Seeing the changes in Yin Zhang's body, Zhou Wu grew visibly anxious.
"How many hidden trump cards does this kid have? The fire-attribute energy inside him is still rising—I can't drag this out any longer!"
Irritation surged in Zhou Wu's heart. If he were truly defeated by Yin Zhang, it would be unbearably humiliating, especially given the gap in both spirit power and age between them.
Unless Yin Zhang went on to defeat Qiangu Yunying after beating him—but in Zhou Wu's eyes, that was utterly impossible.
Even if Yin Zhang defeated him and then joined Elite Class One, that would still be far better than losing outright just to enter the class.
After all, in just a few days, Zhou Wu would become a true Spirit King after absorbing a ten-thousand-year spirit ring. No matter how monstrous Yin Zhang's talent was, crossing two major realms to defeat him was simply impossible. If that really happened, Zhou Wu would have to believe Yin Zhang was a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form. (funny.jpg)
"Zhou Wu is going to lose."
Qiangu Yuan narrowed his eyes, surprise evident in his voice.
He had considered the possibility that Zhou Wu might not be Yin Zhang's match, but he hadn't expected the gap to be this overwhelming.
At first glance, the two seemed evenly matched, trading blows back and forth. But in reality, Zhou Wu hadn't even managed to graze Yin Zhang before being beaten until he vomited blood.
And among the spirit abilities Yin Zhang had shown so far—aside from a spirit ability similar to Sunny Day, which Qiangu Yuan had never seen before—Yin Zhang hadn't even used his other abilities yet.
"So Zhou Wu is really going to lose…"
As the saying goes, an onlooker sees things more clearly. As a seasoned Spirit Saint, Wu Deqing could clearly see the disadvantages Zhou Wu faced in this battle.
At the same time, he felt both stirred and pleased. Yin Zhang's arrival had undoubtedly given him a source of future pride—a powerful backing who, as long as he didn't die prematurely, was destined to become a Titled Douluo.
"Zhou Wu, come on! Xiao Zhang, you too!"
Seeing the gap between the two, Qiangu Yunying shouted encouragement, careful not to openly favor either side.
"Fourth Spirit Ability—Savage Bear Heaven-Shaking Rage!"
Zhou Wu's fourth spirit ring flared brilliantly. His body expanded at an astonishing speed, stopping only when he reached three and a half meters tall. He leapt into the air, both fists wrapped in dense layers of rock, erupting with terrifying power as he smashed them down toward Yin Zhang.
Yin Zhang showed no fear and let out a furious shout.
"Third Spirit Ability—Crimson Flame Roar!"
"Roar!"
A deafening tiger's roar echoed across the training ground as five crimson-flame tiger heads surged straight toward Zhou Wu.
Although Yin Zhang's spirit power was more than ten levels lower than Zhou Wu's, he was boosted by four major factors: charcoal, the Power of the Sun, the Blaze trait, and the Azure Flame Shield spirit ability. Even though Blaze contributed only slightly, the combined amplification more than doubled the power of his spirit ability.
That was enough not only to close the gap of over ten spirit power levels—but to surpass it.
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted in midair, and thick smoke instantly engulfed both Yin Zhang and Zhou Wu.
The silence lasted only an instant.
In the very next second, Zhou Wu was flung out of the smoke.
He was still holding Yin Zhang tightly in his arms. Yin Zhang looked slightly surprised. Just moments earlier, relying on the rock armor covering his body, Zhou Wu had gritted his teeth and locked Yin Zhang in a desperate embrace—yet they hadn't even hit the ground.
"Second Spirit Ability—Fire Dragon Evasion Kill!"
In the next instant, emerald-green energy enveloped Yin Zhang as he transformed into a massive dragon.
Forcing himself free from Zhou Wu's grip, he twisted midair and dove straight down at Zhou Wu, who was about to crash into the ground.
Bang!
Roar!
Zhou Wu slammed into the ground and tried to scramble away, but it was already too late. The dragon-shaped Yin Zhang crashed down on him, smashing him flat.
Dust billowed everywhere.
