CHAPTER 2056: CHAPTER 2054: CRUSH THEM TO PIECES

Even with the small form of the MechanicalMechanism Cat, ten mechanical puppets packed the trial arena full, leaving Bai Ruozhu little room to hide. Moreover, ten puppets attacking Xiaohei simultaneously would surely entangle it to death.

Bai Ruozhu squinted her eyes; the more dangerous the situation, the calmer she became. She did not believe that with so many mechanical puppets, Fo Lanying could keep them all under control.

"Xiaohei, come here!" she called, and Xiaohei quickly rushed over. She flipped onto Xiaohei’s back, "Be careful to dodge."

Many in the audience gasped, while the Second Elder on the judges’ platform showed a meaningful smile, stroking his beard, and said, "Young and inexperienced, isn’t it better to separate from the beast pet and dodge? Now she’s just making herself a bigger target."

Elder Su frowned, displeased with the Second Elder’s attitude, but also worried for Bai Ruozhu. As far as he knew, Bai Ruozhu indeed seldom went out to fight.

Xiaohei growled lowly, intending to draw the enemy away to avoid Bai Ruozhu getting hurt. Bai Ruozhu patted its head and said softly, "We stay together; the chance of getting injured is minimized. Even if my essence is insufficient, you can transfer yours to me."

She also considered that if things got too dangerous, she would pretend to set up an array and then hide with Xiaohei in the Space. She didn’t want to get hurt, nor did she want Xiaohei to get hurt. She would never use tactics that sacrificed Xiaohei to draw fire.

Once, Xiaohei was thrown several times trying to block Chiyou’s attacks for her, with several bones broken, yet still struggled to climb up and protect her. Such a beast pet was already a close friend to her; how could she let a friend get injured and bleed just for a victory?

"Utter foolishness!" Fo Lanying laughed aloud, directing the mechanical puppets towards Bai Ruozhu, "Let them run, cripple her beast pet!"

Bai Ruozhu formed seals with her hands, first shielding her and Xiaohei, and then quickly set up a concealment array.

This array was inspired by Yizi and combined with her magic technique, not a profound formation but one that could confuse the enemy.

Moreover, she could use this array to cover herself as she escaped into the Space, but under the eyes of the Second Elder and others, she dared not enter the Space lightly unless it was a critical moment. Otherwise, she wouldn’t dare expose her greatest secret.

"Always hiding like a cowardly rat!" Fo Lanying, having no accomplishment in arrays or magic techniques, lost track of Bai Ruozhu’s whereabouts immediately.

On the judges’ platform, the Second Elder’s brows furrowed, a cold light flashed in his eyes; he had understood Bai Ruozhu’s intention.

"A petty trick, hiding in the western corner. Does she think no one will see through it?" the Second Elder said loudly.

Hearing this, Fo Lanying immediately had a direction and attacked towards the western corner.

"Second Elder!" Elder Su shouted angrily, "It’s one thing to protect your own, but this is a competition. Reminding Fo Lanying like that is akin to cheating!"

Fifth Elder sighed and shook his head, "Second Elder, children have their own fortunes; meddling too much is not care, but harm."

The Second Elder, feeling guilty, coughed twice and said, "I didn’t mean anything by it, just spoke without thinking. I’ll be quiet from now on."

In the arena, Bai Ruozhu cursed "Old cheat," then formed seals with her hands to set up a magic defense for her and Xiaohei. She then directed Xiaohei to dodge to the other side.

Sure enough, several mechanical puppet attacks landed on Xiaohei, but thankfully the magic defense prevented any harm to it.

"If you can’t win, just admit defeat; what’s the point of hiding?" Fo Lanying shouted.

Bai Ruozhu commanded Xiaohei to dodge, and wielding her dagger, she knocked away several mechanical puppets, then laughed and said, "It’s much more interesting than relying on elder’s hints. If you’re unconvinced, catch me first; if you lack the skill, then talk less nonsense."

Bi Tao, Qin Qin, and a few other girls couldn’t help but laugh, but seeing the Second Elder’s livid face, they stifled their laughter, though they still whispered amongst themselves.

"How can the Second Elder be like that? It’s practically cheating."

"Right, and Fo Lanying feels no shame. Without her grandpa’s reminder, she couldn’t even break through the array. Besides, the mechanical beasts she’s using aren’t even hers; I bet those two belong to her parents."

"Sister Bai is so bold; I wouldn’t dare say such things. I’m admiring her more and more!"

On the stage, the Second Elder glared at Bai Ruozhu, wanting to curse, but having just said he wouldn’t speak further, he could only hold back. Arguing with Bai Ruozhu now would only confirm that he was biased during the competition in favor of his granddaughter.

"You scoundrel!" Fo Lanying gritted her teeth and led the mechanical puppets charging at Bai Ruozhu. On stage, the Second Elder muttered, realizing that when his granddaughter got emotional, it would surely affect her control. She was already struggling to manage ten mechanical puppets.

Indeed, among the onlookers were many seasoned mechanists who quickly noticed that one or two of Fo Lanying’s mechanical puppets had become slower and less agile.

At this moment, Bai Ruozhu squinted slightly, directing Xiaohei to attack one of the mechanical beasts.

"Bite it to pieces!" Bai Ruozhu said. Though not deeply skilled in Mechanical Techniques, her observation skills were excellent, easily noticing changes in the mechanical puppets.

"My goodness! How did Bai Ruozhu notice? Even someone with a decade or two of experience in Mechanical Technique wouldn’t notice so quickly. Could it just be a coincidence?" someone couldn’t help but say.

But the next second, they knew it wasn’t a coincidence, as Bai Ruozhu went for another nearly out-of-control wooden mechanical puppet. With her dagger, she struck the node on the wooden puppet’s neck, immediately disabling it, while Xiaohei fiercely bit it into pieces.

Among the onlookers, a woman suddenly spat a mouthful of blood. Those nearby hurriedly stepped away, pretending not to see. The one who spat blood was Fo Lanying’s mother, the daughter-in-law of the Second Elder. The wooden puppet Bai Ruozhu had just destroyed was borrowed from her for the competition. As it was crafted with heart’s blood, its destruction backlashed on her, causing her to vomit blood.

"Bai Ruozhu, just you wait!" Fo Lanying’s mother gritted her teeth and said.

Fo Lanying’s eyes were red with rage. That wooden puppet ought to have been more powerful, but ultimately it wasn’t hers, and she couldn’t wield its full power. Additionally, it was the first to become uncontrollable, giving Bai Ruozhu a chance, and Bai Ruozhu deliberately had her beast pet crush her mechanical puppet, seizing the opportunity for revenge.

Bai Ruozhu felt several murderous intents fall upon her, but she was unafraid. Dare to make her second brother kneel, she must let them know who they can provoke and who they cannot!