Day 3.
The third day of the college competition arrived with high anticipation. The very first match of the day featured a blockbuster showdown—Huaihai College vs. Jinghai College.
The entire square was packed. Students from all participating academies had taken their seats early, eager to witness the long-awaited clash.
After all, this wasn't just another match. It was a face-off between two giants.
One was the long-reigning powerhouse of the South District—Jinghai College.
The other was the rising dark horse, Huaihai College, which had shocked everyone by securing first place in the first round of competition.
"I wonder who's stronger—Jinghai or Huaihai?" someone murmured in the crowd.
"Jinghai has always been the top of the South. Huaihai College probably just got lucky last time."
"Still… Huaihai can't be underestimated. They've shown some incredible talent—definitely the wild card of this tournament."
As discussions buzzed across the spectator stands, the tension was palpable.
On Huaihai College's bench, the students sat quietly, each with their own thoughts.
"We're going head-to-head with them again," Wei Lin muttered, his eyes fixed on Jinghai College across the stage. "Do you think we can actually win this time?"
"Players from both sides, please enter the arena!" the referee called out.
With the signal, students from both colleges began heading to their designated spots.
---
In the seating area, Smith leaned back, poking Wei Lin with a lazy finger.
"I'm taking a nap. Wake me when it's my turn," he said nonchalantly.
"Smith, aren't you even a little excited? We're facing Jinghai College, man! If we beat them, it'll be legendary!" Wei Lin was visibly fired up.
"Tch," Smith scoffed. "Can you not see the gap? Most of their team is already at third level. You think we can just luck our way through that again?"
He wasn't being negative—just realistic.
He still hadn't figured out how to approach the match, especially with the prior orders from Xi Yan and Sun Shuyu to avoid outshining Jinghai College. The conflicting responsibilities weighed heavily on him.
As it turned out, his doubts weren't unfounded.
In the first five matches, Huaihai College only managed to secure a single win. Jinghai College took the other four with ease.
The score now stood 4-1 in Jinghai's favor.
Everyone on the Huaihai team began to sober up. The strength gap was very real.
"Match Six: Huaihai College's Wei Lin vs. Jinghai College's Qing Lan!"
"Hm? Qing Lan?" Smith's eyes snapped open.
He recalled clearly—Qing Lan was a third-level advanced mutant, while Wei Lin was only at second-level beginner. The difference was stark.
There was almost no chance Wei Lin could win.
"Wei Lin, if it's too much, just surrender. Don't push yourself," Smith said seriously.
But Wei Lin clenched his fists, standing up with determined eyes.
"Smith, we've known each other for a long time now. Do you really think I'm someone who'd give up that easily?"
He patted Smith's shoulder, flashing a confident smile.
"I'm going to win this. Watch me!"
Without waiting for a reply, he strode onto the stage.
---
On the other side, Qing Lan also stepped forward, her expression as frosty as ever.
She glanced at Wei Lin and spoke in a cold, dismissive tone, "You're not even close to my level. Just admit defeat."
"There's no such word as 'surrender' in my dictionary," Wei Lin replied with unwavering determination in his eyes.
This wasn't just a personal fight.
He was fighting for his teammates, for his pride, and for Huaihai College.
"Wood Element: Entanglement!"
Vines burst from the ground beneath Wei Lin's feet, growing at lightning speed as they snaked toward Qing Lan like predatory serpents.
Wei Lin knew Qing Lan's element was Wind. She would be fast and agile, so he chose to strike first—if he could bind her down, he might stand a chance.
But Qing Lan was already prepared.
"Hmph. A second-level beginner, showing off some tricks? In my eyes, you're just a glorified gardener," she said coldly.
A pair of light-blue wings suddenly unfolded from her back, and with a powerful flap, she took to the air effortlessly, soaring above the vines.
"Damn, she can fly," Smith muttered from the sidelines. "That's going to be tough."
The ability to fly gave Wind users a significant advantage.
Of course, flying consumed a large amount of spiritual energy, and if one didn't have effective anti-air attacks, they could only stall or retreat.
Wei Lin's expression tightened.
This was going to be harder than he thought.
He glanced up and acted quickly.
"Wood Element: Heavy Rain of Pear Blossoms!"
His right arm morphed into bark, and dozens of razor-sharp wooden thorns shot up toward Qing Lan.
"Wind Element: Grand Tornado!"
Qing Lan's wings began spinning rapidly, and a massive light-blue whirlwind formed, sucking in the incoming thorns with ease.
"Gardener! That's all you've got?" Qing Lan sneered, her voice carried by the wind.
Then, with a sharp gesture, she sent the tornado—now packed with those same wooden thorns—hurtling back down toward Wei Lin.
The crowd gasped.
Wei Lin's pupils constricted. His entire body tensed as sweat beaded on his palms.
He couldn't dodge this easily.
But he didn't back down.
"Wood Element: Four-Sided Prison!"
Massive wooden pillars erupted around him, enclosing him within a fortified cage.
Smith, watching from the stands, nodded in approval.
"That's smart. Wei Lin's really mastered his techniques," he commented.
After all, it was Smith's inspiration that had led Wei Lin to explore his wood element more deeply.
Seeing his friend evolve in battle filled him with pride.
Boom!!
The swirling tornado crashed into the wooden cage—but it didn't break through.
"Hmph. Let's see how thick your little shell really is," Qing Lan growled.
"Wind Element: Exploding Wind Blades!"
Dozens of massive light-blue blades appeared above the cage. Each one crackled with concentrated wind energy.
Even before the blades landed, the audience held their breath. The pressure from them alone was terrifying.
No second-level fighter would dare stand against them.
As the wind blades descended, they slashed through the wooden walls like knives through paper.
"Ahhhh!"
A painful scream echoed out, and a hush fell over the entire arena.
As the dust settled, Qing Lan stepped forward confidently.
That attack should have ended the fight.
Anyone below third-level strength wouldn't survive it.
But as she reached the wreckage, her eyes widened.
There was no one inside.
"What?" she gasped.
"I've been waiting for this moment."
Wei Lin's voice rang out behind her.
"Wood Element: Giant Spear!"
A towering green spear formed in his hands, its tip glowing faintly.
With a whooshing sound, he launched it straight at Qing Lan's exposed back!
Caught off guard, Qing Lan had no time to react. The spear struck her shoulder, sending a ripple of pain through her body.
Although the spear didn't pierce through completely, the impact left a deep, hideous wound.
Qing Lan staggered forward, clutching her shoulder.
Her icy expression twisted into a feral snarl.
"You filthy failure… You actually managed to injure me?!"
She laughed, but her laughter was filled with venom.
"Good. Very good. You've just signed your death warrant!"
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