Chapter 75: The Golden Core’s Revelation

Su Liyue’s gaze settled calmly on Zhao Yan and Lin Mo as they appeared before her, her mind swiftly formulating a comprehensive battle plan.

Her insistence on staying to confront them was the result of careful deliberation.

Firstly, retreating with injured members posed too great a risk.

Chixiao’s squad currently had three wounded, their movement speed inevitably hampered, making them highly susceptible to pursuit during a retreat.

Rather than passively endure an attack, it was better to strike proactively.

Crucially, her own squad was slated to challenge golden-tier magical beasts next.

Allowing other formidable teams to secretly ally would only complicate matters, leading to a precarious situation where they would be attacked from both front and rear.

Their successful defeat of the Armored Dragon Turtle last time had been pure luck, owing to the relatively secluded battleground and the swift conclusion of the fight.

However, the locations of the two golden-tier magical beasts this time were popular spots, making it inevitable that other teams would be lurking, eyeing the prize.

‘First, we deal with the immediate trouble; then, we challenge the magical beasts,’ Su Liyue decided inwardly.

Successfully defeating a golden-tier magical beast would yield a hefty 300 points, more than enough to secure their spot in the top three.

After that, they could appropriately assist Chixiao’s squad in maintaining their point advantage, making it difficult for other teams to catch up, as the total number of point-awarding magical beasts was fixed.

This strategy would free up more time for them to explore rare resources, especially… that mysterious area designated as a forbidden zone.

Not only was it an outer region of the academy’s back mountain, but it might also harbor secrets unknown even to the academy’s instructors.

Zhao Yan and Lin Mo led their teams forward, halting before the assembled group.

Their gazes lingered for a moment on the visibly weary Chixiao, and a cold sneer simultaneously curved their lips.

Just as they had anticipated, this was the perfect opportunity to reap the rewards of others’ struggles.

However, their expressions abruptly shifted when they noticed the three figures standing beside Chixiao.

Were those not the academy’s renowned Su Liyue and Mu Wanqing? And the attribute-less Ye Xingchen, who had recently grown remarkably close to the two campus beauties?

“Tsk, this situation is a bit tricky…” Zhao Yan murmured to Lin Mo, exchanging a knowing glance with him.

Although their opponents were bolstered by two top-tier third-year experts, a careful calculation revealed that their own side still held a decisive advantage.

Eight individuals against two and a half combatants (they had entirely dismissed Ye Xingchen), the odds of victory remained heavily in their favor.

“Chixiao, Chixiao, to think that the esteemed fire-element genius would be reduced to such a pathetic state by a mere silver-tier magical beast.

It seems the formidable reputation of your Blazing Winged Lion is nothing but an empty boast,” Zhao Yan drawled, his voice dripping with mockery.

Lin Mo immediately caught on, chiming in, “Exactly!

You wanted to stand out in this practical training, dragging along a few deadweights?

Now look at you, actually clinging to the coattails of the academy’s two greatest geniuses?

Truly an eye-opener!”

“You two bastards!

You’re nothing but despicable, shameless scoundrels!

You clearly conspired long ago to snatch our magical core points!

Otherwise, how could you coincidentally appear at the same time?” Chixiao roared, his fists clenching until his knuckles cracked.

Yet, he knew deep down that in his current state, even at his peak, he would have little chance against two fully formed teams.

Zhao Yan crossed his arms, a triumphant smile playing on his lips.

“Chixiao, from the moment you refused our cooperation, we began devising a plan to deal with you.

We just never expected…”

He cast a meaningful glance at Su Liyue.

“That the esteemed fire-element genius would cling to the coattails of two ice-cold beauties—that’s hardly your style.”

Lin Mo seized the moment to interject, a shrewd glint in his eyes:

“The allure of 150 points is certainly significant.

In the entire third year, aside from our two teams, and yours and Xiao Yun’s, I can’t think of anyone else with the strength to assemble four full teams to challenge a golden-tier magical beast.”

He deliberately paused, his gaze lingering on Su Liyue as if appraising a prized beauty.

“It’s just that I never imagined that Campus Belle Su, rumored never to associate with men, would actually take the initiative to help.

That’s… quite intriguing.”

Perceiving that the atmosphere had been sufficiently stirred, Zhao Yan immediately adopted a more conciliatory tone:

“Students Su and Mu, I don’t know what benefits Chixiao offered you.

However, this is a private grievance between us, and with your combined strength, there’s truly no need for you to get involved in this mess.

How about this: you leave now, and afterward, we can team up to hunt golden-tier magical beasts, splitting the points equally?

After all, there are only three golden-tier magical beasts in the entire training ground, and the points from them would be more than enough for our few groups to share.”

Upon hearing this, Su Liyue’s lips curled into a chilling sneer.

“Knowing I dislike working with others, you still dare to invite me?

Are you not afraid I might… switch sides mid-battle?”

Her slender fingers gently clasped her staff, exuding an almost ethereal aura.

Fine beads of sweat trickled down Zhao Yan’s forehead, though he forced a smile.

“Student Su jests.

The allure of a golden-tier magical beast must be irresistible even to you, who aims for victory.

Of course… cooperation is entirely voluntary; we would never force you.”

Just as the atmosphere solidified, Ye Xingchen suddenly chuckled softly, pulling a shimmering golden magical core from his pocket and idly toying with it.

“I’m afraid, fellow students, that I must disappoint you.”

The energy fluctuations emanating from that magical core unmistakably carried the oppressive aura unique to a golden-tier magical beast!

“Th-that’s…” Zhao Yan and Lin Mo simultaneously gaped, their faces etched with shock.

They clearly recognized the golden-tier magical core, and the greed in their eyes was now blatant.

“To think you actually managed to kill a golden-tier magical beast… In that case, we should cooperate even more!”

As the saying goes, ‘Man dies for wealth, birds die for food.’

Their naked stares had long since betrayed their inner calculations.

Su Liyue let out a cold snort.

“Cooperate? I see no need for that.”

Ye Xingchen interjected at the opportune moment, “Four teams splitting the remaining two magical beasts?

The rewards for the top three won’t be enough to go around, will they?

In the end, I fear you’ll inevitably resort to stabbing each other in the back.”

Zhao Yan and Lin Mo’s faces darkened, recognizing that the negotiation had completely collapsed.

What irked them even more was that while Su Liyue’s refusal was one thing, how dare Ye Xingchen, this deadweight, this good-for-nothing who clearly freeloaded his way into the team, spout such nonsense here?

“What are you?

Do you even have the right to speak to us?”

Zhao Yan roared in fury, his staff sweeping down abruptly.

“Earth Dragon!”

The ground trembled violently as a ferocious earthen dragon burst forth, hurtling towards Ye Xingchen with immense power.

Seeing Zhao Yan make his move, Lin Mo was not to be outdone.

As his staff swept through the air, the surrounding wind elements converged wildly:

“Gale Dance!”

Six sharp wind blades tore through the air, heading straight for Chixiao’s vital points.