200: Chapter 201 As expected of a succubus

The sense of uncertainty in Xu Ruohan's heart was not without cause. She was well aware of her own strength—as one of the youngest Nation-Guarding Level Experts in the Xia Kingdom, her level had long since surpassed the two-hundred mark. The Angel Legion she summoned was the elite of elites; whether in basic attributes, combat techniques, or mutual coordination, they had reached a staggering height.

Not to mention the vast foundation she had accumulated over the years, she possessed several pieces of mythic grade equipment both worn and in reserve. The number of mythic grade and legendary-grade skills she mastered—those capable of providing massive buffs or special abilities to her summons—exceeded ten. With such a configuration, there were very few among her global peers who could stand as her equal, let alone these young Summoners before her, whose average level was only a hundred or so and whose equipment and skills, while good, were far fewer than hers.

However, it was precisely this clear-eyed recognition of her own strength that caused her to feel an indescribable, unfathomable pressure when facing Lin Muyang. Her intuition told her that even if she were to personally take the field and battle this eighteen-year-old youth, the odds of victory would only be fifty-fifty... or perhaps, her chances of winning were even lower. Just how many cards did Lin Muyang still have in his hand? No one knew.

“The most terrifying thing about this young man might not be his inconceivable combat power, but this heart-stopping steadiness that is completely inconsistent with his age.” Xu Ruohan’s beautiful eyes rested on Lin Muyang's tall, calm silhouette, a flicker of undisguised admiration deep in her gaze. Time seemed to have left few marks on her; long-term class cultivation and the elevation of her life essence allowed her to maintain the peak youthful appearance and vitality of a woman in her early twenties. Standing with Lin Muyang, they looked more like siblings. But at this moment, the look she gave Lin Muyang carried the praise of a senior for an outstanding junior, along with a faint, hard-to-detect curiosity.

In her view, the most commendable trait Lin Muyang possessed was precisely this steadiness. Had it been any other youth with such world-shaking talent and potential, they likely would have been unable to restrain themselves, wishing they could reveal all their trump cards to the world to enjoy the spotlight and worship of the masses.

But Lin Muyang did not. For a long time, he had been like a giant whale lurking beneath the deep sea, growing silently and only stirring up small ripples when necessary. Every time an occasion arose that might expose his true strength, he always seemed to skillfully use “other identities” or “accidental factors” as a cover, diverting the world's gaze elsewhere.

This caution, rather than slowing his terrifying growth rate, had earned him the most precious, undisturbed time for development. More importantly, he had successfully hidden himself within the blind spots of various national intelligence agencies and hostile forces. It was only today, on the stage of this national competition, that he suddenly revealed a corner of the iceberg of his strength in an earth-shattering manner. By now, he was like a young eagle spreading its wings, possessing enough power for self-preservation and even to deter all sides. This forbearance, planning, and precise grasp of timing moved even a Nation-Guarding Level Expert like Xu Ruohan, who was accustomed to seeing geniuses.

“The rewards for the grand champion of this competition are indeed too tempting.” The corners of Xu Ruohan's rosy lips curved slightly into a moving arc as she thought to herself, “Even I’m a bit tempted. If not for the rule restricting previous winners from participating again, I might have wanted to take the field and try... provided I could beat this kid, of course.” She even felt that Lin Muyang's choice to make a high-profile appearance now was likely catalyzed by these generous champion rewards, in addition to his own strength reaching a bottleneck and needing higher-level resources to break through. Without such rewards, which were enough to drive any young genius mad, would he have continued to choose to lay low and accumulate strength? It was highly likely.

She couldn't help but recall the scene when she participated in the national Summoner Competition and eventually won the championship. Although the rewards then were not as generous as they were now, they had provided her with a massive influx of resources and focused attention at the national level, laying a solid foundation for her subsequent rise. One could say that championship was a major milestone on her path to becoming an expert.

And what about Lin Muyang? Before this, he didn't seem to have received much systematic, top-tier resource support from the national level; he relied more on his own “fortuitous encounters” and hard work to get to where he was today. Comparing the two only highlighted the horror of Lin Muyang’s talent and ability. The sweat shed and the dangers experienced behind this were likely far beyond ordinary imagination.

Just as Xu Ruohan's thoughts were fluttering, Lin Muyang had already made his decision in the arena.

He didn't even wait for the other thirty-one Summoner contestants to finalize their lineups and tactics. He simply raised his right hand, fingers spread, and made a light stroke toward the void in front of him. There were no complex incantations or massive surges of magic power; only three summoning arrays of different colors and auras appeared out of thin air before him, then instantly vanished.

Amidst the shifting light and shadows, three graceful figures quietly appeared by Lin Muyang's side.

On the left was an Elf Maiden with a pure and elegant temperament, pointed ears, and emerald eyes. She wore a light green mage robe covered in natural runes and vine patterns, holding an exquisite staff that looked as if it were carved from living wood. Her entire being radiated a dense aura of life and natural magic. This was the Elf Princess, Lilia.

