Chapter 116: Earth Elemental Guardian

The token at the brown-haired wizard’s waist flashed red twice, but it failed to break free, remaining frozen in place like an ice sculpture.

The referee waited for about half a minute before finally declaring Qi Xiao the winner.

The referee descended to the center of the arena, looking from the ice sculpture to Qi Xiao, the implication clear. Qi Xiao could only shrug helplessly, indicating that he was powerless to undo it; the source of the power was the psionic elemental gun, not himself, so he could not simply retract the effect.

Eventually, a rescue team was summoned to lift away the brown-haired wizard, who had been transformed into a statue of ice.

The audience in the stands finally began to whisper and discuss.

"That’s an exquisite-grade piece of equipment, isn't it? He’s certainly wealthy. No wonder he dared to enter the advanced-level matches."

"I thought he looked familiar. This young wizard is the owner of that alchemy shop on the outskirts. Everything in that shop is handmade by him. He’s proficient in both potions and metallurgy, and he’s managed to produce exquisite-grade equipment even as an intermediate wizard apprentice. I bet the gun in his hand is his own work too!"

"So he's an alchemist... To be able to craft exquisite-grade alchemical items at such a young age—it’s unimaginable what he’ll be capable of when he becomes a high-level wizard apprentice. I’ve heard of cases where alchemy apprentices created superior-grade equipment, but an alchemist at this level would be treated with the utmost respect even by official wizards!"

A balding wizard sitting in the stands wore a complex expression and chimed in, "He holds an auction for exquisite-grade alchemy items every month. If you're interested, you should go take a look; the quality is quite good."

Qi Xiao stood quietly in place, looking up at the stands. Although he could not hear their specific words, he could roughly anticipate the topic of their discussion. This was exactly why he had abandoned the intermediate matches to come straight to the advanced ones.

After all, in intermediate-level competitions, most of the audience consisted of junior or intermediate wizard apprentices. Even if they saw his alchemical weapons and items, they would at most sigh with admiration, unable to do much else.

However, high-level wizard apprentices usually had some resources to spare, especially within the Vault of All Souls. Most of the wizards there possessed decent talent, and those who could achieve the rank of high-level wizard apprentice could earn a fair amount of magic crystals if they were willing to work for them. If they gritted their teeth and spent half a lifetime's savings, they might just be able to afford an exquisite-grade alchemical item. If he could attract one more person, the auction price might just climb higher.

The referee asked for Qi Xiao’s opinion. Upon receiving confirmation that he wished to continue, the referee lifted the teleportation restrictions. Not long after, a witch wearing a tea-white veil, looking every bit the elegant noblewoman, landed gracefully in the arena.

Qi Xiao glanced at the screen; this witch had registered under her real name, "Fei Ruo," rather than using an abstract title like the "God of Blazing Sun" that the previous wizard had used.

Fei Ruo covered her mouth in surprise, clearly astonished by Qi Xiao’s level of cultivation, but she said nothing, simply waiting for the match to begin.

The wizards in the audience were mostly experienced and had already begun their commentary.

"I’ve seen this witch’s previous matches. Her strength is quite decent, and her water-control techniques are extremely refined. It’s hard to deal with her unless you have a method to counter it."

"But I still think the exquisite-grade weapon has the edge. The only drawback is that the wielder’s personal strength is a bit low, which could become a weak point. But you’re telling me he’s an alchemist—is it possible he doesn’t have any defensive gear on him? So, I doubt this witch stands a chance."

"Let's wait and see. If he hits a three-match winning streak, his opponents will step up a level."

As soon as the referee announced the start of the match, Qi Xiao suddenly felt the air around him become heavy and damp. He grew alert, and fire elements gathered instantly around him to keep the surrounding air dry.

Fei Ruo flipped her palm, revealing a delicate staff, and began to chant on the spot.

Qi Xiao, naturally, would not let her cast her spell in peace. He raised his hand and fired three shots; bullets crackling with thunderous light instantly reached Fei Ruo.

Three shimmering layers of water curtains unfolded before the bullets could strike. Each time a bullet passed through a layer, its kinetic energy was diminished. By the time it pierced the final layer, the bullets were so weakened that they were easily swept away by a stream of azure water.

The three water curtains remained, though they appeared slightly more illusory.

Qi Xiao did not hold back. A faint light flickered on the ring upon his index finger, and a handful of yellow soil appeared in his hand. He let the fine sand trickle through his fingers and stood silently with his eyes closed.

