127: fighting

"Hmm? Did I just knock something down?" said the young girl named Lin Queer, who was standing opposite Su Ze.

Although her name sounded small and delicate, she herself was quite... grand. Her hot figure burned into one's mind like fire.

Su Ze also looked back at the place he had just climbed up from. It seemed like some fellow had wanted to climb up from there, but they had fallen too quickly. Su Ze hadn't even seen their face before they were gone.

So he turned back and said, "No, there's nothing. You probably saw wrong."

"Really? But I thought I heard someone calling my name just now... Oh well, whatever. Everyone's rested enough. How about it? Shall we start?"

Now that they had reached this point, there was no need for them to wait any longer.

The higher up they went, the fewer branches there were.

Currently, there were four; then there would be two, then one, until finally reaching the wutong fruit at the very top.

They couldn't have everyone in a massive free-for-all on the final branch. Not only would they be unable to go all out, but it would also introduce many unnecessary variables.

That was why they had tacitly agreed to rest in pairs on each branch.

From here on, it would be the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals.

Su Ze's opponent was Lin Queer from Vermilion Bird Beast Taming University. The three from Imperial Capital Beast Taming University didn't have to fight each other either; instead, they each faced the number one seeds from other schools.

Kuang Yi was up against Qi Lin, Jiang Ren was facing the number one seed from Black Tortoise Beast Taming University, and the remaining match was between the two women, Xue Yuhe and Luo Xingyu.

Now, everyone had finished resting, and the battle was about to break out at any moment.

Surprisingly, the first battlefield to erupt was where the two women were. Along with the sounds of their combat, the other three battles also commenced instantly.

"Even though you helped me a lot during the past fifteen days of cultivation, that doesn't mean I'm going to take it easy on you!"

"And with talent like yours, you're definitely hiding your true strength. So, I won't look down on you just because you're the number four seed. Bring it on!"

Lin Queer was the first to charge. At the start of the battle, it was just a probe; she only summoned one demon beast—a Fiery Red Butterfly that transformed into nimble Butterfly Twin Blades dancing in her hands.

Though they looked delicate, this was a genuine platinum-level demon beast.

Su Ze still chose to let the Void Spirit Turtle out first to test the opponent's strength; after all, it was sturdy and durable.

Even if it was a step behind in terms of bloodline, the Void Spirit Turtle was a water-attribute demon beast, which gave it an elemental advantage.

Furthermore, since it was a defense-specialized demon beast, its defense wouldn't be breached anytime soon unless the attack came from a much higher level. It was the best choice for observing the opponent's fighting style.

"What incredible strength!"

Su Ze thought to himself in amazement as he held the void spirit shield, constantly parrying the opponent's attacks.

Judging by her strength, Lin Queer's level probably hadn't broken through to level sixty yet, but it was already very close.

Otherwise, the void spirit shield wouldn't have been able to hold out for so long under the dual suppression of bloodline and level.

Although she held nimble Butterfly Twin Blades, her attacks were heavy and powerful. Amidst violent tremors, the blade light in her hands slashed out again and again.

This fighting style was not at all what butterfly blades were meant for. It was clear that these small twin blades were not Lin Queer's usual primary weapon.

"How long are you going to hide behind that turtle shell? It's not manly at all! Come out and have a proper fight with me!" Unable to break through after a long attack, Lin Queer stepped back, frowning in dissatisfaction.

"Big sis, aren't you also holding back? You're holding those two tiny knives that aren't even as big as your two lumps of flesh. Doesn't it feel frustrating to use them?" Su Ze retorted.

Lin Queer blushed and said, "I'm a woman, so of course my weapons should be this kind of elegant and pretty type!"

Then she changed her tone, "But you're right, these things are really unsatisfying to use!"

"To break that turtle shell of yours, I won't hold back anymore!"

A summoning array flashed again, and a fiery red bird burst out from it, transforming into a crimson flame battle-ax in mid-air. The Butterfly Twin Blades originally in her hands had also vanished.

It turned out that after undoing the Weaponization, it had undergone Armorization into a form-fitting suit of full-body armor, boosting her strength.

Not only that, but an ape with fiery red fur beating its chest also underwent Weaponization, turning into a pair of gauntlets to enhance Lin Queer's arm strength and help her wield the battle-ax.

"The weight of an ax is much more reassuring. The platinum-level demon beast, Scarlet Blood Bird, and the Gold-rank Demon Beast, Fire-Fluff Monkey—this is my strongest form!"

Lin Queer said as she rested the man-sized battle-ax on the branch. Her graceful figure and the extremely violent weapon created a powerful contrast, making her look like a majestic goddess of war.

Su Ze could sense that the level of the Scarlet Blood Bird was likely higher than that of the previous fire butterfly, having surpassed level sixty, and it felt very oppressive.

The Gold-rank Fire-Fluff Monkey was probably her first beast. Although its level wasn't lagging behind, it was no longer much of a concern.

Su Ze didn't dare to be careless. No summoning array appeared; instead, a wolf king with silver-white fur slowly emerged from his shadow.

It was the Shadow Moon Wolf King, who hadn't appeared for a long time.

"Emerging from the shadow instead of a beast taming space... Is it a dark-attribute demon beast from the Shadow Realm?" Lin Queer said immediately, becoming vigilant.

dark-attribute demon beasts are notoriously difficult to deal with, especially Lord-tier ones, which can possess the combat power of a diamond rank demon beast at the same level. She had to be cautious.

Su Ze didn't act arrogant either. He first had the Void Spirit Turtle undergo Armorization to protect his whole body, then he lifted the waist-high great saber that the Shadow Moon Wolf King had transformed into via Weaponization.

Seeing this, Lin Queer licked her lips and said, "Interesting. Now that's more like a man. Come, have a good fight with me!"

Then, as if it weighed nothing, she raised the massive battle-ax and charged, swinging it at Su Ze.

Su Ze also raised his great saber to meet her. For a moment, sparks flew everywhere, and even the thick wutong tree branch they were standing on shook!