Chapter 401: Huang Hong
To be honest, the combo of Thunderbolt Talismans and Wind Speed Talismans was super effective in actually tricking people. It was just too good to pass up and almost impossible to guard against.
Once they entered the second level, most of their opponents were already pretty decent, with overall combat abilities upped by several notches.
Even those who didn’t make it onto the Disciple Ranking were still inner gate disciples with enough potential to reach the list, making them formidable opponents.
Though Yun Zhonghe’s team wasn’t afraid of any of them, they still had to be careful with their resources and energy to ensure they could face the many tough battles ahead.
However, as the combination of Thunderbolt and Wind Speed Talismans proved to be successful again and again, other teams started to get suspicious. The number of people caught off guard decreased significantly.
Some of these teams might have scouts, which were rare but extremely talented at hiding themselves and gathering intel silently for the team’s strategic advantage.
For instance, Tao Jiu’er was one such expert in reconnaissance.
A good scout could not only anticipate threats but also set up traps to use the rival teams’ rivalries against themselves, drawing them into false scenarios designed to weaken the enemy and increase their own chances.
It was a high-level strategy.
Clearly, as the layers went up, the overall quality of the teams in the second level took a big leap.
After eliminating a few subpar teams, Yun Zhonghe’s group encountered a small grove of Spiritual Herbs. These herbs were delicate and needed to be handled carefully.
Yun Zhonghe assigned Su Xiaoxiao and Mu Jixue to dig out the herbs while he and Lin Zhongyu kept watch.
Unfortunately, they were spotted mid-digging by another strong team on the second level.
“**Huang Hong**!”
Who would’ve thought it’d be him!
Seeing the leader of that team, Cloud Chrysanthemum couldn’t help but show some concern.
The prodigy ranked ninth on the Disciple Rankings wasn’t supposed to be in this level.
Cloud Chrysanthemum sighed inwardly. He had expected something like this to happen.
With the lure of the prizes this contest promised, all the geniuses lurking in the shadows had come forward, forcing even Huang Hong—who ranked ninth on the Disciple Rankings—to settle for the second level.
Fighting such a powerhouse, even if they won, would drain their resources tremendously. What next?
Now he had to think deeply about how to distribute his energy and Spiritual Energy efficiently to keep his team combative.
But he soon made a decision.
“Jixue, Xiaoxiao! Trouble incoming!”
Yun Zhonghe warned the girls and stood in defensive position with Lin Zhongyu.
Huang Hong was a Sword Practitioner specialized in long-range attacks.
Most sword practitioners were known for their short-ranged attacks, but Huang Hong had a special touch to address this weakness.
“Sword Brother Hu, I didn’t expect to run into you so soon!” Huang Hong shouted from a hundred meters away. With the assistance of Spiritual Energy, his voice echoed clearly throughout the area.
Yun Zhonghelm squinted slightly, looking with caution and suspicion: “Do you know me?”
“Of course! As fellow Sword Practitioners, I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Hu,” replied Huang Hong with a strange tone. Clearly, he was hinting at something specific.
A shiver ran down Yun Zhonghelm’s spine upon hearing this.
Mate, can you speak more plainly?
Right then, Mu Jixue, Lin Zhongyu, and Su Xiaoxiao turned their eyes to Yun Zhonghelm, their expressions full of complexity.
Mu Jixue frowned, trying to digest the sudden information: “Yun Zhonghe, could you be… that…”
Lin Zhongyu stared, disbelief clear on her face: “Brother Yun, I always trusted you… How could you…”
Su Xiaoxiao sniffled quietly: “Omo… No wonder you weren’t that interested in me… So, it’s like this…”
Yun Zhonghelm felt a chill, hastily defending himself: “Hey! Don’t jump to conclusions! I don’t swing that way! My preferences are normal!”
But Mu Jixue looked skeptical: “I’m not sure if I should believe you.”
He hadn’t made a move to seduce any of them yet. And when he dressed as a woman, his stunning beauty could make anyone swoon.
Sniffle, Yun Zhonghelm, you liar, give us back our innocence~ (jokingly)
At that moment, Huang Hong gave a smile that was both flirtatious and unsettling, causing Yun Zhonghelm to nearly gag: “Sword Brother Hu, let’s duel today! Don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because we’re acquainted. On the contrary, I hope to showcase my sword skills in front of you!”
Yun Zhonghelm winced: “Bro, don’t mess with me!”
Seriously, he had seen some weird stuff in his life, but nothing compared to this.
Ignoring the weirdo, Yun Zhonghelm focused on the fight at hand. No matter who the opponent was, he had to use everything he had to get Mu Jixue into the Four Beasts Secret Realm.
Both crews released their Spiritual Energy, colors swirling in a dazzling display of power!
…
Spectator Area.
As Cloud Chrysanthemum’s team finally appeared on the water screens, anxious friends watching anxiously immediately erupted in surprised shouts.
On the other side, Lady Linghua spotted Yun Zhonghelm and his companions. While she nodded in relief initially, her expression turned slight apprehensive as she noticed their opponent was Huang Hong’s team.
But before long, a hint of interest flashed across her eyes as she discovered something, and relaxed a bit.
“Hey, that little yellow-haired boy is quite interesting.”
Linghua Lady added teasingly: “So, White Immortal, you seem more interested in that little yellow-haired kid than your own student.”
Linghua Lady never stopped prying into White Immortal’s information.
