Chapter 19: The Illusion Strike and a Crushing Victory
"Roar!"
Wu Feng bellowed, unleashing her first Spirit Skill and instantly amplifying the power of her attack.
Her lips curled slightly as she extended her fists, forming massive shadowed fists that collided forcefully with the Three-Spirit Spirit Suppression Cauldron. Accompanied by a violent buzzing sound, a dark red ripple exploded suddenly.
"Bang!"
The Three-Spirit Spirit Suppression Cauldron was sent flying. Wu Feng's power was immense, shaking the cauldron violently, yet it held together, hovering in the air. Once it stabilized, it ricocheted back toward Wu Feng.
Meanwhile, in another direction, Nanmin Yun Er's first spirit ring glowed, releasing her combat spirit—the Blue Jade Bird—which surged toward Ji Lin at astonishing speed.
"Spirit Skill One: Feathered Arrow!"
With a deafening cry, the Blue Jade Bird suddenly spread its wings. Immediately, ten thin wings, white and green like feathers, extended from its back. The runes etched on each wing turned sky-blue, instantly forming a cloud of arrows.
Despite its seemingly small size, the Blue Jade Bird not only flew with incredible speed but attacked with astonishing precision.
This spirit beast was formidable, especially when launching a concentrated assault, as it became extremely difficult to counter.
Its greatest strength lay in its agility and supersonic speed.
Nanmin Yun Er's "Feathered Arrows" struck forward with such force and velocity that they surged straight toward Ji Lin, leaving him no time to react.
As the azure light radiating from the Blue Jade Bird intensified, I realized that blocking the attack head-on would be nearly impossible.
Yet, a strange smile curved across my face.
"Spirit Skill One: Winged Guillotine!"
I shouted softly, and suddenly a brilliant golden light enveloped Wang Dong'er.
The light exploded outward, and Wang Dong'er stood firm before me. With my participation in the spiritual energy, I was able to precisely control each Feathered Arrow launched by Nanmin Yun Er.
"Bang, bang, bang…"
A series of impacts reverberated through the air. The destructive force of the Winged Guillotine, combined with careful control, rendered Nanmin Yun Er's spirit skill attacks ineffective.
At that moment, Wu Feng's fist struck the Three-Spirit Spirit Suppression Cauldron with immense power, sending it flying backward and forcing Xiao Xiao to retreat.
It was clear that Xiao Xiao had not dominated the previous clash; she had been suppressed by Wu Feng's sheer strength.
Xiao Xiao steadied herself, though a hint of hesitation lingered as she accepted the outcome.
At that instant, her second spirit ring glowed.
"Spirit Skill Two: Cauldron Rush!"
The Three-Spirit Spirit Suppression Cauldron reassembled, emitting waves of rune-shaped energy that struck Wu Feng again.
Simultaneously, Ning Tian's second spirit ring also lit up. Under the influence of her spirit skill, Wu Feng's speed increased noticeably.
Facing Xiao Xiao's Spirit Skill Two, Wu Feng effortlessly evaded the attack and silently closed in behind her.
"Xiao Xiao, be careful!"
Ji Lin shouted, noticing Wu Feng's timely movement, to Xiao Xiao:
"Xiao Xiao, be careful!"
Xiao Xiao hadn't anticipated Wu Feng's sudden acceleration, leaving her completely unprepared.
At that critical moment, a strange light flickered in Ji Lin eyes.
"Spiritual Shock!"
Wu Feng was immediately affected by Ji Lin mental strike; pain shot through his head, and his steps faltered.
"Explode!"
Xiao Xiao seized the rare opportunity and quickly took control of the Three-Spirit Cauldron, targeting Wu Feng.
His body flew backward like a cannonball, crashing violently onto the ground.
However, the Red Dragon Spirit's defense was astonishing. Despite being caught off guard by Xiao Xiao, he was barely affected, sustaining almost no damage.
Ning Tian watched the entire sequence, surprised that, Ji Lin the youngest member at the back of Team Jilin with only a single spirit ring, was actually the strongest adversary.
It seemed that Wu Feng's sudden pause was due to Ji Lin, whom she had underestimated because of his age and limited spiritual power.
"Wu Feng, Yun Er, attack the boy in the back with everything you've got!"
Ning Tian ordered Wu Feng and Nanmin Yun Er directly.
They didn't fully understand why the weakest member was being targeted, but as core members of the team, they followed Ning Tian's command without hesitation.
With that, Wu Feng and Nanmin Yun Er redirected their attacks toward Ji Lin. Supported by Ning Tian,Ji Lin suddenly became the primary target of everyone's assault.
As soon as Wu Feng's eyes met Jilin's crimson gaze, a sudden chill swept through his body.
He found himself in the far north, where the wind howled and the air was freezing cold.
His body gradually began to freeze, starting from his feet and creeping up to his head. He tried to escape, but he couldn't move a muscle.
He attempted to call for help from his team, only to find himself completely alone in this icy expanse, without any support.
Meanwhile, the audience watched anxiously:
"What's happening to Wu Feng? Why isn't he moving? Has he lost consciousness?"
"Look at his face… it's like he's seeing a terrifying nightmare!" one spectator said.
"Do you think he's so scared of Ji Lin that he can't move?" another added in astonishment.
At that moment, Ji Lin simply extended one finger, and Wu Feng immediately lost consciousness.
Simultaneously, the rest of Wu Feng's team was completely defeated.
Wang Yan cleared his throat, glanced around, and realized all eyes were on him, making him feel slightly embarrassed.
"In this match, Team Ji Lin wins!" Wang Yan announced, patting his throat to signal the result.
The crowd erupted in cheers:
"Victory! Victory! Victory!"
Xiao Xiao shouted excitedly, and Wang Dong'er laughed, jumping up: "Hahaha, victory! Victory!"
Ji Lin saw the exhilarated faces of Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong'er and smiled, even though his heart still felt heavy.
The illusion technique he had just used represented the peak of his power; his mastery of illusion, combined with his North Star Fist style, had been executed flawlessly.
Ning Tian sat on the ground, her hands trembling uncontrollably. She was a genius from the Glazed Nine Treasures Sect, who had faced countless powerful opponents since joining, never once defeated.
Yet now, she had lost—defeated by someone far weaker in spiritual power.
Seeing Jilin and his companions display their true strength, she realized she had been utterly beaten!
A crushing defeat, leaving no hope.
Tears streamed down her face, her heart filled with bitterness and regret. Had she known that Jilin and the others possessed such power, she would have fought from the very start without hesitation! But now, it was too late; she had squandered her only chance.
Ji Lin did not rush to her side; he stood still, watching calmly, thinking of how to gain Ning Tian and her team's loyalty.
Finally, Ning Tian lifted her head and looked at Jilin, who was standing nearby. She shook her head slowly and said in a hoarse voice: "You've won… our skills were inferior."
Her voice was slightly rough, as if suppressing her sobs, yet she insisted on remaining upright. Slowly, she rose and fixed Ji Lin with a deep, piercing gaze:
"You're very strong… but you have a fatal flaw!"
Ji Lin smiled and cast a calm glance at Ning Tian and Wu Feng, then spoke quietly.
At that moment, Wu Feng stepped forward, helping Ning Tian to her feet, glaring fiercely at Ji Lin:
"Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you won by chance! Don't worry, we'll fight with all our strength!"