227: Comparable to low-rise subway

Seeing that he, the number one person in the Outer Academy, had spoken so forthrightly, the expressions of the remaining four visibly relaxed quite a bit.

After a moment of contemplation, Wang Han, the tallest among them, was the first to speak in a booming voice, scratching his head.

"I primarily cultivate Earth Attribute, strong in defense but lacking in speed. I want a powerful offensive Dou Technique, preferably Earth Attribute or one with no attribute requirements. Fist techniques, palm techniques, or heavy weapon Dou Techniques would be best!"

He was quite honest, directly stating his weaknesses.

Next was Lin Xiu, whose demeanor was relatively gentle. After thinking for a moment, he said,

"I cultivate Wood Attribute methods, excelling in prolonged combat and control. I want a Dou Technique that can improve my movement speed, or an auxiliary cultivation method that can enhance my mental energy endurance."

His needs leaned more towards functionality.

Zhao Ming's eyes flickered, as if he weighed his options for a moment, before finally speaking.

"Lightning Attribute. Anything related to Lightning Attribute; offensive Dou Techniques are preferred, but cultivation methods are also acceptable."

His words were the most concise, yet also clear in their objective, carrying the characteristic sharpness of Lightning Attribute Dou Qi.

Finally, it was Bai Ling. She blinked her lively eyes and smiled slyly.

"As for me, I'm a bit greedy. High-grade movement Dou Techniques are my first choice. Secondly, I'm interested in any strange-looking, uniquely effective, unconventional Dou Techniques or cultivation methods!"

Her demands were the most diverse, but they also matched her usual whimsical personality.

At this point, the needs of all five were clear.

Although they still harbored their own thoughts, a temporary, clearly targeted mini-alliance was grudgingly formed.

The subsequent search was no longer a blind groping in endless darkness; at least, there were now several clear markers.

Everyone's attention, in addition to sensing their own needs, also allocated a portion to specifically look for light clusters that matched the descriptions of the other four.

This shift from pure competition to limited cooperation made the atmosphere of this space even more subtle and tense.

Meanwhile, Jiang Donghua, as he stated his need for a Fire Attribute cultivation method, once again brushed his fingertips over his storage ring.

That jade slip was still cold at this moment.

After reaching a temporary verbal agreement, the atmosphere among the five, while still competitive, gained a subtle possibility of collaboration.

When searching for light clusters, everyone not only focused on their own needs but also paid extra attention to targets that matched others' descriptions.

However, good fortune did not immediately descend.

The few of them each tried several more times, but what they grabbed was either the wrong attribute or unsatisfactory in grade, yielding very little.

It was at this moment that an unexpected change occurred!

Wang Han, who had been intently staring at a particularly dense and slightly larger earthen-yellow light cluster, suddenly let out a low roar.

Seizing the opportunity, his massive body displayed an uncharacteristic agility. His large hand, as if plucking something from a bag, firmly gripped the earthen-yellow light cluster in his palm!

"Got it!"

Wang Han's face had just shown a hint of joy, but that joy instantly solidified, turning into surprise and a flush from overexertion.

The earthen-yellow light cluster struggled and trembled violently in his hand, emitting a low hum, as if it had a mind of its own, resisting his grasp. Even more peculiar, the light enveloping the internal object was exceptionally resilient. No matter how Wang Han channeled his Dou Qi,

the light merely twisted slightly, showing no sign of breaking or dissipating!

"What's going on? I can't get this thing out!"

Wang Han was anxious and angry, veins bulging on his arm. Earth Attribute Dou Qi surged out as he tried to forcibly crush the layer of light, but the light cluster struggled even more fiercely, even starting to pull on his arm, threatening to drag him towards the adjacent barrier flowing with spatial power!

"Oh no! This thing is going to break free and escape!"

Lin Xiu was the closest. Seeing this, he immediately stepped forward, covering his hands with a soft layer of Wood Attribute Dou Qi. He pressed them onto Wang Han's arm, trying to help him stabilize his stance and jointly suppress the light cluster.

