As expected, Zhuge Yu's team was the first to take down the A-level Examiner and return to the designated spot to await the final showdown.

But to Qin Tian's surprise, Wu Ziyan and Shangguan Lei's teams also quickly located the Demon and the Demon Examiner.

In Wu Ziyan's team was a Summoner whose summoned creatures were unusual, not the usual spirit beasts or fierce beasts, but various poisonous creatures such as venomous insects, scorpions, toads, centipedes, and snakes.

As soon as they entered Shuiyue New City, he released a large number of these poisonous insects into the environment and quickly distributed them in every corner of the city.

These poisonous insects transformed into the Summoner's eyes, allowing him to take in the whole city "at a glance."

When the team needed to find the Demon's trail, the Summoner immediately controlled the poisonous insects to fly around the city, and soon they found the Demon.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Lei's team was able to find the Demon thanks to Shangguan Lei's ability, along with a Spiritual Artifact he carried.

Shangguan Lei's bloodline, known as Star Vortex Mindweb, was a spiritual-element bloodline ability that constructed a "Consciousness Network" within a certain range using Spiritual Power, perceiving all life forms' thought tracks within as if it were a starry vortex, somewhat similar to Qin Tian's Spiritual Wisdom Divine Authority.

However, the Spiritual Wisdom Divine Authority itself lacked offensive capabilities, leaning more towards control and support.

But the Star Vortex Mindweb had impressive attack capabilities, and paired with the Shangguan Clan's various secret spiritual techniques, many would rather face a stronger Mage or Martial Artist than deal with such a strange Spiritual Mind Master.

With his strong Spiritual Power and the Guardian Artifact he carried—the Lingxi Celestial Eye, Shangguan Lei quickly led his team to find the Demon Examiner.

The two battles began one after another.

Compared to Zhuge Yu's team, which encountered a few twists and turns but managed to resolve the fight without any injuries, the battles of these two teams were far more intense, with both the Demon and the Demon showing the formidable power a Tier Six Powerhouse should possess.

In the end, both teams had to pay the price of one member getting severely injured to take down the A-level Examiner.

This result cast a shadow over the hearts of the two groups of team members.

Already not as strong as Zhuge Yu's team, now with casualties suffered, how many of them could secure a spot on the final ten-person list come the ultimate showdown?

Qin Tian observed the entire process of the two battles from the shadows, originally planning to use the same old trick to launch a surprise attack once more. However, both teams were on guard against his tactics, even setting traps, waiting for him to fall into them.

After assessing the risks, Qin Tian reluctantly abandoned his plan.

Now, only Lei Yao's team had yet to resolve the final Ghost Examiner.

...

"Damn it, where is he!!!"

Lei Yao clenched his fist, feeling extremely anxious.

The battle fluctuations within the city didn't escape his perception. Clearly, the other three teams had already dealt with their opponents, while his team was still wandering around the city like headless chickens.

Not to mention the billions of viewers watching them, this was a humiliating situation.

If they continued to drag on too long and still couldn't find the Ghost Examiner, the remaining three teams could easily disregard their agreement and seek out the Ghost Examiner themselves, eliminating him to gain the Guardian Artifact.

Or worse, if they were ruthless enough, they might even team up to eliminate Lei Yao's team first.

None of these were scenarios he wanted to see.

"Perhaps we should split up."

Another five-star genius in the team, Huang Yuhui, suggested:

"You and I will form one group, and the remaining four people will pair up into two groups, dividing into four directions, which will be much more efficient."

"However, we mustn't stray too far from each other. Maintain control of the distance, and once we spot the Ghost Examiner, send out a signal immediately. I think with everyone's abilities, holding out for a couple of face-offs should be no problem."

Lei Yao pondered for a moment and nodded:

"Alright, let's do it your way!"

He really had no other choice now. Rather than finding no target and blindly wandering around, becoming a laughingstock for the outside world, he might as well take a gamble.

Soon, Lei Yao's team of six set off according to plan along four paths, maintaining strict control over their distance from one another. At the speed of a Tier Five power, they could come to each other's aid within a minute.

Qin Tian continued to hide in the shadows, constantly monitoring Lei Yao's team's movements.

Truth be told, Lei Yao's decision was quite risky and had to do with their lack of firsthand experience with an A-level Examiner's real power.

Back then, Zhong Liying, Ao Zihong, Ji Yufei—two four-star geniuses and a three-star genius—couldn't withstand even a single face-off before the God.

The Ghost's power would certainly not be any less than the God's.

Once the Ghost revealed himself and found an opportunity, whether it was Lei Yao, Huang Yuhui, or any of the two teams, they might be knocked out before reinforcements arrived.

Of course, there's another possibility.

The Ghost might remain incognito until the arena battle.

Although it would make the Ghost seem overly cowardly, which wouldn't match an A-level Examiner's image, staying until the end meant the Ghost would receive richer rewards than the other three A-level Examiners.

"Will you show yourself!"

Qin Tian's eyes flickered with light.

...

"No, no! Where could he be hiding!"

Lei Yao slammed shut a shop door with force, his fist clenched, electric light flickering around him.

Almost a day had passed since the four teams split up. The other three teams had resolved their opponents and might be boosting their strength with plundered spoils, while he was still going in circles.

Under this invisible pressure, his anxiety grew, and his patience was nearly exhausted.

Crack~

Just then, Lei Yao suddenly heard a noise behind him. He turned around, his eyes widening.

It was him!

The Ghost Examiner

The Ghost Examiner wore an Evil Ghost Mask and a pitch-black Nether Cloak, his slightly reddish eyes fixed on Lei Yao without blinking.

Lei Yao felt a chill run through his body for no reason, but at the same time, the pressure and anxiety that had been compressing in his heart finally released at that moment.

Now that the target was found, it was time to show his strength.

If the other three teams could do it, so could he.

Boom!

Violent lightning surged around him as Lei Yao raised his hand and released a purple lightning bolt into the air as a signal, notifying his teammates of his location.

Upon seeing the lightning roar, Huang Yuhui and the other four immediately rushed over.

At this moment, the commentary in the live chat increased rapidly.

"It's finally about to start, I've been waiting forever."

"I thought the Ghost would keep hiding and not come out, but unexpectedly he took the initiative to show up. No wonder he's an A-level Examiner, he has guts far beyond that of Black Crow."

"Come quick, bring us a spectacular battle."

Lei Yao assumed a defensive stance, lightning protecting him. Before his team arrived, his task was to stay safe.

But just then, a sharp ghostly wail suddenly echoed in his mind.

His body froze abruptly, his head throbbing painfully, and the next moment, a ghostly hand pierced out from his chest, not only crushing his heart but also crushing the Qingmu jade he carried.

"How dare you kill me!!!"

Lei Yao looked at the Ghost in disbelief.

In the Azure Wood Star Realm's Genius Battle, severe injuries were allowed, but deliberate murder was forbidden.

Murderers would surely be punished by the Dongfang Clan, life for a life.

The Ghost leaned in to his ear and spoke, his eyes staring directly ahead at the camera.

A deep, hoarse voice echoed, broadcasted across the entire Azure Wood Star Realm.

"The Blood God Cult, greets you all."

Blood... God Cult

Lei Yao's pupils contracted sharply, and despair and fear instantly filled his chest.

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