On the observation platform, there were no so-called surveillance screens. The mentors, like the freshmen, had to observe the battle with their own eyes. But it was also different. The mentors summoned their own spirits and used various spirit-controlling techniques to investigate.
Behind King Crow, the strings on his puppet manipulator danced, and countless images were transmitted to his eyes through "visual sharing." He marveled in amazement. "To actually integrate so many freshmen's spirits—no wonder he's the student I had my eye on... Wait!" He glanced discreetly at the Muscle Butcher and other kings, sensing trouble. The more outstanding Su Yue was, the more attention he'd attract, wouldn't he? He cleared his throat. "I think the main reason it could unite so many spirits is mostly a matter of timing. "Our Whale Island students are all prodigies. The top tier looks down on the rest, but even the 'ordinary' students were standout figures in high school, full of pride. They know they should unite, but they can't swallow their pride."
Just like the small groups formed among freshmen—at most, a dozen or so. Some already knew each other. It wasn't that they lacked organizational skills, but... everyone was a prodigy. Why should we obey your command?
"Spirits are different," King Crow said. "Spirits are simple by nature. If they can't win and don't want to be eliminated, they have no choice but to join. The battle group grows like a snowball, rolling bigger and bigger... But a key reason is still the tacit approval of those freshmen."
Some freshmen hadn't noticed the situation. But as time passed, many began to catch on. However... They couldn't win in a fight, and defecting would get them ganged up on by other spirits. Most importantly, the Dream Butterfly's line, "Everyone can make their mark," moved them. Thinking it over, most of their spirits were cannon fodder anyway. The challenge round was just a stage for a few to shine. They were all just supporting roles, racking up assists. That was better than being counted among the kills. So, the more "ordinary" freshmen, upon learning the situation, reluctantly let their spirits join the battle group. And they had to put in effort. Effort meant assists.
The top freshmen, like the White-Clothed Boy's Ice Ninetails, would rather die than surrender, and so they bravely fell. A few, like the Killer Mantis, defected without hesitation.
The battle group grew larger and larger, sweeping through everything in its path—either defeating or absorbing. It left many mentors on the observation platform dumbfounded.
"Indeed, the timing is right," said Wei Mingyuan, the Ocean King. "But precisely because this opportunity is rare, it highlights Su Hao's excellence. He must have planned this long ago, using spirits as a link to unite others within the simulated battlefield." "Exactly," nodded Yu Hongfei, the Gale King. "He has an exceptionally powerful ace spirit and is skilled in illusions. After the first batch of spirits was eliminated, highlighting the brutality, he started recruiting from an elite-level Killer Mantis, setting an example to reduce other spirits' resistance. "Step by step, it seems simple, but if even one link in the chain had gone wrong, the battle group wouldn't have formed... This student's strategy is far from simple." He was deeply impressed.
King Bu concluded, "Strong in strength, savvy in strategy—truly a rare outstanding freshman. I'm very interested." King Wei: "Same." King Yu: "Same." King Yan also hummed in agreement.
King Crow's mouth opened slightly, as if to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. "What, Old Crow, you think this freshman relies on luck?" King Bu grinned. "Good, if you don't want him, I've already decided to send him an invitation." King Crow: "???" Did I say anything? How am I not wanting him! No, wait—I was first...!!! King Crow was furious, but he had to maintain his kingly demeanor, forcing a smile that was a bit stiff.
...
On the audience platform. Liu Ren's two spirits had also gone down. They joined the battle group willingly, but the Lava Turtle was too slow to keep up with the main force, trailing behind with other similarly unfortunate spirits like the Thorn Turtle and Inkstone Turtle. When they reached Location A, the main group was already at Location E. When they rushed to Location E, the main group... where had the main group gone? The Lava Turtle kept calling Liu Ren through their contract. Liu Ren was too stunned to notice the contract's ring. He stood frozen for a long moment before turning to look at Su, the thigh he clung to, and blurted out two words: "Awesome (cracking voice)!"
Su Hao propped his chin up, pretending to be calm. And composed, as if everything was under control. But... He called out to Little Butterfly, Dull Crow, and the Dummy Beast. Someone tell him the detailed, specific process of how this unfolded. "Forget it, forget it. For the little guy to pull this off, it must be inseparable from my usual guidance. "Thinking about it that way, it really is my credit. Yes, that's it. "I'm truly something else."
...
On the massive white tower, the headphone guy had just activated "visual sharing" when he forcibly swallowed the words, "A bunch of rabble, no need to fear." A dozen seconds later, the already badly injured Blast Bat and Cerberus completely lost contact with him. He could only look at the bearded man beside him, whose forehead was also sweating: "Bro, have you counted how many spirits there are? "This is insane! How are so many spirits united? What were their spirit masters thinking? "I think that Dream Butterfly is the leader. Take it out, and we should turn the tide... That's what I did when I was surrounded before..." "Shut up!" The weathered-faced guy roared. Didn't he know that! But that Dream Butterfly, that Dream Butterfly...
...
"Gu-nuo~!" "Gu-nuo~!" "Gu-nuo-nuo~!" It was commanding. Group 4 and Group 5, ranged attack. Group 1 and Group 2, hold aggro. The regular group, trap that Vine Demon. Regular Group 2, use a time-for-space tactic to delay the other spirits coming to reinforce. Its mental energy merged into its voice, carrying far and wide. Even in the poison mist zone filled with explosions, it reached every spirit's ears clearly.
The Mountain Mover, treated as a boss, had its roars fading. Its swinging arms grew weaker, yet the enemies around it didn't seem to diminish. Finally, A burst of illusion magic struck, and the Mountain Mover froze. The Fire Wool Crow and Killer Mantis, circling for an opening, shot forward as a red and a dark green blur. Blades and shadows flashed. The Mountain Mover fell.
A minute later, the second boss, Vine Demon, fell. Five minutes later, the other four bosses fell. Though many spirits in the battle group had also perished, taking down bosses always came with casualties. Spirits that had scraped an assist let out excited roars.
Meanwhile, On another massive white tower, positioned relatively opposite, Four sophomores—two men and two women—gazed into the distance, a vague sense of unease creeping in. "The commotion over there is... too much, isn't it?" "Looks like the troublesome freshmen this year are all fighting over there. Probably nothing to do with us." "No, don't you notice? Those rising dust clouds seem... to be getting closer." The four sophomores stared into the distance, their mouths slowly dropping open.
...
Several dozen minutes later. The 46th Whale Island University Opening Challenge ended with the complete elimination of the senior students. At the same time, mentors at all levels began sending invitations to the students they favored. Countless freshmen's spirit control bracelets vibrated at that moment.