Jiang Ke’er felt as if disaster was imminent.
As the captain, she had to consider not just her own situation in battle, but the overall situation, making timely commands and adjustments.
But she also understood that she was probably the most suitable choice for this position, so she didn’t refuse.
“Alright.”
Next, Si Lian continued to help the young demons analyze the arrangement, explaining the other side’s weaknesses and potential traps they might face.
In the blink of an eye, the time they had agreed to take the stage arrived.
“For this battle, you go on your own,” before they were even close to the arena, Si Lian suddenly spoke.
Jiang Ke’er didn’t quite understand her actions.
What could possibly be more important than holding the fort? Without Si Lian present, who knew what shameless, low-handed tricks the other side might resort to.
“No matter what happens, remember to prioritize your own safety,” Si Lian solemnly reminded, “Your opponents are powerful. If you have no other choice, even if you have to reveal your trump cards, make sure you don’t get hurt.”
“Of course.” Jiang Ke’er nodded.
“Go on, then. I have something else to deal with.”
“Aren’t you going to watch?” Jie Shui asked, his voice a bit shaky.
Si Lian smiled, “I’ll be watching, don’t worry.”
Si Lian separated from the squad.
This was the first time in half a month that she hadn’t stayed by their side.
Without such a formidable figure with them, the young demons felt very uneasy.
After all, this wasn’t their own turf. If Si Lian wasn’t there, regardless of whether they won or lost, things might not end well for them.
“Could it be that Aunt Si Lian has no faith in us and simply abandoned us?” Jie Shui whispered.
Such worries were only natural; in the past half month, they hadn’t shown even the slightest hope of victory.
Adding to that, Si Lian’s reputation was always terrible, and no one could say for sure what she might do.
“She must have her own plans. Trust her. Even if you don’t, we still have to fight our best,” Jiang Ke’er said gravely, “If you don’t want to live in someone else’s shadow, don’t overthink. Give it your all.”
“Yeah!”
Jiang Ke’er led her four teammates to the front of the arena.
Upon seeing them arrive, the City Tournament Broadcaster hurriedly aimed the Recording Crystal at them.
Unfortunately, something seemed wrong with the Recording Crystal.
The broadcaster frowned anxiously, fiddling with it carefully, but to no avail.
The Zhanhuang Sixteen Team members and Taishu Xuan were already waiting at the edge of the arena.
When Taishu Xuan saw Si Lian hadn’t come, his interest faded and he lazily said, “Looks like you’ve become abandoned pawns. Si Lian is always like that—she’ll toss you away if she thinks you’re useless and go trick a new batch instead.”
His words deepened the young demons’ unease.
Jie Shui was about to curse out of shame and anger, but Gan Ruǎnruǎn spoke first, “You’ll pay the price for your words and actions.”
Taishu Xuan laughed, “The price? What price? In a bit, you’ll die on the stage—who’s going to make me pay?”
Jiang Ke’er stopped Gan Ruǎnruǎn, who still wanted to retort, and suddenly said with a half-smile, “Even if I die today, I’ll make sure to drag a few down with me.”
The chilling seriousness in her words truly made Taishu Xuan’s heart skip a beat.
He believed the Zhanhuang Sixteen Team would easily win, but he was also afraid the other side might become desperate and try to drag his teammates down with them.
All five of these teammates were elite disciples of the Battle Desolation Sect. If anything happened to them during his time as team instructor, he would definitely be severely punished.
“Be careful of that canine demon,” Taishu Xuan quietly instructed his teammates, “Her strength is unknown. If you get the chance, finish her off quickly.”
“Understood.”
Both sides were already brimming with hostility and killing intent.
Jiang Ke’er wasted no words and went straight to the Matchmaker.
“Bagpipe Squad, requesting a match.”
The Zhanhuang Sixteen Team captain, Ying Zhuo, followed closely, “Zhanhuang Sixteen, requesting a match!”
Like two sharp needles meeting point to point, the two teams were inevitably matched together.
The Zhanhuang Sixteen Team members stepped onto the stage, greeted by thunderous cheers and whistles from the crowd below.
“Ying Zhuo, I love you!”
“Battle Desolation is invincible!”
“Chop up those little trash on the other side!”
As seasoned veterans, they already had their own fans, and now, representing their entire race, their support reached its peak.
Jiang Ke’er and her teammates thought they were used to such scenes, but facing the other side’s passionate support still made them feel uncomfortable.
As they stepped onto the stage, the barrier blocked one rotten egg and tomato after another.
Jiang Ke’er smiled and said, “Next time we take the stage, let’s have Aunt Si Lian sell rotten eggs down below. She’ll definitely make a fortune in points.”
“Good idea,” the young demons all smiled, but their hearts grew heavier.
No one knew where Si Lian was right now.
“Countdown! Get ready!” the Referee shouted with a powerful voice, raising the flag, “Begin!”
With murderous intent blazing, both teams charged out without hesitation!
Jie Shui and Lin Gang took the lead, meeting the Zhanhuang Sixteen Team’s only power-type cultivator—the captain, Ying Zhuo.
The two of them combined forces to stop Ying Zhuo and got tangled up in a fierce battle.
The corners of Ying Zhuo’s mouth curled up—he alone could tie down two of the opponents’ main combatants, leaving his team’s agility cultivators free to rush into the enemy’s back line.
No matter how you looked at it, from the start, the scales of victory were already tipping toward the Zhanhuang Sixteen Team.
Right after, two agility cultivators from the Zhanhuang Team rushed at Jiang Ke’er and Gan Ruǎnruǎn.
They raised their swords to meet them, but Jiang Ke’er and Gan Ruǎnruǎn suddenly twisted their waists and, as if they didn’t care about their lives, risked minor injuries just to slip past, charging straight for the enemy’s back line!
The Zhanhuang Team’s agility cultivators and the two rear-line spellcasters were stunned—what was this?
Why weren’t they fighting the agility cultivators? Swapping back lines? Were they abandoning their own rear guard?
These guys are lunatics! They’re really planning to trade their lives!
The thought flashed through their minds, and their easygoing attitude instantly turned tense.
The two agility cultivators hurriedly pivoted to intercept Jiang Ke’er and Gan Ruǎnruǎn, while the two spellcasters no longer dared to unleash spells on Jie Shui and Lin Gang, but instead frantically hurled spells at Jiang Ke’er and Gan Ruǎnruǎn, doing everything they could to slow them down.
But Jiang Ke’er and Gan Ruǎnruǎn were agility cultivators—the most training they had ever received was in dodging spells, the natural counter to spellcasters!
They quickly closed the distance with the two rear-line spellcasters.
At the critical moment, the two Zhanhuang Sixteen Team agility cultivators finally caught up, closing in on Jiang Ke’er and Gan Ruǎnruǎn.
Gan Ruǎnruǎn decisively pulled back, drawing one agility cultivator away.
Jiang Ke’er, on the other hand, once again charged in recklessly, meeting sword with sword!
“Shhh—”
She failed to dodge.
A deep, bloody gash opened on her left arm, but her face was expressionless, as if she hadn’t even noticed, her gaze fixed dead ahead.
A flying dagger was rapidly approaching.
Now’s the time!