Although she did not know what Qi Xiao was muttering about, it was the primary rule of wizard duels to disrupt the opponent's actions. Fei Ruo waved her delicate staff, and layers of rain clouds gathered above the arena, growing thicker and darker by the moment.

"This witch’s specialty is the 'Water of Gestation'! It’s better suited for healing and support, and it’s quite lacking in offensive power. I’m afraid she won’t be able to stop this little alchemist," a wizard who looked like a black-haired youth remarked with a smirk. He seemed quite famous among the audience. Nearby, a witch in a red dress teased him, "Robin, didn't your wife just get pregnant? Amniotic fluid is also a form of 'Water of Gestation.' Why don't you ask this witch to take a look at your wife? What if it’s good for the baby?"

"Go on, stop teasing me." Hearing the laughter, Robin’s face turned bright red, but he felt there might be some truth to it. He quickly changed the subject to avoid further mockery: "I watched Boss Qi Xiao’s match in the intermediate tier once. He has a set of exquisite-grade defensive gear. This witch doesn't stand a chance."

The witch in the red dress complained, "Analysis is one thing, but how is this any different from a spoiler? It’s no fun to watch now."

"Ha, I’m giving you intelligence! You never know when you might encounter him in a match. You should be thanking me instead of biting back. The state of the world is truly declining..."

Seeing that he had successfully diverted the topic, Robin breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside the arena, the dark clouds looked intimidating, but their actual effect was mediocre. Qi Xiao’s shield dust easily blocked the rainfall and successfully summoned an earth elemental guardian near Fei Ruo.

This was the first time Qi Xiao had used this cantrip in live combat. As a classic Level 2 summoning cantrip, the earth elemental guardian had no weaknesses other than its clumsiness. It possessed high damage, a massive frame, strong defenses, and could even cast some simple earth-based spells. Even in battles among high-level wizard apprentices, it held significant weight and could easily influence the outcome of a fight.

Fei Ruo’s expression was grave. The rain felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, but when it hit the earth elemental guardian, it caused no reaction, as if the water had simply been absorbed into the earth.

The earth elemental guardian roared, its massive arms smashing down toward Fei Ruo. Even in the damp air, a huge cloud of dust was kicked up.

As Fei Ruo flew out of the smoke, two bullets intertwined with fire and lightning surged toward her. Before she could set up a defense, the bullets exploded instantly.

"Boom!"

A massive explosion erupted, yet it had no effect on the earth elemental guardian. It ignored the shockwaves and slammed a fist into the center of the blast. The dust was churned up by wave after wave of explosions, and the entire arena seemed shrouded in a sandstorm.

Fei Ruo’s figure flickered within the dust. Her veil had been torn off by the impact of the explosion, revealing a beautiful but pale face. A trace of resolve flashed in her eyes. She waved her staff rapidly, and the surrounding rainwater gathered to form a massive water shield, tightly protecting her within.

The earth elemental guardian’s giant fist smashed into the water shield, creating a dull thud. Ripples spread across the surface of the shield, but it held firm. Seizing the moment, Fei Ruo chanted a spell. The ripples on the shield suddenly surged, transforming into countless water arrows that counterattacked toward the earth elemental guardian.

Seeing this, Qi Xiao frowned. He had not expected Fei Ruo’s water-control skills to be so exquisite; even after sustaining multiple heavy hits, she could organize a defense while simultaneously launching a counterattack. He moved forward rapidly, his psionic elemental gun firing once more—this time a rapid succession of fire-attribute bullets aimed directly at Fei Ruo.

Fei Ruo’s water shield was already struggling under the guardian’s assault. Facing Qi Xiao’s fire bullets, she had no choice but to dodge. The shield dissipated, and she moved quickly across the arena, as agile as a fish darting through water.

However, Qi Xiao’s bullets seemed to predict her movement trajectory perfectly, following her every turn. Fei Ruo’s face turned increasingly pale; her mana consumption was massive, and her speed began to lag.

At that moment, a sharp light glinted in Qi Xiao’s eyes. He suddenly put away his gun and rapidly formed a seal with his hands. A sound imperceptible to human ears surged out. Fei Ruo’s already pale face went completely bloodless, and she stood frozen in place, stunned.

"Command: Stun!"

Simultaneously, the earth elemental guardian’s body expanded instantly, its strength surging. With one punch, it shattered all the water arrows in its path and continued to smash toward Fei Ruo.

Fei Ruo’s form paused in mid-air as she regained her senses. She felt unprecedented pressure and knew she could no longer continue the fight. She took a deep breath, ceased all attacks and defenses, and said to the referee, "I concede."

