Chapter 16: Sword Mantis

"This battle will follow the official match rules and use the 'Martial Fight' format, where attacking the opponent's Spirit Binder is allowed."

The coach raised a small flag, acting as the referee, "Before the match starts, I'll count down from three, so both competitors, please get ready."

"Three..."

"Two..."

"One!"

As the countdown ended, Qian Duo quickly drew a talisman in mid-air.

In no time, the talisman was completed, and a spherical energy shield was formed around him.

[Talisman Skill·Armor!]

[Creates a sturdy energy shield to protect oneself during intense battles.]

On the other side, Chen Xuan also hurriedly drew a talisman, but after finishing it, no energy shield emerged.

"You're not using 'Armor'?"

Seeing that Chen Xuan was only holding a Spirit Talisman and a Talisman of Spirit Arts in his hand, Qian Duo couldn't help but ask.

'Armor,' 'Spiritual Pupil,' and 'Agile Body,' the three basic Talisman Skills, are compulsory courses for every Spirit Binder.

'Spiritual Pupil' enhances the Spirit Binder's vision, while 'Agile Body' makes one lighter and enhances mobility.

Although these two Talisman Skills are also important and greatly aid in battle, they are temporarily less crucial for beginners compared to 'Armor.'

After all, in battles between Spirit Binders, the most important prerequisite is to protect one's life first, followed by discussing tactics, victory or defeat, dignity, and other matters...

Therefore, not drawing 'Armor' at the beginning usually only occurs when one believes they can win due to a significant difference in strength.

"No need."

Chen Xuan casually replied.

In reality, he was just too embarrassed to admit that he didn't know how to do it.

After all, he had just become a Spirit Binder a few days ago and had only learned one offensive Talisman Skill for fighting. He had virtually no other foundations.

"Arrogant..."

Qian Duo frowned, feeling insulted, and silently sped up his talisman drawing.

'Whoosh——'

The Sword Mantis at the front of the formation crouched down with its six insect legs and charged out with stored energy. Its two sword arms were covered in a layer of sharp edges as it slashed.

[Racial Skill: Sword Return!]

[Unleashes Gold Based Energy and quickly approaches the opponent to strike while retreating immediately after an attack, preserving oneself to the greatest extent while attacking.]

"Slash!"

At the same time, Qian Duo skillfully threw out a talisman that he had drawn.

As the talisman floated behind the Sword Mantis's back, the sharp edge on its sword arms suddenly surged, sparkling with cold light.

[Talisman Skill·Gold Talisman: Sharpened Edge!]

[Adds a bit of sharpness to an attack, cultivating a miraculous effect that turns stones into gold or even decay into wonder.]

'He's powerful. An ordinary Stone Monkey definitely wouldn't be able to handle such a swift and fierce strike...'

Seeing the explosive power of the Sword Mantis, Chen Xuan nodded to himself, acknowledging its strength.

Unfortunately, his creature was no ordinary Stone Monkey...

Chen Xuan's lips curled slightly as he held the Stone Monkey's Spirit Talisman, activating the newly awakened Phantom Racial Skill:

[Racial Skill: Dazzling the Eyes!]

[Creates illusions to affect the enemy's perception of direction, causing them to miss their attacks.]

The Stone Monkey, standing in its original position, suddenly had a faint purple light shine in its eyes.

Following that, the Sword Mantis's eyes darkened, and the trajectory of its attack began to deviate involuntarily.

'Crack——'

Accompanied by ear-piercing friction noise, only the tip of the sword grazed past the Stone Monkey's shoulder, creating a few sparks and cutting off several strands of fur that flew away.

"Wukong, take it down!"

Chen Xuan seized the opportunity and threw out an Earth Talisman that had already been drawn.

[Talisman Skill·Earth Talisman: Rock Fist!]

[Coats fists with solid stone, strengthening attacks while also protecting wrists from injury.]

"Aha!"

The Stone Monkey quickly jumped up and unleashed a flurry of punches on the Sword Mantis with its back facing it.

Yes, with its back facing it.

