Chapter 279: SS-Rank Wager! Jindu's Absolute Defense!

"Holy crap? Jindu pulled their starters?"

"Yeah, everyone going up with captain Han Shan is a substitute."

"Don't tell me Jindu thinks they can't beat Modu, so they're sending in scrubs to showboat?"

"Heh, if Jindu dared to do that, they'd get roasted to death."

"......"

For a moment, all sorts of guesses rose from the stands.

The host, Feng Le, decisively switched the microphone channel to the referee's earpiece on the arena.

"Jincheng Ability University, are you sure you want to use this roster for the upcoming match?"

The league referee, an ability user ranked as high as Tier Seven, asked.

"Confirmed."

Jindu's captain Han Shan replied without the slightest hesitation.

"Alright then, as you wish..."

The referee nodded, and on the holographic projection in midair, the match-up info for Modu and Jindu instantly changed.

Jindu's three starters were pulled, replaced by three substitutes!

At this, the entire stands erupted.

"Holy crap? What is Jindu trying to do?"

"Two supports, three ranged? What kind of lineup is that?"

The tactic of disguising starters as substitutes wasn't unheard of in past tournaments.

But this new lineup Jindu had swapped in just didn't make sense!

Two supports, no less! And the remaining three were all ranged elemental ability users.

Not a single melee enhancer in sight.

This kind of lineup could stomp weaker teams.

But using it against a top university like Modu was basically asking to die!

Without an enhancer on the front line, that assassin from Modu alone would be enough to wipe out everyone on Jindu!

"Looks like Jindu has some special tactical plan."

"They've been hiding it this long, it must be something prepared specifically for top universities."

"Can't tell what the advantage is yet, we'll have to wait until the fight starts."

"......"

Unlike ordinary spectators, the mentors in the inner spectator area weren't too worried.

Jincheng Ability University was a top university; in a national event like this, they absolutely wouldn't lie down and give up.

Otherwise they could forget about this year's freshman recruitment numbers.

If that's the case, then it could only be a special tactic.

And the faint smile on the face of Jindu's vice-principal in charge, Jiang Mo, who remained perfectly composed—

undoubtedly confirmed the guesses of many mentors.

Instinctively,

quite a few mentors turned to look at Modu's spectator section.

They wanted to see what reaction Modu's vice-principal—that powerful yet very young one—would have facing this uncertain situation.

However, Ling Shuang at the very front of Modu's spectator section still wore a cold, expressionless face, showing no change at all.

As if she wasn't the least bit worried about Jindu's tactical arrangement.

In fact,

with Xu Jingming there, she really wasn't worried about any variables in the match.

"Principal Ling, interested in adding some stakes to the upcoming match?"

Ling Shuang said nothing, but Jindu's vice-principal Jiang Mo spoke up first.

With a smile on his face, he said, "One S-rank cultivation resource, let's see who can take this match's victory."

Oh?

Jindu actually dared to place a bet?

Not far off, Capital University's vice-principal Xu Ping sensed there might be a show worth watching, and immediately pricked up his ears and perked up.

"One S-rank resource is too little—at least one SS-rank." Ling Shuang glanced at him, her cold voice ringing out.

"Isn't an SS-rank resource a bit much?" Jiang Mo gave a dry cough, somewhat choked.

This was a resource funded out of his own pocket.

And even for a Tier Eight Grandmaster, an SS-rank resource wasn't something one could casually put up as a stake.

"Modu's Ling Shuang is as domineering as ever."

That expression instantly made Capital University's Xu Ping think back to that scene from the study trip back then.

Of course, he also knew that both the S-rank spatial ability and being a mid-stage Tier Eight at thirty-four—

gave Ling Shuang the confidence to be this domineering......

"If we're betting, it's SS-rank resources, otherwise forget it." Ling Shuang showed no intention of backing down.

After a moment's deliberation, Jiang Mo finally chose to agree:

"Since Principal Ling is in such high spirits, I'll put up one SS-rank resource, betting on our Jindu to win."

"I'm betting on Modu to win."

On Ling Shuang's delicate, Bai Xi oval face, her expression remained flat.

It was as if he were promising not an SS-grade resource, but some ordinary F-grade or E-grade resource.

"He really dares to bring out an SS-grade resource?" Xu Ping of Capital University was somewhat surprised.

Unlike Hearing Ling Shuang, whom he had only met a handful of times, Xu Ping and Jiang Mo had known each other for over ten years already.

Don't be fooled by Jiang Mo's usual unassuming manner — in reality, this was an old fox who never stirred without profit!

Being willing to wager an SS-grade resource undoubtedly showed that Jiang Mo had extremely strong confidence in his own team.

"Fortunately, our Capital University's match against Jin University is tomorrow, which gives Mo University the perfect chance to scout what tricks they're up to first.

Additionally, it lets Jin University draw out more of Xu Jingming's true strength."

At this moment, Xu Ping was undoubtedly in an excellent mood.

No matter who won or lost the upcoming matches, it would benefit their Capital University......

As for Jin University's newly swapped-in lineup of two supports and three ranged attackers.

Although Xu Jingming couldn't quite figure out what the other side was up to either, he didn't pay it much mind.

Switching to Formation 1, the entire Mo University team would fight with him as the core.

Gu Wan's support-type ability would also be channeled to him at full capacity.

Combined with his original strength, whatever tricks Jin University was playing, they were nothing to fear.

The one-minute preparation time passed quickly.

Accompanied by the noisy chatter of the audience, the final countdown also began on the arena:

"Mo University versus Jin University! Countdown — 3... 2... 1... Begin!"

Boom!!

The instant the match began, Jin University's side erupted with dazzlingly brilliant light.

All five of them were actually connected together by a sacred white radiance!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!......

At the same time, several thick elemental energy shields abruptly materialized, protecting every member of Jin University within them!

"I've finally waited for this moment! Mo University! Xu Jingming! Do you see it?! This is the complete form of our Jin University!"

Protected within several layers of energy shields, Jin University's captain Han Shan appeared somewhat excited, his cheeks faintly flushed:

"This is the SS-grade combat technique 'Life Share' that I spent a full two years learning!

Any damage you deal will be reduced by 60% and then evenly distributed across every one of us!

The damage will be utterly negligible!

And with another recovery-type ability user present, any damage you inflict can also be healed in an extremely short time!

The two methods combined are enough to form an absolute defense you cannot break through!!"