ears instinctively, but it was too late.
Blood streamed from his nose and ears.
After using two techniques consecutively, Tianlei collapsed to his knees. The veins retreated, sealing his wounds, even regenerating his severed finger.
He looked at Muyan, who was still struggling to regain his senses.
"I have to win this," Tianlei said softly.
He stared into Muyan's eyes. In that moment, Muyan looked like someone losing his mind. Their gazes met, and Tianlei saw something unexpected—pity, worry, kindness, love, emotions he had never seen reflected in someone else.
He didn't know whether this came from the Drowning Cursed Mind, but the emotions felt real, so real that Tianlei almost lost himself in Muyan's blue eyes.
"Drowning Cursed Mind."
He unleashed it again, weaker than before. His own eyes turned bloodshot from overuse.
Muyan's eyes widened, and he collapsed.
Tianlei's vision blurred, but he shook his head and stood.
"Congratulations, Provisional Executor of the Black Team, on achieving victory in direct combat. Please retrieve the final core and secure victory."
With trembling legs, Tianlei walked toward the center of the hall. The core descended and flew into his grasp.
Then the voice echoed once more.
"Congratulations, Team Black, for securing victory in this game. Please issue an order for the retrieval of your fallen squad members to receive your rewards."