Chapter 158

Azure water ripples in the huge pool, sunlight passes through the school's specially made transparent dome, casting mottled light and shadows on the water surface.

The barrier around the gladiator arena shimmers with light, which can both prevent participants from escaping and protect the safety of the audience.

The arena is packed, with apprentices of all levels crowding the circular stands, and discussions rising and falling.

For apprentices long immersed in cold cultivation and dangerous experiments, the Bloody Gladiator Tournament is one of the few entertainment venues where they can relax.

The annual gladiator feast always attracts a large number of spectators.

Some high-level apprentices even spend precious magic stone fragments just to enjoy this cruel and gorgeous performance from the front row.

In the center of the pool, a silver-haired sea siren with a graceful figure is swimming leisurely.

That slender fish tail is swinging elegantly, every stroke bringing up a circle of perfect ripples, showing extraordinary control.

Silver long hair spreads out in the water, as beautiful as a piece of silk, and those purplish-red eyes observe the enemy opposite with focus.

Confronting her is a blue-skinned fish-man with a huge body, over three meters tall.

Its upper body is covered with hard scales, and its lower body is a thick and powerful fish tail, with sharp fin edges like knives.

At first glance, the size gap between the two is simply heaven and earth.

The fish-man holds a rusty trident, its face ferocious, fangs protruding, and cruel light flickering in its eyes.

This is a carefully modified combat creature, with knotted muscles, exuding an irrepressible desire to kill.

Every flick of its tail can stir up huge splashes, showing astonishing power.

"That fish-man is a rare commodity hunted by the 'Salvagers'; it is said that it can easily tear apart an adult magic shark in a deep-sea environment."

An intermediate apprentice on the stand introduced to his companion, his tone full of expectation:

"I saw with my own eyes that it swallowed a sea python in three bites in the last match. I heard its master spent several hundred magic stone fragments to buy it."

"And who does that sea siren belong to? It looks like just an ordinary bloodline sea siren, and even very young."

The companion asked suspiciously, a flash of incomprehension in his eyes:

"Isn't this contrast too stark? It's simply sending it to its death."

"It's the combat slave of that Luo En from the probationary wizard sequence."

The intermediate apprentice lowered his voice, awe appearing on his face:

"That's the genius magic potion master who started from the sixth-rank star and became an intermediate apprentice in less than a year. The magical thing is, it is said that he saved this little sea siren from a life-or-death state, and has only been raising it for less than half a year..."

He paused and added mysteriously:

"This matchup looks stark, but I heard that insiders have placed bets on her. In the previous elimination rounds, she already took out three opponents twice her size."

With the referee's order, the battle officially began.

The blue-skinned fish-man let out a deafening roar, shaking the water surface into layers of ripples, rushing toward Daier like an arrow from a bow.

The trident drew a cold light in the water, unstoppable.

The size gap was particularly obvious at this moment; the fish-man's huge body could almost shroud Daier in its shadow.

An ordinary sea siren facing this kind of offensive would probably not even have a chance to run away before being pierced on the spot.

However, there was no fear in Daier's eyes; instead, a cold smile that made people's hair stand on end appeared.

Just at the critical moment when the trident was about to hit, her body suddenly twisted strangely in the water, as soft as if she had no bones, easily avoiding the fatal blow.

At the same time, she made a strange syllable with her mouth, and the sound wave propagated in the water, forming a circle of visible ripples.

"Hala~"

This syllable sounded like some ancient language, carrying a peculiar charm.

"Hmm?" The fish-man was stunned for a moment, its movements clearly slowing down by half a beat, a flash of confusion in its turbid eyes.

Daier took the opportunity to swim to the center of the pool and began to swim slowly around the fish-man, drawing a perfect circle.

Her silver hair drifted in the water, forming a beautiful arc, like an elegant silk ribbon, firmly wrapping the prey.

The fish-man snorted, shook its head to dispel the brief sense of confusion, and launched a fierce attack again, raising its trident.

However, this time, Daier did not dodge but rushed forward directly.

In the surprised eyes of all the spectators, she opened her arms as if welcoming an embrace.

"Is it crazy?" Someone on the stand exclaimed, "Isn't this seeking its own death?"

Just at the critical moment when the trident was about to pierce Daier's chest.

The water surface suddenly fluctuated, and dozens of water balls surged from all directions, accurately hitting the fish-man's joints and eyes.

The water balls looked soft but were actually as tough as steel, and contained high-concentration acid inside, bringing severe stinging pain when landing on the eyes.