Real Spirit Competitions don't need eyesight!

At first, this kind of output without using eyes was somewhat inconsistent.

However, as the Sword Mantis launched the second half of the 'Sword Return' and began to retreat rapidly, it was due to the influence of the 'Dazzling the Eyes' illusion that it accurately collided with the Stone Monkey's 'Heavenly Horse Meteor Punch'.

So...

The whole process looked as if the 'Sword Mantis' had messed up its straight-line attack, and then feeling uncomfortable, it actively offered itself up for the Stone Monkey to deliver a series of hits to its face.

"Sas! Sas-sas!"

The beaten and saliva covered Sword Mantis screamed in horror, reporting the situation to its own Spirit Binder.

(ヾ꒪ཫ꒪)Instant teleportation! The opponent can teleport! They suddenly appeared behind me! I'm not joking!

"..."

Qian Duo, who was so angry that his temples were throbbing, was shaking all over.

At this moment, he suddenly felt the taste of being a parent.

What the hell, spending so much money sending you to a Daoist School, only to have you turn out like this?

"..."

Not only Qian Duo, but Chen Xuan, who had the upper hand, also found it difficult to put his feelings into words.

Because it seemed that the monkey had misunderstood what he had said...

He told you to utilize the advantage of your tough hairs, which meant if you really couldn't win, you should curl up and roll away to increase the distance.

He didn't tell you to turn your back on the 'Sword Mantis' and start mindlessly swinging your fists!

Isn't this a great insult to the opponent and a lack of sportsmanship, huh?

'However, the combination of phantom abilities is even more perfect than I imagined.'

Thinking of this, Chen Xuan's mood improved a lot.

Phantom Demon Spirits have the most unpredictable attacks, but they are also often the most fragile.

It can be said to perfectly illustrate the phrase - you can dodge me countless times, but I only need to hit you once.

A light swipe like that of the Sword Mantis just now only felt like a tickle on the Stone Monkey.

If it had landed on a phantom spirit, it would have been highly likely to break the illusion due to the pain.

But...

Putting phantom abilities on the extremely tough Stone Monkey effectively remedied the defense deficiency of the Phantom Demon Spirits.

Even the combination of the two can be said to be perfect.

Because whether it is defensive or offensive methods, they have become more diverse, and almost without any weaknesses...

...

Soon, the outcome of the battle on the field was nearing its end.

Under the chaotic punches of the Stone Monkey, which had the advantage, the Sword Mantis, which had only 20 points more combat power, had no chance of turning the tables.

It was beaten without any power to fight back, staggering in circles before falling to the ground.

"The match is over, Stone Monkey wins..."

The coach acting as the referee glanced at his boss' son's red and swollen face, then announced the result in a mosquito-like voice.

"I just didn't use my 'Talent Talisman,' otherwise the result would be reversed."

Qian Duo stubbornly gritted his teeth as he recalled the Sword Mantis into its Spirit Talisman.

"I didn't use my 'Talent Talisman' either."

Chen Xuan spread his hands helplessly.

Although his Talent Talisman didn't do much to increase his combat capabilities, it was a good chance to act pompous, so why not?

"I..."

Qian Duo, who was momentarily speechless, trembled his lips for a while before turning his head and striding away quickly.

"How long has your student been training? He's quite strong."

Chen Xuan asked the coach curiously.

Although Qian Duo lost to him, it was mainly because the combination of '4-star Stone Monkey + Phantom Abilities' was too overpowered. In fact, his strength was not bad.

Whether it was his speed and smoothness in drawing talismans or the final effect he produced, it was definitely above average.

And from his tone at the end, it seemed that his strength could increase even more after using his 'Talent Talisman'?

"Oh, he's not a member of our training hall; he was randomly pulled in just like you, haha..."

Remembering Qian Duo's embarrassing performance just now, the coach laughed awkwardly.

What he didn't say was that the disciples of the training hall were no match for Qian Duo, a student of the Daoist School.

And even Qian Duo was no match for the young man before him, so it was somewhat humiliating that he had tried to get him to sign up for classes before...