As Wang Lan pondered his strategy, Xiao Zi on the other side made his move again. In an instant, Wang Lan felt the water beneath his feet suddenly turn violently turbulent.

The water level sank, and the surrounding water wall suddenly rose. Wang Lan's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly ran upward along the water wall. But after taking less than five steps, the rushing water swept him off it.

"What does Xiao Zi intend to do?" a student suddenly cried out in alarm. Above Wang Lan's head, a cloud mass was gathering. To the students observing from outside, the competition arena had transformed into a giant water tank.

What was strange was the massive amount of water both below and above, with only a pocket of vacuum in the middle. Wang Lan and Xiao Zi stood facing each other in that vacuum.

"He plans to bury himself and Wang Lan alive! Xiao Zi is a Star Martial Warrior with four attributes, yet he's using only the Water Attribute to suppress Wang Lan to the point he can't move. If Xiao Zi were to use his other Star Martial Skills, wouldn't Wang Lan be instantly defeated?"

"Hmph! Which school are you from?" A teacher in his fifties, an observer, suddenly put away his observation device and turned to curiously ask the student who had just spoken.

"Chang... Chang City Second Middle School."

"You've made a fundamental mistake, though considering you're still a high school student, I can understand. If you were my student and said something like that, you would never graduate as long as you live.

Xiao Zi does possess four attributes. However, it's not necessary for a multi-attribute Star Martial Warrior to display every attribute they've mastered for it to be considered skillful. Xiao Zi has already demonstrated his multi-attribute talent in previous battles.

The battlefield is ever-changing, so tactics must be adapted to the situation. Knowing which tactics and Star Martial Skills to use against specific opponents—that is the true combat awareness of a mature Star Martial Warrior.

According to you, should Xiao Zi also use the Earth Attribute? Fire Attribute? Thunder Attribute? Wang Lan himself possesses dual Fire and Thunder Attributes. Would the Fire and Thunder Attributes be particularly effective against Wang Lan? Or should he use the Earth Attribute, only to be countered by Wang Lan's Thunder Attribute? Wang Lan is an intelligence-type Star Martial Warrior; the more diverse and numerous your techniques, the more openings you present to him.

Xiao Zi has reached a state of seeking not the 'best' technique, but the 'most appropriate' one. You, on the other hand, are still at the stage of a peacock impatiently spreading its tail, eager to show off. Battle isn't a fashion show; the result is paramount.

Why doesn't Xiao Zi use other attributes? It's because pure water has the greatest suppressive effect on Wang Lan. His Fire Attribute Star Martial Skills cannot be effectively utilized, and the non-conductive nature of pure water restricts his Thunder Attribute.

Moreover, Xiao Zi has already comprehended the Law of Water Perception. In the world of water, Wang Lan's every move cannot escape Xiao Zi's senses. If he switched to another attribute, could he gain such a significant advantage?

In a real battle, a truly excellent strategy is one where the enemy knows your intentions perfectly but is powerless to stop you.

Wang Lan's brilliance has already left us in awe, but Xiao Zi's excellence is clearly a cut above. With this level of awareness, Xiao Zi is assured a place among future Titled Strongmen."

Hearing the senior teacher's evaluation, the students behind him pursed their lips slightly. Even if they felt unconvinced deep down, they had to agree. Whether you acknowledged it or not didn't matter; the authority to decide the rules lay in someone else's hands.

Meanwhile, on the stands of the Suzhou City delegation, everyone's face was contorted with tension. The head teacher, in particular, was gripping the armrest so tightly he almost crushed it.

For the first time, Suzhou City was so close to the championship throne, so close that with a bit more effort, they could hold the trophy in their arms. But that Xiao Zi seemed to be an insurmountable chasm.

"Xinyu, if you were in Wang Lan's position, could you break Xiao Zi's move?"

Jiang Xinyu pondered for a moment, then bit her lip quietly. "No."

"Can't you freeze his water?" Xie Sisi asked in confusion.

"This isn't merely static water. Unless I reach the Galaxy Stage and my Star Power undergoes a qualitative transformation, even if I managed to freeze a portion, the opponent would instantly shatter it.

Xiao Zi's advantage lies in his extraordinary Star Power and his utilization of the Law. If not for the terrain restrictions, Wang Lan might have a chance to win. But with the entire arena under Xiao Zi's control, Wang Lan's chances are slim."

As Jiang Xinyu finished speaking, a figure walked up slowly, casually dressed and clearly looking like he was about to go out.

Mu Shaoyun took a seat and asked, "What's happened? What's going on?"

"The finals started early. Zhang Hao and Qiu Tianci took each other out—both dead. I really don't know what was going on in their heads, what kind of deep-seated hatred drove them. Lucky for you, third place is yours," Xu Xiangwen said casually to Mu Shaoyun.

Within the entire Suzhou City delegation, Mu Shaoyun was the most aloof. But despite his standoffish nature, they were still familiar classmates, and Xu Xiangwen bore no ill will towards him. Mu Shaoyun merely responded with a nonchalant "Oh," and turned his gaze to the battlefield.

"Wang Lan is in a tricky situation."

"Indeed, Lanzi has never been so suppressed since becoming a Star Martial Warrior. I'm baffled why he bothers to follow the rules. Just go straight for the Phoenix..."

"Xiangwen! Shut up!" Jiang Xinyu immediately shouted, interrupting Xu Xiangwen.

