Chapter 350: Don't Spread It, It's Rotten Inside

Jiang Chen's level has already reached Level 26; he gradually begins to adapt to the identity of a Wave Mage and starts employing the Mage's combat methods.

These methods were mainly learned from Lin Li, and they are not difficult to imitate.

Additionally, Jiang Chen also combines insights gained from his past combat experience, becoming increasingly proficient.

Both of them don Magic Shields and launch a fierce counterattack.

They are not merely standing still; they fight while running.

A Mage's combat style is not just standing to output damage; it requires attacking while evading.

Jiang Chen was previously accustomed to situations with an Undead Legion or using Bone Armor as a flesh shield; now fighting while running is his first attempt at such a tactic.

At this moment, Lin Li takes it seriously, sensing that the opponent is rapidly becoming stronger.

Moreover, the opponent's combat rhythm looks oddly familiar.

Lin Li suddenly realizes that this is essentially copying his own combat style.

Given that, Lin Li immediately changes his combat method and adjusts the tempo.

After a brief adaptation, Jiang Chen quickly learns his combat style again.

Both sides fall back into a stalemate.

Although outwardly Lin Li still holds some advantage, Jiang Chen is rapidly closing the gap.

Jiang Chen's learning ability is strong, and with his extensive combat experience, he quickly finds a suitable rhythm and begins to overtake.

Lin Li is startled; the opponent's learning ability is so strong it is terrifying.

Not only has he mastered his combat style, but he has also begun to surpass him.

Both sides have the same level, the same attributes, and the same Skill.

The Contest is about combat technique, combat experience, and on‑the‑spot adaptability.

Finally, after twelve Contests, when both reach Level 32, Jiang Chen defeats Lin Li.

By then, Jiang Chen is quite familiar with the Wave Mage's skills Below Level 40.

Lin Li does not leave Shenlong Tower but is teleported to another isolated space.

Lin Li begins to contemplate his gains and losses.

Although he ultimately fails, it also gives him a new combat perspective, which cannot be called a loss.

Outside Shenlong Tower, thousands of eyes stare at the Tower.

After Lin Li entered Shenlong Tower, there was no further movement.

Nearly 20 minutes later, Li Xueru's voice sounds again.

"Second, Qingfeng Academy, Xiong Xiaoyan."

A dashing female Mage steps out of the line and enters Shenlong Tower.

Another new battle begins, still starting from Level 10.

Xiong Xiaoyan is a Gale Mage, wielding wind elements, and her combat tempo is much faster than Lin Li's water spells.

Wind blades, wind knives strike, leaving Jiang Chen looking somewhat disheveled.

The sudden change in tempo makes Jiang Chen extremely unadapted.

In the first round, Jiang Chen only lasted 10 seconds.

Then Jiang Chen begins adjusting his combat rhythm, speeding up more and more.

Xiong Xiaoyan's pressure also gradually increases.

From easily defeating the opponent to gradually becoming difficult.

Then to a deadlock of equal strength.

Like Lin Li, when reaching Level 32, Xiong Xiaoyan finally loses.

After the defeat, Xiong Xiaoyan carries a hint of disappointment.

She is clearly Level 46, yet she must start from Level 10 and it ends at Level 32.

She feels her combat power was not fully expressed.

She is teleported to another space and meets Lin Li.

They exchange a glance; the two know each other.

Although from different academies, they are both students of Shenlong University and once teamed up for an Instance.

Xiong Xiaoyan can't help asking, "What level did you reach?"

Lin Li does not conceal, "Only Level 32, and you?"

Xiong Xiaoyan, with a bright face, replies, "I'm also Level 32."

Lin Li thinks to himself that as long as they don't surpass him, it's fine.

In his view, this assessment is fairly fair.

Otherwise, with his Level 42 combat power, how could he compete with others?

Among the 500 arrivals, regardless of level or profession, they are all at the bottom.

Many are not only Mythic Tier Profession, but also above Level 50.

But the assessment starts at Level 10, putting everyone on the same starting line, which actually benefits him.

Thinking this, Lin Li feels quite good, and his complexion improves a lot.

Xiong Xiaoyan taps the ground with the tips of her toes, "It's a pity my strength couldn't fully manifest before losing; the opponent's learning speed is too fast."