On the right was a purple-haired girl of myriad charms and seductive beauty. Her figure was exquisitely curved, and she wore a daring and gorgeous dark purple low-cut dress. A pair of small demonic bat wings on her back flapped gently, their tips curving in a heart-stirring way. A heart-shaped tail swayed flexibly behind her, and her stunning face bore a lazy, enchanting smile. Her shifting gaze seemed capable of stealing one's soul. This was the Succubus Maiden, Elabess.

Standing in the middle, right next to Lin Muyang, was a girl with a completely different temperament. She had short, neat black hair, with bangs sweeping across her brow to reveal a pair of pitch-black eyes as deep as the night, as if they could swallow all light. She had a slender build and wore a well-tailored black combat suit, with two uniquely shaped daggers—one long and one short—glinting with an eerie light at her waist. Her aura was restrained, almost merging with the surrounding shadows; her presence was extremely low, but if one sensed carefully, they could detect a coldness and stillness that made one's soul shiver. This was Yama, Gui Wanwan.

The three young ladies had vastly different styles, yet all possessed breathtaking beauty and unique temperaments. As soon as they appeared, they drew every eye in the venue.

“Master~” Elabess was the first to speak. She swayed her slender waist and leaned closer to Lin Muyang, looking at him with her purple eyes that seemed wet with moisture, her voice so sweet it could ooze honey. “Do you really have the heart to let us three delicate girls face the siege of those ninety-three wolf-like men? I’m so scared~”

As she spoke, she deliberately made a fearful expression, clutching her heart with both hands in a way that would make any stone-hearted man soften.

Lin Muyang was long accustomed to her behavior. Hearing this, he just laughed and shook his head, reaching out to lightly flick her smooth forehead. “Stop that. With those losers on the other side, you could run circles around them all by yourself. A siege? I think it's more like the three of you are going to lay siege to them.”

“Heehee, Master saw through me~” Elabess immediately dropped her pitiful act and giggled, a flash of cunning in her eyes.

Beside them, Gui Wanwan also leaned in. She wasn't as warm and outgoing as Elabess, simply watching Lin Muyang silently with her ink-black eyes. Her voice was cool with a faint, hard-to-detect dependence: “Master, should we show restraint this time? Lightly, or...” She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Lin Muyang pondered for a moment. Considering this was just a competition rather than a life-and-death struggle, he said, “Keep it light. Just incapacitate them; don't cause any irreversible damage, especially on the soul level.”

“Understood.” Gui Wanwan nodded slightly, a flash of understanding in her eyes.

The three of them spoke nonchalantly, as if they weren't discussing an upcoming, vastly outnumbered showdown of three against ninety-three, but rather what to have for dinner. However, these words reached the ears of Xu Ruohan, who was listening intently nearby, causing the corners of her mouth to twitch slightly.

Take them down in a few moves? Go easy or go hard? Wasn't this tone a bit too arrogant? She knew Lin Muyang's summon were strong; Su Daji and Alice had already proven that. But the opposing side gathered the elite power of thirty-one top-tier genius Summoner from across the country—a total of ninety-three powerful summon! Among them were those with mythic grade potential, and their equipment and skills were all top-tier. Their tactical coordination, after urgent consultations, would also be much stronger than in the previous two chaotic brawls. Could Lin Muyang and the young ladies really be so sure of winning so easily?

In an instant, Xu Ruohan's anticipation for the upcoming battle was pushed to its peak. She desperately wanted to see where Lin Muyang's seemingly arrogant confidence actually came from.

She took half a step forward, standing beside Lin Muyang. Her gaze swept over Lilia, Elabess, and Gui Wanwan, and a friendly yet warning smile appeared on her exquisite face. "Three little sisters, the opponents this time are anything but ordinary. They are all outstanding figures among the younger generation of Summoner in our Xia Country. Many have the ability to fight above their level, and their equipment and skills are excellent. Do not let your guard down just because of the difference in numbers."

"This beautiful big sister~" Hearing this, Elabess's eyes rippled with light as she looked at Xu Ruohan with a charming smile. Her gaze swept over Xu Ruohan's perfect features and proud figure, her smile becoming more playful. "You're truly beautiful, and your temperament is great, not to mention your strength... However, if you want to be with our master, you might have to work a bit harder~ There are quite a few sisters around Master who are as beautiful and powerful as you~"

"Uh..." On Xu Ruohan's exquisite face, two faint blushes instantly appeared. She never expected this Succubus Maiden to be so bold as to make such a joke right in front of Lin Muyang! Even though she was experienced and possessed extraordinary strength, she was caught off guard by these sudden, somewhat teasing words, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. As expected of a succubus... this way of doing things was truly overwhelming.

"Alright, stop talking nonsense." Lin Muyang was also somewhat caught between laughter and tears. He raised his hand and gave Elabess a gentle tap on the head. "Get ready to take the field; don't waste time."

"Heehee, I know, Master~" Elabess stuck out her little pink tongue and winked at Xu Ruohan before turning with the other two girls to fly gracefully toward the lake battlefield below, where lightning was faintly flickering.

Watching the three receding figures, Xu Ruohan finally breathed a soft sigh of relief. She turned to Lin Muyang with a somewhat helpless smile and said, "The little girls you summoned... their personalities are truly... lively."

