Ro Feng drew his black-patterned blade and assumed a battle stance. This time, he attempted to control the opponent's critical points with psychic power while simultaneously using his blade to strike other exposed weaknesses. At first, dividing his attention in this way left him flustered, but as he continued practicing, he gradually found a rhythm.
"That's it!" Thor shouted excitedly. "Psychic power controlling the upper body, blade targeting the lower body perfect coordination!"
Rowan smiled with satisfaction. "You're learning quickly. Remember this feeling and maintain this coordination in real combat."
Just as the training session was about to conclude, the communication system in the room suddenly activated. A holographic projection appeared in the center of the room, displaying a representative from the Virtual Universe Company.
"Esteemed contestants, the final match of the second round will begin in thirty minutes. Please prepare yourselves."
The projection disappeared as soon as the message was delivered. Ro Feng sheathed his blade and exhaled deeply. After this training, he felt his understanding and control of psychic power had improved significantly, but he knew the real test still lay ahead.
"Let's go," Rowan said, shutting down the training system. "The final match is about to begin. Remember what you learned today, but don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"Don't worry, brother," Ro Feng said, his eyes glinting with determination. "I won't let you down."
Thor clapped him heartily on the shoulder, almost making him stumble. "Well done, Feng! I believe you can win!"
Even Hong, normally reserved, gave Ro Feng a nod of recognition. For someone like him, this was high praise.
The four of them left the training room together, heading toward the arena. The hallways were bustling with contestants rushing to their own matches. The Virtual Universe Company Challenge had drawn geniuses from across countless star systems, making competition fiercely intense. Only those who had survived the first round had emerged as elite contenders among millions.
Ro Feng observed the other participants, feeling both pressure and motivation. He knew he still had gaps compared to true prodigies, but he believed that through effort and perseverance, he could steadily close the distance.
"Nervous?" Rowan asked softly, sensing Ro Feng's thoughts.
Ro Feng shook his head. "Not nervous. I'm just thinking about how to apply what I learned today in the upcoming match."
Rowan smiled slightly. "Don't overthink it. Move at your own pace. Remember, failure isn't frightening. What's frightening is losing the courage to keep going."
"I understand," Ro Feng nodded. "No matter the outcome, I will give it my all."
At a fork in the corridor, Ro Feng's next match was in the other direction.
"We'll cheer for you from the stands," Thor called, pumping his fists. "Show them the power of Ro Feng!"
Ro Feng smiled and nodded, then continued toward his arena.
The third round of the Virtual Universe Company Challenge officially began. Ro Feng stood on the teleport platform, feeling the subtle sensation of his body being broken into streams of data. The scene before him disappeared and reassembled instantly, and he found himself in a new arena.
It was a semi-open circular arena, surrounded by towering stands that could hold tens of thousands of spectators. Unlike the previous metallic, mechanical-themed battlefield, this arena was designed to resemble a natural environment. Soft grass covered the ground, a small lake sat in the center, and a few large rocks and low shrubs dotted the landscape. A blue dome simulated a clear sky, with a few clouds drifting lazily above.
"This environment favors water-element users," Ro Feng thought, scanning the calm lake. He already knew from the match schedule that his opponent was Lin Mo, a water-element practitioner from the Qianwu Universe Nation.
The stands were filled with spectators from countless star systems, and virtual projections broadcast the match across the universe. Rowan, Thor, and Hong were already seated in a designated viewing area, waiting quietly for the match to begin.
"The third-round match: Ro Feng from the Summer Universe Nation versus Lin Mo from the Qianwu Universe Nation," the system's announcement echoed through the arena. "Rules: All methods are permitted except lethal attacks. Victory conditions: Opponent surrender or complete loss of combat capability. Countdown to match start: Ten, nine, eight."
Ro Feng took a deep breath, gripping his black-patterned blade and adopting a battle stance. He wore his custom lightweight combat suit, black with silver patterns, the Summer Universe emblem on his back shimmering faintly.
"Seven, six, five."
A teleportation pillar activated on the opposite side, revealing a figure. It was a tall, graceful woman, approximately twenty-five years old, clad in a fitted pale-blue combat suit that accentuated her curves. Her silver hair fell to her shoulders, and her deep blue eyes were both serene and piercing. She carried no weapons, wearing only two thin silver rings on her wrists that emitted a subtle blue glow.
"Four, three, two."
Lin Mo's gaze met Ro Feng's. She gave a slight nod in respect, yet her eyes betrayed no hint of weakness.
"One. Begin!"
As the system counted down, both moved almost simultaneously. Ro Feng did not attack rashly; he moved swiftly along the edges of the arena, observing Lin Mo's every move. Lin Mo approached the lake with measured steps, her movement light and soundless.
Rowan narrowed his eyes. "Lin Mo is a newly recognized prodigy from the Qianwu Universe Nation. She reportedly began mastering the water principle at fifteen and has now reached the late entry-level stage."
"Water-element user?" Thor frowned. "That's a disadvantage for Feng."
Hong remained silent, but his gaze was tense. Water-element users gain a significant advantage in environments with abundant water, and the lake here undoubtedly favors Lin Mo.
Lin Mo reached the lake and raised her hands. The silver rings on her wrists shimmered, sending ripples across the water. Instantly, the water rose like living serpents, coiling around her.
