Chapter 74: A Strategic Alliance Forms

Mu Wanqing gently raised her hand, and an almost transparent ice curtain silently spread across the ground.

This was her scouting magic, ‘Ice Ear,’ which allowed her to precisely determine enemy positions through the vibrations of ice crystals.

“Southeast, two hundred meters. Eight people, moving very fast.”

Chixiao’s teammates instantly grew tense.

The female earth mage frantically tried to stand, but stumbled due to her acid-corroded shoes.

Chixiao quickly steadied her, whispering, “Don’t panic, recover your magic power first.”

‘It seems your team has been targeted for a while. Two squads appearing simultaneously doesn’t look like a coincidence.’

Ye Xingchen, keenly perceiving the earth and wind element energy fluctuations and recalling Chixiao’s earlier conversation, immediately deduced that the approaching individuals were Zhao Yan and Lin Mo’s squads.

Chixiao’s heart jolted at the revelation.

Indeed, the situation was far too peculiar; while one team arriving after hearing the commotion might be plausible, two strong teams appearing simultaneously felt almost prearranged.

“What should we do? Perhaps we should retreat for now and plan our next move when the opportunity arises?” Chixiao surveyed his battered teammates.

Following their previous intense battle, the team was nearly incapacitated.

If they were to engage, even with Su Liyue’s trio and himself, it would barely be a four-on-eight scenario, not to mention the added burden of protecting three injured companions.

Although the rules stipulated that a team must have at least two participants remaining until the end of the practical training, the withdrawal of any member would inevitably affect the team’s morale, and it simply didn’t align with Chixiao’s character.

Regardless, while the three members of his squad possessed ordinary magical abilities, they were his friends in life.

He had intended to use this practical training to guide them, hoping that a top-three finish would secure more cultivation resources to enhance their strength.

Moreover, a person who couldn’t even protect their friends was unworthy of being a captain.

Su Liyue perceived Chixiao’s apprehension, yet she shook her head. “We’ll have to face them sooner or later, and now is a prime opportunity. Have your friends conceal themselves in the bushes and remain silent for now.”

“But…” Chixiao began to protest, only for Ye Xingchen to cut him off.

“Their target is you, the fire-element genius, not us. Besides, if you retreat now, they’ll inevitably seek another chance to deal with you.”

Su Liyue then added, “Rather than constantly hiding from them and fearing a sneak attack, we should seize this opportunity to launch a preemptive strike.”

Chixiao watched the duo, whose cooperation was so seamless, and considered the recent rumors about them; perhaps there was indeed some truth to them.

However, glancing at his injured teammates beside him, he realized this was clearly not the time for such thoughts.

A resolution began to form in his mind; it seemed they were determined to wade into this perilous situation.

Regardless of the odds in a four-on-eight confrontation, merely moving the injured would be an arduous task.

His gaze then fell upon Lin Yueyao, the young woman who was both his lover and teammate.

She nodded knowingly; despite her foot injury causing her steps to falter slightly, the resolve in her eyes remained undimmed.

“Lin Yueyao, take the other two and hide in those bushes over there. Make sure you’re well concealed. Leave this place to us.” Chixiao’s voice softened unconsciously.

His gaze swept over her slightly swollen ankle, and his anxious heart finally eased a little.

He had specifically placed her, his girlfriend and a back-row mage, in a safe position, yet an accident had still occurred during the practical training.

Fortunately, the academy’s specialized combat boots provided ample protection.

If she had been severely injured… the mere thought made his heart clench.

Lin Yueyao pushed herself up, and though walking was still somewhat strenuous, she could clearly feel the concern in her boyfriend’s gaze.

“Be careful, don’t overdo it,” she softly advised him.

Chixiao nodded solemnly in response, just as he saw Mu Wanqing step forward to help her walk towards the bushes.

After watching the trio successfully conceal themselves and sensing the increasingly close energy fluctuations of the enemy team, Chixiao suddenly spoke, “Actually, you didn’t have to get involved in this trouble.”

Su Liyue’s reply was succinct and calm, “It’s not just for you, but for ourselves as well.”

Just as yin and yang complement each other, where there’s a ‘black face’ (strict character), there’s a ‘white face’ (gentle character).

Since Su Liyue had adopted the role of the cold-faced one, Ye Xingchen naturally took up the gentler line of thought: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. In practical training, having a reliable ally is always better than having another opponent, isn’t it?”

Chixiao pondered this inwardly, realizing the rumors were indeed true: Su Liyue, the academy’s top beauty, truly had a profound relationship with the ‘underachiever’ Ye Xingchen, their words flowing with such unspoken understanding.

“Very well, since they intend to collaborate… if you don’t mind, why don’t we forge a strategic alliance as well?”

Hearing this, Ye Xingchen offered a slight smile. “That would be excellent.”

Seeing Su Liyue nod gently without voicing any objection, Chixiao’s suspicions solidified further.

As someone who also had a girlfriend, he keenly sensed the unique atmosphere between the two of them.

It wasn’t just the unspoken understanding in their words; even their names, “Xingchen” (star) and “Liyue” (moon), seemed destined for each other.

However, he kept this thought to himself, for Su Liyue’s aloofness towards males was legendary throughout the academy.

Even this strategic cooperation had been initiated at Ye Xingchen’s urging.

Could it be… Chixiao suddenly considered a possibility: perhaps the reason this ‘Ice Queen’ of the academy kept everyone at arm’s length was that her heart already belonged to someone?

Once this thought surfaced, it refused to dissipate.

Upon reflection, Su Liyue, who had always avoided men, now tacitly allowed Ye Xingchen to remain by her side, even following his arrangements implicitly.

It all seemed extraordinarily unusual.

The more Chixiao pondered, the more convinced he became of his deduction, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

Just then, Mu Wanqing lightly approached Su Liyue. “Yueyue, are we preparing for battle?”

Su Liyue’s gaze sharpened slightly, and she spoke softly, “Those who come with ill intent are best met with preparedness.”

Chixiao took a deep breath.

Since evasion was no longer an option, they would make those lurking in the shadows understand that even a weary lion king still possessed claws sharp enough to tear its enemies apart.

In Ye Xingchen’s perception, several figures gradually emerged from the forest ahead.

The two leading them were undoubtedly Zhao Yan and Lin Mo.

What was truly laughable was that one of them rode a terrestrial dragon, while the other moved with the wind, appearing as if they had stepped right out of some chuunibyou manga.

One seemed terrified that people wouldn’t know his mastery of earth magic, while the other was desperate to proclaim his wind-element talent to the world.

Their exaggerated entrance practically screamed “ostentatious” from every angle.