Yin Zhang flapped his wings, rising up from the cloud of debris before dispersing his spirit and landing lightly on the ground.
A hint of emotion surfaced in his heart. Zhou Wu truly had real skill. Even without having absorbed his next spirit ring, his actual combat strength had likely already reached the Spirit King level.
Thud—
Yin Zhang fully withdrew his spirit power.
Zhou Wu lay unconscious on the ground, his martial spirit already deactivated.
Wu Deqing quickly called out to the eight students watching the battle.
"Yuanyuan, hurry up and heal your brother's injuries and restore his stamina."
"Coming!"
Zhou Yuanyuan stepped forward from the group, summoned her martial spirit, and immediately used her healing ability on Zhou Wu.
Zhou Wu's injuries weren't light, but because his chest and back had been protected by iron armor at the moment of impact, there was little external damage. The real harm was to his internal organs.
After being treated by Zhou Yuanyuan's spirit ability, Zhou Wu slowly opened his eyes.
"Yuanyuan… thank you. Cough, cough—"
He stood up from Zhou Yuanyuan's arms, looked at Yin Zhang, and spoke with genuine conviction.
"Yin Zhang, you won."
Qiangu Yuan smiled faintly. Though still inwardly shocked, he turned to Wu Deqing and said,
"Teacher Zhou, the outcome is clear now, isn't it?"
Wu Deqing smiled back.
"Of course."
He then turned to the others who had been watching the match.
"Everyone has seen it. Yin Zhang has successfully defeated Zhou Wu, which means he is now a new member of Elite Class One. Let's give him some encouragement."
Applause immediately broke out, though a few faces in the crowd looked less than cheerful.
Yin Zhang's arrival—and his victory over Zhou Wu—meant he would certainly enter the main team.
Among the seven official members of the team (excluding reserves), Zhou Wu and Qiangu Yunying were not an issue.
The real problem lay with the other five.
Zhou Yuanyuan, as the team's healing-type Spirit Master, was unaffected since her role differed from Yin Zhang's. But the remaining four were thrown into panic.
One of them, another attack-type Spirit Master, felt the pressure most keenly.
He couldn't help but curse bitterly in his heart. What kind of luck is this? A freakish prodigy just drops out of nowhere. It took me so much effort back then just to become an official team member!
Qiangu Yunying walked up to Yin Zhang and looked him over carefully.
"Xiao Zhang, are you alright?"
Yin Zhang shook his head.
"I'm fine. Just some superficial injuries—these small cuts will heal on their own."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qiangu Yunying leaned closer, placing her small hand on his shoulder and whispering softly into his ear.
"Xiao Zhang, since you're injured today, let's leave it at that. Tomorrow, let's fight. I could tell you were holding back against Zhou Wu just now. When you face me, you have to go all out."
Yin Zhang wasn't surprised and nodded.
Then he whispered back,
"Sister Yunying… are you like this with other boys too?"
Qiangu Yunying's face instantly flushed red. She coughed lightly.
"No. They're all big and tall—most of them are taller than me. I don't have that kind of advantage with them."
"Oh."
Hu Liena and Xie Yue also came over to offer their congratulations.
As Yin Zhang gently rubbed Hu Liena's fox ears, the tension that had been gripping his heart throughout the battle finally eased.
Afterward, Yin Zhang returned to his dormitory and classroom, packed up his belongings, and moved to the Elite Area. By the time he finished settling in, it was already two or three in the afternoon—the end of the school day.
Before the evening curfew, students were free to move about.
"Xiao Zhang, let's go. I'll take you out of the academy to eat something good."
Just as Yin Zhang stood up from his seat, a fair, slender arm rested casually on his shoulder.
"Mhm, okay, Sister Yunying."
With light steps, Yin Zhang left the classroom he had only just entered not long ago, walking side by side with Qiangu Yunying.
As for the news of Yin Zhang challenging Zhou Wu, defeating him, and joining Elite Class One—it quickly spread throughout the academy, and soon reached both the Supreme Pontiff Palace and the Hall of Worship.