The Blood Spider only hid in the void for a second before suddenly appearing behind Haotian! She was clearly aware that staying hidden in the void was futile, only draining her own energy without yielding any resultsâattacking was the key to victory!
Haotianâs Six Paths Ice Blade shot out once more.
The Blood Spider tried to hide in the void again. But at this moment, she felt as if her "mind was frozen," making her spatial cutting technique delayed by half a beat.
New special effect for Frozen Mystical Arts: Frozen Mind!
The magnificent Ice Blade Wheel surrounded and strangled her.
For some reason, the last sentence Bai Pu said to her flashed in Blood Spiderâs mind.
"Donât force it; if you need to admit defeat, do so. Preserve your strength, and you might have a chance in a team battle."
Swish!
At the moment the ice blade touched her body, Blood Spider chose to concede and dissolved into a white light.
...
Outside Crescent Island, on the deck at the bow of the ferry.
The Xili Institute of Technologyâs team was silent.
"We were played." Xuan Pin said with a bitter smile. "From the start, Haotian didnât plan to clash head-on with you. He casually used a lesser pawn to deal with it, then turned to find Blood Spider... Ah, considering the professional traits, this loss is understandable and unquestionable."
The two average-faced men looked as if they were mourning. For slackers, seeing a major member at a disadvantage is even more uncomfortable than being at a disadvantage themselves.
"The opponents likely designed strategies targeting our next three matches. Iâm the fifth to go, likely facing Luoyue."
Xuan Pin had studied the materials and furrowed his bean-shaped eyebrows, "Luoyueâs profession is âLawbreakerâ... Itâs hard for me even to channel in front of her; this round is doomed."
"No, youâre going out third." Bai Pu said, "Before we left, I told Teacher Cai Cai and changed the lineup."
"Really?" Xuan Pinâs eyes widened, and the faces of the two average-faced men quickly brightened.
Bai Pu didnât say anything because the referee inside had already announced the third matchâs lineup: "Xili Institute of Technology, competitor Xuan Pin. Qianyuan University, competitor Blue Spirit! Please prepare for the third solo match in five minutes!"
"Whoa, truly the major member, to have anticipated the opponentâs scheme in advance!"
"Xiaoxiao Haotian, what a joke, lost face and couldnât win, this is the most infuriating thing."
The two average-faced men echoed each other in praise.
Xuan Pin rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat excited.
Suddenly, Xuan Pin reacted and asked, "Gangxin, since you thought Haotian would avoid a fight to catch Blood Spider, why didnât you change her order of appearance?"
"Iâm not familiar with Haotian; avoiding a fight was just one possibility. There was a significant possibility that Haotian would take the challenge."
Bai Pu shook his head and said, "If Haotian took the challenge, having Blood Spider second would be fine. The opponentâs secondary is the weakest link! Blood Spider overpowering the weak and securing victories in the first two matches steadily is the best, without having to expose all her strength, giving her an advantage in the final team battle."
This was the teamâs pre-arranged strategy: Bai Pu challenges Haotian, Blood Spider secures the second match.
To change the lineup based on one uncertain guess, Bai Pu could only make minor adjustments, like placing Xuan Pin third, without violating the teamâs strategy.
According to the teamâs strategy, it didnât matter who went third, as long as the first two matches were won, and they could go straight to the team battle.
If Bai Pu had adjusted Blood Spiderâs order, it would have meant overturning the teamâs planned tactics.
He would not only have to convince Teacher Cai Cai but also inform other teammates... Bai Pu didnât want to make it so complicated, thatâs just his personality, and the team wasnât a one-person show for Bai Pu.
"Alas, fine. You couldâve been more assertive; I wouldnât mind."
Xuan Pin stood up, stretched lazily, "Then leave this match to me! Itâs time for you to see how strong a Beast King Druid whoâs amassed three months of Power of Nature can be!"
As he spoke, a necklace entwined with a green vine around Xuan Pinâs neck glowed faintly.
...
Meanwhile, on the ferry with the five main members of Qianyuan University, there was a slight commotion.
"Why is Xuan Pin going third? Isnât he supposed to be the main general?" Archer Chongyang asked in confusion.
"Seems Xili Institute of Technology sensed something and slightly adjusted their lineup." said Luoyue.
"Not good, on the list we submitted, Luoyue, who counters the summoning profession the most, is in the main general position."
Assassin Qianshu furrowed his brow, "Our third match is Blue Spirit... Mirage Mage isnât good at interrupting the casting of the summoning profession, right?"
Blue Spirit, wearing a silver mask, said somewhat dissatisfied, "Hey, donât underestimate people, okay? Although my abilities focus on illusion techniques and clones, handling a Beast King Druid is still doable."
"Alright, weâll depend on your performance. If you can handle that Druid, the remaining two Enhanced Elite Professions on their side are no problem; we can secure a win." Chongyang said.
"Donât feel pressured; even if you lose, weâre sure to win in the team battle." Luoyue comforted Blue Spirit.
Blue Spirit, holding back frustration, boarded Crescent Island.
...
Blood Spider jumped onto the ferry and directly shrank inside the cabin, not coming out.
She felt deeply embarrassed.
After all, she had boasted before the battle about bringing a victory to the team, but now she had lost.
Although no one would blame her, losing to Haotian wasnât shameful, but she just felt a bit embarrassed to face Bai Pu.
The two average-faced men indicated to Bai Pu to go and console her.
Bai Pu thought for a moment and walked into the cabin.
"You got caught by Haotian this time; I bear some responsibility." Bai Pu sighed softly, explaining his reason for making minor adjustments without changing her order.
Blood Spider listened quietly, then suddenly asked, "How confident were you at the time that Haotian wouldnât confront you head-on?"
"About seventy percent. Actually, I had considered Haotianâs behavior. If he were a Spirit Realm Native, Iâd be 100% confident."
Bai Pu replied honestly, "Spirit Realm Nativesâ behavior is easier to judge, with fluctuations in favorability as support. But Haotian is an Awakened, and his behavior has some uncertainties."
"Isnât seventy percent confidence worth a gamble?" Blood Spider said.
Bai Pu remained silent.
But Blood Spider greatly understood Bai Pu and said, "I get it; youâre afraid! You donât want to bear the responsibility of leadership, youâre avoiding."
She added, "Iâm often like that too... Sometimes I feel exploring the Spirit Realm brings me more ease than reality."
"Youâre right." Bai Pu acknowledged his shortcomings.
"I actually think avoidance isnât all bad; donât force yourself to do things you donât like. Successfully avoiding things you dislike is a victory."
"Hmm... huh?"
"Also, Iâd like to try that thing of yours again. This time I feel ready." Blood Spider said softly.
"Didnât you say not to force yourself to do things you donât like?"
"I never said I donât like it..." Blood Spider blushed slightly.