Chapter 255: You

Inside the arena.

The residual power of Lei Ting still raged through the air.

At the edge of the charred, massive crater.

Several figures.

Rushing toward them!

"Quick, get out of the way!"

Su Jing pushed her way to the front, frantic.

She swung her staff in her hand.

Hum—!!!

A dense, sacred healing aura enveloped the white light cocoon at the bottom of the crater.

Under the nourishment of this aura.

The light cocoon gradually faded.

Revealing the figure within—clothes tattered, drenched in blood.

"Cough… cough…"

A violent coughing sound rose from the bottom of the crater.

Along with the coughing.

Yan Lie spat out a large gout of black blood mixed with fragments of internal organs.

But under the effect of the high-level healing spell.

The terrifying wounds on his body, deep enough to expose bone.

Were healing at a visible rate.

Rapidly mending.

A few minutes later.

Yan Lie's breathing finally steadied.

He opened his eyes with difficulty.

Feng Cangqiong flashed forward and landed directly into the deep crater.

He grabbed Yan Lie from the ground and lifted him up.

"Feng Lao…"

Yan Lie gave a bitter smile.

Feng Cangqiong frowned slightly:

"Yan Lie…"

"Today's battle."

"You lost."

"But don't let it get to you."

Feng Cangqiong sighed.

He feared this, his most valued junior, might be crushed forever.

After all, this was Yan Lie's first defeat in his life.

"Lin Mo is a monster outside the realm of ordinary prodigies…"

"Think about the dungeon records he set—could any normal person achieve those?"

"Losing to him? Honestly, there's no shame in it."

"You're still the number one prodigy I've ever seen, next to Lin Mo."

"Don't let one defeat make you doubt yourself."

Feng Cangqiong soothed him.

Yet.

Yan Lie paused, then a faint smile appeared on his still-pale face.

The smile grew stronger.

"Hahahaha…"

"Feng Lao."

"What are you doing?"

Yan Lie's laughter was still weak, yet carried an unmistakable clarity and ease.

"You think."

"That I, Yan Lie,"

"am the kind of man who can't accept defeat?"

Feng Cangqiong froze.

In his lifetime, he had seen too many so-called top prodigies.

After suffering a crushing blow, their Dao hearts shattered, never to recover, fading into obscurity…

Especially Yan Lie?

Since awakening his class, Yan Lie had sailed through life without a single defeat.

His pride ran deep to the bone.

Suddenly crushed by an opponent nearly thirty levels lower…

No.

More accurately.

He was mercilessly slaughtered by the opponent's pet—nearly thirty levels lower.

Anyone else would have had their Dao heart reduced to dust.

So Feng Cangqiong's concern was entirely natural.

But clearly.

Yan Lie's reaction surpassed Feng Cangqiong's expectations.

Leaning on Feng Cangqiong's support, Yan Lie straightened his swaying body.

He raised a hand and casually wiped the blood from his lips.

His eyes held no shadow or despair—only open clarity.

"Feng Lao."

"I admit."

"I misjudged him before."

"I thought he was merely arrogant."

"But I didn't realize he was telling the truth."

Yan Lie turned his head.

His gaze crossed the crater's edge.

Fell upon a figure not far away.

There.

Lin Mo was walking slowly toward them.

Beside him.

The snow-white giant fox, its body flickering with lightning, yawned lazily.

"Lin Mo, junior."

Yan Lie looked at Lin Mo, his voice loud and resolute.

"Today's battle."

"I, Yan Lie,"

"accept my defeat with full sincerity!"

"Your strength far exceeds my imagination."

"Even if I removed my suppression, you still obliterated me in an instant."

As Yan Lie spoke these words,

A flame of unprecedented battle lust ignited in his eyes.

"But!"

"Don't think this means I've bowed to you."

"I lost today—but I will never surrender!"

"Just wait!"

Yan Lie clenched his fists, staring fiercely at Lin Mo.

"One day, I will stand before you again—and defeat you with my own hands!!!"

These bold words echoed across the entire arena.

The upperclassmen in the stands were fired up!

The upperclassmen on the stands listened, their blood boiling!

This.

That's the madman Yan Lie they know!

Never give up!

Fight harder after every defeat!

Lin Mo stared at Yan Lie, then chuckled softly:

"Senior Yan Lie, you'd better defeat my pet first."

Yan Lie opened his mouth, but all his passion and fighting spirit got stuck in his throat.

After all, if you can't even beat his pet, how can you claim to defeat him personally?

Isn't that ridiculous?

Yan Lie gave a self-deprecating laugh:

"Heh…"

"Hahahaha…"

"You're right."

"I haven't even beaten your pet—I have no right to challenge you directly."

Yan Lie took a deep breath.

He shifted his gaze from Lin Mo to the white beast beside him.

"Lin Mo, wait—I'll defeat your pet myself one day, then come challenge you!"

"I, Yan Lie."

"Will keep my word!"

"…"

Hearing this,

Guhe's mouth twitched.

Why did it sound so awkward?

A 65-level dual-element Magic King, in front of the entire school and the Five Elders, swearing passionately…

Vowing someday to defeat a junior nearly thirty levels lower… his pet?

In the skill bar:

【The flame of "Fireball Spell" danced wildly.】

【"Hahahahahaha!!!"】

【"This is killing me! Him? He actually thinks he can defeat me? Dream on!"】

【"Ice Spike Spell" let out a cold laugh: "Tsk tsk… humans are always so blindly confident~"】

【"Thunder Strike Spell" snorted: "I've got no interest in playing with him."】

【"Earth Shield Spell" muttered: "I haven't even stepped in yet… and he's already down? And he dares challenge us?"】

Lin Mo watched the fiery Yan Lie and waved his hand casually.

"Fine."

"Good luck."

"I'll be waiting for you to challenge my Bai Bai."

Said it.

Lin Mo turned around and looked toward Guhe in the distance.

"Principal."

"This fight is over."

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Guhe heard this.

Quickly wiped the strange expression off his face.

"Cough… cough…"

"Alright, alright."

"Go, go."

"Rest well."

Lin Mo nodded.

Then,

He greeted Nie Lao and Feng Lao.

"Nie Lao, Feng Lao."

"I'll take my leave now."

Nie Zhenguo smiled and nodded.

Feng Cangqiong also smiled faintly and waved.

Immediately after,

Lin Mo, with Bai Bai in tow, leisurely left the high-level arena.