Chapter 12

Jiang Zhongtian’s smile gradually faded, followed by a cold sneer. “We all know Teacher Jiang favors Xu Jintang, but since she’s only awakened a support-type ability, no matter how much you value her now, it’s useless.”

Jiang Lu remained unfazed and continued, “Teacher Jiang, do you look down on our support abilities? On the battlefield, without our support handling logistics, could you all charge forward so recklessly?”

“Don’t twist my words! I never said that!” Jiang Zhongtian immediately bristled and retorted loudly.

If we’re talking about solo combat, offensive abilities are definitely stronger.

But on the battlefield, with endless enemies, even the strongest warriors need logistical support; otherwise, their mental energy will eventually be drained.

Jiang Lu’s gaze silently shifted toward Xu Jintang, who had already stepped onto the arena.

His own ability was also support-type, yet he never considered himself inferior to others.

Likewise, he never thought Xu Jintang was any weaker than anyone else.

Xu Jintang stood on the left side of the arena, flexing her wrists and ankles.

Song Tianqi and Song Duoduo flanked her on both sides.

The three of them maintained their triangular formation.

Before long, a squad from Class Two entered the arena from the opposite side.

Leading them was Xue Haoqiong, the same captain who had just overseen the draw.

He adjusted his glasses and smiled at Xu Jintang’s trio. “Hello, I’m Xue Haoqiong, vice class president of Class Two.”

Xu Jintang paused her warm-up and politely returned the smile. “I’m Xu Jintang.”

Song Tianqi and Song Duoduo each stepped forward and introduced themselves.

“Song Tianqi.”

“Hello, I’m Song Duoduo.”

After the draw ceremony, Huang Binhan’s face tensed as he suddenly leapt up onto the two-meter-high arena.

The students below were stunned.

To think the teacher’s physical strength had reached such a level.

“I will serve as the referee for the entire match, responsible for your safety. The team that loses all combat capability first or is pushed off the arena will be deemed the loser.”

“When an attack on the arena becomes unbearably damaging, I will intervene to protect you. However, once I intervene, it means the saved team has lost the match.”

After explaining the basic rules, Huang Binhan stepped back to the edge of the arena. “Begin!”

The moment his words fell, Xue Haoqiong’s team quickly lined up in a straight row.

A faint smile played on Xue Haoqiong’s lips as he made a mysterious hand gesture, a faint glow emanating from him.

Soon, a pale gray mist quietly enveloped the entire arena.

The fog spread rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, completely covered Xue Haoqiong’s team.

The thick mist obscured the opposite side entirely, making it impossible to see what was happening within.

“What should we do?” Song Duoduo frowned, looking at Xu Jintang.

Judging by Xue Haoqiong’s expression, he had clearly prepared in advance and was probably lurking inside the mist, preparing a powerful move.

“We can’t delay any longer,” Xu Jintang’s expression shifted slightly as she swiftly charged into the mist.

Her figure disappeared from everyone’s sight.

“No way, she just rushed in? Isn’t she afraid of being ambushed by the three inside?”

“That’s reckless. You can’t see anything in the mist—it’s easy for Xue Haoqiong’s team to focus fire on her.”

Whispers of surprise rang out from the crowd.

Jiang Zhongtian crossed his arms, a trace of a smile appearing on his face. “Your Class One’s Xu Jintang is still so impulsive.”

Jiang Lu replied calmly, “Who says she’s impulsive? Has Teacher Jiang forgotten? She’s a domain-type ability user.”

Jiang Zhongtian’s expression changed as this reminder registered, his gaze fixed on the arena.

On the arena, Song Tianqi and Song Duoduo exchanged a glance, their eyes shining with confidence.

Others might not fully understand Xu Jintang’s ability, but they did.

Within a domain, any visual obstruction becomes ineffective.

After charging into the mist, Xu Jintang headed straight for Xue Haoqiong’s trio.

Within seconds, the three figures of Xue Haoqiong’s team appeared.

Xu Jintang slowed her pace and activated a slowing effect. “Song Tianqi, attack my position!”

Her fingertips condensed spiritual energy, sending a signal marker into the air.

Hearing the noise, Xue Haoqiong panicked.

“Fall back!” he shouted to his teammates.

The two teammates, also caught in the slowing domain, reacted quickly and turned to flee to the sides.

But the slowing effect delayed their movements by half a beat.

