CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 122: TIANYI TOURNAMENT (PART 14)

The rainforest’s humidity on this morning was particularly high. Though it wasn’t raining, the air was filled with moisture, making even breathing feel stifling and oppressive.

Team Tianyi, protected by the Wind Element, advanced northward and quickly found the first Competition Token of the day.

The dark-colored token was placed in a bowl-shaped parasitic lotus, about four to five meters above the ground. Even so, it couldn’t escape the sharp senses of the Elemental Spirit.

An Qing was overjoyed. After Chu Yunyi withdrew the Wind Array, she ran over to get the token. Just as she leapt high, preparing to climb the tree, Chu Yunyi suddenly shouted:

"Watch out!"

At the same moment, a blue Ice Dragon burst forth from the dense canopy, opening its mouth to bite An Qing. Alarmed, she raised her hand and released a golden dart, shattering the dragon’s head.

This sudden change caused An Qing to veer off her original trajectory during her jump. Without the tree trunk to land on, she had to forcibly twist her body and fell back to the ground.

There was an ambush! An Qing was now completely exposed within the enemy’s attack range.

Jiang Yuesheng shook his long spear, like a snake flicking its tongue, and fired over ten fireballs in a character arrangement towards the canopy. Seizing this opportunity, An Qing ran back to her team’s formation.

Jiang Yuesheng yelled, "Who’s lurking there? Show yourself!"

A person lightly jumped down from the tree, smiled gently at Team Tianyi’s four members, and said, "Sorry, but this token is already taken. Please go around."

An Qing looked shocked, "It’s you?"

Ye Qingting abandoned his usual humble and respectful demeanor in front of them, wearing a provocative smile, and nodded as a form of greeting.

An Qing said, "Ye Qingting, are you really ignorant or just pretending? Before a token is taken, whoever sees it shares it. You say it’s claimed, so it’s claimed?"

Ye Qingting replied, "Our Resolute team discovered this token long ago and wanted to rest before taking it. Who knew it would be such a coincidence; we arrived first, and you followed right after. But the competition’s rule is first come, first serve. Your team has collected quite a number of tokens; you’re not missing this one. I wonder if Captain Chu could allow us this favor?"

Being addressed as "Captain Chu" made Chu Yunyi uncomfortable. He felt there was something fishy, yet there wasn’t any spiritual power residue around to suggest a talisman array was set up, not like an ambush. Could it be as Ye Qingting said, just a coincidence?

Chu Yunyi’s sixth sense told him that this place wasn’t suitable for staying long. With ten hours left until the competition ended, his team already had quite a few tokens. There was no need to tangle over just one here, better to leave early.

Thinking of this, Chu Yunyi nodded to Ye Qingting, "Alright. An Qing, Yuesheng, let’s go."

However, Jiang Yuesheng didn’t move, his expression sinking with evident displeasure in his voice: "Yunyi, what do you mean by this? Giving up a token you already have, is it because he’s your cousin and you’re intentionally going easy on him?"

An Qing also was unhappy: "Captain, there’s no way someone would leave a token just because they wanted to rest. Do you believe that nonsense? I think he found the token at the same time as I did and is lying to you because he’s afraid to fight us. Since we can’t tell whose words are true, let’s rely on strength. Whoever wins gets the token. There’s no way I’ll willingly give it up!"

The unease in Chu Yunyi’s heart grew stronger. He couldn’t explain using such subjective feelings as a reason to make Jiang Yuesheng and An Qing leave, so he could only protect Lin Caier behind him.

Fortunately, he didn’t feel any fluctuations of talisman arrays around. If the Resolute team really intended to make a move, he could counterattack instantly.

At that moment, three people emerged one after another from the surrounding grass, assuming positions of four elephants with Ye Qingting, encircling Team Tianyi.

