Chapter 39: The Spirit Guardian, Azure Moon Willow

Xie Xie stared in shock at the terrifying storm on stage, his heart a mixture of fear and anger. Gu Yue had unleashed such a dangerous attack without any regard for him or Tang Wulin. If not for Long Hengxu's quick intervention, he couldn't imagine the consequences.

As the ice storm raged on the platform, the crowd's reactions ranged from astonishment to disbelief. It was hard to fathom that a technique powerful enough to entrap a Four-Ring Soul Elder could come from a Two-Ring Spirit Master. Long Hengxu sighed inwardly, while Wu Zhangkong looked on with a frown. Gu Yue's talent was undeniable, but her cold, independent nature was concerning—she seemed to lack any sense of teamwork.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi, standing against the oncoming storm, looked at each other with grim determination. Holding hands, their spirits intertwined in preparation for their fusion ability, a skill Jing Shaoyu was well aware of. He'd seen them use it in a previous training session against him.

"Yangzi, Jinxi!" Jing Shaoyu called out just as they prepared to activate the fusion. The two paused and turned, only to see Jing Shaoyu shaking his head. "Step down," he said, "This is between her and me."

Wang Jinxi looked puzzled and opened his mouth to question, but Zhang Yangzi pulled him back, signaling that they should comply. Both jumped off the stage, leaving the audience baffled. Was there discord in Class One?

Jing Shaoyu stood calmly on stage, his gaze steady as he met Gu Yue's across the platform. Despite the roaring storm and the whirlwind of ice and snow, the two of them simply stared at each other.

With the fierce wind and biting cold surrounding him, Jing Shaoyu raised a hand, releasing a flash of emerald-green light. The green light intensified, and his Spirit Crown behind him expanded rapidly. Within moments, it transformed into a massive five-meter-wide portal, as if opening into a realm beyond, exuding a serene yet potent aura.

In a flash, a massive plant spirit stepped out from the portal—a towering willow, its branches cascading like a waterfall of green. Each branch bore jade-like leaves in the shape of crescent moons, gently swaying in the breeze.

"That's... a thousand-year spirit beast!" Wu Zhangkong's usually stoic expression shifted as he noted the Willow's presence, a rare ancient plant spirit beast long thought extinct.

The Azure Moon Willow extended a slender branch toward the ice storm. As the branch made contact, its lunar-shaped leaves began swirling within the wind's ferocity, seemingly fragile against the devastating storm. Yet the branch held, its slenderness masking its resilience. It dug deeper into the storm, attempting to reach its core and weaken it from within.

However, one branch alone was not enough. Without hesitation, the Azure Moon Willow flung out all of its branches like a graceful dancer extending her locks. The display was nothing short of breathtaking; countless branches moved in unison, their presence dominating the stage.

Together, the branches constricted the heart of the ice storm, while the moonlit leaves ate away at the ice. Slowly, the storm began to dissolve, its fierce energy subdued by the Willow's relentless grip.

This skill, Wood Spirit Guard, allowed Jing Shaoyu to summon the essence of plant spirits for battle, limited to the number of his spirit rings. Currently possessing two rings, he could call upon a single Wood Spirit, which was this formidable Azure Moon Willow.

The audience held their breath as they watched the storm vanish before their eyes, and even Tang Wulin felt a pang of awe and envy.

Gu Yue, however, had no intention of relenting. Her eyes set on Jing Shaoyu, she intensified her attack, her hands weaving a series of precise movements. Flames, ice shards, and boulders manifested in the air, raining down toward Jing Shaoyu.

Jing Shaoyu merely smiled and moved his hand slightly. The Azure Moon Willow responded, weaving its branches to form a dense, green shield in front of him. At the same time, the branches crept toward Gu Yue, silently encircling her.

With graceful agility, Gu Yue dodged through the branches, maintaining her focus on Jing Shaoyu. Yet, with each move, she was unknowingly being drawn closer to him.

Finally, a slender branch wrapped around her ankle. She froze, realizing her predicament, and just as she prepared to release another fiery attack, Jing Shaoyu swiftly clenched his fist.

In an instant, branches shot out from all directions, binding her wrists, ankles, and torso. Gu Yue found herself immobilized, caught mid-motion, her body suspended in a grand display of entangling green vines.

Jing Shaoyu walked up to her, a mischievous smile on his face. He leaned in close, whispering, "I win."

With a snap of his fingers, the branches retreated, releasing Gu Yue from their grip. Freed, she turned her head with a faint blush, gave a cold huff, and vanished in a flash of silver light.

As the crowd looked on, lower-grade students sighed in admiration, and upper-grade students felt a sense of wonder. The grand showdown of Class One and Class Five had come to a spectacular end, with Class One emerging victorious. And everyone felt fortunate to have witnessed such an unforgettable battle.

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