Chapter Sixty-Five: Spirit Martial, The Flowing Radiance Bow

"Don't panic, I'll cover this," Yun Meng swiftly formed a seal and summoned a shimmering curtain of water, seamlessly filling the gap left by Eliza.

Meanwhile, Eliza, airborne, had already leapt past Miffy and the others in just a few bounds. With a flick of her arm, her carving knife struck the blue ant's hard carapace with a metallic clang. The shell was so tough that the blade only managed to leave the faintest of marks before it was flung aside.

"Number Eight, quickly!"

Seeing Eliza shoot into the midst of the monsters like an arrow loosed from a bow, Du Yu and Miffy no longer cared for their own safety and pressed forward at speed.

Ahead, the clash of blades and weapons had already begun. Eliza wielded a knife in each hand, another clenched between her teeth, and yet more short blades shot from her sleeves. She seemed to be made entirely of steel and edge.

With a low laugh, Eliza carved out a clear space amid the chaos. Her attacks were ferocious and unpredictable. The giant blue ant was soon covered in wounds, its blood spraying as it wailed in agony. It staggered back repeatedly, trying several times to lunge at the ruthless girl before it, but each attempt was beaten back by her relentless assault. Before long, it could do nothing but defend itself.

Behind her, Miffy and Du Yu kept up a coordinated offense and defense, keeping the other monstrous creatures at bay. With a twist, Du Yu and Miffy surged toward the blue ant.

"Hey, girl, you stay right there!"

Wang Aoran swung his golden-backed broadsword at Eliza. His skill with both long and short blades had earned him eighth place in Redleaf Academy's martial rankings—his technique was no idle boast. Though his attack seemed fierce, he held back; he only intended to force Eliza away so Du Yu could claim the blue ant, not to harm the girl.

But he miscalculated. In battle, Eliza was never one for calculated retreat. With a hiss, Wang Aoran's broadsword sliced into her shoulder, instantly staining her clothes with blood.

"Why… why didn't you dodge?"

Though it was he who struck, Wang Aoran was shocked. Eliza had taken the blow head-on. Had he not checked his strength, her arm might well have been severed.

"Damn you, you lunatic! Get out of the way—"

Before he could finish, Eliza slashed out. Her blazing eyes fixed on Wang Aoran as a spray of blood arced through the air. His broadsword clattered to the ground as he clutched his neck in terror.

"Wang Aoran!"

"Number Eight!"

Everyone present was stunned—even the usually steady Ye Ran felt a chill.

Eliza turned and rushed toward the blue ant, just as Du Yu, worried for Wang Aoran's safety, hurried back. Their eyes met—one cold and mocking, the other grim. Without a word, blades flashed as they passed, blood spraying in the air. Du Yu darted to Wang Aoran, hoisted him onto his back, and retreated.

Eliza, bloodied and fierce, pressed on toward the blue ant. The sight made Miffy and the others, unaccustomed to such brutality, retreat in alarm, yielding the blue ant to her.

Just as the rare mutated creature was about to slip from their grasp, Sarmobique let out a cold snort and hurled his long spear. It traced a graceful arc through the air, speeding toward the fray.

The spear was powerful and imposing, but Eliza's blades were faster. With three knives spinning through the air and blood droplets scattering across the sky, she dispatched the blue ant with a final, agonized cry as her weapons returned to her hands.

In that instant, the wind behind her stopped. Eliza turned to see Yun Meng's water flow trapping Sarmobique's spear, its tip poised at her chest.

Yun Meng fixed Sarmobique with a stern look. "Do you intend to start a battle here?"

Sarmobique met her gaze in silence.

The blue ant's corpse shimmered with radiant blue light before vanishing, leaving behind a sky-blue longbow.

Eliza stooped to pick up the bow, admiring its artistry. The bow was full of power, cool to the touch, with the words "Flowing Radiance" glowing faint blue at its center.

"A spirit weapon—water affinity. It's yours," Eliza said, tossing the Flowing Radiance Bow to Yun Meng.

Spirit weapon.

At those words, envy stirred in every student present. It was well known that ancient weapons aided masters not only with their sharpness, but also with power, energy, spellcraft, and even the wielder's state of mind. Among these, spirit weapons were those most attuned to enhancing magics.

The forging of ancient weapons had long since been lost, making every spirit weapon ever more precious.

Yun Meng took the bow, feeling the surge of energy within. As she drew the string, water condensed into an arrow. Even her tranquil nature was stirred—this bow had boosted her strength by more than half.

The students from Redleaf Academy and the Temple watched with undisguised envy, especially those with a water affinity.

But the blue ant had been slain by another, and the bow claimed by another; envy was useless now. Du Yu’s narrow eyes flickered, but he said nothing.

Then, one student stepped forward. "Hand over the bow—it doesn’t belong to you."

He was tall, strikingly handsome, with a bold aura, though a scar marred his face.

Yu Bo of the Martial Hero Pavilion.

With hands behind his back, he declared, "This classmate only managed to kill the blue ant because Aoran showed mercy and Miffy’s group yielded. Now that Aoran is seriously injured, it is only fair and reasonable that the bow be given to him."

His argument was tenuous at best, but to Redleaf’s side, it sounded justified.

Several students chimed in, "Exactly! Without our help, could you have killed the blue ant?"

"If not for us, your group of five would have been wiped out. Handing the bow to us is only right. There are more levels ahead—do you really think you can make it on your own?"

The two students with water affinity spoke especially loudly.

Sinclair, quick-tempered and furious, pointed at Wang Aoran and the others, cursing, "Bullshit! You think this underground lair belongs to you? Who made the first move? And now you want us to stand aside? Dream on!"

Ye Ran added, "Wang Aoran struck first. The bow rightfully belongs to us."

Yu Bo smiled. "So you refuse to hand it over?"

"Of course," Ye Ran replied, his tone calm but resolute.

"In that case, there may be trouble for everyone," Yu Bo said, signaling behind him. Sarmobique strode forward, while the other students subtly shifted formation, blocking Ye Ran and his group's path. In an instant, the atmosphere grew tense as drawn blades.