Both sides entered the arena and prepared to fight. Jiang Botao didn't use a training camp account. He logged in directly on his main character, Waveslasher.
Zhou Yichen's Battle Mage was named Yiyu Stardust. Unlike his idol's One Autumn Leaf, his was Zhou Yichen—Yiyu Stardust.
The match began. Waveslasher rushed straight at Yiyu Stardust, opening with Rending Wave Slash to lock down his movement. Yiyu Stardust didn't back off. Instead, he advanced head-on.
"Likes frontal fights?" Jiang Botao frowned slightly. Since this was a spar with a trainee, he instinctively held back a little, giving up the tempo to test the other side's offense.
Suddenly, Yiyu Stardust pulled off a clean Z-shaped dodge, perfectly avoiding Waveslasher's Flaming Wave Sword.
What?! Jiang Botao was shocked.
Yiyu Stardust kept attacking. After using low-level skills to generate Chasers, he didn't stick close to Waveslasher. Instead, he fired the Chasers out directly to control the rhythm.
He backed off? Jiang Botao couldn't quite read Zhou Yichen anymore. His goal was only to test Zhou Yichen's level, so he didn't create distance. Instead, he pushed Waveslasher straight at Yiyu Stardust.
By doing this, Jiang Botao actually handed the initiative over. Now it depended on whether Zhou Yichen could seize it.
At that moment, Zhou Yichen suddenly sped up, increasing his attack speed. Waveslasher swung hard, but Yiyu Stardust deflected the blow from the side.
Because of the forward momentum, Waveslasher overstepped and lost balance.
It's over. That was Jiang Botao's first thought.
Zhou Yichen caught the opening. Sky Strike launched Waveslasher into the air, followed by Four Consecutive Thrusts, stacking the Battle Will passive.
But Jiang Botao wasn't helpless. He quickly used Rending Wave Slash to adjust his position.
Cyclone Wave Sword flew at Yiyu Stardust. Yiyu Stardust blocked with his spear, and Waveslasher followed up with Lightning Wave Sword.
Yiyu Stardust rolled aside, then leapt up and landed behind Waveslasher.
Jiang Botao turned and slashed back. Yiyu Stardust stabbed backward with a precise Dragon Tooth, landing the hit.
Jiang Botao's heart jumped. That strike made his palms sweat.
Dragon Tooth caused hit-stun. Zhou Yichen followed with Violent Dragon Charge into Soaring Dragon Takeoff, landing both within the stun window.
Before the exchange, Yiyu Stardust was at 56% HP, while Waveslasher had a slight edge at 60%.
After that combo, Waveslasher dropped to just over 20%.
Jiang Botao didn't give up. He got up and counterattacked. Waveslasher activated Ice Wave Sword, catching Yiyu Stardust in the ending lag of Soaring Dragon Takeoff.
Yiyu Stardust was frozen.
Jiang Botao knew this was his only chance.
Flaming Wave Sword followed, then Shattering Wind Wave Sword to break the freeze. Yiyu Stardust's HP fell sharply, from 56% down to 40%.
Just as Waveslasher pressed on, Yiyu Stardust repositioned smoothly, dodged the attacks, then landed a Falling Flower Palm that sent Waveslasher flying.
"He lost," Zhou Zekai said quietly. No one knew when he had appeared beside the team manager.
"What do you think, Xiao Zhou?" the manager asked. This "Xiao Zhou" was Zhou Zekai, not Zhou Yichen.
"Very strong," Zhou Zekai said flatly.
"Then if you fought him, who would win?"
"Don't know."
"Uh…"
Waveslasher was still airborne when Yiyu Stardust followed with Sky Strike, launching him again. This time, there was no escape.
Furious Dragon Pierces the Heart, followed by a 180-degree Whirling Stick.
Waveslasher was instantly killed.
"You're strong. I hope you can join the first team as soon as possible. We need you," Jiang Botao said. Even though he lost, he looked happy instead of upset.
"Okay. Thanks for holding back, Vice-captain. If you had kept your distance and poked me instead of fighting up close, it would've been much harder for me to win," Zhou Yichen said cheerfully.
Jiang Botao smiled at him. This kid knew what he was doing. Worth taking care of in the future.
"By the way, your weapon—why is the damage so high?" Jiang Botao asked.
He had noticed it during the fight.
"I put all the stat points into attack. It's not finished yet," Zhou Yichen said.
"Give your Silver Weapon to the equipment department and let them finish it fast. If you stack attack like that, what about attack speed?" Jiang Botao asked.
"Attack speed will go up later. Attack comes first."
"Xiao Zhou, come here. This is our team captain, Zhou Zekai—the user of One Shot One Kill," the manager called.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you. I'm Zhou Yichen. You can call me Xiao Zhou," Zhou Yichen said as he shook hands with Zhou Zekai.
"Hello. You can call me… uh, Captain Zhou," Zhou Zekai said, expressionless, like a quiet little lamb.
From this moment on, Samsara's genius Battle Mage stepped onto the league's main stage.