Morning broke as Mentor Bi Hei led the five students out of the gates of Galaxy City. Their path wound through vast fields and lush forests, heading toward the area where they would hunt beasts. This was no ordinary outing—this was the final trial before the upcoming Major General Competition. It was a crucial test for Chu Yi, Qing Xiu'er, Lin Xuanwu, Zhang Liya, and Ju Gouzi, designed to help them complete the Beast Spirit fusion.
"The Major General Competition is only four days away," Mentor Bi Hei said calmly, his voice carrying weight. "You must seize every moment. Not every beast will produce a Beast Spirit. It takes four beasts to produce a single spirit."
At this, the five fell silent. They knew how urgent their task was. The hunt for beasts was fraught with uncertainty, and the pressure weighed on each of them, especially Chu Yi. His spiritual power was only at the 1st level, far from the required strength for Beast Spirit fusion. But he had no choice but to press forward.
Deep in the forest, Mentor Bi Hei halted. With a flick of his hand, the students scattered, each to search for their quarry. The air was thick with tension. The shadows of the forest felt oppressive, and the occasional roars of beasts added a sense of imminent danger.
Chu Yi held a few talismans in his hand, moving carefully through the trees. His senses were sharp, and his talismans were ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.
Nearby, Zhang Liya gripped her flute, her focus unbroken as she scanned the surroundings. She knew her target: the Tremor Mouse, a beast with extremely strong spiritual fluctuations, perfect for her flute-based techniques.
Time ticked by slowly, and the hunt wasn't going well. Lin Xuanwu was the first to encounter a Silver-grade Sharp Horned Deer, twice the size of a normal deer, its horns like two sharp blades gleaming in the sunlight.
Lin Xuanwu didn't take it lightly. He swung his iron rings forcefully, forming a barrier of spiritual energy to block the deer's charge. "Roar!" The Sharp Horned Deer let out a fierce cry, its horns swinging wildly to push Lin Xuanwu back. But Lin Xuanwu's defensive techniques held firm, and after several exchanges, he found an opening and struck the deer's neck, finally bringing it down.
However, as he searched its body, he found no sign of a Beast Spirit.
"Damn!" Lin Xuanwu knelt, panting heavily. Disappointment washed over him. It meant a wasted effort, and time was precious.
Qing Xiu'er and Ju Gouzi had their own troubles, facing off against a two-headed Venomous Serpent, a beast known for its deadly poison and powerful spiritual energy. The two worked together seamlessly—Qing Xiu'er using her spiritual sword to restrain one head, while Ju Gouzi wielded a fiery war hammer against the other. The battle was fierce, but even when they split the serpent's body in two, no Beast Spirit appeared.
The group continued to hunt more beasts, but after several attempts, there was still no success. Mentor Bi Hei stood off to the side, watching with his usual calm demeanor, though the passage of time clearly weighed on him.
Finally, the four days passed, and the Major General Competition began. This annual event was a contest between the 16 schools in Galaxy City, a display of both honor and power. The arena was set in the city's central square, packed with spectators. Representatives from all the major families were present, eager to witness the fierce battles to come.
"The Kion Academy team is ready," Mentor Bi Hei said as he watched Chu Yi and the others walk onto the battlefield. Their opponents: the team from Bianjing Academy, a school with a strong reputation in previous Major General Competitions. This year, they had sent their most talented five-person team, each one formidable in their own right.
"These opponents are no slouches," Qing Xiu'er said, her voice serious as she studied the Bianjing team.
"Especially their captain, Cheng Feng. I heard that he's already broken through to the 3rd level as a spiritual master. His strength is considerable," Lin Xuanwu added, gripping his iron rings with determination.
The battle began, and the two teams clashed with fierce intensity. As expected, Cheng Feng lived up to his reputation. His spiritual techniques carried immense power, each strike packed with deadly force.
He swung a massive blade, its edge shimmering with spiritual energy, aimed directly at Chu Yi. Reacting quickly, Chu Yi activated a Thunderstorm Talisman, sending a bolt of lightning toward Cheng Feng. But Cheng Feng was quicker. He leaped nimbly, dodging the attack, and then brought his blade down hard. Chu Yi barely managed to parry the blow.
