The moment had come for a head-on clash, a single strike to decide the victor.

It seemed Meng Hongzhuang could only hope that her animal companions, aided by [Jungle Entanglement], could execute a fatal blow against Ye Fan.

However, her hopes were dashed.

As a Demon Hunter, Ye Fan was known for his high Agility Attribute. He had been deliberately engaging Giant Bear Vini and Big Mountain Cat Nidalee in close combat, never attempting to charge Meng Hongzhuang, for one specific reason: to force her to use [Jungle Entanglement] first.

Just as the emerald green light was about to envelop him, Ye Fan gave a cold smile and finally unleashed his trump card skill: [Fallen Heaven Strike].

A gigantic phantom of demonic bat wings appeared behind his back. Subsequently, an enormous force exploded from his legs, launching him into a great leap. In that critical instant, Ye Fan dodged Meng Hongzhuang's [Jungle Entanglement].

The students in the stands gasped in amazement.

The grim fate of a Summoner with no combat power of their own, when cornered by a fierce and agile professional, was a foregone conclusion.

It looked like Meng Hongzhuang's No. 2 Seed position was about to be Ye Fan's for the taking.

However, down below the arena, Fang Zhou's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Divine Eagle Quinn, which had been circling high in the sky for a long time, its condition still optimal.

Feigning weakness to lure the enemy in for the kill. Hongzhuang, is this your plan?

On the stage, Ye Fan's figure, propelled by the immense force of the bat wings, soared more than ten meters into the air.

On the VIP platform, Instructor Chen Qingshan watched this, his expression slightly dazed as a surreal sense of déjà vu washed over him. This scene was remarkably similar to when Ye Fan had first used [Fallen Heaven Strike] against Fang Zhou over two months ago.

Surely, he won't suffer a humiliating defeat again this time?

Ye Fan himself was brimming with confidence. The moment he dodged [Jungle Entanglement] and leaped into the air, he had already sealed his victory.

I can't imagine what other tricks Meng Hongzhuang could possibly have to defend against my Palm Technique descending from the heavens.

A sharp eagle cry rang out.

Ye Fan's lip curled in disdain.

A powerless hawk? Does it really think it can save its master all alone?

However, just as Ye Fan adjusted his position in the air, preparing to dive, a sly, fox-like smile graced Meng Hongzhuang's lips.

"Ye Fan, you fell for it! The sky will be your grave! Power of Nature, crown Quinn!"

As Meng Hongzhuang finished her spell, waves of emerald light emanated from her animal partners—Giant Bear Vini, Big Mountain Cat Nidalee, and even the two porcupines that had uselessly fired all their quills. The light converged into the vague shape of a crown before swiftly shooting toward Quinn.

In mid-air, Divine Eagle Quinn, whose wingspan was originally only the length of a man's arm, began to expand dramatically.

The strength of the bear.

The agility of the cat.

And the sharpness of the porcupine.

Under the blessing of the Natural Crown, Quinn's once-unremarkable beak and talons became incredibly sharp.

Under the watchful gaze of tens of thousands in Training Arena No. 1, Divine Eagle Quinn launched a do-or-die dive at Ye Fan from high above.

Seeing this, Ye Fan's confident expression vanished, replaced by a look of shock. He was only able to remain airborne temporarily thanks to the power of [Fallen Heaven Strike]; he wasn't like Fang Zhou, who possessed [Bone Wings] and could glide for extended periods.

Therefore, facing Quinn's descending [Eagle Strikes the Sky], he had no time to evade. Worse, he had no leverage in mid-air. He could only grit his teeth and swing his Blade Bow, desperately trying to block Quinn's charge.

CRASH!

A heavy impact resounded across the arena. The strike completely exhausted the power of the Natural Crown gathered on Quinn. The emerald light surrounding its body rapidly dissipated, and its enlarged form quickly shrank back to its original size.

However, despite the great price Meng Hongzhuang had paid, the effect of the move was astonishing. Quinn's beak and talons tore several bloody holes in Ye Fan's shoulder and waist. Furthermore, he couldn't withstand the immense impact and was sent plummeting from the sky, crashing hard onto the arena floor.

Compared to the wounds from Quinn's attack, the fall was the truly decisive blow, completely stripping him of his ability to fight.

The protective barrier on the arena floor lit up instantly, saving Ye Fan from severe injury, but it also signaled his defeat in this challenge.

Meng Hongzhuang had successfully defended her position!

SCREECH!

Divine Eagle Quinn, the key to the battle's outcome, circled the arena once before landing gently on Meng Hongzhuang's shoulder. The battle-hungry girl's emerald robe billowed in the wind. She raised her Magic Staff and pointed it at Ye Fan, her face pale from the exertion of her Spiritual Power, but her expression was one of unmasked pride.

"Hmph, as long as I, Meng Hongzhuang, am here, a pipsqueak like you, Ye Fan, will never overcome me!"

With that, Meng Hongzhuang waved her sleeve, recalling her battered animal companions into her Natural Summoning Space. She then leaped gracefully from the stage to tend to her wounds.

Ye Fan, who had just regained his senses from the disorienting fall, felt a knot form in his chest, and he nearly fainted on the spot. That scene, that victory declaration—it was the very one he had imagined for himself countless times. How could Meng Hongzhuang have stolen it from him?

On the VIP platform, Instructor Zhang covered her mouth as she laughed, her voice as clear and pleasant as silver bells. "Tsk tsk tsk, that little guy, Ye Fan. If there's a trap, he'll really jump right in! I heard that during his first combat training with Fang Zhou, he was also tricked into using his ultimate move by an optical stealth cloak, wasn't he?"

Seeing Instructor Zhang's teasing gaze, Chen Qingshan, who had boasted to her earlier, flushed red. He had the sudden urge to drag Ye Fan back to the research lab for some demonic special training.

I'll double it! From now on, it's double the training! As long as it doesn't kill him, I'll train him to death's door. Ye Fan, you just wait. The real fun is just beginning!

***

Whatever the thoughts of the students in the stands, the other Seed Students all had grave expressions, rendered speechless as they looked at one another after witnessing this clash between the strong. They never expected that besides Fang Zhou, Meng Hongzhuang and Ye Fan would also be so monstrously strong.

A few of the top-ranked Seed Students, especially the [Storm Mage] Gu Zhiqiu, had originally entertained the notion of using Meng Hongzhuang or Ye Fan as stepping stones to climb higher in the ranks. But after this battle, even Gu Zhiqiu, ranked fourth, had lost his confidence.

At this moment, Lu Hu stood up from the VIP platform and announced, "Number 3, Ye Fan, has failed the challenge. His rank remains unchanged. Who's next?"

The Seed Students glanced at each other. Then, a few cast malicious glares toward the fourth-ranked student, Gu Zhiqiu.

"I—I want to challenge Number 4, Gu Zhiqiu!"

"I want to challenge Number 18!"

"I'll challenge Number 47!"

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