Chapter 196: The Explosion

Jiang Chen forced his way into the shield, causing a few people to be surprised.

Some people stared wide‑eyed, clearly shocked by his actions.

Someone muttered low, "This guy is a Magic Class, why did he break in? Isn't he a ranged attacker?"

"Does he also have Warrior skills, planning to slash with a sword?"

The shield flickered with light, and the Skeleton Mage continued to unleash attacks.

The Holy Knight was trapped inside the shield, unable to act.

The Summoned Beast rushed toward Jiang Chen like a warhorse, and the Unicorn struck Jiang Chen fiercely with its massive horn.

A huge boom, the Bone Armor emitted a flash, and the strike was quite powerful.

The Elemental Mage and the Flame Warlock simultaneously launched attacks at Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen withstood the attack, then a red light flashed.

Skill: Slow Curse!

With a hum, the six people, the Summoned Beast, and everyone else's movements noticeably slowed.

"This is a Curse!" an ominous thought flashed through the Holy Knight's mind, and he immediately emitted a flickering light.

The Holy Knight possesses a skill that can dispel curses.

At the same time, Xilin Elder also began to use a skill to dispel the curse.

At that moment, a large number of Skeleton Warriors suddenly appeared around the crowd.

They followed like shadows, densely surrounding everyone.

The Skeleton Warriors, after appearing, immediately unleashed a skill.

The massive Fire Ring exploded, instantly interrupting many Skeleton Warriors' skills and blasting them into the air.

However, less than half a second later, Jiang Chen released more Skeleton Warriors.

Jiang Chen did not release all the Skeleton Warriors at once, to avoid being interrupted by skills like Resist Fire Ring.

A mass of black clouds suddenly appeared, causing many Skeleton Warriors to fall into sleep.

Skill: Sleep Cloud.

Shadow

The mage's group control skill finally took effect.

The Summoned Beast let out a roar, swung its hooves, and countless jets of water erupted from the ground, blasting many Skeleton Warriors into the air.

While it attacked, some Skeleton Warriors' skills already landed on it.

Whenever there is a gap, Jiang Chen will release a batch to fill it.

The released Skeleton Warriors instantly use their skills; regardless of hit, they cast first.

The Holy Knight watches, but he cannot act.

He must maintain the Group Protection skill, while the Skeleton Mage outside continues its relentless attacks.

"This guy wants to go hard, I've never seen a Magic Class profession like this!"

"What kind of strategy is this!"

When the Skeleton Warriors attacked, a flame flickered in Jiang Chen's palm.

Skill: Soul Burn!

The Summoned Beast let out a wail instantly.

This skill, humans can't endure, monsters can't endure, and the Summoned Beast likewise cannot endure.

Immediately after, the Skeleton Warriors' skills fell on it one after another.

The Level 50 Summoned Beast's vitality is extremely strong; surrounded by a dozen Skeleton Warriors casting a barrage of skills, it does not die.

Jiang Chen's eyes showed delight; the stronger the vitality, the better.

The Summoner wanted to heal his Summoned Beast.

But now he can barely protect himself.

If it weren't for Xilin Elder's healing, he would have been eliminated by now.

Jiang Chen forcefully turned the duel between mages into close‑quarters combat.

The Shadow Mage repeatedly used control skills, subduing many Skeleton Warriors.

These Skeleton Warriors became like wooden stakes, unable to move.

In the blink of an eye, half of the Skeleton Warriors were controlled.

The situation seemed to stabilize.

The Holy Knight, however, sensed something amiss; he discovered

, actually Jiang Chen's true target of attack was the Summoned Beast.

"Watch the Summoned Beast!"

He didn't know why Jiang Chen did this, but there must be a reason.

Just as he wondered why Jiang Chen rushed in, there must be a reason.

When he shouted it, it was already too late.

As Soul Burn flared again, the Summoned Beast fell with a wail.

Boom!

A huge boom resonated throughout the arena.

Corpse Explosion appeared on the arena for the first time.

The Explosion had no light, yet felt dazzlingly brilliant.

The Knight was blown away, and the shield vanished in an instant.

When the Knight fell heavily to the ground and came to his senses, he found that all his teammates had already appeared beneath the arena.

Now only he remained on the arena.

170 Skeleton Warriors and 100 Skeleton Mages were watching him with predatory eyes.

The Knight let out a wry laugh.

What's the point of fighting; it's a loss either way.

It's not a life‑or‑death struggle, just a competition.

"You're really strong!"

The Knight gave Jiang Chen a thumbs‑up and then jumped off the arena.

A Level 50 Mage Team was defeated by a single person.

Deafening applause rang out.

Everyone in the Audience Seats stood and clapped.

Jiang Chen let them enjoy a breathtaking battle.

A Level 27 Professional challenged a Level 50 six‑person Mage Team one‑on‑one.

Such a spectacular fight is worthy of the annals of history.

The Mage who had been standing in the void watched Jiang Chen with increasingly admiring eyes.