In an instant, Fei Ruo’s figure disappeared from the spot. All attacks fell through the air. The earth elemental guardian looked at its own fists, appearing somewhat bewildered.

It only cheered up again after Qi Xiao smiled and said, "We won."

Qi Xiao retracted the earth elemental guardian and, deciding not to match against another opponent, returned to the battle hall.

He had consumed quite a bit of mana in this fight, especially on the summoning of the earth elemental guardian and the "Command: Stun" spell; the consumption was astonishing.

As a Level 3 cantrip, "Command: Stun" was not considered particularly taxing, but Qi Xiao had forced it out while still an intermediate apprentice. The consumption for the earth elemental guardian was even more staggering—significantly higher than the stun spell.

The dark clouds of gestation water used by the witch named Fei Ruo also seemed to be a Level 3 cantrip, though it was more focused on battlefield control.

The opponents he would face in the three-match winning streak would be a level above Fei Ruo. Qi Xiao had to take it seriously. He had gained 25 points from this trip; it seemed he needed 500 points to barely make it onto the leaderboard. These people were truly competitive.

Qi Xiao didn't care much about the contribution points he would get after making the list—they were just magic crystals—but he was very interested in the rare materials. Among them were scarce magical resources like mithril and dark gold.

Some of the audience from the previous matches had already left. Not wanting to be stopped and questioned, Qi Xiao did not linger. He skillfully arranged the spatial nodes, and in a flash, he disappeared, reappearing on the island in the middle of the lake.

Eve was already accustomed to Qi Xiao’s sudden appearances. Without changing her expression, she raised a hand in greeting. Qi Xiao looked at the "Dream Angler" rod Eve was still using and said somewhat guiltily, "I was just having a sudden whim back then, thinking I’d try a bit of metaphysics. It doesn't seem to be very effective. Maybe we should try a different one?"

Eve, however, was resolute. She shook her head, her expression determined. "No, I’ll stick with Little Dream. I can feel it… it’s close. I never had that feeling when I used other rods; it’s a premonition from the depths of the void..."

Hearing this, Qi Xiao could only offer his support and blessings before returning to the bubble space. After all, fishing was merely a surface activity; the core was Eve’s path as a wizard. In such subjective matters, it was natural for Eve’s will to prevail, and even their teacher would not intervene.

Qi Xiao finished his dinner in a rush and headed to the alchemy laboratory. The taste of dinner had improved significantly recently; it seemed Ya-Ya-Ke was truly frightened by their teacher.

The Spiritual Blood Fusion Potion he had sent to Feng was nearly depleted by Lin, so he needed to prepare a new batch. Coincidentally, Qi Xiao had several new ideas. Although he couldn't create a cure in one go, making the potion more effective and milder in its properties was well within his reach.

The laboratory was filled with the scent of blood. Blood Lotus waited at the door, intoxicated by the blood energy wafting from the room, looking somewhat ethereal.

The door burst open, and Blood Lotus sobered up instantly, rushing to apologize, "I’m sorry, Young Master... I, I couldn't help it..."

Qi Xiao smiled helplessly. "The blood energy I provide for you and Blood Ruo isn't exactly scarce, is it? Is it not enough? If it’s not enough, just say so; I can increase the portion next time. It’s not something incredibly precious, but the blood energy in the laboratory might contain dangerous or harmful substances. You shouldn't just eat things randomly."

Blood Lotus’s face turned crimson, though it was hard to tell through the blood energy surrounding her. She whispered, "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Young Master."

Qi Xiao waved his hand and disappeared with the potion kit. There were some things he needed to entrust to Feng and Lin, so he didn't have Blood Lotus deliver it.

For some reason, every time he arrived at Feng’s room, Qi Xiao felt the urge to use those archaic wizarding etiquettes, otherwise, he felt his studies had gone to waste. Standing at the door, he knocked three times with the temporary staff he had crafted for meeting Hope. That staff had no other use, but it certainly looked impressive.

As soon as Feng opened the door, he saw Qi Xiao striking a pretentious and noble pose at the entrance. Feng’s brow twitched as he said, "If you pull that act again, I’m going to hit you."

Qi Xiao instantly broke character, pouting with dissatisfaction. "What a bunch of youngsters who don't know the importance of etiquette. Back in my day..."

Feng sighed, pulled Qi Xiao inside, took the potion kit, and interrupted, "Enough. Go see Lin first and tell him whatever you need to say. You two look about the same age; I expect you’ll have a common language."