Chapter 73: An Unexpected Alliance and Impending Danger

Upon seeing the Rock-Armored Lizard finally collapse, Chixiao’s legs gave out, and he directly slumped to the ground.

The rough gravel bit painfully into his skin, yet he was beyond caring about such discomfort.

“That was truly… thank you so much,” he gasped, his voice still trembling with the lingering shock of their narrow escape. “Had you not intervened in time, we would have likely been forced to withdraw from the competition.”

Turning his head, he surveyed his teammates; the earth elemental mage was clutching his acid-corroded shoes, staring blankly, while the other two slumped on the ground, their faces deathly pale.

Evidently, they had yet to recover from the life-or-death peril they had just faced.

Su Liyue’s sharp gaze swept over the earth mage’s shoes, a faint twitch playing at the corner of her lips.

Though pitted and scarred by the corrosive acid, the small leather shoes had miraculously protected his feet.

Their defense was commendable, she mused, though she wondered if one could still move swiftly while wearing such footwear.

“We are all fellow students; mutual aid is only natural,” Ye Xingchen stated calmly, retrieving several glowing test tubes from his storage ring.

“This practical training exercise is meant to test our teamwork. Who knows, perhaps one day we’ll find ourselves in trouble and need your assistance.”

Chixiao observed that the potions Ye Xingchen had produced varied in color, with some even emitting suspicious bubbles.

‘These must be experimental alchemical concoctions,’ he thought; ‘otherwise, why would they possess such bizarre hues?’

Yet, at this moment, he was in no position to be particular.

“This…” Chixiao hesitated for a moment before accepting the potions and distributing them to his teammates. He carefully examined the pale blue liquid in his hand, then cautiously took a small sip.

To his surprise, despite the peculiar taste, he could genuinely feel his depleted magical energy slowly regenerating.

After a brief moment of reflection, Chixiao spoke with solemnity:

“Since you were the ones who defeated this magical beast, this 50-point magic core rightfully belongs to you. Allowing us to continue in the competition is already the greatest help you could offer.”

Su Liyue gently shook her head, her silvery-white hair swaying with the movement.

“You discovered the magical beast first, and you expended most of its strength,” she replied. “We only hope that if we meet again in the future, even if you don’t offer assistance, you will at least not become our adversaries.”

Chixiao paused, startled by her words, then immediately grasped Su Liyue’s unspoken meaning.

He had indeed been worried that they were after the magic core; now, it seemed he had judged a noble heart with petty intentions.

In truth, Su Liyue already had her own plans.

They intended to challenge other Gold-tier magical beasts next to secure a top-three position.

This opportune encounter with Chixiao’s team had allowed them to gauge their strength and also earn a favor, making it a truly worthwhile transaction.

Moreover, Chixiao’s performance over his three years at the academy was well-known and respected.

His willingness to compete alongside three teammates of average strength, and his refusal to abandon his companions in a crisis, made him worthy of her investment in this favor.

“This kindness, I shall remember,” Chixiao declared, bowing formally with clasped fists.

His teammates behind him also nodded in acknowledgment, their eyes brimming with gratitude.

Su Liyue simply nodded, offering no further words. She felt it was better to leave such interactions to Ye Xingchen, given her reluctance to engage in extensive conversation with others, especially other males.

“Among the third-year students, the strongest in combat prowess would likely be Su Liyue, Mu Wanqing, and yourself, wouldn’t it?” Ye Xingchen inquired.

Gathering essential intelligence was crucial. Ordinarily, he was either engrossed in alchemical research or delving into information about this world, while Su Liyue typically focused on mastering magic to enhance her strength, occasionally joining him in exploring worldly knowledge. Beyond these pursuits, they rarely paid much attention to other students’ affairs.

Chixiao noticed Su Liyue had just taken a step back, positioning herself slightly further away, her face always bearing an air of icy detachment, especially towards males like him.

He suddenly recalled the rumors circulating within the academy: this multi-elemental genius always kept to herself, rarely conversing with other students apart from her close friend Mu Wanqing.

Yet, Ye Xingchen seemed to be an exception.

“I merely have good fortune,” Chixiao replied cautiously. “The Blazing Winged Lion familiar is indeed rare, but as the Dean often says, a familiar doesn’t fully represent a mage’s true strength.”

His gaze swept over Mu Wanqing, who was currently assisting with the inspection of the magic core.

The girl with sky-blue hair was meticulously purifying the bloodstains from the magic core’s surface with water magic, her movements appearing exceptionally graceful.

Truly befitting her reputation as the gentle, water-like campus goddess.

“If you speak of true genius… Su Liyue’s mastery of all elements, and Mu Wanqing’s groundbreaking transformation of water magic into ice magic—those are genuine displays of power. As for me, I merely possess a slightly higher affinity for fire than most.”

Ye Xingchen, not dwelling too much on Chixiao’s actions or thoughts, nodded thoughtfully. “What about the other elements, then? I spend most of my days in the lab, so I’m not well-informed about them.”

“Lin Mo of the wind element can simultaneously control twelve wind blades,” Chixiao recounted. “Zhao Yan of the earth element can instantly erect a three-meter-high stone wall.

However, the most formidable one to watch out for is actually Xiao Yun, who dual-cultivates wind and fire. Rumor has it he can already…”

A gust of wind swept through, and Chixiao’s words abruptly ceased.

He saw Su Liyue suddenly lift her gaze towards the depths of the forest, her pupils constricting slightly.

“Something is approaching,” she murmured, her voice carrying an inherently cold tone.

Almost simultaneously, everyone felt a faint tremor emanating from the ground.

Mu Wanqing swiftly drew her magic staff, already channeling power for a spell. Ye Xingchen, at some unknown moment, had moved to Su Liyue’s side, shielding her behind him. Chixiao, meanwhile, forced himself to stand, a faint fiery glow rekindling at the tip of his staff.

In the distance, the tree shadows began to sway unnaturally, as something moved through the dense forest, drawing closer to their position…

“It seems it’s only the second day, and some people are already growing impatient,” Su Liyue remarked, her eyes narrowing and her tone even.

The ice crystals coalescing at the tip of her staff emitted a faint crackling sound, and the surrounding temperature abruptly dropped by several degrees.

Ye Xingchen immediately activated a Wind Listening Art (TL Note: A technique to perceive movements through air currents and spiritual energy), and through his spiritual perception, he clearly detected eight moving figures three hundred meters away.

“Fluctuations from earth magic… and the flow of wind elements. It appears to be Zhao Yan and Lin Mo’s team.”

It was then that Chixiao realized the intense battle with the Rock-Armored Lizard had created too much commotion, likely attracting the attention of other teams long ago.

These individuals, he suspected, had timed their approach perfectly, arriving just as their magical energy was depleted.