This move was clearly carefully designed, with the goal of maximally interfering with the opponent's actions and vision.

The fish-man let out a painful howl, its offensive stalling.

It blinked hard, wanting to dispel the severe stinging sensation.

Daier seized this moment, approached the fish-man, but did not attack directly, instead beginning to sing.

The sound was like heavenly music, propagating in the water, forming a strange resonance.

Each note seemed to carry magic, making the entire pool tremble.

The audience found themselves attracted by the singing without knowing it, their thoughts becoming dazed.

Some intermediate apprentices with weak willpower even began to sway slightly, as if falling into a kind of mild hypnotic state.

This was not ordinary singing, but the sea siren's unique "Singing" ability, which could directly affect the listener's mental state.

In ancient legends, countless ships were wrecked because of this singing, and sailors were lured into jumping into the sea to become the sea siren's meal.

"Amazing technique!"

Someone on the stand exclaimed:

"Is this the 'Charm Song' unique to sea sirens? I thought only adult sea sirens could master it."

"It is indeed that kind of spell-like ability, but the effect seems stronger than ordinary sea sirens."

An older high-level apprentice explained, a flash of professional appreciation in his eyes:

"This level of sound wave control must have a sufficiently pure bloodline. Some kind of special bloodline metamorphosis must have occurred in this little sea siren."

The fish-man's movements became slower and slower, and its eyes gradually became dazed.

Daier's singing was like an invisible net, wrapping its consciousness bit by bit, and then slowly tightening.

Its eyelids became heavy, and the trident in its hand could not be held steady, slowly sinking to the bottom of the water.

Its consciousness had been mostly controlled, falling into a dazed state between wakefulness and sleep.

Daier approached slowly, continuing to chant in a low voice in the fish-man's ear.

The singing was like a snake spitting out its tongue, seeping into every inch of the prey's body and mind.

A cold light unique to a predator flashed in her eyes.

"This little sea siren's strength is not simple."

A high-level apprentice evaluated, a flash of deep thought in his eyes:

"Its innate spell-like ability 'Charm Song' has reached at least the level of our mental-type spells, which is rare even among adult sea sirens. What kind of bloodline modulation did her master do to her?"

Just as the fish-man was about to fall into a complete coma, Daier's movements suddenly changed.

The sea siren suddenly opened her mouth, revealing a row of fine, sharp teeth, and bit hard on the fish-man's exposed neck!

"Ah!" The fish-man suddenly woke up and roared in pain, but the reaction was already too late.

Blood spread in the water, forming a cloud of blood.

Daier was like a true predator, her teeth deeply embedded in the fish-man's flesh, greedily sucking that fresh life energy.

Her eyes turned completely purplish-red at this moment, her pupils vertical like a beast's, revealing a kind of near-crazy hunger.

In the audience, many apprentices gasped.

This seemingly cute little sea siren actually displayed such a bloody and cruel side.

The fish-man struggled desperately, trying to shake off this small but terrifying parasite.

But Daier bit down tightly, like a hungry vampire, persistently demanding every drop of blood.

The fish-man rolled in pain under the attack, but its strength was lost at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Daier was like a delicate predatory machine, every bite accurately hitting the vital points, tearing off pieces of flesh.

Even more hair-raising was that the water flow around her body began to accelerate and rotate, forming a micro-vortex.

The vortex became larger and faster, soon completely wrapping the fish-man inside.

Blood and minced meat rotated at high speed in the vortex, forming a hellish scene.

"My god..." A bystander gasped, his face pale:

"This is more like some kind of atavistic form of a deep-sea predator. What kind of bloodline experiment did Luo En do on her?"

In the center of the vortex, the fish-man let out a final desperate scream, then was ground to pieces by the vortex.

Its body was compressed, decomposed, and finally completely disappeared into Daier's mouth.

The entire process was as bizarre and terrifying as a nightmare.

The bloody scene caused the entire gladiator arena to fall into a brief silence, followed by a deafening cheer.

In this extraordinary world where power is respected, such astonishing predatory ability undoubtedly aroused everyone's awe and excitement.

"The winner belongs to the combat slave of the probationary apprentice Luo En Ralff—Daier!"

At the highest point of the stand, several observing mentors whispered to each other, discussing this match.

"This little sea siren has potential."

A middle-aged man in a robe with his hair combed meticulously evaluated:

"The bloodline is very pure, and it seems to be able to absorb the characteristics of the prey. Luo En's bloodline modulation technology is progressing very fast."