"Ro Feng," Lin Mo's voice was cool and melodious, "I've heard of your victory over Mechanist 8 in the second round. Impressive. But I'm afraid your luck ends here."
Ro Feng ignored her provocation, continuing to observe. He noticed the silver rings glowed whenever she manipulated water, likely some form of enhancement tool. More importantly, standing at the water's edge amplified her control and aura.
"I need to draw her away from the water," he thought, dashing toward the cluster of large rocks on the other side of the arena.
Lin Mo seemed to anticipate this and smirked faintly. With a wave of her hands, dozens of water tendrils shot toward Ro Feng like serpents.
The tendrils were astonishingly fast, closing the distance in an instant. Ro Feng pivoted sharply, slicing through several with his black-patterned blade. Yet to his surprise, the severed tendrils reconnected instantly, continuing the chase without a scratch.
"Physical attacks don't work on water!" Rowan frowned. "He needs a new strategy."
Ro Feng quickly adapted. He continued holding his blade but stopped trying to cut the water tendrils. Instead, he dodged nimbly, moving toward the rocks.
Seeing this, Lin Mo pushed her hands forward. The water tendrils accelerated, forming a massive net. Simultaneously, more water from the lake rose, forming a wall between Ro Feng and the rocks.
"You cannot escape," Lin Mo said with confidence. "Within my water domain, I control everything."
Ro Feng found himself trapped, escape routes blocked. He suddenly stopped, closed his eyes, and formed a peculiar gesture with his hands at his chest.
Lin Mo frowned, sensing danger, and drove all the water tendrils toward him simultaneously.
Yet just as they neared, an invisible force erupted outward. Ro Feng's psychic power formed an unseen barrier, repelling the tendrils. Opening his eyes, he stabbed forward with his blade in his right hand, while his left hand projected a psychic spear toward Lin Mo.
Caught off guard, Lin Mo hurriedly raised both hands, forming a thick water shield in front of her. The psychic spear struck, creating a spray of water but failing to fully penetrate.
"Psychic attack?" Lin Mo's surprise was evident. "I didn't expect you to have mastered this ability. However…" Crossing her arms at her chest, she pushed outward, causing the lake water to surge, forming a massive water sphere that engulfed the arena's center. "Even psychic power cannot penetrate my absolute water control."
Ro Feng was trapped inside a roughly ten-meter-diameter sphere, water pressing from all directions. While the system prevented actual drowning, he still struggled to breathe and move effectively.
The crowd erupted in excitement, many standing to watch the water sphere.
"This is bad," Thor said, standing tensely. "Feng is trapped he can't breathe or move properly inside that water sphere."
Rowan remained calm. "Don't worry. Ro Feng won't be defeated so easily. Look there." He pointed to subtle fluctuations at the sphere's edge.
Inside, Ro Feng remained composed. He focused his psychic power to create a small air pocket around himself, temporarily resolving the breathing issue. He also noticed that psychic power spread more slowly and with reduced range in water, reminding him how disadvantageous aquatic environments are for users like him.
"I need to find a breakthrough," Ro Feng thought, scanning the sphere. He noticed Lin Mo outside, hands in precise positions, maintaining the water sphere. Crucially, her attention was almost entirely focused on sustaining it, giving him an opportunity.
He concealed his psychic power and feigned weakening, swaying as if near unconsciousness.
Lin Mo sneered. "Already struggling? Weaker than I thought." She relaxed her control slightly, preparing to end the battle.
At that moment, Ro Feng erupted. His psychic spear pierced the sphere, striking Lin Mo's right wrist. Simultaneously, the force propelled him through a weak point in the sphere, black-patterned blade aimed at her throat.
Caught off guard, Lin Mo's ring emitted a sharp chime as it was struck. She hurriedly raised her left hand to block the blade, which redirected in midair to strike her left wrist instead.
Clang!
The blade carved a deep mark into the silver ring. Lin Mo staggered back as the water sphere collapsed due to her divided attention, water splashing everywhere.
The arena erupted in applause.
"Amazing!" Thor shouted. "Feng was brilliant he feigned weakness to trick his opponent into letting his guard down!"
Rowan nodded with approval. "He not only found the opponent's weakness but also used the water's interference with psychic power to create a blind spot. Lin Mo thought the sphere completely blocked psychic power and was unprepared for Ro Feng's sudden strike."
Lin Mo's expression turned serious. Both rings were damaged, her water control weakened, yet she did not retreat. Her eyes glimmered with renewed determination.
"Interesting," she murmured. "I underestimated you, Ro Feng. But the real fight has just begun." She raised her hands, and though the rings were damaged, a faint blue glow remained. Water in the lake swirled again, forming countless tiny droplets, nearly obscuring the sky.
"Thousand Water Needles!"
With her shout, the droplets froze into ice needles, launching from all directions at Ro Feng. Their speed and angles left little room for evasion.
Ro Feng knew he could not dodge them physically. He spread his hands, unleashing his psychic power to form a protective shield around himself.
Bang, bang, bang!
The needles struck the shield, producing crisp impacts. Most were deflected or shattered, but a few penetrated, leaving shallow wounds. Blood seeped through his battle suit.
Lin Mo did not allow him any respite. She waved her hands again, forming even more ice needles, sending wave after wave toward him.