Cui Tianxiao spat contemptuously and mocked:

"Damn, are you two trying to act all heroic together? Just need a monument! Anyone who doesn’t know would really think it was you two traitors fighting against all odds all the way here. Seems you’ve forgotten the buff Brother Chu gave you!"

Jiang Yuesheng, now furious, shouted, "Cui Tianxiao, stop spewing lies!"

Cui Tianxiao rolled his eyes and said, "Whether it’s lies, we all know deep down. Heck, I’ve long disliked Team Tianyi! Two martial master meat shields leading the way while the talisman master stays at the back to open the path. Are your weapons so delicate? Look at how our Resolute team treats our talisman master! Xiao Ming, loudly tell them your position in our team!"

Qi Ming braced his chest proudly and said, "In the middle!"

Qi Ming forgot when they all voted to make him the "mascot" walking in the middle, he vehemently opposed it by acting spoiled.

Cui Tianxiao, filled with righteous indignation, continued his psychological attack:

"A talisman master is such a precious resource; having one in your team is a tremendous fortune. Not saying to worship them, but key protection is basic knowledge. But you! Letting the talisman master lead the way! Brother Chu paves the path, not only protecting himself but constantly depleting his Primordial Spirit and spiritual power by maintaining the Wind Array for you three wastrels! Is there a second team on Qianyuan Continent exploiting a talisman master like this?"

Cui Tianxiao’s words were like a stone breaking the serenity of a lake. Before the screen, people began to view this matter from another angle.

People were used to Chu Yunyi’s prowess, unwittingly neglecting the treatment a talisman master should receive. In squad combat, martial masters should charge, and the talisman master should stay behind for support, not spearhead every task.

One sentence woke everyone from their dreams. Once fans realized, they unanimously sided with Cui Tianxiao. Team Tianyi’s fans started splitting within, accusing and insulting each other. Of course, Chu Yunyi’s fans were far superior in both numbers and vocabulary, quickly overwhelming the other three’s followers and forcing them offline.

The victorious Yun fans, still unsatisfied, swarmed to Jiang Yuesheng, An Qing, and Lin Caier’s homepage, leaving various flattering remarks, to be savored post-competition.

On the podium, representatives of the First Legion had grim faces, and the neighboring Second Legion reps dared not utter a word.

Though Chu Yunyi hadn’t formally joined any legion yet, the Chu Family had always been the financial backer behind the First Legion. As the next heir of the Chu Family, Chu Yunyi was already labeled under the First Legion, while Jiang Yuesheng’s Jiang Family backed the Second Legion’s Knife Ghost.

The matter was no longer just about an unequal division of labor among team members. It had escalated to a clash between the two legions.

No matter how talented Chu Yunyi was, a lone standout; it was his personal advantage, but that advantage shouldn’t become a reason for exploitation.

The truth was before everyone’s eyes—Chu Yunyi was being used by his teammates. Even if Chu Yunyi overlooked it, the First Legion wouldn’t swallow this easily.

They certainly wouldn’t direct their anger at Jiang Yuesheng and the other students, but the Second Legion wasn’t so lucky.

Besides, after the last beast tide incident, the Second Legion suffered substantial damage, and for many matters, they had to rely on the First Legion’s help, likely facing difficulties from the First Legion in the future.

Luo Jun leaned closer to Wendao and asked softly, "Principal, what do you think those youngsters are planning?"

Wendao stroked his beard, face full of deep contemplation.

He was equally puzzled about Cui Tianxiao’s intent in provoking Team Tianyi. With Chu Yunyi as a stabilizing force, their winning chances weren’t high.

Zhou Song adjusted his glasses and said, "Could they be planning to confront Team Tianyi head-on? Are they capable?"

Luo Jun clicked his tongue and shouted, "Lao Zhou, have a bit of confidence!" Despite her tough words, she didn’t feel very assured inside.

Jin Hua secretly squeezed a spatial button, filled with high-grade Healing Potions she prepared. In case her students returned injured from a losing battle, she’d surely provide immediate medical aid.