Chapter 208: First Battle of Cherry Blossoms.
The arena was completely and tightly enveloped by a barrier, and for safety, beyond the barrier, defensive Mages were also positioned to block any massive energy that might overflow.
These were basically High-Level Mages; the destructive power of a High-Level Mage's magic was enough to shake an entire street, so even an arena the size of four football fields combined still required utmost vigilance.
Internationally, Mage duels are not highly encouraged, largely due to the difficulty in controlling energy. The stronger the Mage, the more terrible destruction they can cause, and there have been many instances of accidental injuries due to Mage duels in the past.
The ground initially appeared as dirt, covered with fine dust, as if a casual Wind Element magic could raise a large cloud of dust.
However, several old Mages soon entered the arena. Using their Earth and Plant Element magic, they began to change the terrain on the spot.
Like a magic trick, hard soil, firm mud, high rocks, and rolling hills quickly formed different landscapes right before everyone's eyes.
Next came the performance of several old Plant Element Mages. Ancient trees could be seen rising from the ground, lush green forests formed dense canopies, adorned with long vines and tendrils, intertwining into a primal forest!
Before long, the barren magic arena had completely transformed into a wilderness battlefield. If not for the entire area still being enclosed by barriers and the walls of the Roman Colosseum, it would feel as if one were completely in a forest outside a City!
Although their combat power may not be strong, simulating a wilderness requires Mages to have control almost at the Super-Order level to perfectly depict such a wilderness in such a short time.
Mages come in many types. Mo Fan is a typical combat Mage. Although combat Mages account for a large proportion, many blacksmiths, smelters, pharmacists, gardeners, builders, and groundkeepers in the City are also Mages. Their combat ability might not be great, but several of them can build a town in a short time. Such Mages also enjoy a very high social status.
With different terrains and landforms, Mage battles do not become so rigid. How to utilize the surrounding environment to gain an advantage is also one of the essential lessons for combat Mages.
Considering the different magic Elements of different Mages, the terrain will, to some extent, provide some convenience to Mages. Therefore, in every official match of the Venice Water City showdown, the battlefield is temporarily set up after the players are selected, and the battlefield is often random.
That is to say, what you see first may not be the actual competition venue; these also need to be taken into account.
"This kind of wilderness battlefield should not offer any significant advantages or disadvantages to either side; it's a relatively neutral combat venue," said Instructor Feng Li.
Since the environment did not show obvious favoritism towards the Mages, this battle would purely depend on the strength of the two teams' players.
"Should I go all out right away?" Mo Fan asked as he entered the arena.
"It's best not to," Feng Li shook his head.
He also didn't know the full extent of Mo Fan's capabilities.
But he still advised against unleashing all of one's power right at the start, as this was only the first match.
Mo Fan shrugged, indicating he understood.
"Both players to your positions!" The referee's voice had already sounded.
The players successively stepped into their designated positions, and people in the high spectator stands in the distance began to discuss animatedly. Since all player information for the National Government Team was kept confidential before the World Academy Competition, the information of each player from every country became one of the most talked-about topics. Many intelligence dealers would even dig up everything a player had experienced since the day they awakened!
As for how much was dug up and how accurate it was, that remained unknown.
"This is my first time fighting in such a large arena; I'm a little nervous," Jiang Yu said in a low voice.
"Nervous about what? Just beat them to death!" Jiang Shaoxu said grandly.
"Still need to be cautious," Mu Ningxue also said.
"This first match is your chance to perform. Just try to show yourselves; don't overthink things. With me here, you definitely can't lose," Mo Fan said at this time.
The others thought about it and seemed to agree.
At this moment, the countdown fireworks had already sounded in the sky. When the fireworks bloomed in the center and echoed with a rumble, it marked the official start of the opening ceremony of the World Academy Competition!
"Boom~~~~!!!"
A loud bang above their heads, and the colorful light of the fireworks reflected on Mu Ningxue's fair, ice-like cheeks. She slowly raised her gaze, concentrating fully on her opponent.
The wind blew, stirring the strands of hair beside Mu Ningxue's cheek.
Mu Ningxue gently took a breath, feeling an unusual aura mixed in the wind, seemingly gentle and empty, yet containing deadly danger!
"There's poison in the wind." At the same time, Mu Ningxue and Mu Ningxue both noticed something was amiss.
Both of them cultivated the Wind Element, so their perception of the blowing wind was extremely sensitive.
Before the official start, the opponent had already made a move. One could only say that a dog is a dog; it has no shame.
"These dog-like bastards are playing dirty tricks on us. It seems to be the poison powder cast by that long-faced man," Jiang Yu cursed.
Jiang Shaoxu, who was beside him, seemed calmer. She squinted at Jiang Yu and said, "You should hang out less with people like Mo Fan. Why do you curse so much? You weren't like this when you first joined the team."
"Jiang Shaoxu, what are you barking about?" Mo Fan immediately became displeased.
"It's true. When Jiang Yu first joined the team, he wasn't like this now..."
Mu Ningxue couldn't help but interject, "Can't you two discuss this later?"
"Wind Barrier!"
Mu Ningxue, however, had already made her move, softly uttering these two words. Her graceful figure spun lightly, like a butterfly maiden dancing with the wind, her slightly loose light clothing fluttering with her.
The wind began to spiral. Everyone stood on the firm ground, and the small yellow pebbles on the ground were swept up in heaps, outlining the circular barrier formed by the wind. Within this barrier, not a single breath of wind stirred, and the poisonous powder that had been carried by the gentle wind was completely blocked outside by this Wind Barrier.
"They found out. I told you your method only works against immature little kid Mages," Ming Bu Song said with a hint of mockery towards Yang Jie.
After saying this, Ming Bu Song stepped towards the dense tall forest. The moment his long figure crossed into the shade of the trees, Ming Bu Song completely disappeared. People had no idea where he was, as if he had turned invisible. Only the old Mages could barely catch a rapidly moving dark Shadow in the dense trees.
The firm ground was connected to the tall forest. Ming Bu Song obviously wanted to silently infiltrate the opponent's camp through this tall forest. However, as a Shadow assassin-type Mage, he could not make a move when the opponent was on high alert. He hid in the forest, waiting for his other companions to create a good opportunity for him.
Shadow Mages specialize in stealth, but the moment he appeared, Mo Fan detected him and had already prepared a big gift for him.