Chapter 166

"99.1%." Luo En felt the charge of the Skin of the Shapeshifter increase slightly, but it was still some distance from being fully charged.

Huo Erte's command clearly played a role.

The remaining contestants, although unwilling to fully trust each other, at least formed a temporary tacit understanding—keep distance, harass from a distance, and consume the manticore's physical strength.

Luo En seized the opportunity and performed sound wave vibrations again; this time he chose the manticore's front limb joint as the attack point, successfully causing one of its front paws to temporarily lose its ability to move.

"Everyone, pay attention!" He began to find opportunities to organize others:

"Its eruption period has ended, and it is currently looking for an energy source. If we can continuously consume its physical strength, it will eventually fall into a weak state!"

Several surviving contestants heard this and cheered up as if they had grabbed a life-saving straw.

Although they still didn't fully trust Luo En, the current situation left them with no choice but to try this plan.

Trish used all her strength to support the poisoned Liyue, occasionally using plant entanglement to impose some restrictions on the manticore's movements.

Her attacks were precise and efficient, hitting the manticore's weaknesses every time.

"I didn't expect his understanding of combat to be so deep, what a pity..."

The brown-haired girl felt a little regretful in her heart for not listening to Luo En's advice to retreat further just now.

Luo En didn't know Trish's psychological activities and just continued to focus on his tactics.

He knew that the most important thing at this moment was to guide the manticore to its weakest state, preparing for the final charge of the Skin of the Shapeshifter.

The ensuing battle was like a meticulously choreographed dance.

Each contestant found their own position and role, forming a loose but effective attack network.

The manticore became increasingly irritable, but also increasingly weak.

Its attacks, although still fierce, could no longer maintain its previous high speed and precision.

More importantly, it began to frequently look for blood food, clearly in urgent need of replenishing energy.

"Hold on a little longer!" Huo Erte shouted; his earth elemental colossus had almost disintegrated, but it still stood stubbornly on the front line.

Luo En seized the opportunity and released the strongest spiritual interference wave.

This invisible attack acted directly on the manticore's spiritual core, causing it to let out a painful howl.

"Now!" He signaled to Dai'er.

The little sea siren instantly understood her master's intention, and she dove from high altitude, her hands crossing.

Water elements condensed around her, forming dozens of water blades, shimmering with cold light.

—Thousand Strikes of Water Blades!

This was Dai'er's strongest skill and also a killing move specifically designed for her by Luo En.

Dozens of water blades shot toward the manticore simultaneously, each precisely piercing into vital parts of its body.

The manticore let out a shrill howl, its body swaying, as if it could fall at any moment.

At this time, the manticore was already at the end of its rope; its movements became extremely slow, and the light in its eyes almost extinguished.

"Final blow!" Huo Erte shouted, controlling the earth elemental colossus, which only had half its body left, to launch the final charge.

The colossus hit the manticore's chest, pushing it to the ground.

Seeing this, other contestants also launched their strongest attacks.

Various energy beams shot toward the manticore from all directions, pinning it firmly to the ground.

The manticore let out a final, weak hiss, then completely lost signs of life.

The moment the battle ended, the entire arena fell into a brief silence, then erupted into deafening cheers.

"It's time." Luo En muttered in his heart, quietly activating the final absorption of the Skin of the Shapeshifter.

The residual soul energy on the manticore's corpse was rapidly absorbed, and the Skin of the Shapeshifter began to heat up slightly, emitting a faint buzzing sound.

"99.5%... 99.7%... 99.9%... 100%!"

Everything was advancing according to plan, step by step, steadily.

【Charging complete!】

【Rare Ancient Item - Skin of the Shapeshifter can be advanced at any time to: Glorious Legacy - Thousand-Change Phantom】

"Success!" Luo En rejoiced in his heart, but his surface remained calm.

This was a key step in his plan, but it was not the final victory.

On the high platform, the mentors were conducting final scoring and discussions.

"An impressive performance." A mentor looked appreciative, commenting faintly:

"Especially that potionist, his calmness and tactical analysis ability are astonishing."

"Not only that." Suo Lun, standing to the side, began to supplement; after all, he was an apprentice he favored, so he would naturally try his best to say some good things:

"According to my observation, his sea siren demonstrated unique water-wind dual-attribute ability, which is clearly the result of careful modulation. It seems his talent in bloodline modulation is also quite outstanding."

"This is not surprising." Youni also interjected at the right time, as if she had colluded with Suo Lun in advance:

"He himself is an outstanding potionist, and these extraordinary techniques have many things in common. A person with talent in potionology can often draw inferences about other things in bloodline modulation."

Vice Dean Hayek was silent for a moment, finally opening his mouth:

"This test has achieved the expected goal. According to the scoring of all mentors and my observation, the final ranking and reward distribution will be announced next."

His gaze lingered on Luo En for a moment, a flash of complex emotion crossing his eyes.

"What a pity, such a rare all-around genius was actually snatched by Suo Lun and Youni first."

Hayek thought to himself:

"However, the school's talent equal-distribution system has its own logic; if too many people share a genius, the grace output will be insufficient. After cultivating Ke Linna last time, I should indeed have given the opportunity to them."

Hayek walked to the edge of the high platform and announced loudly:

"The final of the Bloody Gladiator Tournament is over. Please return to your designated positions and wait for the final evaluation and reward distribution."

