Zhuge Lan saw Tang San's bright smile and immediately knew what he was thinking.
"You're not seriously thinking that I cultivate one of those sinister techniques that drain others, like 'Stealing Yin to Replenish Yang,' right?" Zhuge Lan asked, unceremoniously.
[Emotion Points +1111]
Tang San's smile froze.
"Hehe, Zhuge, you're just joking," Tang San awkwardly replied. "But techniques that require multiple people to practice usually fall into that category, so I couldn't help but wonder…"
"That's just your ignorance!" Zhuge Lan scoffed. "Techniques like 'Jade Maiden Pure Heart Sword,' 'Loving Intent Blade,' and 'Dragon Soul Phoenix Blood Manual' are common in my family. Why would we practice something as lowly as 'Stealing Yin to Replenish Yang,' which harms others to benefit oneself?"
Zhuge Lan spoke with such confidence and conviction that it made Tang San seem small-minded in comparison.
[Emotion Points +4444]
So frustrating!
But…
Under the scrutinizing gazes of Oscar and the others, Tang San had no choice but to hold back his anger.
Feigning humility, he said, "I apologize, Zhuge. I was being narrow-minded... Let's focus on discussing the upcoming team battle."
The topic shifted, and the group tacitly avoided further mention of the earlier conversation.
But as for their opinions on Tang San now…
Heh!
[Emotion Points +5555]
Tang San gritted his teeth in frustration!
How did a few words change his reputation so much?
This is infuriating!
"Since Zhuge's spirit power is fully replenished, our spirit fusion technique should last for more than a minute," Zhu Zhuqing confidently added. "Perhaps we don't even need six people; just the two of us can handle it."
Wait, really?
"I don't have any objections," Zhuge Lan agreed. "Even if the spirit fusion technique runs out, I'm confident I can clean up the mess and guarantee a win."
[Emotion Points +2333]
"Good!" Flender exclaimed. "Then it's decided! You two will fight! Let's see just how far your limits go!"
It sounded like Flender had high hopes for them.
But…
Why were his eyes gleaming like gold coins?
—The guy clearly just wanted to create a lopsided 2V7 match to increase the betting odds and make a big profit, right?
Zhuge Lan silently took out his money pouch and handed it to Flender.
"Place a bet for me too."
That prompted everyone else to join in.
"Zhuge, you two better not lose!"
"I'm betting everything I've got!"
"You have to win!"
With everyone's reminders, Zhuge Lan and Zhu Zhuqing headed toward the contestant tunnel for the team battle.
Before long, the referee's booming voice echoed throughout the Great Spirit Arena!
"Incredible!"
"We have a seven-man team that just registered today, and they're only sending out two people for the team battle?"
"And their opponents are none other than—The Berserk Team!"
The arena erupted in an uproar of excitement!
"They're really fearless rookies!"
"Tear them apart!"
"Wow! The odds are 1.01:4.9?"
"Quick, place your bets! I'm going all-in on the Berserk Team!"
"Wait, why isn't it the maximum 9.9 odds for a 7V2?"
"Who cares! I'm still betting on the Berserk Team!"
"This seems fishy... I'm betting on the rookie team!"
The noisy atmosphere persisted for a full minute before it gradually calmed down.
The referee continued, "Judging by everyone's reactions, I think there's no need for further introduction."
"Let's welcome the team with five consecutive wins—The Berserk Team!"
The crowd's roar shook the very air, as if the roof might come off!
The seven members of the Berserk Team walked out, but all with grim expressions.
"Now let's welcome the brave newcomers—The Seven Wolves Team!"
When Zhuge Lan and Zhu Zhuqing walked out hand-in-hand from the tunnel, the audience, who were about to start booing, froze.
Wait, aren't these the two who used that spirit fusion technique earlier?
Hold on!
The Berserk Team is up against a spirit fusion technique?!
The crowd's excitement skyrocketed!
This was going to be good!
"They're the Condor Heroes!"
"Spirit fusion technique!"
"So this is what a 2V7 match looks like?"
"No wonder the odds weren't 9.9!"
"Damn it! I bet everything on the Berserk Team!"
"Haha! I bet on the Condor Heroes!"
[Emotion Points +9]
[Emotion Points +9]
[Emotion Points +9]
Watching his balance grow by thousands every second, Zhuge Lan grinned widely.
This was exhilarating!
"Zhuge," Zhu Zhuqing said softly, "Should we give our spirit fusion technique a name?"
A name?
Zhuge Lan thought for a moment.
"Hey, girl," the middle-aged man leading the Berserk Team called out, "You've got a nice figure. Why are you covering your face?"
"Take off the mask and let big brother have a look!"
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned cold as she stared at the man.
"No need to respond," Zhuge Lan reassured her. "You'll be in control. Tear his mouth apart later."
"Don't worry about your spirit power running out—I've got you covered."
A warmth spread through Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
She had been ridiculed for her figure countless times before.
But…
This was the first time someone stood by her side.
Seeing that both sides were fired up, the referee immediately announced, "The third team battle begins now!"
In the next moment, all nine combatants released their martial souls and spirit rings!
The entire Berserk Team were all Soul Elders (Spirit Masters), but only one of them had the optimal two yellow and one purple ring configuration.
Five of them had the more common one white and two yellow combination.
And the man who had mocked Zhu Zhuqing had one white, one yellow, and one purple ring.
But in stark contrast…
The three purple rings of Zhuge Lan's Thorn Armor martial soul shone brightly!
With their fingers still interlocked, Zhuge Lan and Zhu Zhuqing's martial souls merged, and their rings overlapped.
Zhuge Lan called out dramatically, "Come forth, our spirit fusion technique—"
"Demon Spirit!"
The two fused into one, with Zhu Zhuqing taking control. Her hands extended into half-meter-long claws.
"I'll name this form 'Thorn Phantom,'" Zhuge Lan said. "Taking one word from Thorn Armor and one from Hell Civet."
Controlling the Thorn Phantom, Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly and dashed forward like a specter.
Her target wasn't the rude middle-aged man.
Instead, she aimed straight for the back of the group, where the auxiliary spirit master with the Wishful Disk was!
"Slash!"
The seductive girl from the Berserk Team shot several threads of spider silk from her palms, weaving them into a web to trap Zhu Zhuqing.
But the web was too slow to catch her.
Zhu Zhuqing dodged effortlessly and appeared right in front of the auxiliary spirit master.
With a single swipe of her claws, she disemboweled him, and a flower of blood bloomed.
Instant kill!
The "berserk" part of the Berserk Team came from this auxiliary's third spirit skill.
But now, without even activating a single skill, he was dead.
The remaining six were all enraged!
"Die!"
The seductive girl's third spirit ring lit up, and her eight strands of hair quickly extended into two-meter-long whips, wrapping tightly around Zhu Zhuqing.
But before she could smile in triumph, she realized Zhu Zhuqing had vanished!
Suddenly, a cold sensation brushed her neck.
As Zhu Zhuqing's figure darted away, the girl's consciousness began to fade.
Blood spurted from her neck, and she realized that without treatment, she would die!
Not caring about anything else, she ran straight for the edge of the stage.
The healing spirit masters of the Great Spirit Arena were waiting just offstage.
As soon as the seductive girl touched down, a healer waved their staff to treat her wound.
But then!
"Huh?"
"Why isn't it working?"
---
Advanced 30 Chapters in Patreon for 7 Dollars
Link: www.pat reon.com/SenatusPopulus