80: Yuncheng Team: Rival Teammate Joins (Part 1)

Three days before the opening of the Star Domain League, the Yuncheng No. 1 High School representative team received their first important notice—the release of the group stage assignments.

A massive light screen displayed the list for Group C, where Yuncheng No. 1 High School was placed:

Yuncheng No. 1 High School (Human Race)

Shadow Academy (Mixed races, primarily Shadow and Undead types)

Tieyan Middle School (Primarily Dwarves and Giants)

Emerald Grove (Primarily Elves and Nature types)

Hurricane Academy (Primarily Elementals and Flying creatures)

Seeing this grouping, the atmosphere in the meeting room immediately became heavy.

"Shadow Academy is in there as expected!" Zhao Hao clicked his tongue. "And those iron blocks from Tieyan Middle School; they're thick-skinned and tough to beat. The Elven archers and Druids from Emerald Grove are also a pain. Hurricane Academy is full of flyers; if we're not careful, we'll be kited to death."

Lei Huang crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "Shadow Academy is our number one enemy; we must study them intensely. Tieyan Middle School has strong defense but lacks mobility. Emerald Grove and Hurricane Academy—one has powerful long-range attacks and the other has high mobility—neither will be easy to deal with."

Lin Zhou's gaze swept over the list, his mind racing. This group could be called the Group of Death; every opponent had distinct characteristics and formidable strength. Shadow Academy's trickery, Tieyan Middle School's Sturdiness, Emerald Grove's precision and natural power, Hurricane Academy's aerial strikes and speed... if Yuncheng No. 1 High School wanted to advance, every match would be a hard-fought battle.

"We need to develop detailed tactical plans for each opponent," Lin Zhou said in a deep voice. "I will take primary responsibility for studying Shadow Academy; their tactics are the most unpredictable. Yan Li, you have high mobility, so you're responsible for gathering intelligence on Hurricane Academy and Emerald Grove. Lei Huang, you and Stone Breaking Heaven will study Tieyan Middle School's defensive system to find a Breakthrough. Zhao Hao, Su Yueyao, you two will cooperate with me for targeted anti-stealth and anti-curse training."

The team members nodded one after another, acknowledging Lin Zhou's arrangements. Facing strong enemies, unity and division of labor were the only ways forward.

Just then, Director Yang arrived at the meeting room again, followed by someone who surprised Lin Zhou somewhat—Zhou Feng.

Zhou Feng's expression was unnatural and his eyes flickered, but he still braced himself and stood there.

"Everyone," Director Yang began, "following a decision by the school and with the consent of Zhou Feng himself, he will join the team for this Star Domain League as a substitute."

"What?!" Zhao Hao was the first to jump up. "Let him join? You've got to be kidding! He launched a sneak attack on Old Lin during the selection matches!"

The other team members also showed looks of surprise and dissatisfaction. After all, Zhou Feng's previous behavior was hardly honorable.

Director Yang raised his hand to suppress the discussion and explained, "This is a tactical consideration. Student Zhou Feng's Shadow Demon Wolf God Domain has its unique advantages in reconnaissance, infiltration, and harassment. When facing Shadow Academy or other opponents skilled in concealment, his subordinates might serve as a surprise trump card. Furthermore, having an extra substitute allows us to handle potential unexpected losses."

He looked at Lin Zhou. "Lin Zhou, you are the captain. Your opinion is very important."

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Lin Zhou. Zhou Feng also looked at him nervously, his fists slightly clenched.

Lin Zhou looked at Zhou Feng as scenes from the selection match flashed through his mind, and he also thought of the special methods that might be needed against Shadow Academy. He spoke calmly: "In principle, I agree. However," he changed his tone, his gaze sharp as he looked at Zhou Feng, "by joining the team, you must absolutely obey commands and prioritize the team's interests. Past personal grievances must be set aside. If the team fails because of personal actions, I will be the first one to hold you accountable."

His tone wasn't harsh, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

Zhou Feng's expression changed several times before he finally took a deep breath and said solemnly, "I... I agree. What happened before was my fault. I guarantee that during the league, I will follow all Orders and have no ulterior motives!" He knew this was his only chance to make amends and prove himself again.

Zhao Hao wanted to say more but was stopped by a look from Lin Zhou.

"Good." Lin Zhou nodded. "Welcome to the team. Now, share your God Domain data. We need to familiarize ourselves with your strength as quickly as possible and integrate it into our tactical system."

Zhou Feng: Shadow Demon Wolf God Domain (Substitute). Core unit: Shadow Demon Wolf (LV14-LV17, high agility, strong concealment, skills: Shadow Assault, Call of the Pack). Hero unit: Zhou Feng (LV20, skills: Shadow Traverse, Fear Howl). Advantages: Excellent reconnaissance, infiltration, and harassment capabilities; skilled at dealing with isolated units and creating chaos. Disadvantages: Weak direct combat capability; fears area-of-effect damage and Light/Order attribute powers.

Although they had accepted Zhou Feng as a substitute, the atmosphere within the team remained somewhat delicate for a time. To build synergy as quickly as possible, Lin Zhou decided to conduct higher-intensity practical drills over the final two days, specifically arranging coordination training with Zhou Feng.

During the drills, Zhou Feng indeed demonstrated his value. His Shadow Demon Wolves had extremely high reconnaissance efficiency in complex terrain, discovering enemy ambushes and movements in advance. Shadow Traverse also allowed him to appear in unexpected locations at critical moments for harassment or rescue. However, at times, he still showed signs of individualistic heroism, eager to show off.

"Zhou Feng, your Shadow Wolves' scouting range is too far forward; they've left the Moon Elf's healing range. Fall back and maintain coordination with the main force!" Lin Zhou pointed out his mistake in a timely manner.

Zhou Feng gritted his teeth but still retreated as ordered. He understood that under Lin Zhou's command system, individual recklessness would only disrupt the overall rhythm.

In a simulated battle against Hurricane Academy, Zhao Hao's Red Dragon was drawn too deep into a pursuit and was focused down by the opponent's Wind Elementals and Thunderbirds, falling into danger. Zhou Feng's Shadow Demon Wolves happened to be nearby, and his instinct was to command the pack to charge in and bite to draw fire.

"Zhou Feng, don't go in! Your pack can't tank that! Use Fear Howl to disrupt the enemy casters! Su Yueyao, prepare Moonlight Healing! Stone Breaking Heaven, throw boulders toward Zhao Hao to cover his retreat!" Lin Zhou's Orders came through instantly.

Zhou Feng was stunned for a moment but immediately changed his Orders. His hero unit activated Fear Howl, the invisible sound waves causing several Wind Elemental mages who were channeling Spells to falter. Simultaneously, Stone Breaking Heaven's boulders and Su Yueyao's healing light arrived just in time, helping Zhao Hao's Red Dragon narrowly escape the focused fire.

After the battle, Zhao Hao patted Zhou Feng's shoulder with lingering fear. "Thanks, man! That ghost howl earlier was right on time!"

Zhou Feng turned his head away somewhat awkwardly. "...I only did what the commander said."

Lin Zhou saw all of this and knew that Zhou Feng was slowly adapting to the team. It was a good start.

However, on the night before the league opened, within Lin Zhou's main God Domain, the long-dormant death passage finally showed signs of movement again!

(End of Part 1)