"He's too strong!" Chu Yi thought in alarm. Despite his preparations, Cheng Feng's power exceeded his expectations.
Cheng Feng's spiritual energy surged like a tidal wave. Each strike of his blade was a shockwave of force. Chu Yi struggled to keep up with his talismans, the pressure from Cheng Feng's overwhelming power making every move feel like a challenge. Chu Yi quickly threw out another Thunderstorm Talisman, the lightning cutting through the air toward Cheng Feng's chest.
Cheng Feng sneered, crossing his blade to easily deflect the attack. He then slammed his blade into the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth that nearly knocked Chu Yi off balance. Chu Yi knew that if this continued, defeat was inevitable. He had to find an opening.
At the same time, Cheng Feng's teammates launched their own attacks. Bianjing Academy's team wasn't just strong because of Cheng Feng—every member was a powerhouse. A tall, thin boy began weaving complex hand seals, summoning a mass of ice blades that shot toward Chu Yi.
The ice blades flew at lightning speed, almost blindingly fast. If it weren't for Lin Xuanwu rushing in to block most of the attack with his iron rings, Chu Yi would have been gravely wounded.
"Chu Yi, fall back!" Qing Xiu'er's voice rang out behind him. Her spiritual sword was glowing faintly in her hand as she lunged at Cheng Feng, her blade flashing like a meteor aimed at his vital spots.
Cheng Feng's eyes narrowed, and he quickly raised his blade to meet hers. The clash of blade and sword rang out, a deafening sound that echoed across the battlefield. Qing Xiu'er's swordplay was elegant and sharp, but Cheng Feng's strength was clearly superior. Still, she was relentless, dodging and striking with precision, making Cheng Feng struggle to maintain his defense.
Meanwhile, a Bianjing Academy girl attacked Qing Xiu'er, wielding a pair of short daggers wrapped in strange green poisonous mist. The duel between the two was swift and deadly, the green mist swirling around as the girl's attacks were quick and lethal. Qing Xiu'er expertly parried with her spiritual sword, never giving an inch.
Zhang Liya stood in the back, clutching her flute tightly. Her sound-based spiritual techniques began to take effect. As she played, she manipulated soundwaves, disturbing the enemy's senses. One of Bianjing's heavy defense warriors tried to close in on her, but was rocked by the force of her soundwaves, nearly losing his balance.
Ju Gouzi was locked in combat with another opponent, a windblade user. The windblades cut through the air like invisible blades, attacking relentlessly. But Ju Gouzi, with his swift warhammer skills, managed to disrupt the windblade's rhythm, using every opportunity to counterattack.
"Take this!" Ju Gouzi's warhammer swept through the air, leaving a trail of fire as it slammed into Cheng Feng's side. Cheng Feng, caught off guard, was pushed back, his armor absorbing most of the blow. The fire burst, scorching his spiritual shield.
Cheng Feng grimaced, stepping back. He hadn't expected the Kion Academy team to coordinate so well. Their attacks came like a torrent, overwhelming him.
Lin Xuanwu seized the moment, using the opening created by Ju Gouzi's attack. His iron rings spun rapidly, slamming into Cheng Feng's back with incredible force.
Cheng Feng rolled away just in time, narrowly dodging the blow, but it was clear he was struggling to hold his ground. Meanwhile, the rest of his team was trying to regroup. The ice-blade user and the wind-blade spirit master launched a combined attack, intending to push Kion Academy back.
Ice blades and wind blades converged on the battlefield, threatening to split the field in half. Zhang Liya quickly blew a sharp note on her flute, her soundwaves clashing against their elemental attacks, weakening their assault.
In this critical moment, Chu Yi suddenly realized this was his chance to turn the tide. Stepping back, he activated several Thunderstorm Talismans simultaneously. The surge of lightning ripped through the air, striking Bianjing Academy's center. The impact not only disrupted their rhythm but forced Cheng Feng to focus on defense.
The battle raged on, fiercer than ever.