The magical storm summoned by the whirlwind-infused arrow now shook the barrier encircling the trial arena.

Anyone with half a brain would avoid confronting wind-element magic head-on—and Ling Yu, seasoned in combat, knew better than to stand still and “show off” again, especially with something feeling off in his own body.

This time, he charged forward, aiming to close the distance before the Archer Teacher could loose another arrow.

Though the Archer Teacher held a clear advantage at range, Ling Yu advanced while swinging his blade—deflecting incoming arrows and minimizing every graze.

The Archer Teacher noticed. Even when arrows grazed Ling Yu’s body or sword, the whirlwind-infused shots didn’t detonate like they did against the barrier.

“You truly are interesting!” the Archer Teacher remarked, nocking another arrow.

Watching Ling Yu repeatedly dodge his accelerated “Whirlwind Arrows,” admiration flickered within him.

*How sharp this student’s perception!* The “Whirlwind Arrow” channeled wind-element magic through the arrow as a conductor, concentrating power at the tip. The whirlwind along the shaft held force—but the true devastation came only when impact triggered the explosive storm.

Yet Ling Yu had deciphered its mechanics after dodging just once. Perceiving magical attack patterns so precisely was rare—reserved for the deeply experienced or innately gifted.

By narrowly avoiding direct hits, he minimized damage. For a heartbeat, the Archer Teacher felt genuine respect.

He aimed again—but paused half a second, studying Ling Yu’s movement.

Just as Ling Yu began evading, he realized: the Archer Teacher had predicted his endpoint *before* his dodge completed—anticipating the recovery phase.

“Pre-aiming!”

The arrow shot. Pre-aimed perfectly, the “Whirlwind Arrow” struck Ling Yu dead center.

A storm erupted. He slammed into the barrier and slid down with a choked cough.

No respite. Another arrow flew before he rose—but Ling Yu rolled aside. The arrow hit the barrier instead; the blast tossed him lightly. Not a direct hit.

“Hah! That loudmouth brat’s down!”

“Look how cocky he was—now he’s a mess!”

Spectators who disliked Ling Yu jeered freely.

“Are you trying to kill me?!” Ling Yu scrambled up, wiping his mouth, eyes locked on the Archer Teacher.

“Junior,” the Archer Teacher said calmly, “on a real battlefield, enemies show no mercy. They give no openings.”

“So be it!” Ling Yu ignored the jeers, focused only on those words. He charged again, sword raised.

“You’re still young. Reaching this far is impressive.”

As Ling Yu closed in, the Archer Teacher flicked his index finger—a feint mimicking release.

Ling Yu dodged instinctively.

Tracking the motion, the Archer Teacher pre-aimed… then loosed the arrow.

“Heh. Exactly what I waited for!”

Mid-dodge, Ling Yu halted. Pushed off with his right foot—he vanished from the predicted spot.

The arrow missed entirely. Perfectly evaded.

“What?! A feint!” Panicked, the Archer Teacher nocked another shot.

But Ling Yu’s feints kept deceiving his pre-aim. Arrow after arrow whistled past.

Like a nimble python, Ling Yu twisted through the storm-laced shots.

Closing the final gap, he shifted to a two-handed grip.

“Time to end this.”

He didn’t dodge the next “Whirlwind Arrow.”

*Crack!*

A fissure split the gold-and-silver circular guard of his sword. It divided into two blades. He hurled the left one.

Metal met arrow. A storm exploded between them, flinging the sword skyward.

“This isn’t over!”

A shout cut the air. Ling Yu leaped from the dissipating storm, snatched the blade midair—and hurled the right-hand sword.

Before the Archer Teacher could draw a new arrow, the thrown blade slammed into his bow.

*Clang!* The bow clattered down.

Ling Yu landed, sword flashing—disarming him completely.

Victory sealed the moment steel touched the Archer Teacher’s throat.

Cheers erupted—the loudest the arena had ever heard.

“He beat the teacher?!”

“Unbelievable!”

“Is Ling Yu even human?!”

“Who *is* he?!”

Jeers turned to roaring applause.

“In this trial—student Ling Yu is victorious!”

…

“Teacher? You okay?” Ling Yu handed back the bow.

The Archer Teacher stood dazed amid the roaring crowd, mind racing. *How did defeat come so fast?*

Only Ling Yu’s voice pulled him back. Trembling fingers reclaimed the bow.

“What… exactly happened?”

Ling Yu patted his shoulder. “Know your enemy and know yourself, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. Don’t lose your composure next time, Teacher. I won.”

Amid cheers, Ling Yu walked off.

The Archer Teacher’s gaze followed—landing on the sword on Ling Yu’s back.

*A splitting weapon… Heh. I lost. Completely.*

He’d erred gravely. Advantage meant nothing without knowing the opponent. Ling Yu had studied him, stayed calm under pressure, saved his hidden capability for the pivotal moment, and struck where archers falter: close range.

Only a true master fights like that.

“No matter how I deny it… the defeat is absolute.”

“Thank you, Ling Yu. As a teacher… I admit my complete defeat.”