Immediately after Yun Xidu's victory, the grandstand erupted for the match considered evenly matched: Shen Ziyuan ( - Lightning System) versus Mu Lin ( - Plant System). Both handsome young men entered the arena to cheers. This match was tense, resembling a cat-and-mouse game: the Plant System only needed to maintain distance, summoning plants for defense and attack; the Lightning System, if closing in quickly, could finish the opponent. Theoretically, Plant System was one level above Lightning System, but the gap was so small they were nearly equal.
Match Progression:
1. The Hunt Begins: Shen Ziyuan entered the arena like a hunter, holding a gleaming katana crackling with electricity. Mu Lin carried only a book and a small shield—he would use plants as weapons. As the match started, Shen Ziyuan fired wildly in multiple directions then charged at blinding speed. The katana slashed straight toward Mu Lin's neck. But Mu Lin was extremely intelligent—he had prepared a seedling in advance. Just as the blade was about to connect, the seedling wrapped around Shen Ziyuan's foot, pulling him back two meters, causing him to miss and stumble.
2. Transforming the Arena into a Tropical Forest: Mu Lin circled the arena. Everywhere he stepped, plants grew like a forest. The grandstand didn't understand what he was doing. After a while, the arena transformed from bare earth and rock into a dense tropical jungle with countless vines. When Shen Ziyuan cut through the seedlings entangling his feet and charged toward Mu Lin, he only saw Mu Lin sitting on a plant chair, leisurely enjoying himself.
3. The Fury of Lightning: Shen Ziyuan roared, his face flushed red, veins bulging. "You bastard Mu Lin! You only have these petty tricks relying on plants, I'll cut you into a hundred pieces!" He drew his katana now infused with blue-purple lightning, slashing through the jungle. In an instant, plants were severed, leaving only green grass. He gathered strength and lunged at Mu Lin. But Mu Lin dodged effortlessly as if reading the terrain, as if cameras tracked Shen Ziyuan. The grandstand held its breath—never had anyone dodged Lightning System attacks at such speed. Sheng Guang Yi, sitting on the grandstand, smirked: "That guy's too slow, his speed is only at this level."
4. The Secret Behind the Weeds: Only I realized: the weeds at Mu Lin's feet were reporting Shen Ziyuan's position. No matter how fast he attacked, his moves were dodged. When Mu Lin dodged the katana slash, his hand was empty—but sharp roots pierced Shen Ziyuan's hand. He couldn't switch from offense to defense in time. The roots pierced flesh, black poison spreading. He staggered back as Mu Lin smiled mockingly: "Only 15 minutes left, you will die, Shen Ziyuan."
5. The Life-or-Death Battle: Shen Ziyuan's wound darkened, losing sensation. The grandstand understood: in 15 minutes, the poison would kill him. He looked at Mu Lin with contempt: "You bastard! First summoning lowly creatures, now this cheap poisoning trick!" Though he spoke thus, deep inside he was terrified. After standing motionless for 1 minute 30 seconds, he realized he couldn't hesitate. Everyone thought he would surrender, but suddenly Shen Ziyuan drew his katana, infused it with purple lightning, and charged at Mu Lin. He struck 19 consecutive slashes, but all were blocked by roots. When his slashing speed decreased, Mu Lin launched a plant hand that struck him. Shen Ziyuan flew 5 meters away, critically wounded. The grandstand gasped: "This kid's doomed! His opponent not only has power but uses every cunning tactic!"
6. Painful Memories: Shen Ziyuan lay in a pool of blood, remembering his past. He had once been mocked and trampled by Plant System users, even losing his lover. Resentment surged. He stood up, his face no longer angry, only cold and lonely. He looked at his katana, concentrating immense lightning. Suddenly, he wore electric shoes. He charged, stabbing Mu Lin in the abdomen. As vines counterattacked, his afterimage vanished. Mu Lin screamed in pain, bleeding, using a seedling to stem the flow. He erased the plant chair, engaging in combat—but could no longer sense Shen Ziyuan's position. He had leaped high, shooting away.
7. The Final Reversal: Mu Lin stood up, face disgusted. Knowing that when Shen Ziyuan activated his ultimate technique, the poison would spread faster. He summoned dozens of roots to attack. But Shen Ziyuan slashed through one root, teleported to another, not a single root touched him. He closed the distance, shooting forward—a lightning flash cut across Mu Lin's chest. The wound burned black, blood gushing like a stream. Despite using a seedling to staunch the flow, he panted heavily. He summoned a distraction clone. The grandstand held its breath—the tide had turned, but advantage still lay with Mu Lin. When Shen Ziyuan used his ultimate technique, the poison would accelerate.
8. The Final Lightning Storm: Shen Ziyuan emerged from a dark cloud. Lightning infused his body and sword, bathing him in electric blue. Mu Lin panicked, summoning more plant troops. But lightning from the dark cloud shot down, burning all plants. He was stunned. Shen Ziyuan flew above, descending at terrifying speed, katana poised to slash Mu Lin into a hundred pieces. The grandstand couldn't believe it—this Elementary-level match had reached Mid-level intensity.
9. The Tragic Conclusion: When Shen Ziyuan slashed Mu Lin's chest, what was cut wasn't his body but a wooden log. The log transformed into smoke as Mu Lin panted heavily. Shen Ziyuan had momentum, charging at double speed. Mu Lin calculated: only 30 seconds left before poison reached Shen Ziyuan's brain. He used a wooden substitute to block the blow, creating smoke to change positions. By the 17th and 18th time, Mu Lin gradually couldn't react fast enough. Shen Ziyuan, invaded by poison, had only 2-3 seconds left to live. His speed doubled with each attempt, his sword strikes growing stronger. In the final second, the 19th slash. Mu Lin panted, strength failing. A moment later, a coiling lightning bolt, an electric flash across the sky. Mu Lin's body was severed into two pieces. Teachers cast support spells but were too late. Mu Lin lost consciousness, looking down to see his lower body vanish, coughing blood: "Have I lost again?" Shen Ziyuan fell unconscious, the poison disappearing before killing his brain. The katana plunged into the ground as he knelt, grievously wounded but still alive. The medical team rushed down. Mu Lin died, Shen Ziyuan was saved. The 19th slash carried immense lightning, speed increasing exponentially by 2^19 times, creating a lightning bolt that shattered the observation wind dome.
10. Rain on the Stone Highland: After handling Mu Lin's body and taking Shen Ziyuan away, the weather changed. Dark clouds covered the sky, rain began to fall. The terrain remained the jungle Mu Lin had created. Now it was my turn. But unexpectedly, my opponent was Sheng Guang Yi. He sneered with contempt—having cheated in the random opponent selection. As I descended into the arena, rain poured like heaven's tears. I was surprised but quickly regained composure, stepping onto the fighting floor with a cold expression. My brain raced to formulate a combat plan. I couldn't die in this match—this was the final match before graduation. Afterward, we would graduate. Those wishing to continue would register for Mid-Level phase 2. Meaning: years of humiliation, injury, and bullying would end. I could provide for my parents—those who had suffered so much for birthing a powerless person like me.
Rain poured onto the stone highland, mingling with the remaining blood pools. I stood opposite Sheng Guang Yi, amid dead plants and swirling dark clouds. The final battle of my 17 years began—the battle deciding whether I would escape hell or sink deeper into the ashes of shattered ideals.