"Yes, yes! But Lanzi is really being an idiot; it's like his head got caught in a door! He has the strength but won't use it. And even if he doesn't use that, doesn't he still have the Star Palace Artifact? Just use it!"

"Mu Shaoyun, if it were you, would you have a way out?"

"Of course, I do. Don't forget, I excel in the Earth Attribute, and earth counters water."

At this moment, Xiao Zi's earth-shattering strike finally arrived. The water in the sky suddenly pressed down fiercely on Wang Lan and Xiao Zi's heads. Once submerged, Xiao Zi would have plenty of ways to launch various attacks on Wang Lan.

If Wang Lan standing on the water surface was an insect hopping on a spider's web, then Wang Lan swallowed by the water was like an insect entangled in spider silk. At that point, whatever Xiao Zi wanted to do, he truly could.

A victorious smile appeared on Xiao Zi's face, and as it did, Wang Lan's body vanished in an instant.

Phantom Tracer had also successfully upgraded to Gold Tier. At the Gold Tier, the directions of teleportation for Phantom Tracer had increased from four to six, and the teleportation distance had reached thirty meters.

The cubic mass of water overhead, crashing down like a collapsing sky, was unavoidable by any conventional means of movement. Yet, with Phantom Tracer, escape was possible.

BOOM! A pocket of air exploded at the top of the water, sending an undulating column of water soaring into the sky.

Because the environment was enclosed and the water incredibly clear, Wang Lan's vanishing act unfolded before everyone's eyes in mere moments.

"Where's Wang Lan?"

"He didn't melt, did he?"

In the water, only Xiao Zi remained. Wang Lan's figure had eerily vanished.

"Did you all hear a buzzing noise?"

"Sounds like it. Could it be an aerial photography drone up there?"

"No, Wang Lan is in the sky."

Finally, someone spotted the black dot above the cubic mass of water. A hundred meters high in the sky, Wang Lan's figure hovered and darted about like a tiny bee.

Seeing this scene, Wang Qianfeng couldn't help but stand up from his seat.

"Sky Step? He actually learned Sky Step?"

"Calm down!" He MingXue cast a disdainful look at his forgetful comrade. Wasn't it perfectly logical for Wang Lan to learn Sky Step?

But the Sky Step Wang Qianfeng had previously demonstrated to Wang Lan required Star Power to act upon the void itself. This was different from a regular Star Cloud Dance, where Star Power is applied to the body—a completely different concept. Sky Step was a technique Wang Qianfeng himself had only comprehended in the later stages of the Star Cloud Stage. Could Wang Lan have grasped it so quickly after just breaking through to the Star Cloud Stage?

Seeing Wang Lan stepping on the void, Xiao Zi's expression instantly changed. Transforming into a fleeting fish, he swiftly dashed towards the water's surface. But Wang Lan in the sky suddenly launched several Crescent Arrows towards the water.

Each arrow carried a visual lock-on. Xiao Zi's expression changed, and he quickly sank into the water. However, at this moment, his face had already turned pale.

The very restriction he had placed on Wang Lan had now turned back on him, a trap sprung by his own Star Martial Skill. Xiao Zi's current predicament was similar to Wang Lan's earlier one, perhaps even worse. At least Wang Lan could stand on the water's surface to breathe; Xiao Zi, however, could only remain submerged.

Furthermore, with the water being exceptionally clear, Xiao Zi's every move was plainly visible to Wang Lan. If Xiao Zi dared to surface for air, Wang Lan would shoot instantly. Yet, if he remained underwater, he would eventually drown.

"PFFT—" When Xu Xiangwen finally understood the sudden reversal unfolding before him, he choked on a laugh.

Immediately after, exclamations of surprise erupted from those around him.

"Damn, what a comeback! This is more outrageous than a novel!"

"By Sodis's pinch—trapped by the Star Martial Skill he himself released, he has to endure it even if it brings him to tears. I've heard of people setting themselves on fire, but never someone drowning themselves in their own water."

"Wang Lan's brilliant tactics leave us utterly impressed and convinced."

"Same here."

"Now let's see what Xiao Zi does. Drown or get shot—that's a tough choice. He'll probably have to concede."

"Not necessarily. Don't forget, Xiao Zi has four attributes."

Time ticked by, second by second, and Xiao Zi's face grew increasingly pale from holding his breath. Suddenly, he plunged headfirst toward the bottom, pressing one hand against the seabed.

RUMBLE— The earth rapidly sank, and as soil churned upwards, the once-clear water turned murky. Seeing Xiao Zi's actions, how could Wang Lan not guess his intentions?

Wang Lan's body free-fell from the sky, his fingers extended forward as if holding a gun. At his wrist, a pair of lightning wings unfurled, and an arrow composed of countless electrical arcs materialized at his fingertips.

WHOOSH—

The lightning arrow instantly plunged into the water, piercing downwards fiercely like a javelin. Then… CRACKLE—

Brilliant electrical arcs erupted, as if a powerful searchlight had illuminated the depths. A barrage of lightning arrows continuously bombarded the water.

"The now-murky water conducts electricity. Xiao Zi's tactic has failed," Eld Di remarked softly, a smile on his face.

SPLASH—

Wang Lan dived into the water, which Xiao Zi had transformed into a vast swimming pool. After the initial splash, the water surface calmed once more.

After a while, a figure burst out of the water: Wang Lan, supporting the now unconscious Xiao Zi, standing on the water's surface.

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