Lin Li agrees, "Indeed very fast; at first he wouldn't even move, like a wooden dummy."

She slightly blinks, "No, my opponent moved from the start, just a bit clumsy."

Lin Li appears slightly surprised.

The two quickly discuss the entire Contest process.

After a short while, the space shifted slightly, and another person was teleported in.

Still a person from the Academy, a Flame Mage, Level 46.

He fared worse than the two, having been defeated at Level 28.

Through communication, Lin Li suddenly noticed that the puppet's combat style had changed.

When fighting him, the puppet was both clumsy and sluggish.

When battling Xiong Xiaoyan, it had improved a lot.

This time, it became even stronger; from the description, Lin Li found that the puppet's combat incorporated traits of water‑ and wind‑type mages.

In short, it gathered the strengths and discarded the weaknesses.

The combat power kept growing stronger.

A hypothesis formed in Lin Li's mind.

As time passed, one person after another was sent into this isolated space.

They were all defeated by Jiang Chen, and the level at which they failed kept dropping.

When the tenth person arrived, the failed level had already fallen to Level 22, indicating that the Difficulty of the challenge was rising.

Lin Li's hypothesis grew clearer, yet he could not be completely certain.

Xiong Xiaoyan noticed Lin Li's odd behavior and whispered, "What's wrong with you?"

Lin Li whispered into Xiong Xiaoyan's ear, "I have a hypothesis, but it's not certain yet; wait a bit longer."

The warm breath sprayed onto her ear, making Xiong Xiaoyan's ear tingle and her face blush slightly.

"Then just wait."

After saying that, she quickly ran to the side, leaving one person standing alone in an empty corner.

The pretty face still a little red, head lowered, not knowing what she was thinking.

The Difficulty of the challenge kept increasing; now the failed level had dropped to Level 18.

Someone else was teleported over, and Lin Li found that all who arrived were mages.

And they were all Rare Profession mages, with no other professions present.

Lin Li became increasingly confident in his hypothesis, now just waiting for a decisive blow.

Finally, a Knight was teleported in.

Level 45 Holy Knight.

The sole Knight stood amid a cluster of mages, obviously out of place.

"Xu Zhou," Lin Li recognized him; they both belonged to the same Academy, usually got along well, and had cleared a few Instances together.

He pulled Xu Zhou aside and carefully inquired about the puppet's situation.

Xu Zhou held out until Level 38; Lin Li performed a bit better, having the best Score to date.

Although Xu Zhou was strange, he still recounted his combat process.

By now Lin Li had fully verified his hypothesis; he went to Xiong Xiaoyan's side and whispered, "Just as I guessed."

"We've become the sharpening stones of Divine General Jiang?"

Xiong Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

Lin Li said, "I once read in a biography of a Divine-level Strongman that such a being can comprehend itself and grasp other professions."

"I didn't understand that sentence at first; now I think I get it."

Xiong Xiaoyan's mind seemed much clearer, "Speak in plain language."

Lin Li gave a wry smile, his voice low, "What I mean is that our opponent might be Divine General Jiang."

"Ah!" Xiong Xiaoyan let out a gasp, which Lin Li immediately covered.

Lin Li said, "Keep it quiet; it's enough that you and I know, and under no circumstances tell anyone."

Xiong Xiaoyan asked with her big eyes, "Why?"

Lin Li said, "I heard that Divine General Jiang's teacher is Hong Shen, and Hong Shen and Li Xueru are life‑and‑death friends…"

"This is just a guess; even if I said it out loud, no one would believe it."

"Even if they altered the rules for Divine General Jiang, whether you believe it or not, no one would say anything."

Jiang Chen's reputation now shines like the sun, his body covered in Aura.

Few dare to gossip behind his back!

Xiong Xiaoyan finally understood and nodded vigorously.

At that moment a voice suddenly sounded beside Lin Li's ear, "Little brat, you're still clever; don't let this get out, keep it rotting in your stomach."

It was Li Xueru's voice, audible only to Lin Li.

Lin Li's complexion changed drastically; he fell silent at once, daring not to utter another word.

Xiong Xiaoyan asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Lin Li shook his head, "Lord Li spoke to me; this must never be spread, keep it rotting in your stomach."

Xiong Xiaoyan's mouth dropped open in shock, and she quickly nodded, "Got it."