Chapter 119: The Multiple Choice Exam
Despite Mu Jixue’s reassurances, Yun Zhonghe was feeling the heat—quite literally!
He realized that his spiritual energy was being suppressed! His metal-type spiritual root was wilted, feeling as weak and droopy as a sad cloud dad on a rainy day.
The energy flowing through his meridians was like a dial-up internet connection—interruptions galore—as if someone hit pause on his whole sword-play routine. This sudden change had Yun Zhonghe scratching his head in confusion.
“Why is this happening? My spiritual energy should be bursting at the seams!”
His sword-hand began to tremble due to the energy shortages. Just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, Lin Zhongyu was having her own little meltdown over there.
Her spiritual root was showing the same symptoms—what a pair they were!
Both being metal-type sword practitioners, even their sword techniques were singing the same tune. Talk about twinning on the battlefield!
From a game perspective, Yun Zhonghe and Lin Zhongyu were a tad redundant, both hefty melee attackers. No wonder they resonated like two jigsaw pieces destined to fit together.
But of course, they had their differences—like gender, personality, and, oh yeah, their cultivation methods.
So, their simultaneous energy crisis couldn’t possibly be due to their techniques.
“Elemental disadvantages? This fire-elemental energy here is raging stronger than a dragon on a bad hair day. Fire dominates metal, and in this scorching hot pressure cooker? We’re roasted!”
Boom! A light bulb flicked on over Yun Zhonghe’s head. This was probably a deliberate trap set by the Myriad Path Divine Tower to take them down a peg!
But let’s face it, under the double pressure of realm and elemental affinities, they were as handicapped as a three-legged racehorse, struggling even to muster half their usual strength.
“Is this the dividing line at level thirty? So sneaky!”
Suddenly, Yun Zhonghe felt dizzy, like he just got hit by a surprise wave of heat. It was as if someone shoved a pillow over his face; he couldn’t even keep his balance and fell to one knee.
Lin Zhongyu was barely keeping upright, huffing and puffing, practically gluing herself to the ground.
“Xiao Yu? And Brother Yun… What’s wrong with you guys?!”
At this moment, only Mu Jixue seemed to be holding it together.
With her ice-elemental roots, she had the advantage over the fire elemental, but even she was getting pushed to her limits just trying to fend off the fire spirit’s attacks.
“Roooaaar!!!”
The fire spirit roared with fury; it seemed to have no interest in Mu Jixue. Nope, it just wanted to take down either Yun Zhonghe or Lin Zhongyu. After failing to land a punch on Yun Zhonghe, it swung its fiery fists towards Lin Zhongyu instead.
“Xiao Yu!”
Mu Jixue gasped, watching the giant fist descend like a mountain ready to squash Lin Zhongyu’s delicate figure. Her heart skipped a beat, prompting her to channel a strand of Extreme Cold energy to stop the fire spirit’s other fist.
But the fire spirit shrugged off the thin layer of ice like it was just a bad hair day.
“No way! My energy output is too low!”
Trying to control two fireballs at once was like trying to juggle flaming torches—much too risky!
Just when it seemed Lin Zhongyu was about to face doom, a series of fierce sword qi blasts suddenly erupted from Yun Zhonghe’s side, aiming at the fire spirit’s noggin like they were trying to give it a polite head-b*tt.
Yun Zhonghe was panting, raising one hand high, trying to burst out as much sword qi as he could. This was his only long-range move, and he was giving it all he had!
Though powerful, his sword qi, forged by effort, was as mighty as a golden core’s strength. Unfortunately, the fire spirit was basically a walking elemental tank, shrugging off physical damage like it was rainfall.
Yun Zhonghe couldn’t help but breathe out a dramatic, “Why are you my kryptonite?”
“Miss Jixue! Don’t worry about me; focus all your energy on protecting Miss Zhongyu!”
He could see that Mu Jixue was struggling to protect both sides. If it came down to it, he was okay with her choosing to defend Lin Zhongyu.
His priorities were clear: keep these two safe up the tower! Yun Zhonghe’s commitment was off the charts.
“But…” Mu Jixue began, hesitating.
“Stop dawdling! Do you want Miss Zhongyu to be the one to take a tumble? Focus on her! I’m fine!”
What a noble lie! He was currently compromised just like her, but for the sake of Huang Aotian and the female lead, he’d prioritize their safety over his own.
It wasn’t life-or-d*ath, just a trial. If they failed, they’d just be sent back home. No biggie! He’d volunteer to be the one tossed out first.
“Move it!”
Yun Zhonghe urged, and Mu Jixue grit her teeth, retracting her energy from him to fully protect Lin Zhongyu.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhongyu didn’t even have the energy to talk; her level was lower and she could only watch as Yun Zhonghe stood tall, whispering to herself, “Brother Yun….”
The fire spirit’s fist crashed down just a meter from Lin Zhongyu’s head. Luckily, it was frozen solid, but the ice only made it to the fire spirit’s elbow before cracking and crumbling.
“Roooaaar!!!”
Once again, its attack was thwarted, and the fire spirit, humiliated, seemed angrier than a cat who just got a bath.
Though Yun Zhonghe had no idea whether that analogy was spot-on, it sure looked like the fire spirit was gearing up to unleash an even fiercer assault on him!
This time, it was like all that indignation was coming his way.
“Infinity Sword Technique!”
He had no choice but to take it head-on.
The punch landed, sending shockwaves that rattled his bones, feeling as if his insides were doing a full shake dance! He might just end up activating the token’s life-saving feature!
Imagine if that punch had hit Lin Zhongyu—it would’ve been game over for sure.
But before he could catch his breath, another massive fist came barreling toward him!
“Infinity…!”
His energy faltered, and he muttered a curse, quickly activating the power of his elemental stone ring.
Buzz—!
Kaboom—!
The second attack was deflected, all thanks to the ring he just got during the award ceremony, enhancing his defense.
But it was a one-time deal; the energy had already waned, and it wouldn’t recharge until tomorrow.
But the fire spirit wasn’t done. Oh no! It was winding up for its third blow.
Yun Zhonghe had spent his life-saving cards, but for the fire spirit? It just regarded that as a casual tickle, ready for round four.
“Oh no… Zhonghe can’t hold out much longer!”
Mu Jixue was biting her lip. She was giving it her all, but the thin layer of ice she applied melted away faster than a popsicle on a summer sidewalk.
She could only keep freezing and refreezing, losing track of Yun Zhonghe while doing so.
Panic set in—Yun Zhonghe was about to reach his limit, and Mu Jixue was torn! If she went to help him, Lin Zhongyu would be defenseless!
This mess had turned into an awful multiple-choice exam! What to do, what to do, WHAT TO DO…?
“Isn’t it a good thing? If he’s out, then it’s just the three of us, and that yellow-haired brat won’t be a problem anymore~”
Suddenly, a sultry voice snaked through the air behind her.
“Who’s there?!”
Mu Jixue froze, glancing over her shoulder just in time to feel a figure slam into her from behind, wrapping around her like a cozy blanket.
The figure… looked just like Mu Jixue!
