Ch. 246 - They Actually Targeted Me, the Nanjiang Bandit

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At last, the two teams finished bowing and returned to their respective positions.

Xu Xiaoyu and Xia Bing didn't let out their breath until the protective barrier activated.

Xie Fengyu turned to his teammates — Su Weiyun and Jiang Mo.

The three exchanged a look, confidence of certain victory written on their faces.

"Match — begin!"

The moment the words left the announcer's mouth, six contract spirits materialized on the platform simultaneously.

On Xie Fengyu's side, a deer whose entire body shimmered with deep blue radiance shook its head, an icy chill wafting outward in waves.

Hovering above the Ice-Horn Deer was a jet-black bird, its eyes glowing an eerie blood-red.

At the forefront stood a purple beast — something between a tiger and a leopard — its presence equally terrifying.

All three contract spirits, without exception, were rare S-rank.

"The Ice-Horn Deer, the Shadow Blood-Eye Bird, and the Purple Thunder Beast!"

The entire audience erupted in continuous cheers. Even though they'd seen Nancang First High's contract spirits before, this moment was still electrifying.

S-rank contract spirits weren't something you got to see every day, especially on basic-level Beast Tamers.

Judged by contract spirit rank alone, Nanjiang City looked pathetically weak.

Under normal circumstances, Nancang First High could wipe them out in a single skill rotation.

But because of the variable called Chen Shu, the outcome hung in suspense.

"Goo-gii!"

The thirty-six-meter Slime gazed down at the contract spirits before it, looking utterly dopey and adorable, utterly unconcerned despite the powerful opposition.

In its worldview, any opponent was just one butt-sitting away from defeat.

Someone in the crowd couldn't help shouting: "Poop Monster — invincible! Go!"

On the other side, the Fire Bird and Frost Wolf had been summoned early.

"Stay alert!"

Xie Fengyu wore a cautious expression. Chen Shu's fights were always unexpected — one dirty trick was all it took to bring them down.

"Fight according to plan!"

The other two teammates nodded in unison, immediately kicking off the battle.

A roar rang out. The Purple Thunder Beast's eyes blazed with violet light, the pressure of lightning spreading outward as it unleashed a massive thunderball at unfathomable speed.

Its target went straight for Nanjiang City's MVP: the Golden Slime.

"Goo-gii..."

Chen Shu activated Sleep-Kill at once, drastically boosting his contract spirit's defense and resistance.

Bang!

The thunderball struck — but it couldn't break through its defenses.

"It really is tough."

Xie Fengyu muttered under his breath. It was his first time seeing something that could tank an S-rank contract spirit's skill head-on.

Unruffled, Chen Shu had the Slime use Tyrant Body. The thunderball's paralysis effect instantly became useless.

Right after came a Charge — the Slime's speed exploded as it hurtled forward like a mountain, filled with that goddamn oppressive pressure!

Xie Fengyu and his two teammates exchanged glances. No panic — in fact, the hint of a smile appeared.

In a flash, the Ice-Horn Deer let out an eerie cry, the antlers on its head blazing with blue light.

Before the crowd's disbelieving eyes, a massive water cage appeared!

The Water Prison perfectly trapped the Golden Slime, holding it in place!

"Crap!"

Shen Wushuang's heart sank. He instantly grasped the opponent's plan.

They wanted to trap the Slime first, eliminate the Fire Bird and Frost Wolf, then deal with the Slime through an encirclement.

"A skill prepared specially for you."

Su Weiyun's face held a smile. To secure victory with absolute certainty, the three had specifically purchased Lord materials before the match.

The cost, of course, was covered by the school.

"They actually targeted me — the Nanjiang Bandit!"

Chen Shu let out a sigh. He was sharp, sure, but the opposition wasn't stupid either. There was no way they wouldn't come up with a specific strategy.

Boom!

The Slime didn't stop — Charge was still active, and it tried to smash through the Water Prison with raw force.

But even though the water cage distorted to an extreme degree, it still didn't break!

Its resilience was too strong, and the Slime's Charge was blunt-force damage — the perfect counter.

"As expected of our teacher — he really is that experienced. They actually managed to trap it."

The three couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief.

Facing a monstrosity that size... even S-rank contract spirits got the shivers.

"Xia Bing, Xiaoyu — help me!"

Chen Shu frowned and called out.

Breaking the Water Prison with the Slime alone was going to be tough.

The two nodded and immediately unleashed their own skills.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Fireball after fireball slammed into the water cage, instantly generating clouds of white steam while the prison shook violently.

"It's working!"

A slight smile crossed Xu Xiaoyu's lips. Given a bit more time, the Fire Bird could break the Water Prison.

But the opposition wasn't about to give them that time.

A plan they'd been crafting for ages — did they really think it would be so easily wrecked?

The Shadow Blood-Eye Bird beat its wings once, and in that instant, countless black feathers stormed forth, the screeching sound of them tearing through the air making everyone's heart seize.

The Fire Bird had no time to keep breaking the prison — it could only dodge. But a single black feather still pierced straight through its body.

Drip... drip...

Blood streamed down. The Fire Bird was injured within moments of contact.

The gap between S-rank and A-rank was simply too vast.

But compared to the Fire Bird, the Frost Wolf's situation was truly precarious.

To eliminate the two of them as fast as possible, Nancang First High had assigned two S-rank contract spirits to deal with a single B-rank Frost Wolf.

Whether rank or potential rating, the Frost Wolf had no grounds for comparison.

Barely a few dozen seconds into the fight, the Frost Wolf was in critical condition.

Xia Bing clenched both fists, her eyes full of stubborn defiance. In a finals match, the Frost Wolf was simply too insignificant.

"Recall it."

Chen Shu sighed and spoke.

If this kept up, the Frost Wolf would likely suffer permanent damage — and that wasn't worth it.

"I..."

Xia Bing bit her lower lip, unwillingness burning in her chest. She held on for a few dozen more seconds.

Only when it was clear the Frost Wolf had no combat capability left did she finally recall her contract spirit.

The opponent was just too strong. The Frost Wolf's only purpose had been to buy time.

With the Frost Wolf now off the field...

That meant Xu Xiaoyu's Fire Bird would face the combined assault of three S-rank contract spirits alone.

"Xiaoyu..."

Chen Shu spoke, signaling that if she couldn't hold on, she should recall her contract spirit right away.

The battle had only just begun, and already the Nanjiang City team was plunged deep into disadvantage.

"What a shame..."

In the VIP box, Wang Qing sighed. Chen Shu's strength was astonishing — he could even be called the number one among Nancang Province's young generation.

But his two teammates were a different story.

With even just one S-rank contract spirit, they could have stalled until the Slime broke free.

"I can hold on!"

Xu Xiaoyu declared, the same refusal to quit blazing in her eyes.

She had once been Nanjiang Second High's top-ranker — hailed as a genius, the center of everyone's admiration. She wasn't about to become dead weight today!

The Fire Bird let out a crisp cry, as if it could feel its master's emotions. No fear here, either.

The one silver lining was that only the Shadow Blood-Eye Bird on the enemy side was a flying type.

It beat its wings, trying to stall for time using the advantage of flight.

At the same time, light condensed across its wings — the skill charged to completion in an instant.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Feathers formed from pure flame shot forth, their momentum terrifying.

But they weren't aimed at the enemy — they bombarded the Water Prison relentlessly.

Only by freeing the Slime could the battle's tide possibly turn.