It was Suo Lun Griffith, and because this was the last match of the current elimination round, and the combat slave of the apprentice he was concerned about was playing, he specifically took time to come and watch.

And on the stand, a tall girl wearing a veil sat in the most inconspicuous corner.

She held a crystal-clear crystal ball in her hand, recording the entire battle process completely.

Luo En himself was busy with other things and didn't come, so he simply let his disciple do the work for him. At this moment, Li Liya was observing Daier's battle situation with full attention.

Moreover, the tree spirit couldn't leave the workshop too far, and more importantly, she was also at a critical moment.

The crystal ball in Li Liya's hand was a special tool recently refined by Luo En, with complex recording runes engraved on the surface, capable of capturing the subtle process of energy flow and bloodline changes in detail.

While ordinary spectators could only see surface changes, Li Liya could roughly see the flow and conversion of bloodline energy in Daier's body through this crystal ball.

"The terror of the 'Big Eater' special talent lies in its ability to fully absorb all the advantages of the prey..."

Li Liya whispered to herself, a researcher's light flickering in her eyes:

"Teacher's prediction is completely correct."

Inside the crystal ball, energy light points flowed along specific trajectories.

The fish-man's deep-sea adaptability, strength, tolerance, and even partial water element resistance were all successfully absorbed and integrated into Daier's own bloodline.

This was not simple swallowing and digestion, but a more advanced bloodline assimilation and purification.

Li Liya gently stroked the crystal ball, a heartfelt admiration flowing on her face.

Teacher's bloodline modulation means had reached an unimaginable realm, capable of allowing a young sea siren to undergo such astonishing metamorphosis in just a few months.

"If I could master one-tenth of his attainments, I would be satisfied."

She whispered to herself, a flash of yearning in her eyes:

"However, with my aptitude and talent, I'm afraid there is still a long way to go."

As the battle ended, the audience left one after another, and only a few apprentices were still discussing this astonishing victory.

Li Liya put away the crystal ball, carefully placed it into a special storage bag, and then walked toward the waiting area, preparing to pick up Daier and leave.

"Sister Li Li!"

Daier jumped out of the pool, water droplets on her silver hair shining in the sun:

"I won!"

At this time, she had completely returned to the innocent appearance of a young girl, and the bloody and cruel side just now seemed to have never existed.

"Well done, Daier."

Li Liya praised softly, handing her a soft towel:

"Teacher will be proud of you."

Daier wiped her body happily, excitement overflowing:

"That big guy wasn't hard to deal with at all, much easier than the training Master arranged for me! Every time after training, Master gives me special 'food'; those things are much tastier than today's fish-man!"

Li Liya smiled slightly, but felt a little proud in her heart.

This is the product of Luo En's workshop, each one far exceeding the norm.

"Should we go back?" Daier asked, expectation flickering in her eyes:

"I want to tell Master about my victory! I can't wait to tell him how I ate that big guy!"

"No rush."

Li Liya shook her head, a flash of expectation in her eyes:

"There is another important task; I need to go and certify my primary apprentice qualification."

Daier opened her eyes wide: "Sister Li Li is also going to become an apprentice? That's great!"

Actually, this tournament should have been held a month earlier, but it was postponed because of the Oliver incident.

Members of the probationary wizard sequence are mostly very busy, having their own research and missions.

So elimination rounds like this are usually supervised by assistants.

………………

The two walked along the stone path outside the gladiator arena toward the school's central hall.

The autumn sunlight spilled on them, adding a rare warmth to the Black Mist Jungle.

"Why didn't Master come?"

Walking on the road, Daier asked with some disappointment, pouting, revealing the willfulness unique to a young girl:

"I clearly performed so well."

"Master is preparing for more important things."

Li Liya comforted, her tone gentle and firm:

"Those major plans concerning the future require his full devotion. And, he has full confidence in you, knowing that you would definitely be able to defeat your opponent."

Seeing Daier's still dissatisfied expression, she touched the little silver-haired head:

"If he didn't have confidence, why would he let you enter the competition alone? This itself is an affirmation of your ability."

Li Liya continued to explain while walking:

"Today is the last elimination round, and you have successfully advanced. The next match is the beast-fighting battle, where all slaves who won from the elimination rounds will fight against experimental bodies selected by the wizards."

Daier nodded, excitement flashing in her eyes.

Li Liya noticed that whenever battle or predation was mentioned, the little sea siren's pupils would involuntarily stand up slightly, revealing the predator's instinct.

"In the melee, you need to be more careful."

