The Invincible Supreme Medical God-Chapter 948 - 518: Leader 2
"Once again, without any time limit. What I need is for you to defeat your replicas! Now enjoy the battle!" Bull said, as before, he expected these youths to immediately unleash their strongest attacks and assault their replicas; however, they did not move initially.
Instead, they formed a group, sat down, and started conversing.
"We can't just attack. This is a test of teamwork, not a test of strength. Defeating them clearly requires our joint efforts. Our current teamwork isn't the best, so let's take this opportunity to understand our cooperation better," Yan Xiaobao said, and the others nodded, everyone excitedly agreeing.
Seeing their actions, Bull was surprised but nodded in approval. Rushing into this battle was indeed not the best decision. Although they had strong attacking power, that wasn't the only important thing. These replicas also had fierce attacks, and if faced head-on, they might end up hurt. Knowing this, Yan Xiaobao had stopped them, and now they were considering different plans and strategies while their shadow replicas patiently waited for their first challenge. "Again!" Yan Xiaobao roared, fiercely striking his opponent's chest and retreating three steps. Before him was his own energy clone, in his hand the copy of Ice Cold Storm.
After being forced to retreat, Yan Xiaobao's call led everyone else forward. As their attacks descended upon them, everyone rushed towards their own replicas. Some used fire attribute attacks learned from Ancestor World Power, while others relied more on their other strengths. When his soul shadow flew from his scroll, Deng Wu was completely immersed in purple flames, attacking repeatedly only to meet the same advancement before him. Both kept fighting until their shadows slowly tired and returned to their scrolls. Neither side had the upper hand.
Sha Yun was like a Demon. Her silver eyes sparkled in the reflection of lava flowing from her hands; though it wouldn't harm her, it couldn't harm her energy clone either.
In such battles, one-on-one, neither side had an advantage, but neither was at a disadvantage either. However, looking at the overall battle, it was clear that both sides would exhaust their energy, and neither could win.
"Retreat," Yan Xiaobao said in a weary voice, and the team retreated together, some less willing than others. "We have two choices," Yan Xiaobao stated decisively, his words causing everyone to look at him in surprise.
"First, we can unite as one. We will rely on our teamwork to fight them and achieve victory, and this teamwork shouldn't be too challenging. If we pursue one person at a time, we should be able to eliminate at least some experts quickly. If we do this, passing the trial easily will be within reach. This teamwork attempt really isn't too challenging for us," Yan Xiaobao explained, and others nodded. Even Bull approved, but what followed surprised not only Bull but his companions.
"Although we have another option. Even though we can fight as a team and quickly pass this teamwork trial, we can choose to fight one-on-one. Doing so will allow us to sharpen our skills and refine our control over new power. We won't pass the trial this way, but we will enhance our strength. Our best opponent will be the one we find this way, and this is an opportunity we cannot ignore. I think we should spend time improving our skills and battling those who force us to improve. If in the next trial we have to fight but spend time honing our skills here first, then it gives us plenty of time. If there really are no more battle trials afterwards, then we still haven't lost anything."
Hearing this, everyone nodded unconsciously. Even though this meant spending more time here, if it meant improving their skills, then it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. They had been away from Muchuan City for a long time, even if it took several months, so be it. As Yan Xiaobao said, finding an opponent as perfect as these clones is truly rare. Reflecting on the trial created by Black Turtle, Bull was moved. Back then, he mentioned that although this was a test of teamwork, it was also a form of self-regulation. It wasn't until now that Bull understood Holy Master's meaning. Rushing through trials isn't always the correct path. Both methods can be considered correct, but one can offer more, yet requires time.
"Who cares how long it takes!" Deng Wu exclaimed passionately. "What we need is to train our bodies. We need to become stronger than before! Otherwise, whenever we become gods, even if we have strength, if we lack the ability to support it, what's its value?"
Hearing his words, everyone else began nodding in agreement. From that moment, this group stayed in the mountains, battling energy clones day after day. They only rested when needing to restore energy or tend to wounds.
Energy clones acted strangely. Although this was a teamwork trial, their shadows weren't any use. Whenever someone advanced alone to challenge their energy clone, only their clone would attack.
Their battle results were as expected. Half the battles centered on relationships, while the rest were split fifty-fifty on both sides. Whenever they faced Clones, they would retreat and start recuperating, exactly what Yan Xiaobao and his friends did when needed during those three months in the mountains. Their increase in power was evident; however, despite their efforts, they couldn't surpass the energy clones. This was because whenever they comprehended something, gained new insights, or gained better control over their attacks, their clones also gained the same insights, making battles increasingly intense.
Initially, all battles were just short scuffles, but now they engaged in long endurance battles, pushing everyone to the limit. Sometimes they were battles of belonging, sometimes battles filled with massive attacks, causing powerful energy waves to surge outward from each collision.
With a sigh, Yan Xiaobao and his energy clone completed another epic battle, leaving both sides completely drained of energy, thus Yan Xiaobao sat down to recover his energy. The longer they stayed here, the less their bodies suffered from damage due to better responses to battle conditions.
Qiao and Lao, who lacked much real combat experience, were truly amazed by Yan Xiaobao as they observed their proficiency in battle. They now had no useless movements at all. Every step was confident and purposeful. Each movement resembled the flow of rivers and streams; they looked as natural as flowing water.
Qiao was no more spectacular than Lao, both continually demonstrating their capabilities.
Watching all his companions, Yan Xiaobao couldn't help but smile. In these grueling months of battle, everyone gained many insights into their combat styles and became more humble after countless defeats. The whole process tempered their minds. It had eliminated all arrogance, replaced by caution and vigilance. Neither he nor his friends dared to underestimate any enemy now, understanding that even if they fully utilized their power, opponents would always have one fierce attack.
"Retreat!" Yan Xiaobao shouted, and as his voice struck the fresh air, everyone withdrew. They separated from their replicas, halting the current battle.
"You better tell us something good," Deng Wu joked, "I won this battle, if I won it, it puts me ahead!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Xiaobao smiled but shook his head. "I know you want to win his victory, but I think it's time for us to enter the next trial. We've been here for three months, proving that we've truly succeeded in greatly improving!"
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