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''Clang————!''
A resounding impact, like the tolling of a great bell, echoed through the air as a powerful shockwave erupted, sending ripples through the surrounding atmosphere.
At that moment, Fang Li channeled his Prana into a raw defensive force. His hand, shimmering like stardust, intercepted the incoming staff— a weapon capable of piercing through flesh— causing a shower of sparks to burst from the point of contact.
Yet, before Fang Li could retaliate, Wu Xiaofei swiftly raised his other hand, a talisman already prepared.
''Choku!''
The moment the command was issued, the talisman flared with an intense radiance.
Though devoid of any offensive power, the sudden burst of light rivaled the sun, searing into Fang Li's vision. Instinctively, he shut his eyes.
The instant he did, he sensed it—
Two distinct presences, carried by the shifting air currents, closed in from both sides.
''Pā!''
Zhao Hufeng and Cecily lunged in unison, seizing Fang Li's arms with unwavering precision, and locking him in place.
''Shuā!''
Simultaneously, Li Shenyun and Li Shenhua flung talismans into the air. The charms converged mid-flight, morphing into chains that snaked toward Fang Li's legs, binding them tightly.
In mere moments, Fang Li was immobilized— his limbs restrained by the coordinated efforts of Zhao Hufeng, Cecily, Li Shenyun, and Li Shenhua.
''Now's our chance!''
The four of them shouted in perfect synchronization.
"Senior Brother!''
The signal was given.
"Hah!''
With a fierce cry, Wu Xiaofei spun his staff, igniting the talismans attached to it. In an instant, they transformed into razor-sharp wind blades, whirling around the weapon like a miniature cyclone. The cutting winds howled, slashing through the air with lethal precision.
Then, without hesitation, Wu Xiaofei thrust his staff forward.
Like a tempest compressed into a single devastating strike, the weapon tore through the space between them, accelerating toward Fang Li with unrelenting force.
Fang Li had no way to evade.
With his movements sealed, no matter how fast he was, there was no escaping this time.
And in terms of raw strength, Fang Li could not overpower four Fourth-Rank Genestellars combined. His STR (Strength) was far inferior to his AGI (Agility).
This was the very flaw his opponents had identified and exploited.
Thus, Fang Li had no means to dodge.
The next moment, Wu Xiaofei's attack struck.
"Pū Chī————!''
A sharp, almost melodious sound rang out as the staff pierced through Fang Li's body— cleanly passing through him.
"What…?!''
Zhao Hufeng, Cecily, Li Shenyun, and Li Shenhua all reacted in shock.
They knew that even if Wu Xiaofei's attack was formidable, Fang Li possessed an immense reserve of Prana. At worst, he should have sustained a grievous injury. But this—
There wasn't even a single drop of blood.
"An afterimage?!''
Disbelief colored their expressions.
They had physically restrained Fang Li. His presence had been tangible, solid. How could it be an afterimage?
Even Wu Xiaofei's gaze flickered as realization struck him.
He had seen this before.
During the Ranking Battle, Fang Li had pulled off the same trick. Back then, Wu Xiaofei had landed a direct hit, seemingly tearing Fang Li apart—only for there to be no blood, no injury.
And back then, just like now, Fang Li had been bound, completely unable to move.
Yet somehow, he had still vanished.
At that time, Wu Xiaofei had thought it was an afterimage left behind by Fang Li's extreme speed, believing he had dodged the attack.
However, an afterimage wouldn't be cut into pieces, let alone be captured by vines.
In other words, it wasn't an afterimage.
It was…
"A physical avatar…!''
As soon as the words left Wu Xiaofei's mouth, a quiet chuckle sounded from behind him.
"Correct.''
A hand gently rested on Wu Xiaofei's back.
"Flashing Dash-Connecting Lapel, a technique I created based on the Nanaya Assassination Technique's Flashing Dash. Its principle is similar to a cicada shedding its shell. The afterimage left behind is a physical entity, but merely a shell. The real me has already emerged. Restraining the shell is meaningless.''
As those words reached Wu Xiaofei's ears, a burst of force erupted from the hand on his back.
"Boom————!''
Wu Xiaofei was sent flying, tumbling across the ground before stabilizing himself, sliding several meters to a halt on one knee.
"First Senior Brother!''
Zhao Hufeng, Cecily, Li Shenyun, and Li Shenhua all exclaimed in shock.
The Fang Li they had restrained finally flickered and vanished.
"Kacha…''
Wu Xiaofei's emblem emitted a cracking sound before shattering.
A mechanical, emotionless voice announced:
"Emblem damaged. Winner: Fang Li.''
Wu Xiaofei was momentarily stunned before realization dawned.
That last move—used by Fang Li in the previous Ranking Battle—was called Flower Mirror, a technique capable of striking an opponent from within.
But this time, Fang Li didn't attack Wu Xiaofei directly. Instead, he had channeled his force into the emblem, shattering it.
Fang Li's mastery over the Nanaya Assassination Technique was becoming sharper.
The outcome was clear.
".........''
Zhao Hufeng, Cecily, Li Shenyun, and Li Shenhua fell silent.
A youthful laugh suddenly broke the tension.
"Alright, alright, let's call it a day. Otherwise, even I might be tempted to join in the fun.''
Fan Xinglou, who had been observing the entire battle, smiled innocently.
Even Orphelia stood silently, watching without a word.
"Thank you for the guidance.''
Fang Li bowed to Wu Xiaofei and the others.
They returned the gesture, some expressionless, some reluctant, some indifferent, and some visibly displeased.
This was customary after sparring.
As the session concluded, Fan Xinglou approached casually.
"Three weeks of daily sparring— regardless of the results, you all have exceeded my expectations.''
Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, and Fang Li merely shrugged.
Indeed.
For the past three weeks, their training had mirrored today's battle.
''(End of Chapter)''