Li Liya instructed:

"Other combat slaves might join forces to deal with you; after all, the strength you displayed has already attracted a lot of attention."

She paused and continued:

"After the melee, the four most outstanding combat slaves will enter the final, competing for the championship. By then, most of the mentors will come out to watch the battle in person."

Daier's eyes lit up:

"Is that 'substitute puppet' given to the champion? Master has always wanted that."

"Exactly."

Li Liya nodded, a flash of deep thought in her eyes:

"So the following matches will only be more difficult, but with the ability you showed today, I believe you can make it to the end."

The little sea siren grinned, revealing a row of fine white teeth, looking harmless.

Only Li Liya knew how terrifying these fine teeth could become in a battle state.

Inside the central hall, people were coming and going. Li Liya took Daier through the noisy crowd to the duty area.

There was a long queue here, mostly apprentices coming to handle various procedures.

After a short wait in line, a middle-aged female duty officer received them.

The woman's eyes were sharp but not lacking in gentleness; she looked like an experienced veteran.

"Name?"

The duty officer asked routinely, the quill in her hand already prepared to record.

"Li Liya, from Luo En Ralff's workshop."

She replied respectfully, her heart beating faster involuntarily.

The duty officer's eyebrows raised slightly, and the quill in her hand paused for a moment:

"Luo En Ralff? That genius magic potion master from the probationary wizard sequence?"

Li Liya nodded gently, feeling both nervous and proud in her heart.

Teacher's name already had considerable weight in the school, capable of attracting the special attention of the duty officer.

"Interesting."

The duty officer's tone had a few more points of curiosity; she looked at Li Liya carefully, seemingly wanting to see something special from this veiled girl.

Li Liya felt a burst of anxiety in her heart.

The duty officer took her to a room to test her spiritual power, and then flipped through a thick book, skillfully finding Li Liya's information in the densely packed list.

"Your spiritual power test result is... fifth-rank star middle range, preliminary meditation reached the standard, primary potion configuration qualified."

The duty officer read out, her tone flat but slightly appreciative:

"Time in the Black Mist Jungle... about half a year."

She nodded slightly, a few points of recognition flowing in her eyes:

"A probationary apprentice with fifth-rank star aptitude, being able to break through to a primary apprentice in half a year, is already considered a quite good performance. Apprentice Ralff really has cultivated a student who is different from the others."

Li Liya lowered her head slightly, her expression humble: "This is all thanks to Teacher's careful guidance."

"Interesting." The duty officer put down the pen, her expression becoming a bit nostalgic:

"This reminds me of Luo En Ralff's own growth trajectory back then."

She closed the thick book, her fingers tapping gently on the table:

"When he first came here, he was just an ordinary probationary apprentice with sixth-rank star spiritual power aptitude, but he broke through to an intermediate apprentice in less than a year, creating a miracle in the history of the Black Mist Jungle."

The duty officer's eyes flashed with a nostalgic look:

"I still remember, he was also standing here certifying his primary apprentice qualification back then."

She looked at Li Liya meaningfully:

"Now his student also shows a similar growth trajectory; although the speed is not as astonishing as his, for a fifth-rank star aptitude, this is already impressive enough."

Li Liya listened quietly, but a complex emotion surged in her heart.

She knew that being compared to Luo En was a great honor, but at the same time, she felt an invisible pressure.

"I still have a long way to go."

She warned herself secretly in her heart:

"Cannot be blinded by superficial success."

However, one thing made her feel a slight comfort: the duty officer said that she and Teacher had similar growth trajectories...

"If I can continue to persist, perhaps one day, I can also stand side by side with Teacher."

This thought quietly took root and sprouted in Li Liya's heart.

Leaving the central hall, Li Liya and Daier stepped on the road back to the workshop.

She touched the primary apprentice badge on her chest, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

"This is just the starting point, not the end."

Li Liya warned herself silently: "If I am satisfied with the status quo, I will never be able to catch up with Teacher's footsteps."

………………

At the same time, inside an ancient tower deep in the Black Mist Jungle, Luo En sat upright, facing an elderly man with gray hair—Alchemist Tang Pusen.

The air was filled with the special smell of various alchemy materials, and ancient alchemy instruments were placed in the corner, exuding traces of time.

"Your question has depth."

Tang Pusen slowly put down the alchemy tool in his hand, a flash of appreciation in his eyes:

"The combination of special materials and energy isolation layers is indeed a direction worth exploring. Few apprentices can think of such an innovative combination in such a short time."

(End of chapter)