Chapter 153: Mutual Understanding and the Mask of Pain

Chapter 153: Mutual Understanding and the Mask of Pain

"Alright, let's not talk too much. The first phase is about to start. Gentlemen, please get ready," Han Ruoruo said with a gentle smile.

"Now, let's begin the first phase—Mutual Understanding. Starting from the first row on the left, each male student can show off his abilities. But don't overdo it. Otherwise, if a female student can't resist taking action against you, I might just have to pretend I didn't see anything."

The senior student in the first position smiled confidently. It's just about taking off a hat, right? Piece of cake!

"The first to perform is—Wen Lan!" Gong Yangmo looked down at the sheet in his hand, then announced loudly.

Wen Lan, a flying-type Soul Saint, suddenly had seven soul rings rise around him, the optimal combination of soul ring colors. A pair of splendid wings unfolded behind him.

With a slight flutter of his wings, a gust of wind lifted Wen Lan into the air. He glanced briefly at the eighteen Sea Goddesses and then focused on his target as the second, fourth, and sixth soul rings lit up.

The triple soul skill enhancement suddenly boosted Wen Lan's speed. Du Qianjue looked up at Wen Lan and then at his chosen target, a hint of danger flashing in his eyes. Goodness, this guy really dares.

The targeted Sea Goddess glanced at Du Qianjue's expression and smirked, her slender fingers gently twirling.

With a whoosh, the fluttering wings, carrying countless gusts of wind, turned into a dazzling streak of light and instantly arrived in front of the Sea Goddess. But...

With a gentle snap of her fingers, the Sea Goddess released a crisp snapping sound, and then a burst of icy blue light flared up. In mid-air, Wen Lan, still in his flying pose, turned into an ice sculpture and fell into the Sea God Lake...

Indeed, the one Wen Lan had targeted was Xue Linglong...

It's hard to say whether his choice was wise or foolish. His choice was wise because Wen Lan indeed picked the most beautiful and powerful Sea Goddess present, but foolish because she was Xue Linglong, the Snow Empress...

After Wen Lan fell into the lake, intense coldness burst forth, freezing the lotus leaves beneath the feet of the eighteen Sea Goddesses onto the lake's surface.

The other seventeen Sea Goddesses only felt solid ice unexpectedly form under their feet. "Such ice control ability is simply astounding," a Sea Goddess remarked admiringly, looking at Xue Linglong. This was the level she had always aspired to achieve.

"You flatter me," Xue Linglong nodded slightly to her.

The Sea Goddess next to Xue Linglong, her expression complex under her veil, lightly bit her lip. 'How can she be so strong...' Zhang Lexuan felt a sense of helplessness. More beautiful, more powerful, and already someone else's fiancée. Could she really become his other half?

Although that's what Zhang Lexuan thought, she felt somewhat relieved, thinking that Du Qianjue would probably not be interested in her, and she wouldn't have to spend her life with someone she didn't like.

Zhang Lexuan sighed lightly, her mood much lighter.

The Sea Goddesses were astounded, and the male students were no less shocked. Being able to take the lead in securing the lotus leaves meant that although Wen Lan used his flying-type soul's advantage, his strength was undeniably among the top in the Inner Court. Yet even he was effortlessly turned into an ice sculpture by that Sea Goddess.

The other male students, none of whom were at the Titled Douluo level, wondered: does this mean whoever approaches her goes down?

All the male students immediately marked Xue Linglong as the most untouchable Sea Goddess.

"This Sea Goddess, you shouldn't be too harsh. Considering who you acted against, we'll overlook it this time, but not again," Han Ruoruo said with a resigned smile.

Xue Linglong nodded.

The male students breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that she might not turn anyone approaching her into an ice sculpture and toss them into the lake. That would be awkward.

"Next up, Lei Xiao, you may begin," Gong Yangmo announced loudly.

Lei Xiao, standing in the second position, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, grinned, and braced himself as he rushed forward. Lightning-formed wings slowly took shape behind him, and six soul rings gradually appeared, with four lighting up in succession.

His already dazzling lightning wings burst into even richer light, and tiny arcs of electricity wrapped around his body. Lei Xiao's form turned into multiple afterimages, breaking through the air towards the opposite side. But learning from Wen Lan's lesson, he steered clear of Xue Linglong, targeting the far left instead.

"Hmph!" The Sea Goddess on the far edge snorted, clearly displeased that Lei Xiao had targeted her. Her own soul rings appeared.

Yellow, purple, black!

A pair of wings burning with purplish-red flames unfurled behind her, and a resounding phoenix cry suddenly echoed.

Lei Xiao, flying through the air, froze, his face already sweaty, now turning from pale to purple. "Oh no! Why her?!" he groaned inwardly.

But once launched, his trajectory wasn't easy to change; his lightning-charged hand reached straight for the Sea Goddess's hat.

The Sea Goddess with phoenix wings clenched her right fist, and the hot purplish-red flames ignited on her fist, eventually forming a fiery phoenix. "Phoenix Piercing Strike!" she shouted, swinging her right fist fiercely. The fiery phoenix, accompanied by a clear phoenix cry, turned into a stream of fire and shot towards Lei Xiao in the air.

"Damn!" Lei Xiao exclaimed in shock, forcibly using his sixth soul skill to change direction, diving towards Sea God Lake.

A huge explosion sounded as Lei Xiao's head collided with the ice Xue Linglong had formed on the lake surface, creating a large hole and sending a water column shooting up tens of meters high. But within seconds, the fiery phoenix turned the water column into steam.

The fire phoenix, losing its target, soared into the sky, eventually turning into a spectacular firework.

Poor Lei Xiao, with a large bump on his head and blood trickling down, lay unconscious, floating on the water. It was impressive that he didn't suffer a concussion from colliding head-first with the extreme ice...

End of Chapter