Chapter 88: A Single Strike

If a certified alchemist were to see this staff, they would likely be so furious that they’d cough up blood, denouncing Qi Xiao for squandering such precious materials. After all, even though this Dragonflame Staff is quite powerful, it still pales in comparison to the two formal wizard-grade ingredients used in its making. Qi Xiao himself felt rather helpless. As an apprentice alchemist, a mere intermediate wizard, even with all his knowledge and the aid of his alchemical apparatus, he could only manage, at best, to elevate the staff to the threshold of excellence—and that was by sheer luck. More likely, its journey would end at the pinnacle of “superior” alchemical weaponry. For Qi Xiao, this outcome was almost unacceptable: the raw materials were too rare, and even his teacher wouldn’t part with them lightly.

Still, in a real crisis against a full-fledged wizard, he’d have no chance to escape, regardless of the staff’s grade. At the apprentice level, the current Dragonflame Staff was already at its peak; a little more power wouldn’t make much difference. It was better to leave room for improvement in the future.

Skipping any testing, Qi Xiao gripped the staff and headed straight for the dueling tower. Since it was his own tool, he’d learn its true power most directly in live combat.

On the way, he attracted a good deal of attention. The staff was nearly one meter sixty in length and looked particularly fierce and unwieldy—rare for a wizard’s staff. Next to it, Qi Xiao himself seemed even slighter, prompting people to look twice, though none lingered overlong. After all, the wizarding world was full of eccentricities; Qi Xiao had once seen someone wielding a yo-yo-like weapon in combat. The Dragonflame Staff was only unusual for its size.

Qi Xiao registered for the match and was soon teleported into the arena. As the spatial nodes stabilized, he surveyed his surroundings. The arena resembled a rainforest: the lake was a clear, jade green, sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting mottled patterns on the water. The trees themselves stood about three meters tall, encircling the grassy ring.

On the opposite shore stood a petite girl with long, dark brown hair. She carried no weapon, and though her face was obscured, the audience’s reaction suggested she was strikingly beautiful.

By chance, Qi Xiao had faced her before—last time, too, to test a new alchemical weapon. Fate had brought them together again. But a month had passed, and his current weapon was several orders of magnitude more powerful. He wondered if her strength had kept pace.

Avril, as she was known, might not have recognized Qi Xiao, but the audience certainly hadn’t forgotten him. After all, he’d severed their goddess’s arm before their very eyes. Even if it had been unintentional, it was enough to make them gnash their teeth in resentment.

"That coward who only relies on outside help!"

"The owner of that shady shop!"

"This time, he didn’t bring that bizarre weapon—he’s using a staff!"

"Go on, Miss Avril, let him taste what it’s like to lose an arm!"

"Maybe not… after all, his teacher is that one… Miss Avril can’t afford to offend him."

Since the auction of his three superior-grade weapons, Qi Xiao’s reputation had transformed—he was now a hot commodity. If he had spent any time on socializing, the organization would be full of people eager to curry favor with this up-and-coming alchemist. If it weren’t for his powerful backing, he’d never have a moment’s peace.

According to the dueling tower’s rules, each contestant was allowed only one alchemical weapon and three other types of alchemical items. Thus, Qi Xiao still wore the Starmoon Guardian, but had left his Ether Elemental Gun in his room.

As the referee’s countdown ended, tension crackled in the arena. Qi Xiao’s figure flickered, vanishing as if melting into the air, only to reappear before Avril in a flash of inky darkness before the audience could react.

Thanks to daily practice and his teacher’s guidance, Qi Xiao’s mastery of short-range spatial shifting had become second nature—he could now cross the battlefield in an instant. This speed and agility was exactly what made spatial wizards so feared; though the cost was high, the strategic value was extraordinary.

Qi Xiao’s sudden appearance startled Avril, but she recovered quickly, summoning an earthen shield and activating the amulet at her chest. Heavy earth magic condensed into a single-sided barrier for maximum single-point defense, while the amulet’s white glow enveloped her in a protective membrane. Qi Xiao recognized the amulet—it was one of his own defensive alchemical items, likely purchased from the Heavenly Craft shop.

But Qi Xiao’s attack was already upon her. The “Thunderwing Dragonflame Staff” in his hand traced a blazing arc through the air, descending with thunderous force upon Avril.

The moment staff met shield, a deafening crash erupted—like thunder splitting the heavens.

The earthen shield shattered instantly under the Dragonflame Staff’s fierce blow, crumbling like fragile glass without so much as a trace of dust, as if reduced to the smallest particles. The white membrane, which Qi Xiao knew to be both resilient and tough, fared no better. Violet-red lightning and fire exploded from the staff, tearing through the membrane, and the blast wave struck Avril directly.

Her clothes were shredded by the shockwave, revealing the burns left by the lightning and flame. The force of the impact sent her flying like a severed kite, landing heavily in the distance amidst a cloud of dust.

Avril’s fans in the audience were left in shock, their cries and disbelieving gazes melding into chaos. Their goddess—so invincible in their minds—was utterly powerless before Qi Xiao… or rather, before a single strike of his staff.

The referee and rescue team rushed over at once. Avril had already lost consciousness; as she was carried away on a stretcher, Qi Xiao felt a pang of helplessness. As a future Wise Seeker, Avril was among the finest apprentices. Yet, by chance, she had twice served as his test subject for new weapons. This time, knowing the Dragonflame Staff’s terrifying power, he had used barely twenty percent of its strength—had he unleashed seventy percent, Avril would have been reduced to ashes, nothing left behind.

He could only hope this didn’t deal too severe a blow to her confidence and future.

Qi Xiao had long since abandoned any hope of forging a good relationship with her. In her shoes, if he were repeatedly left battered by a stranger—particularly one who relied on “external tools”—he’d hardly think well of him, either.

In any case, Qi Xiao had already befriended plenty of future wizards; losing this one wouldn’t matter, so long as they didn’t become enemies. With a sigh, he let the matter rest.