When Yan took the initiative to admit defeat, a trace of surprise flashed in Feng Yizhi's eyes. Then he lightly descended to the ground, his face still carrying the exhilaration of battle.
He clearly hadn't had his fill yet.
"Little brother," Feng Yizhi said with a grin, "I'm not done warming up. How about we go a few more rounds?"
Yan shook his head lightly and replied with a calm smile,
"Senior, let's call it a day. My spirit power is almost completely depleted — I really can't continue the fight."
During their battle just now, Yan had used three spirit skills in succession. Among them, Blazing Sand Prison had consumed a tremendous amount of both spirit power and mental energy.
If he were to continue fighting without using his external spirit bone, the Flame Wings, he knew he wouldn't be able to last long.
Hearing Yan's explanation, Feng Yizhi nodded in understanding.
"In that case, we'll fight again next time."
"Yes, Senior — I'll be sure to seek your guidance again."
Feng Yizhi waved his hand with a smile.
"'Guidance' is too much — you performed outstandingly today. To be honest, you've truly impressed me. Even though my spirit power is a full ten levels higher than yours, I didn't really gain much of an advantage in our exchange. With your talent and composure, it won't be long before you surpass me."
Receiving such high praise and encouragement from a respected senior filled Yan's heart with warmth and renewed confidence for the challenges ahead.
Afterward, Yan returned to stand beside Xie Yue and Hu Liena.
Xie Yue looked puzzled and asked softly,
"Yan, you're just going to admit defeat like that?"
"Yeah. Why not?"
Xie Yue grinned.
"You sure can hold back. If you'd used your external spirit bone, you might not have lost."
"Who knows? Anyway, enough about that. It's Nana's turn."
Hu Liena's opponent was a short-statured spirit master.
She glanced briefly at her brother and Yan, then stepped forward without hesitation.
The short spirit master also took a step forward, his expression serious — clearly not underestimating her just because she was a female spirit master.
Just as Yan and Xie Yue had done earlier, Hu Liena introduced herself first.
"Hu Liena, forty-first level, Control-type Spirit Master, Spirit Ancestor. Please advise."
"Zhou Shuang (OC), fifty-first level, Agility-type Spirit King. Please advise."
The man returned her salute with equal respect.
Seeing the short man before her, Xie Yue couldn't help but feel tense, muttering inwardly:
"He's an agility-type spirit master… Nana's charm skill might have trouble working on someone like that."
Hu Liena and Zhou Shuang's match officially began. The arena instantly fell silent as all eyes turned toward the two figures facing off in the center.
Hu Liena took a deep breath, her delicate body trembling slightly. In the next instant, a bewitching fox spirit appeared behind her, its eyes gleaming with a mysterious, seductive light that seemed capable of ensnaring the soul.
At the same time, four spirit rings — two yellow and two purple — rose from beneath her feet, radiating a mesmerizing glow.
Zhou Shuang was not to be outdone. With a low shout, his body shuddered, and the spirit of a nimble, sharp-eyed spirit monkey materialized behind him.
Immediately afterward, five spirit rings — two yellow, two purple, and one black — ascended around him, showcasing the strength of a Spirit King.
"Spirit Monkey martial soul?"
Hu Liena frowned slightly when she saw it. She knew what it meant — the Spirit Monkey represented agility and dexterity, making it an extremely troublesome opponent.
On the ground, a spirit master with this kind of martial soul was no slower than the Wind Sword Spirit Master Yan had faced earlier.
Zhou Shuang, upon seeing Hu Liena's spirit, also guessed that her skills likely centered around charm and spiritual control. He raised his vigilance, careful not to fall prey to her mental attacks.
The battle was on the verge of erupting — both sides were fully prepared.
A glint of cunning flashed in Hu Liena's eyes, while Zhou Shuang's expression was focused and grave.
Hu Liena had no intention of repeating Xie Yue and Yan's fate. She resolved to give her all from the very start.
Win or lose — this fight would be decided swiftly.
As her third spirit ring flared to life, Hu Liena activated her third ability: Demonic Fox Transformation.
A pink radiance enveloped her body, cloaking her in a veil of mysterious power. In that instant, all her attributes surged — her mental power, attack, speed, and strength all increased dramatically.
Then, her second and fourth spirit rings shone simultaneously — Fox Charm and Invisible Form were unleashed together.
A purple gleam shot from her eyes like lightning, locking onto Zhou Shuang in an instant.
Before Zhou Shuang could react, Hu Liena had already vanished from sight.
She knew that her spirit power had reached rank forty-one and a half, while her opponent's was level fifty-one.
She wasn't sure whether his spirit power exceeded level fifty-one and a half, but she decided to take the risk and activate her strongest ability — Invisible Form.
If his spirit power wasn't more than ten levels above hers, he wouldn't be able to sense her presence — giving her the perfect chance to strike.
Zhou Shuang hadn't expected Hu Liena's spiritual lock to come so suddenly.
Fortunately, his spirit power was at level fifty-one — much higher than hers. Even so, he was momentarily slowed and stunned for nearly two seconds before he broke free.
But in those two brief seconds, Hu Liena had already vanished completely, merging her second and fourth spirit skills to perfection.
"Invisibility?"
Zhou Shuang, a seasoned thirty-year-old spirit master, had encountered many kinds of abilities before. He immediately recognized what she'd used — an invisibility-type skill.
What shocked him was that, even with his current level of spiritual power, he couldn't sense her at all.
He was in the open, while his opponent was hidden in the dark.
Standing still would only make him an easy target.
He dared not relax — his figure darted rapidly across the field.
Hidden in the void, Hu Liena sought an opportunity to strike, but she had underestimated her opponent. Zhou Shuang's speed was astonishingly high — he moved and leapt unpredictably, leaving elegant arcs in the air, never giving her a chance to close in.
Time ticked by. As her spirit power was gradually consumed, Hu Liena's form slowly became visible again.
She had wanted to take him by surprise — but alas, her opponent's speed made that impossible.
"Senior, I concede this match."
Hu Liena's tone was calm, but her eyes betrayed a trace of unwillingness.
Zhou Shuang smiled gently and said with genuine admiration,
"Little girl, I must say — your charm skill is truly remarkable. Even though I'm ten levels higher than you, you still managed to restrict me for nearly two seconds. And that invisibility of yours… it's simply astonishing."
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