"Kid, you're impressive; here's your prize!"

With a sweeping gesture, a bottle of Purple‑gold Elixir and a purple‑glowing scroll flew into Jiang Chen's hand.

Advanced Miracle Potion, a flashing High‑level Skill Scroll.

Two items that could be called priceless treasures.

Jiang Chen looked up at the sky

Sky: "Thank you!"

He hesitated whether to continue the challenge.

The Communicator in his hand suddenly vibrated.

Hong Jishi unexpectedly sent a message at this moment.

Four words: "Take profit when it's good!"

Jiang Chen put away the potion and scroll, saluted the Mage in the air, and then jumped off the arena.

Jiang Chen did not continue the challenge.

No one felt it was a loss.

It really was enough.

Winning the Five‑Ring Challenge was an unprecedented feat.

Jiang Chen's name had already spread throughout the entire human world.

Lin Caier hopped over: "Jiang Chen, you're really amazing!"

Jiang Chen had won, and she was happier than anyone.

Jiang Chen patted her little head: "You're also impressive!"

Lin Caier lifted her little head: "Of course; Miss Me has the sharpest eye for talent, otherwise I wouldn't have spotted you at a glance."

Jiang Chen chuckled.

The two left the arena and never followed the subsequent matches.

For Jiang Chen, the Professional Tournament was over.

Actually, if Hong Jishi hadn't requested it, he might not have entered the competition.

He would certainly come, but not to compete; he came to find Jiang Ruo.

Looking back, this trip to the Professional Competition yielded considerable gains.

He not only found Jiang Ruo, but also obtained a large amount of high‑level items.

Moreover, it gave him plenty of combat experience.

Whether for Instances or later dealing with Demons, it's a solid accumulation...

In short, the journey was not in vain.

Someone flew in from the sky and landed before Jiang Chen.

It was the Mage who had just hosted the competition.

His aura was restrained, yet Jiang Chen could sense that he was a top Professional above Level 80, though still not at Hong Jishi's tier.

Jiang

Chen saluted the other: "Senior, what brings you to me?"

He chuckled, his gaze admiring: "Hello Jiang Chen, I am Gu Deyi!"

Gu Deyi, one of the twelve councilors of the Shenlong Empire.

A figure of the same tier as Dou Sansi.

Lin Caier was not impressed by Gu Deyi's status; she had seen many people of that tier, it meant nothing to her.

Jiang Chen said: "Lord Gu Deyi, what can I do for you?"

Gu Deyi smiled: "You're a student of Shenlong University, right? This year's National Top Scholar, correct?"

Jiang Chen nodded; given his rank, learning his information was not difficult.

Gu Deyi said: "I also serve as a visiting professor at Shenlong University, and I wish to take you as a disciple; would you be willing?"

The "student" he mentioned was not an ordinary teacher‑student relationship.

It was a master‑apprentice bond, like the one between Jiang Chen and Hong Jishi.

Jiang Chen did not have any accident, but respectfully said: "Thank you, Lord Gu Deyi, for your kindness; I already have a teacher."

Gu Deyi showed a surprised expression: "Oh, who is it?"

At this moment Jiang Chen's Communicator rang, Jiang Chen smiled faintly: "It's my teacher calling."

"Connect quickly; let me see which guy is lucky enough to become your teacher."

In his eyes, Jiang Chen is a rare top‑tier genius.

Even stronger than the very top people at Shenlong University.

He was very curious who could become Jiang Chen's teacher.

The Communicator connected, and Hong Jishi's voice came through: "Guzi, you want to dig at my corner?"

Gu Deyi was startled, showing a helpless laugh‑and‑cry expression: "Lord Hong Shen, so it's you!"

Hong

Hong Jishi snorted: "Jiang Chen kid is my student; don't make moves on him in the future."

Gu Deyi dared not compete with Hong Jishi for a disciple, and immediately said: "Had I known he was Lord Hong Shen's student, I would never have come."

"When you go back, tell those guys as well, keep Jiang Chen kid's information confidential, so unrelated people won't see it."

"Please, Lord Hong Shen, rest assured; I have already completed the confidentiality work."

In fact, any genius worth attention is kept confidential by the Shenlong Empire.

After all, there were past cases of talented individuals being assassinated, so the Shenlong Empire has since put great effort into this.

Only high‑level officials can view those important records.

It was just unexpected that legislator Dou Sansi turned out to be a member of the Cult of Demons.

These confidentiality measures have become mere decorations.

Hong Jishi continued: "You go take care of things first; after the competition ends, you all come over; Lao Li and I have matters to discuss with you."

Gu Deyi's expression instantly grew solemn.

He naturally knew that Hong Jishi's request was certainly not a trivial matter.

"Alright, after the competition ends I will come with them to see you."

After Gu Deyi left, Hong Jishi kept speaking: "Jiang Chen kid, your fame has been huge these past days; return now, I have a new mission for you."

"Understood, teacher."

Jiang Chen gladly agreed.