Currently, a single Gale Blade can be stored in mid-air for ten seconds, so she can adjust the blade’s position.
The damage Gale Blade caused to the rock was far greater than what she could do with her carving knife, or what Wind Lord could do with his claws.
And since it was formed entirely from wind, it could be released from high up with no problem.
With this skill, Su Xing’s task progress was simply like adding wings to a tiger.
As she carved the giant stone and practiced her skill, the two complemented each other perfectly.
Through this kind of training, Su Xing quickly learned more data about Gale Blade.
First was the casting frequency.
At present, she couldn’t release the skill continuously; she had to wait for Wind Lord to gather and arrange the wind elements before it could be cast.
The interval was about thirty seconds per wind blade.
Next was the power.
Although the skill’s power mostly depended on the user, the environment’s influence could not be ignored, especially for an elemental skill like hers.
Su Xing tested it: in a wind-swept valley, her skill’s power was nearly double what it was in a windless place.
And in a place with strong winds, wind elements were abundant, so it only took fifteen seconds to release a wind blade.
After practicing for a whole day, both Su Xing and Wind Lord were exhausted.
Releasing skills required a certain amount of mental and physical strength.
Although it wasn’t much, it still couldn’t withstand such endless use.
Su Xing mainly wanted to test her limits today, so she kept releasing the skill without rest.
The next day, her excitement over the new skill finally subsided.
She stopped testing and focused on carving the giant stone.
During the carving process, Su Xing could clearly feel Wind Lord’s accuracy and proficiency in releasing Gale Blade had greatly improved.
She sensed something in her heart—this must be the benefit the Inspiration Pen mentioned before the trial began.
She had indeed gained a huge benefit from this trial.
If she had chosen to help that old man outside steal Old Shi’s painting, she definitely wouldn’t have gained such great rewards now.
During these two days of Su Xing’s training, Old Shi had also been secretly observing her.
Old Shi had to admit, Su Xing’s talent as a Phantom Spirit Master was truly extraordinary.
Normally, the first skill a Phantom Spirit Master comprehended on their own wasn’t very powerful.
Su Xing’s first skill was already approaching the power of a second skill for other Phantom Spirit Masters, and that was without systematic training.
“What a pity I’m not looking for a Phantom Spirit Master prodigy…”
Old Shi turned sideways, seemingly sighing to the air.
***
Another day passed, and the fox Su Xing was carving had begun to take shape.
At most, she would finish the task the day after tomorrow.
However, what Su Xing didn’t expect was that that very night, Kaka and Quinn came rushing to find her, flustered.
“Su Xing! Su Xing! Come quick! Something’s happened to Ivan!”
Hearing Kaka’s frantic voice from inside the house, Su Xing’s heart tightened and she hurried out.
“What’s wrong? What happened to Ivan?”
Because Quinn spoke with a stutter and was too slow, Kaka explained this time: “Weren’t we going to check on everyone’s progress together that day? After you left, I went to see Quinn and Ivan again.”
Su Xing already knew this, so she anxiously urged, “Get to the point. What’s wrong with Ivan?”
“When I went to Ivan’s place, he was really cold. I thought it was because he was stuck and a bit unhappy, but then the next day—today, in fact—I went with Quinn. Ivan was even colder than before. When he opened the door and saw it was us, he didn’t even bother to respond and just closed the door.”
That did sound odd. Although Sel was a rather aloof person, he was at most tsundere toward his companions, never completely ignoring them.
Kaka said worriedly, “Could Ivan be ignoring us on purpose because he’s having trouble with the test?”
Quinn stammered, “You know, w-we’re not very good at reading people, so we wanted you to go…go take a look.”
Su Xing nodded. If something had happened to Ivan, she definitely had to check.
When they arrived at Ivan Sel’s place, Su Xing was a bit surprised.
It was her first time here, and she never expected Ivan Sel’s residence to be so luxurious.
On the way, she’d already heard Kaka explain Ivan Sel’s test.
Honestly, this test would be nothing for her, but for Ivan Sel, it was indeed difficult.
Su Xing couldn’t imagine how Ivan Sel’s face could look cheerful or tearful.
It was just too jarring, wasn’t it?
Just thinking about it gave her goosebumps.
Even though Kaka had already been snubbed twice, he didn’t feel the least bit upset, only worried for Ivan.
As soon as they arrived, he knocked on the theater door first.
The door opened, and Ivan appeared, his face cold and impatient.
The moment Su Xing saw that expression, her heart skipped a beat.
Something was wrong. Seriously wrong.
As the most observant of them all, Su Xing could tell at a glance—this expression belonged to Ivan Sel, but it absolutely didn’t belong to the Ivan Sel who had been through so much with them.
Ivan Sel was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
In fact, only when she’d first met him had Su Xing seen this expression on his face.
Later, his face always carried a mix of indifference, helplessness, and indulgence, making people want to tease him just to see his reaction.
So what was going on now?
Had they done something to upset him? Or had something happened?
Su Xing stepped forward, a bit puzzled.