At that moment, Song Tianqi’s nine spheres of crimson flame arrived.

Nine flaming orbs, glowing red, rapidly descended.

Sensing the terrifying power, Xue Haoqiong frowned and tried to dodge.

In the next instant, Xu Jintang rushed forward and grabbed him by the neck.

A cold glint flashed in Xue Haoqiong’s eyes as he bent his waist, struggling to break free.

But no matter how hard he fought, the grip on his neck was unshakable.

“How is this possible…” Xue Haoqiong’s face showed panic.

With his strength, he should have been able to break free.

Xu Jintang’s lips curled slightly as she drove her knee hard into his side.

Her hands moved swiftly; with a turn, she performed a shoulder throw, slamming Xue Haoqiong to the ground.

She crouched slightly, elbow pressing against his neck, her voice cold. “You’re out.”

Her physical strength, enhanced by Long Ge’s modifications, was at least four to five times stronger than her peers.

No one could surpass her in close combat.

Meanwhile, the other two teammates were locked onto by Song Tianqi’s crimson flames.

As the flames were about to strike, the two teammates went weak in the knees, eyes filled with panic. “Teacher, we surrender! Please save us!”

Huang Binhan’s brows tightened, and he quickly leapt into the mist.

Just as the flames descended, golden light flashed around him, his muscles bulking up.

He shielded the two students in front, using sheer physical strength to absorb the attack from the nine crimson flames.

The fire burned his back for two seconds before slowly dying out.

The dense gray mist gradually dissipated, revealing the original scene on the arena.

Xue Haoqiong lay pinned beneath Xu Jintang, utterly powerless.

His two teammates stood behind Huang Binhan, faces full of terror, clearly shaken.

Below the arena, Jiang Lu smiled faintly. “Teacher Jiang, your students’ trickery is just like you. But when faced with absolute strength, these illusions are useless, don’t you think?”

Jiang Zhongtian’s face darkened, his voice cold. “You’re only celebrating one victory—what’s there to be proud of?”

The students watching regained their composure.

“Wow! Xu Jintang’s team won?”

“Song Tianqi’s ability is terrifying—I could even feel the heat of those flames from the stands.”

“How did they win? I didn’t quite understand.”

“It seems Xu Jintang entered the mist, found Xue Haoqiong’s team, and once Song Tianqi struck, it was over.”

The match lasted less than five minutes; teachers and students barely had time to react before it ended.

Still, Song Tianqi’s nine crimson flames left a deep impression.

Other students waiting for their turn looked at him with a mix of awe and caution.

“Xu Jintang’s team wins this elimination round,” Huang Binhan announced.

Song Duoduo was stunned for half a second before excitedly shouting, “We won!”

Because her individual illusion ability was blocked by the mist, she could only stand outside helplessly.

This victory was entirely thanks to luck, riding on the strength of the class president and Song Tianqi.

Song Tianqi straightened slightly, hands on hips, speaking nonchalantly, “Hey, that’s a win.”

Xu Jintang released Xue Haoqiong, stood up, and adjusted her battle-wrinkles uniform.

“Congratulations,” Xue Haoqiong said bitterly, struggling to get up from the arena.

He had sensed defeat was likely when he learned their opponents included Song Tianqi.

But he never expected to lose so quickly.

Xu Jintang smiled slightly and shook his hand politely. “Well fought.”

Song Duoduo and Song Tianqi also shook hands with the other two players in respect.

After leaving the arena, Xue Haoqiong bowed his head and apologized to Jiang Zhongtian. “Sorry, Teacher…I didn’t expect them to be this strong.”

Xue Haoqiong’s ability was actually to control mist and poisonous miasma.

The dense mist that had suddenly appeared on the arena was his full summon.

His plan was to use the fog to disrupt Xu Jintang’s team.

Then, once the poisonous miasma spread throughout the arena, he could gradually wear down and defeat them one by one.

But Xu Jintang never gave him that chance.

Jiang Zhongtian patted Xue Haoqiong on the shoulder. “It’s alright; Song Tianqi is strong. Losing to them isn’t shameful.”

Xue Haoqiong gave a bitter smile and glanced sideways at Xu Jintang.

During their close combat, he hadn’t been able to land a single counterattack.

It seemed everyone had underestimated Xu Jintang.

Watching the match results, Xu Bohan’s expression grew grave.

Yao Wenna frowned tightly, her demeanor no longer as relaxed as before.