Lin Muyang rubbed his nose and asked curiously, "Aren't the angels you summon like that?"

"Them..." Xu Ruohan shook her head, a trace of nostalgia mixed with helplessness appearing on her face. "Most of them are extremely serious and rigid, strictly adhering to some ancient creed and discipline. Forget about joking; even in daily communication, they speak in a tone as if they're reporting a mission. It's hard to even chat about light topics with them."

"I see." Lin Muyang nodded, understanding. It seemed that the personalities of summon also varied greatly; they weren't entirely determined by the Summoner, but rather by their original race, background, and experiences. In his case, it might be because he, as their master, didn't put on many airs. Additionally, since the young ladies had followed him, most of the battles they encountered had been overwhelming victories; they had never truly been in a bitter struggle or crisis, so their mindsets were relatively relaxed, allowing their personalities to manifest naturally. Of course, their own distinct personalities were also a significant reason.

While Lin Muyang and Xu Ruohan were talking, the three girls—Lilia, Elabess, and Gui Wanwan—had already flown over the lake. They hovered at the edge of the "Thunder Pool Duel Arena," which was enveloped by an invisible force field, and waited quietly.

Their appearance instantly ignited the atmosphere on all the surrounding mountain peaks.

"They're out! Lin Muyang's battle lineup!"

"An Elf... looking at the attire and staff, is it a Priest, a Druid, or some kind of support or nature mage?"

"The purple-haired one... is a Succubus! A high-tier race among Abyss Demons, specializing in mental control and illusions—extremely troublesome!"

"The black-haired, short-haired girl in the middle... I can't sense her specific class or aura at all. How eerie!"

"Lin Muyang is showing his hand just like that? Without even waiting for us to finalize our lineup? This is way too confident, isn't it?"

The thirty-one Summoner contestants scattered across various peaks, along with the top experts of Xia Country who had come to watch, began to discuss fervently, their faces filled with surprise and solemnity. Lin Muyang's almost "blatant" confidence actually put even more pressure on them.

Meanwhile, on the platform of the largest mountain peak, with Zhao Man, Hao Qingshan, Wang Meng, and others whose strength was universally recognized as the strongest at the core, the thirty-one Summoner were gathering to conduct their final pre-battle deployment.

Since this was an unprecedented thirty-one-on-one confrontation, they temporarily set aside their usual pride and differences. Under the pressure of a common, powerful opponent, they displayed a rare sense of unity and efficiency.

"My main is the Lava Giant King, mythic grade potential, Level 172. It focuses on defense and control, with extremely high fire and earth resistance. It possesses two mythic grade skills: Earth Tremor and Lava Armor!"

"I'll field the Storm Thunder Eagle, peak legendary-grade, Level 168. It has extreme mobility and area-of-effect lightning attacks with a paralysis effect, as well as a legendary-grade skill, Thunderstorm Domain."

"Mine is the Shadow Assassin, legendary-grade, Level 165. It excels in stealth, surprise attacks, and single-target burst damage. It's equipped with a mythic grade dagger, Shadowstrike Fang."

"I'm summoning the Holy Light Priest, legendary-grade, Level 166. Its healing and purification abilities are top-tier, and it has a mythic grade skill, Mass Holy Shield."

...

One after another, everyone reported their strongest or most suitable summon and their key information. This was all public data anyway, so there was no need for much secrecy. Soon, a massive and complex lineup was constructed.

A total of ninety-three summon covered almost every class type:

The frontline was composed of Wang Meng's Titan Giant, Hao Qingshan's Lava Giant King, and several other Summoner' units like the Mountain Behemoth, Diamond Golem, and Immortal Shield Guard. In total, over twenty high-defense, high-health giant units formed a literal moving wall.

The midline consisted of various Elementalist, arcanists, archers, gunners, and other long-range DPS and crowd-control units. This was the largest group, numbering nearly forty. Zhao Man's Storm Thunder Eagle was also among them, providing aerial strikes and area control.

The backline and flanks were composed of healing, support, buffing, and purification units, such as the Holy Light Priest, Nature Prophet, and War Song Shaman, responsible for maintaining the team's status. Simultaneously, there were over fifteen extremely fast stealth-based units, like assassins and rangers, prepared for flanking harassment, infiltration, and decapitation strikes against key targets.

This lineup could be described as luxurious to the extreme. A legion of ninety-three summon, with a minimum level over 160 (generally between 165-170), excellent equipment, powerful skills, and a well-balanced class composition. Their combined combat power was enough to directly challenge several ordinary Nation-Guarding Level Expert; even breaching the capital city defenses of some small nations would be a simple matter! In any campaign, this would be a strategic force capable of deciding the outcome.

Every one of them had a face full of solemnity and tension, but even more so, a sense of fighting spirit and battle intent that had been stimulated to the limit. If such a powerful team, which combined the elite strength of all thirty-one of them, still could not defeat the mere three summon sent by Lin Muyang... then they would accept their defeat in this championship wholeheartedly and without any further complaints!