"First Spirit Ability, Moon Sever!"
Qiangu Yunying gripped the Flame-Plundering Spear with both hands, flicking the Spirit Ancestor in front of her into the air before slashing downward.
The move looked simple, but its power was terrifying. The spear tip pierced through the Spirit Ancestor's chest and back in one motion. A sweetness surged in his throat, and the moment he hit the ground, he spat out a mouthful of blood that sprayed through the air.
"Third Spirit Ability, Wolf King Howling Moon Slash!"
The Spirit Ancestor whose body was covered in wolf fur raised his claws high. With a light leap, he unleashed five wolf-claw slashes that tore through the air toward Qiangu Yunying at astonishing speed.
"Hmph! Try hitting me first!"
Qiangu Yunying drove the Flame-Plundering Spear straight into the solid granite floor, grasped the shaft with both hands, and vaulted upward using it as leverage.
After cleanly dodging the attack, she yanked the spear free midair and hurled it straight at her opponent.
"Oh no!"
The wolf-spirit Soul Master felt danger alarms screaming in his mind. He hurriedly twisted his body to the side and turned his head away.
"Clang—!"
The Flame-Plundering Spear missed its target, striking the ground at an angle and rebounding away.
"Take this!"
Qiangu Yunying kicked off with both legs and leapt high, stomping down toward the Soul Master.
"Bang!"
The Soul Master had just finished dodging and hadn't regained his balance yet. He was struck squarely in the chest by Qiangu Yunying's white boot. Using the rebound, she flipped backward, landed in front of the Flame-Plundering Spear, and lightly extended her hand. The spear floated up and was caught firmly in her grasp.
"Ah—!"
The Soul Master sprawled on the ground let out a miserable cry. Though he hadn't coughed up blood, it was obvious he was in no condition to continue fighting.
"Within six feet—I am invincible!"
Qiangu Yunying stood proudly, spear in hand.
The students watching immediately erupted into cheers. Though the applause started uneven, it quickly rose in waves, sweeping up even those who hadn't been particularly excited at first.
"Clap clap clap—"
Hu Liena stood on tiptoe to watch the end of the battle. She couldn't help applauding sincerely as she turned to Yin Zhang.
"Brother Zhang, that Sister Yunying is so amazing!"
She doesn't even know you, and you're already calling her 'Sister'?
Xie Yue glanced at his excited younger sister, then looked at Yin Zhang.
"Do you really have confidence in beating her? She only used one Spirit Ability just now and suppressed two Spirit Ancestors. She still has four Spirit Abilities left."
Yin Zhang's expression turned solemn.
Qiangu Yunying's Spirit Ability had looked simple, but from what he'd just seen, her mastery of the spear was extremely high.
Her moves appeared straightforward, but if you were actually facing her, you'd likely be swept away by her two-handed spear techniques before you could even react—then finished off in an instant.
Still, when he thought about his own Spirit Abilities and the two pieces of equipment he had, confidence returned to his eyes.
"She's very strong. What we just saw is probably only the tip of the iceberg," Yin Zhang said softly. "But am I any different?"
"I won't boast right now. When the time comes, I'll definitely call you all to watch—and let you see exactly how strong I am."
The power, technique, and speed Yunying had displayed were the strongest Yin Zhang had seen so far.
But after watching closely, he had already found a way to raise his chances of victory.
Flying.
As long as he flew fast enough and high enough, Qiangu Yunying would have to expend extra effort just to reach him. And during that time, he'd have enough room to think of countermeasures.
Watching Qiangu Yunying walk down from the platform and vanish into the crowd, a powerful desire to win ignited in Yin Zhang's heart.
Even without the system mission, he had to fight her—no matter what.
In his mind, Yin Zhang silently labeled her:
A woman who wields a spear.
"Alright, alright, we're done watching. Let's go eat!" Hu Liena said, tugging on Yin Zhang's arm. "If we're late, all the good food will be gone!"
Seeing Yin Zhang still staring in the direction Qiangu Yunying had left, Hu Liena's little face drooped for an instant. She quickly recovered, clutched his arm, and spoke pitifully.
Yin Zhang snapped back to his senses. He glanced at the crowd that was already dispersing, then at Hu Liena's pitiful expression, and nodded helplessly.
"Alright, Nana. Let's go eat."
"Mm! Time to eat!"
"Tap, tap—"
"Xie Yue, what do you think of Qiangu Yunying's spear technique?"
"I think it's very good," Xie Yue replied after some thought. "It's actually my first time seeing such a beautiful and powerful spear technique. Honestly, it's also my first time seeing someone fight with a spear at all, so I can't judge the finer details—but she's definitely amazing."
"Is that so?" Yin Zhang laughed. "I think so too."
Their voices gradually faded as they walked away. The sun climbed higher, the temperature rose, and the cafeteria soon filled with noise and chatter. Only after entering did Yin Zhang, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue finally relax.
They ate quietly at first—until Hu Liena asked hesitantly,
"Brother Zhang, what do you think of that Qiangu Yunying?"
Yin Zhang picked up a piece of roasted meat with his chopsticks and popped it into his mouth.
"She's very strong," he said without hesitation.
Hu Liena blinked in surprise. "That's it? Nothing else?"
Yin Zhang swallowed, took a sip of soup, and felt its rich, mellow flavor spread through him.
"Hm… she's very cool. Does that count?"
"'Cool'? What does that mean?"
"Handsome, sharp, chic, refreshing," Yin Zhang replied after thinking for a moment. "That's the feeling Qiangu Yunying gives me."
"Uh… then what about me?" Hu Liena coughed lightly, her big watery eyes blinking as she looked at him expectantly.
Yin Zhang coughed too. He understood what she meant, but with Xie Yue still present, he only replied softly,
"You're very cute too."
"Brother Zhang is also very handsome!"
Hu Liena giggled happily. Yin Zhang and Xie Yue both lowered their heads to eat, the atmosphere a little awkward—except for Hu Liena, whose love-struck mind was in full swing.
After eating and resting for a bit, Yin Zhang returned to the dormitory to take a short nap, then headed toward Qiangu Yuan's office.
Just as he stepped out of the stairwell, he heard knocking followed by a door closing. His eyebrow twitched.
Someone got here before me?
"Knock, knock—"
Yin Zhang walked up to the office door. Hearing voices inside, he raised his right hand and knocked gently.
The conversation inside stopped abruptly.
Qiangu Yuan coughed. "Come in."
"Creak—"
Yin Zhang pushed the door open and stepped inside. His gaze swept the room.
Besides Qiangu Yuan, who was lounging on the animal-skin chair as usual, there was also a tall figure standing in front of him—
Qiangu Yunying.
Yin Zhang coughed lightly and raised a hand in greeting.
"Uncle Qian Gu… hello."