Luo En retreated calmly to the edge of the arena, and Dai'er landed beside him, her water wings already dissipated.

The little sea siren looked tired but excited, clearly satisfied with her performance in the battle.

"Well done, Dai'er." Luo En praised softly, his plan having advanced a big step forward.

The Skin of the Shapeshifter could be advanced to "Glorious Legacy: Thousand-Change Phantom" at any time.

Next was to strive for the Substitute Puppet, plus the active magic sword refined from soul steel.

The day his "Crucible Concept" becomes reality might not be too far away.

And all of this would be the cornerstone for him to step onto the supreme path.

………………

Hayek's voice echoed in the arena, and all surviving contestants waited quietly for the final evaluation.

After the life-and-death battle just now, only six contestants remained in the arena.

Among them, Huo Erte's earth elemental colossus had almost disintegrated and could barely maintain its form;

Trish's Liyue was on the verge of death under the erosion of toxins and needed immediate treatment;

The battle slaves of other contestants were also scarred, and only Luo En's Dai'er maintained a relatively intact state, although maintaining the water wings also consumed a lot of her physical strength.

"According to the scoring of all mentors and my observation." Hayek announced:

"The final ranking of this Bloody Gladiator Tournament is as follows: First place, Luo En Ralf!"

This result made many people in the arena show surprised expressions, but it was also within expectations.

The calm judgment and precise tactics Luo En showed throughout the battle, as well as the unique abilities Dai'er demonstrated, were indeed impressive.

"Second place, Huo Erte! Third place, Trish! Fourth place..."

Hayek continued to announce the rankings, then turned to reward distribution:

"According to tradition, the first place will receive the special reward of this Gladiator Tournament—a Substitute Puppet, eight complete magic stones, and the right to choose one book from the school's precious collection catalog.

The second and third places will be able to choose three advanced potions or one advanced alchemical item, and receive five and three magic stone rewards respectively. Other contestants will receive corresponding magic stone rewards based on their rankings..."

Luo En's heartbeat accelerated slightly, but his surface remained calm.

The Substitute Puppet was the main purpose of his participation in the Gladiator Tournament.

"All rewards will be issued tomorrow. Now, please leave the arena and accept necessary treatment and rest."

Following Hayek's announcement, the Bloody Gladiator Tournament officially ended.

The contestants left the arena one after another, and some healing apprentices from the school were already waiting at the exit, ready to provide necessary treatment for the injured contestants and battle slaves.

Luo En led Dai'er toward the exit; he could feel many eyes focused on him, both with surprise, admiration, and of course, jealousy.

"Congratulations, Luo En." Huo Erte walked over and extended his hand to him: "Your performance is indeed worthy of first place."

"Thank you for your help at the critical moment, Senior Huo Erte."

Luo En's hand touched the other party's and then separated: "If it weren't for your earth elemental colossus holding back the manticore, the situation might have been even more dangerous."

Huo Erte shook his head:

"That was just a stopgap measure. In that situation, everyone knew that only cooperation could increase the survival probability. Moreover, your observation and judgment were the key to truly turning the situation around."

He looked at the almost falling-apart earth elemental colossus beside him and smiled bitterly:

"It seems I need to re-cultivate a new battle partner."

The two chatted briefly, and Huo Erte left with the broken earth elemental colossus.

Luo En was about to leave when he heard Trish's voice from behind: "Luo En, wait a moment."

He turned to see Trish walking over, supporting the weak Liyue.

The leopard woman's arm still presented an unhealthy purple color, but it was no longer spreading, clearly having received initial treatment.

"You saw through the manticore's characteristics long ago, didn't you?" Trish asked directly, her eyes full of inquiry.

Luo En nodded in acknowledgment: "Abyssal creatures usually do this on land—the eruption period is short, and they need to replenish power by devouring blood food or absorbing energy attacks."

"No wonder you kept your distance and only conducted long-range harassment." Trish thought thoughtfully:

"This kind of tactical analysis ability is not a quality a potionist should have."

Luo En smiled faintly: "Everyone has their own secrets, don't they?"

Trish looked at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but finally just nodded:

"Congratulations on winning first place; that Substitute Puppet is indeed a precious prize, I hope it helps you."

"Many thanks." Luo En responded politely: "How is Liyue's injury? Do you need a special antidote?"

"It's already under control." Trish shook her head, declining his kindness:

"There are mentors in the school proficient in healing spells specifically responsible for these, so there's no need to trouble you."

After the two said goodbye briefly, Luo En left the arena with Dai'er.

"Master, we won!" After walking out of the arena, Dai'er finally couldn't control her excitement and cheered softly.

"Yes, we won the championship." Luo En smiled and touched her head:

"Your performance was outstanding, especially the final water blade, which almost gave the manticore a fatal blow."

A blush appeared on Dai'er's face, clearly feeling incomparably happy about her master's praise:

"I just performed according to Master's guidance; Master's tactics were the true key."

"This is our joint victory." He shook his head and laughed, touched the little sea siren's silver head, and led her toward the workshop.

The battle was over, and the reward collection and ranking point conversion would have to wait until tomorrow.

After all, after a hard battle, everyone needed to rest...

(End of chapter)