“Ivan, lately…”
Before she could finish, Ivan Sel shut the theater door in her face, expressionless.
Su Xing stood there, mouth half open, face full of surprise.
She turned incredulously, “He…he…”
Quinn gave a wry smile, “It was the same when w-we came before, so we asked you to help.”
Su Xing calmed herself and asked Kaka, “You said that the first time you came, he was still willing to say a few words. The second time, he just shut the door like now?”
Kaka nodded.
“That’s right. What on earth is wrong with Ivan!”
The three of them were baffled, falling into silence for a moment.
Determination flashed in Kaka’s eyes.
“Let’s sneak into the theater and take a look!”
Quinn hesitated, “Wouldn’t that be b-b-bad? If we get caught, wouldn’t we be…eliminated?”
Su Xing shook her head.
“We shouldn’t. The rules don’t say anything about not being allowed to gather information on others. Let’s go, let’s see if there’s a way into the theater.”
Since it was a theater, there had to be windows.
Kaka summoned Little Blue, and with a gentle touch using his skill, the window shattered with a crack.
Quinn was prepared, catching the pieces with his clothes to minimize noise.
Once everything was ready, the three of them prepared to climb in and check things out.
“What are you doing?”
Suddenly, the Inspiration Pen’s voice sounded behind them.
The three of them jumped, and Su Xing turned around with an awkward smile.
“We’re just gathering some intel, that’s not against the rules, right?”
The Inspiration Pen still wore that kind and benevolent expression.
“That’s not a problem, but Ivan Sel is at a critical stage of his assessment, and he’s immersing himself in the role. So he might be a bit cold these days. I hope you won’t disturb him.”
So that was it? Su Xing looked at him, half-believing, half-doubting.
“Can I ask what role Ivan is supposed to play?”
The Inspiration Pen hesitated for a moment.
“…It’s Siselu.”
“Huh?” Kaka’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Your former Phantom Spirit Master? That sounds so interesting! Can I try it?”
Hearing his random request, Su Xing and Quinn both had dark lines on their faces.
But the Inspiration Pen just laughed.
“Hahaha, I’m glad you’re interested, but sorry, you’re not suited for this test.”
“Why not?”
Kaka pressed.
The Inspiration Pen replied matter-of-factly, “Baoyi Town chooses the test content for each of you itself. I don’t really know the principle. In short, everyone has a test suited for them, and you only get one chance.”
Su Xing narrowed her eyes and suddenly asked, “If we don’t participate in the test, can we at least learn some acting skills?”
“…It would disturb Ivan Sel. For fairness in the assessment, so no.”
The Inspiration Pen paused, then refused.
Su Xing raised her eyebrows, finding it a bit ridiculous.
More importantly, from the Inspiration Pen’s words, she could clearly sense something was wrong.
Ivan Sel was very likely in trouble.
She thought for a moment.
“How much longer until Ivan finishes his task? We’re really worried about him. My test is about to be done, and Quinn’s almost finished too. If Ivan’s test drags on too long…”
She emphasized, “Then we’d rather give up the assessment.”
Hearing her words, which could be taken as both concern and a threat, the Inspiration Pen’s gaze sharpened.
“You want to give up the test? Then I’ll be taken away by whoever’s left in the end.”
Su Xing feigned a smile.
“Then that’s how it’ll have to be. We’re only first years anyway. If we can’t finish the task and can’t beat Apollo, it’s normal. At worst, we’ll apologize to the teachers and let them handle it.”
The Inspiration Pen seemed to tense up at something, then relaxed again.
“Don’t worry, Ivan Sel’s test will be finished soon.”
Su Xing nodded and said no more.
Once the Inspiration Pen left, Kaka immediately said anxiously, “Ivan wouldn’t be like this!”
Quinn nodded.
“Yeah, n-no matter what, Ivan wouldn’t ignore us just because of a test.”
Su Xing’s expression, after the Inspiration Pen left, had completely darkened.
“If this were a normal test, the Inspiration Pen wouldn’t need to explain for Ivan.”
Seeing the uneasy looks on Kaka and Quinn’s faces, Su Xing took a deep breath and reassured them, “Let’s wait a few days. When the test is over, we’ll make a fuss if we have to.”
Right now, they didn’t know what was really going on with Ivan Sel, and being inside the Inspiration Pen’s space, everything they did was monitored and restricted.
So they could only wait…
No, maybe there was another way?
Su Xing looked thoughtfully at the mist around them, then her smile returned as she comforted the frowning Quinn and the worried Kaka, “Let’s finish our own tests first, as fast as we can.”
However, over the next few days, Old Shi—who had always stayed out of her way—suddenly started constantly ordering her to do all sorts of time-consuming and exhausting tasks, like moving huge stones and fetching water.
This was clearly a deliberate attempt to slow her progress, making Su Xing feel increasingly uneasy.
After hesitating for a long time, Su Xing finally made up her mind.
“Old Shi, can I go check on what my friends are doing?”
Su Xing asked Old Shi for leave.