As the spear tip was about to strike, Ethan's free hand swiftly intercepted the spearhead. But at that moment, Bryce let out a sinister laugh. Seeing his smile, Ethan instantly released the spearhead and leaped to the side. Then, a dark gleam shot from the flat tip of the spear, grazing Ethan's neck and leaving a bloody gash—the spearhead concealed a steel needle. This was the true 'Serpent's Tongue!'
"Excellent!" came a shout from the stands, but this time, it was Minister Lu Cheng who was cheering, his face flushed with excitement. Bryce's counterattack had turned the tables, much to Lu Cheng's delight, and the 'Conservative Faction' members around him cheered, trying to create psychological pressure for Ethan.
On the platform, Ethan backed away, his vision blurring. The needle was poisoned! He quickly retrieved an 'Antitoxin Elixir.' Before he could inhale it, Bryce charged, seizing the moment to attack. Ethan, in a split-second decision, hurled the 'Antitoxin Elixir' at Bryce's head. Bryce instinctively dodged, slowing his movement just enough for Ethan to slide under his spear and sweep 'Star Splitter' across the unprotected area of Bryce's knee.
Bryce grunted in pain, his step faltering. Accustomed to luxury, he had never experienced such agony. The pain twisted his expression, leaving him unable to continue his pursuit of Ethan. Ethan took the opportunity to inhale the 'Antitoxin Elixir,' drawing the medicine into his body, followed by the 'Golden Frenzy Elixir' to stimulate his nerves. Under the effects of both elixirs, the toxin on the needle was temporarily suppressed.
Bryce, too, took medicine to alleviate the pain in his leg. As he saw Ethan rise again, he inwardly cursed the missed chance. If only he had access to a more lethal poison, Ethan would have been finished. In a deathmatch, there were no rules, and both fighters were free to use any means necessary. Bryce's use of poison didn't surprise Ethan; if the logistics department had offered poison, he would have coated his sword with it as well.
Now, with the poison temporarily held at bay, Ethan decided to end the fight quickly. On the other hand, the trap was set. Based on his understanding of Bryce, the chances of his opponent falling for it were high. Ethan took a deep breath and charged out.
Bryce, having calculated his next move, decided to play it safe, waiting for the poison to take effect on Ethan before striking the final blow. As Ethan approached, Bryce prepared to defend, reverting his spear to its original form. In an instant, Ethan was upon him, his body radiating a surge of Yuan Force, his skin briefly taking on a rocky texture.
'Star Splitter' was raised, and Bryce readied his spear, anticipating Ethan's 'Thunderclap.' He had planned to counterattack after blocking Ethan's strike, using his 'Divine Hiding' and mystic arts to buy time. He was sure of victory.
As Ethan raised his sword, a brilliant yellow aura burst forth like flames, and his hair rose as if caught in an updraft. His crimson eyes blazed with the activation of 'Opening the Yuan Wheel,' the secret technique Victor had taught him, granting him a comprehensive boost.
The sword light flashed, sweeping across—Bryce's expression turned odd, a smile that wasn't quite a smile. He had anticipated 'Thunderclap,' but not Ethan's 'Opening the Soul Wheel,' a technique not even Gao Lin had mentioned. Bryce's mind went blank, unable to make the right decision in that split second.
Then, he saw the sword light shatter and disperse into hundreds of tiny beams, crisscrossing and filling his field of vision. The training hall erupted with exclamations as Minister Lu Cheng leaped to his feet. From his vantage point, he saw Ethan's sword sweep out, only for the blade to split into countless fragments. These fragments, trailing light, bypassed Bryce's spear, with only a few hitting the shaft and deflecting to the sides. The rest swept past Bryce's head and reformed into a sword behind him.
Bryce stood frozen, as if petrified, while Ethan turned and walked to the edge of the platform. What had happened? Had he blocked the attack? Why was Ethan leaving? Did he lose? Impossible. He hadn't used his 'Divine Hiding' or mystic arts yet. He couldn't lose.
Bryce opened his mouth as if to speak, but then blood began to pour from various points on his face. As Ethan jumped off the platform, Bryce's head shattered like a smashed watermelon, scattering across the ground.
Screams filled the training hall, several girls fainting on the spot, and many faces turned pale. Lu Cheng slumped back into his seat, a single thought in his mind: they had lost. The young master of the Luo family had lost. How? Bryce had the upper hand just moments ago, and now he was slaughtered by Ethan? It must be a dream. Yes, a dream.
Then he heard laughter from the opposite stands. Colonel Liang Jian stood up and declared, "Brilliant! Seizing the opportunity to strike, not giving the opponent a chance to recover. Top-notch in mindset, experience, judgment, and decisiveness. This student, after graduation, belongs to our Exploration Corps!"
Ethan looked up at Colonel Liang, who gave him a thumbs up. Just as Ethan began to smile, darkness overtook him, and he collapsed to the ground—the poison had taken effect.
Colonel Liang immediately leaped down from the stands, lifting Ethan and shouting for a doctor. The school's medical staff quickly appeared, and Liang, along with the Exploration Corps soldiers, escorted Ethan to the school's infirmary.
Back in the training hall, Lu Cheng sighed deeply and stood up, saying dejectedly, "Let's go, everyone. There's nothing more to see here."
Among them, a balding middle-aged man glanced at Bryce's body and then in the direction Ethan had been taken, lamenting, "The young people nowadays are truly formidable."
"What are you talking about? Move aside if you're not leaving, don't block the way," a man said irritably.
The balding man's eyes flashed with malice, but as he turned around, his face was all smiles, bowing and scraping, "Sorry, President Su. I was in your way. Please, after you."
President Su huffed, "I wonder how a small-time district security chief like you got the privilege to watch the match."
The balding man pretended not to understand, continuing to smile apologetically.