Chen Qingshan heard the discussion among the researchers and smiled at Lu Hu. "So, Instructor Lu? I only agreed to let Fang Zhou be Ye Fan's sparring partner as a favor to you. Who do you think will win?"
Lu Hu grinned and replied without hesitation, "Is that even a question? It's obviously Fang Zhou! With twenty skeletons, as long as he controls the distance and doesn't let Ye Fan get close, Ye Fan won't stand a chance!"
Chen Qingshan smiled mysteriously. "Instructor Lu, no matter how many skeletons Fang Zhou has, it doesn't change the fact that he's a physically frail Mage. Ye Fan just learned an extremely powerful Displacement Skill yesterday. It might just surprise you!"
Lu Hu's expression changed slightly. He knew full well how great a threat a Combat Professional who had mastered a powerful Displacement Skill was to a physically weak Magic Professional in an Apprentice Stage spar. However, after a moment's thought, Lu Hu relaxed.
Victory and defeat are part of battle. Even if Fang Zhou loses to Ye Fan, it's no big deal since they both have Rare Professions. He can just win it back next time!
At this moment, seeing that both Fang Zhou and Ye Fan were in position, Chen Qingshan, acting as the referee, blew his whistle.
The battle began. Ye Fan launched a ranged attack with lightning speed. His Blade Bow was fully drawn, and a sharp arrow shot straight toward Fang Zhou. Fang Zhou, equally agile and well-prepared, easily sidestepped the attack. At the same time, he rapidly cast [Summon Skeleton]. A black vortex materialized, and a group of sturdy skeletons appeared on the training ground, forming a tight encirclement in an attempt to trap Ye Fan.
With his [Summon Skeleton] skill at the [Skilled] level, boosted by his [Apprentice Magic Staff], Fang Zhou's summoning strength and quantity had not only grown significantly, but his casting distance had also increased. This was clearly beyond Ye Fan's expectations. An ordinary Apprentice-level Undead Mage could only summon skeletons within a five-meter radius. Fang Zhou's summoning distance, however, was a full fifteen meters.
Fortunately, the [Apprentice Boots] Ye Fan had chosen provided a slight boost to his movement speed. Coupled with his naturally high Agility Attribute as a Demon Hunter, he had an edge. Seizing the opportunity before Fang Zhou's Sea of Skulls could fully form, Ye Fan decisively abandoned his ranged tactics. He planned to use his superior speed to bypass the horde of skeletons lunging toward him.
Using his flexible movement technique, he weaved across the training ground, constantly searching for an opening. He drew his bow and fired, trying to disrupt Fang Zhou's casting. The Blade Bow in his hands was relentless, unleashing a storm of arrows. Fang Zhou, however, remained unflustered. While dodging, he summoned several skeletons in front of him to act as meat shields. This undoubtedly slowed the advance of his Sea of Skulls, making the battlefield situation suddenly complex.
Outside the training ground, the instructors and researchers grew serious. They hadn't expected the battle between two Apprentice-level Professionals to be so spectacular right from the start. They were impressed by Ye Fan's superb mobile archery and decisive tactics, as well as Fang Zhou's calm responses and extremely proficient skeleton summoning.
Seeing this, Chen Qingshan remarked to Lu Hu, "This younger generation is truly formidable. I'm not surprised Ye Fan has this much strength. What's incredible is Fang Zhou. For an Undead Mage, a Profession known for being weak, to have such combat awareness is astounding. Even if he loses to Ye Fan today, I believe he's qualified for the seed list."
Lu Hu snorted. "Old Chen, don't celebrate too early. That kid Fang Zhou is unnervingly calm and calculating. If Ye Fan has a trump card, I refuse to believe Fang Zhou doesn't have one of his own!"
Meanwhile, on the training ground, Ye Fan was gradually being pushed into a disadvantageous position. Fang Zhou's Skilled-level [Summon Skeleton] was just ridiculously effective. The already limited space of the training ground was steadily being filled with his skeletons. At full power, Fang Zhou could summon over thirty sturdy skeletons. To be safe, he had to reserve some of his Spiritual Power, but even so, the field was already swarming with more than twenty of them.
Before he knew it, Ye Fan found himself surrounded by ten skeletons.
"Vengeful Strike!" Ye Fan roared as the Blade Bow in his hand swept out, glowing with a sharp metallic luster.
CRACK.
The skull of a skeleton in front of him was shattered by the blow. Its Soul Fire went out, and it collapsed into a pile of bones. Ye Fan's eyes narrowed, and he tried to use this momentary opening to break out of the encirclement. Unfortunately, under Fang Zhou's precise command, two more skeletons quickly lunged forward, blocking his escape.
Seeing Ye Fan dashing left and right within the horde, unleashing powerful attacks but remaining unable to break through, Fang Zhou breathed a small sigh of relief.
This kid really is fierce, much tougher than those clumsy test puppets. But seeing how confident he looks, he must have a trump card. I can't let my guard down.
With that thought, Fang Zhou positioned several skeletons in front of himself to block Ye Fan's line of sight. He then decisively took off his Magic Robe and Magic Staff and handed them to a skeleton that was roughly his height. Afterward, he draped himself in the optical camouflage cloth and blended into the throng of skeletons.
The instructors and researchers outside watched, dumbfounded, as Fang Zhou pulled off this escape right under everyone's noses. They exchanged stunned, speechless glances.
Where did this sly old fox come from? No wonder he chose the optical camouflage cloth! Who on earth trained this student? He already has a massive advantage on the field, yet he's still being this cautious! From Ye Fan's perspective… we almost want to shed a tear for him. This is brutal. Poor Ye Fan, he's really getting the short end of the stick. To get such a tricky opponent at the very beginning of his career… I just hope this doesn't give him psychological trauma.
"Hahaha!" Lu Hu roared with laughter, slapping Chen Qingshan on the shoulder. "Junior Brother Qingshan, compared to Fang Zhou, Ye Fan is still too green. With this optical camouflage trick alone, Fang Zhou has already secured an unbeatable position today. I don't believe a mere Apprentice like Ye Fan can use that powerful Displacement Skill you mentioned twice."
Chen Qingshan was still dazed. It took him a moment to recover. "How can Fang Zhou be so deceitful?" he asked, incredulous.
Lu Hu stroked his chin, pondering. "A few days ago in the practical combat class, I demonstrated how to use camouflage on the battlefield. Perhaps Fang Zhou was already planning this tactic back then. Hahaha, what a promising talent!"
While the instructors and researchers lamented Ye Fan's fate, Ye Fan himself was completely unaware, his heart filled with confidence.
I've got this in the bag! This is a sure win! Just need to attract a few more skeletons!
At this point, nearly twenty skeletons were swarming him, which meant the number of skeletons guarding Fang Zhou had dwindled to less than ten.
A perfect opportunity!
Ye Fan took a deep breath, his pupils flashing with resolute courage.