However, even with the combined strength of the two, the light cluster remained like a slippery loach, astonishingly powerful, still inching towards the spatial barrier!

Once dragged into the barrier, this opportunity would undoubtedly slip away.

"Damn it! This thing is too strong!"

Wang Han held his breath, sweat already beading on his forehead.

Lin Xiu also frowned tightly, finding it very tricky.

Zhao Ming and Bai Ling nearby were also drawn in, but their attributes were not suitable for this kind of tug-of-war.

Just as half of the light cluster had almost touched the distorted spatial barrier, and it was on the verge of slipping away at the last moment,

a white figure, swift as lightning, cut in!

It was Jiang Donghua!

He did not try to help Wang Han and Lin Xiu stabilize their bodies. Instead, he pinpointed the moment when the light cluster was about to touch the spatial barrier and struggling most violently. He brought his fingers together like a sword, his fingertips condensed with extremely refined blue flames, and with speed, precision, and ruthlessness, he directly stabbed into the violently struggling earthen-yellow light cluster!

This strike was perfectly timed, angled, and powered!

Swoosh!

A faint cracking sound echoed.

The originally incredibly tough light cluster, which had resisted external forces, was instantly pierced by this point of extremely sharp flame!

The light suddenly dimmed and shattered!

Jiang Donghua skillfully flicked and hooked his wrist, effortlessly pulling out the item inside the light cluster!

The entire process happened in a flash, too fast for anyone to react.

It wasn't until Jiang Donghua landed steadily, holding an ancient scroll made of some unknown beast hide in his hand, that

Wang Han and Lin Xiu were still in their wrestling posture, almost stumbling backward due to the sudden disappearance of the opposing force.

The scroll was entirely earthen-yellow, its surface seemingly covered with a layer of fine grit, giving it a rough, heavy texture to the touch.

On the side of the scroll, a line of vigorous, ancient characters was faintly visible.

The three immediately focused their attention: "Mountain Crushing Tremor Fist"

Profound Rank High-Grade Dou Technique.

Note: This fist technique is fiercely powerful, containing the potential of earth-shattering collapse. If one can fully comprehend its essence and draw upon the power of earth veins for enhancement, reaching its pinnacle, its instantaneous explosive power can rival an earth rank low-tier Dou Technique!

"Rival an earth rank low-tier?!"

Wang Han's eyes instantly widened like copper bells. His previous anxiety and exertion were instantly replaced by immense ecstasy!

His rugged face flushed red with excitement, his gaze fixed on the scroll, his breathing becoming heavy.

That expression of longing and joy was not in the least bit false; it was entirely from the heart!

This was simply the most perfect offensive Dou Technique tailor-made for him!

Earth Attribute, fist technique, immensely powerful, even capable of rivaling a higher tier!

This completely made up for his biggest weakness!

Jiang Donghua's gaze shifted from the scroll to Wang Han's almost drooling face. A rare, clear smile, tinged with understanding and a hint of amusement, curved at his stern lips.

Without any hesitation, he flicked his wrist, directly tossing the heavy, priceless beast-hide scroll to Wang Han.

"Catch. It seems your luck is good."

Jiang Donghua's tone was calm, as if he had merely thrown out an ordinary item.

Wang Han clumsily caught the scroll. The heavy, substantial feel in his hands made his heart pound.

He tightly clutched the scroll to his chest, as if holding a rare treasure, then looked up at Jiang Donghua, his eyes complex, filled with gratitude and a hint of reverence he hadn't shown before.

"Brother Jiang, thank you! I, Wang Han, will remember this favor!"

He said in a booming voice, his tone exceptionally serious.

If not for Jiang Donghua's precise strike at the end, this coveted Dou Technique would have already returned to the light stream, slipping through his fingers.

Jiang Donghua merely nodded slightly, saying nothing more, and turned to continue his search for his own target, as if he had only done a trivial thing.

But after this incident, that invisible barrier within the temporary team seemed to have broken down considerably.

Cooperation, it seemed, truly could bring unexpected rewards.