Huang Xingli looked at Ding Yumian in surprise. She didn't expect even Ding Yumian to admit that she wasn't a match for that man.
Ding Yumian's gaze rested on Song Jie, who was still in the competition area as another battle began nearby.
She explained calmly, "This man is very cunning. Don't think his Summoned Beast can't hold on. Everything you're seeing is just for show."
"What?!" Huang Xingli widened her eyes, quickly fixing her gaze on Song Jie's Xiaolu.
"Didn't you notice?" Ding Yumian continued. "Even though his Summoned Beast looks exhausted, it's still controlling a massive number of vines."
"If it were truly exhausted, could it still maintain that much control?"
Realization dawned on Huang Xingli, her face filled with disbelief.
"Is this guy… lying to all of us?!" she said angrily.
She had thought Song Jie was on the verge of defeat several times already—but every single time, he turned things around and won in the end.
"He's a formidable opponent," Ding Yumian said, and then fell silent.
On the field, Song Jie "struggled" to defeat his opponent, advancing to the next round.
At this point, his total wins had reached ninety-two. Only eight more victories stood between him and completing the challenge of one versus a hundred!
"Is there really no one who can stop him?" Huang Xingli muttered, anxiety creeping into her voice as Song Jie triumphed yet again.
Everyone joined the academy for cultivation resources—if all those resources ended up being handed to Song Jie, what would be left for the rest?
"Look! Those are people from the Bai and Lu families. Are they going to challenge him?"
Someone in the audience exclaimed as Bai Liang and three others made their way toward the arena entrance.
As a child of an aristocratic family, Bai Liang stood out immediately—his refined appearance and noble temperament catching everyone's attention.
His strength, too, was well-known. In the past two months, he had earned quite a reputation throughout the school.
When Huang Xingli saw Bai Liang and the others moving to take action, joy lit up her face.
"Yumian, there are only three of them. Shouldn't you join them?" she asked hopefully.
Ding Yumian shook her head.
"Three mid-level mages against Song Jie—this 'welcome show' should be ending soon."
Upon hearing that, Huang Xingli's excitement grew, and the crowd began to stir.
"Those three are mid-level mages! Song Jie's finished this time!"
"Finally, the mid-level mages are stepping in! Now we don't have to share our cultivation resources!"
"I can't wait to see how arrogant Song Jie acts after this!"
The stands erupted with chatter as hope rekindled among the students.
During this time, Song Jie defeated four more opponents, bringing his total to ninety-six.
"Only four left," he thought to himself, looking toward the passageway.
But there was no one there—it was empty.
"What's going on?" he wondered, just as three familiar figures stepped out.
"Teacher, the three of us will challenge Song Jie," Bai Liang said firmly.
Song Jie's eyes swept over them.
"There are only three of them… they must all be mid-level mages," he thought, frowning slightly.
In the audience, excitement spread like wildfire—many students knew how powerful Bai Liang and his companions were.
Mu Lei couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
"So Bai Liang really came for revenge."
"Revenge?" Mu Nujiao asked in confusion.
Mu Lei explained briefly, and Mu Nujiao quickly understood.
"Bai Liang was defeated by Song Jie before. This time, he's brought two helpers… I just hope Song Jie can handle it," Mu Lei said, his tone tinged with worry.
As she watched Bai Liang and the others enter the arena, Mu Nujiao found her palms sweating nervously.
Bai Liang and his two companions faced Song Jie, their eyes locked on him.
"So you've brought backup to get revenge," Song Jie said coolly. He already knew Bai Liang's intention—to ruin his challenge streak.
Bai Liang didn't waste time with words. With a quick glance at his teammates, he launched his attack.
Before entering the arena, he had already warned them about Song Jie's trump cards.
Song Jie didn't expect Bai Liang to act so decisively. He had planned to surprise him later, but now it seemed that wouldn't work.
"Xiaolu, stop the two behind him!" Song Jie ordered.
Xiaolu responded immediately, sending vines surging toward the two mages behind Bai Liang.
"Fire!"
"Explosion!"
The Fire Mage swiftly completed his Star Orbit, releasing a torrent of flames that incinerated the vines in an instant.
Bai Liang advanced rapidly, his sharp eyes locked onto Song Jie, ready to strike.
But Song Jie didn't panic. Instead, he suddenly released a spell of his own—
"Glorious Light!"
"Lu You!" Bai Liang shouted in alarm.
He didn't even need to say it—Lu You, the Light Mage on his team, was already responding.
"Holy Shield!"
A layer of golden light enveloped Bai Liang's body, forming a protective barrier.
He exhaled in relief—defense secured.
But before he could relax, the golden light around Song Jie suddenly flared, blindingly bright!
The light was dazzling beyond belief. Unprepared, the three of them instinctively shielded their eyes.
In that instant, Bai Liang realized he had been tricked.
He knew I understood his light magic—and he used that against me!
He'd been too clever for his own good.
Bai Liang tried to dodge, but his feet suddenly tightened—vines had coiled around his legs, binding him in place!
His heart sank. A terrible premonition swept through him.
Before he could react, Song Jie's voice echoed across the field—
"Thunder Seal!"
"Raging Strike!"
Bai Liang thrust one hand into the air, lightning energy surging violently around his arm.
A moment later, a massive bolt of thunder burst forth, striking the ground where Song Jie had been standing.
"BOOM!"
An explosion rocked the arena. Bai Liang's body was suddenly thrown backward as if struck by a giant hammer.
Pain tore through him. Gritting his teeth, he forced his eyes open, trying to locate Song Jie's figure through the smoke.
The students watching didn't understand what had just happened—they'd heard thunder, and then saw Bai Liang flying across the field, slamming hard against the wall!
"What just happened?!"
The brilliance and noise left everyone dazed, unable to grasp what they had witnessed. But one thing was clear—
Bai Liang had been completely overwhelmed.
Even as he crashed to the ground, his eyes stayed fixed on the spot where Song Jie had stood moments ago.
However...