Chapter Twenty-Five: A Partnership

“All right, has everyone decided what to do next?” Feng Shang, who had always refused to make a move, was now battered and bruised from the backlash. He watched as Han Tianyue and Mao Xuanzi reconciled, then turned to Fang Zhe, hoping for some sign of agreement.

“We’ll attack together!” Fang Zhe finally spoke.

Han Tianyue, though eager to pry information about the Crown Prince Mao from them, knew this was an extraordinary moment. His personal concerns would have to wait. He nodded. “Fine, but how exactly should we attack together?”

“Then listen to me!” Mao Xuanzi’s fiery red hair whirled through the air, blazing like a living inferno. “Scorching Aura!”

“Storm!” Feng Shang joined in.

“Ice Blade!” Han Tianyue unleashed his power.

With a resonant “clang,” the strings of Fang Zhe’s instrument quivered as he sat, cradling the zither. “Soundwave!”

The four forces converged, surging toward the halo—“Boom!” An explosive roar shook the entire rest chamber, though not a sound escaped to the outer rooms.

The walls here absorbed all sound, transforming it into a gentle stream of air. As the current drifted out, Teacher Song—who had been anxiously monitoring the situation within the chamber—finally felt a trace of relief.

“Teacher Song, looks like you’ve really invested this time!” Teacher Yun, sensing the airflow, approached with a jesting smile.

Teacher Song replied earnestly, “It’s been so many years. Apart from that one occasion, none of my students have ever stood out in the graduation competition again.”

“Jindi and the others were indeed formidable, but the path they chose was one of no return.” Teacher Yun let out a long sigh.

Teacher Song echoed the sentiment with a soft sigh. “Let’s hope these students don’t follow in Jindi’s footsteps.”

The two teachers continued their conversation, while inside, Mao Xuanzi and the others realized that their assault had only marked the beginning—

As the halo shattered, four figures appeared before them—identical to Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang.

“This must be the halo’s greatest power: now it’s a battle against ourselves,” Mao Xuanzi said coldly, gazing at his doppelgänger.

Fang Zhe gently plucked his strings, and his double, seeming to sense his intent, shifted ever so slightly to evade the soundwave.

“One’s own self is never so easy to defeat,” Fang Zhe pressed his hand to the strings and spoke with grave seriousness.

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