What's happening?!
Luo Guixing roared in frustration. He simply couldn't understand why his space ability—always so perfectly controlled—had suddenly spiraled out of control.
His soul power and spiritual power were both full, so why had the space element suddenly gone into riot, as though disturbed by some unseen interference?
The next moment, he saw the answer—
Not far away, in Forth Woll's hand, silver light shimmered.
"It's her! Impossible! She can even manipulate the space element?!"
His mind reeled with disbelief, and then the chaotic spatial currents swallowed him whole.
Alongside him, the Firebird Soul Master and the support-type Soul Master were also caught. The three were ripped apart by the space turbulence, disintegrating into white light and vanishing.
A silver flash appeared. One figure dropped safely to the ground. She wasted no time, raising both hands high as she shouted:
"I surrender! I surrender! Whoever wins, I'll join you!"
The lucky survivor who had narrowly escaped the spatial annihilation was none other than Xu Xiaoyan.
After eliminating Luo Guixing's team, Forth turned her gaze toward Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, who stood on guard, wary and tense.
We miscalculated, Tang Wulin thought grimly. I never expected her to be this strong. Still, Wu Siduo and the others must have worn her down. Right now, with Gu Yue, Xu Xiaoyan, Nan Fusheng, and even Xie Xie hiding nearby, the five of us together may still have a chance.
Fourth suddenly spoke up:
"You're with Fusheng's team, right? I remember seeing you back at the hotel. And that one hiding in the treetops over there—he should be with you too, shouldn't he?"
She pointed directly toward Xie Xie's hiding spot.
"…That's right."
Since they had been discovered, Tang Wulin didn't bother pretending. He wasn't surprised that she recognized them—their paths had crossed at the hotel before, after all.
"Then, for old acquaintance's sake, I won't fight you now. We'll settle this properly in the final battle."
With that, Forth casually summoned wood element to form a massive stump, sat down on it, and ignored them entirely.
"???"
Tang Wulin blinked in confusion. What does that mean? Is she really not going to fight us? Or is she just bluffing, hiding her exhaustion?
He shot a glance at Nan Fusheng, signaling for information. But Nan only shook his head, pointed at Forth, then back at himself, silently indicating: I'm on her team.
Tang Wulin could only sigh and regroup with Xu Xiaoyan. Xie Xie also revealed himself, realizing there was no point in hiding after being exposed.
Xu Xiaoyan frowned at the sight of Nan and Forth sitting side by side, Forth even leaning close to him. "Captain, what do we do now?"
Tang Wulin thought carefully.
"No need to rush. With the commotion from this battle, more teams will be drawn here soon. At this point, competition is at its peak. Who wouldn't want to challenge Forth—the one Elder Cai herself called the 'Strongest Freshman'?
Better to wait. Let her act as bait to attract other opponents. That way, our chances increase.
Besides, if she dares sit here openly, she must still have cards left to play. Rather than risking ourselves against her now, we'll let others probe her strength first."
Gu Yue shook her head.
"I'll wait," she said quietly, "but I don't want her disturbed."
Tang Wulin stared at her, astonished. "Why?"
In Gu Yue's eyes flickered an uncharacteristic fighting spirit. "Because I want to face her at her strongest."
Tang Wulin sighed. "You… you're as stubborn as ever. Fine. Then we won't test her now. Whether she's bluffing or not, we'll wait for the final battle."
Xie Xie couldn't hold back. "You two are way too reckless. Did you see her just now? If you ask me, we should take her down while we still can. And what's the deal with Nan Fusheng anyway?"
Tang Wulin shook his head. "No. I've figured it out. Gu Yue is right. If we defeat Forth while she's weakened, will she—or anyone else—truly accept it? No.
Even Wu Siduo, after losing to her, wouldn't acknowledge us as stronger. In Shrek, strength is what matters most. To be a class monitor, you need unquestionable power.
That means Forth is a hurdle we must overcome head-on. As for Fusheng… I don't know his situation either."
Xu Xiaoyan huffed, glaring toward Forth and Nan chatting happily together, Forth even resting against his arm.
"What situation? It's obvious—he's been charmed by her! My mom was right: men are all pigs. See a pretty face and they forget how to walk straight!" (｀皿´)
Her head practically felt heavier with jealousy.
"Cough, cough." Sensing the mood souring, Xie Xie quickly changed the subject. "Rather than that, I'm more curious about her Martial Soul. Controlling all five elements is one thing, but her physical strength—she's even more monstrous than the captain!"
Xu Xiaoyan crossed her arms. "How should I know? Maybe she's like Wu Siduo and has twin martial souls?"
"That's possible," Xie Xie nodded. "Her physical ability is just too outrageous. And did you hear? The move she used to defeat Wu Siduo—she called it the Roar of the Five-Colored Dragon.
Could her second martial soul actually be some kind of Five-Colored Dragon? That would explain both her elemental control and her strength."
Tang Wulin's eyes lit up at the thought.
If Forth truly possessed a dragon-type martial soul, then his Golden Dragon King bloodline might give him the edge. After all, every dragon-type opponent he had faced so far had been naturally suppressed by his bloodline.
It was a dangerous assumption—but Forth's offhand words had already planted this idea in his mind.