Chapter 101: Borrowing the Tiger's Might
Zhou Yi sighed inwardly. She had now seen, firsthand, what it meant to "borrow the tiger's might"—and the "tiger's might" in question was something she had personally handed over. She could, of course, expose Furina's "temporary teacher" identity right here and now. But what would the consequences be?
It would be tantamount to slapping her own face in public, admitting that she had gone back on her word. With Furina's sharp tongue and lightning-quick reflexes, she would absolutely bite back without mercy. How would she, Zhou Yi, maintain any authority before her students after that? And with Teacher Wang present as a witness—once this matter got out, where would she put her face?
She could only let Furina continue her "performance." Zhou Yi silently resolved that once today's class was over, she absolutely had to have a serious talk with the Dean about the arrangement of this "temporary teacher."
Inside Hall Three of the Spirit Arena district, the spacious combat platform gleamed with a cold, hard luster beneath the soul lamps. The spectator seating rose in stepped tiers around the platform, the dark-red chairs looking solemn and imposing under the light.
The students were scattered across the front rows in their small groups. The air was thick with a mingled atmosphere of excitement and tension. Some were discussing tactics in hushed voices, others were stretching and loosening their limbs, making their pre-match preparations.
Furina walked to the center of the arena and clapped her hands. The crisp, ringing applause echoed through the cavernous hall, drawing every person's attention.
"Alright, students. Since the teams are already formed, let's get straight to the main event." Her voice was clear and forceful. "We will now determine the match order by drawing lots. Each match is limited to fifteen minutes. Victory goes to the team that knocks out their opponents, forces a surrender, or makes them fall off the platform."
She swept her gaze around the room, taking note of the many students already itching for action, and added, "When others are competing, don't just chat and fool around. Carefully observe your opponents' martial souls, soul skills, and tactical styles. Analyze their strengths and weaknesses. This information could prove critical in future team cooperation or confrontations."
"Teacher Zhou Yi and I will score you based on your performance." She deliberately emphasized her next words. "This will not only affect today's grade but will also influence subsequent grouping arrangements. So, please treat this seriously."
With that, Furina retrieved a batch of items from her storage ring and neatly arranged them on a long table temporarily brought to the edge of the arena.
"These," she raised her voice, successfully drawing every gaze, "are hidden weapons from the Tang Sect—now a subordinate division of the Church of the Water God—as well as new-model weapons independently developed by our Church of the Water God."
The long table was a dazzling array: all manner of hidden weapons—throwing darts forged from refined steel, sleeve arrows that could be concealed within one's clothing, a simplified version of the intricately constructed Zhuge Divine Crossbow; along with three strangely shaped "pistols," their entire bodies gleaming with cold metallic luster; and four fist-sized, smooth-surfaced spherical smoke bombs.
"These three items belong neither to the category of hidden weapons nor to soul tools. They are firearms—we call them 'pistols.'"
Furina picked up one of them and demonstrated, with practiced ease, the process of loading, chambering, and aiming. "They don't fall under traditional hidden weapons, nor are they soul tools. They are special weapons propelled by gunpowder. Most importantly—" She deliberately drew out the pause until everyone's curiosity had been cranked to its peak. "They can be used by people without any soul power whatsoever."
"Wha—"
A ripple of disturbance surged through the crowd. In this world where soul power reigned supreme, a weapon that required no soul power to use was, without question, something of revolutionary significance. Many students' eyes flew wide as they stared fixedly at the three pistols, as if beholding some rare and priceless treasure.
However, when they heard the words "the Tang Sect has become a subordinate division of the Church of the Water God," a different reaction emerged among the students. Those with more knowledge of the continent's sect history wore expressions of confusion, exchanging puzzled glances. And the one whose reaction was most intense—was none other than Wang Dong.
"What?!" Wang Dong practically blurted it out, his voice thick with incredulous shock.
He himself didn't know why his reaction was so strong. It was just that when he heard the words "Tang Sect" and "subordinate division" linked together, a sudden, inexplicable surge of fury and humiliation welled up inside him. The feeling came so abruptly and so intensely, as if some instinct buried deep within his very bloodline had been triggered. A tightness gripped his chest, and his breathing quickened sharply.
Huo Yuhao keenly sensed the abnormality in the person beside him. He turned his head and asked in a low voice, "Wang Dong? What's wrong?"
"...No. Nothing." Wang Dong finally snapped back to himself and hurriedly shook his head, trying to cover up his lapse. He drew a deep breath and forced himself to calm down, but his heart was still brimming with confusion. What on earth is wrong with me? Why would I react so strongly to the Tang Sect becoming a subordinate sect of another organization?
Furina hadn't noticed this minor interlude. She continued explaining the rules, her tone growing serious.
"However—I will only give each pistol a single bullet. You have only one chance. If you hit your opponent, they are directly eliminated."
Her gaze sharpened as it swept across every student's face. "Attention: aiming at the head or heart is strictly forbidden. Even though I possess fairly strong healing abilities, certain fatal wounds are very difficult to reverse. Safety first. Is that understood?"
"Understood!" The students responded in unison, their voices echoing through the vast, empty hall.
"The instruction manuals are here. Read them yourselves. You have ten minutes to select your weapons, familiarize yourselves with their operation, and then we'll draw lots to begin."
The words had barely settled before the students swarmed forward, gathering around the long table in heated discussion. Some picked up throwing darts and weighed them in their hands. Others clustered together, studying the construction of the pistols. Still others were already conferring with their teammates about which type of weapon to choose.
"What principle is this based on? It can fire without any soul power?"
"I've heard of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons—they're said to be formidable! Though not as good as soul tools, of course. I never imagined they'd become a subordinate of the Church of the Water God..."
"I want to try this 'pistol'! It looks so cool!"
Huo Yuhao didn't rush forward. His gaze settled on the three pistols, and he sank deep into thought. To be honest, they didn't really matter to him either way. Besides, he already had other weapons in his possession that he could use.
Wang Dong's emotions had largely settled by now. He squeezed up beside Huo Yuhao, pointing at the pistols on the table. The excitement had returned to his voice. "Yuhao, should we grab one? That pistol looks really interesting!"
Though a faint voice in his heart urged him to pick a hidden weapon instead, he personally leaned more toward the novelty of the pistol.
Xiao Xiao was more cautious. She picked up a throwing dart and spun it in her fingers, voicing her opinion. "I think we're better off sticking with the hidden weapons. The new weapon is certainly novel, but if we're not used to it, it could end up dragging us down instead. And with only one bullet—if we miss, that's it. Wasted."