Undead Mage: I Have a Skeleton Clone-Chapter 448 - 330: Cliffside Lead, Fang Zhou Surrenders?

In the battle at the manor, Fang Zhou showcased a series of stunning maneuvers and his ability to control the battlefield, completely winning over everyone present. He not only demonstrated his own formidable strength but also his excellent tactical awareness. The final, parabolic shot that secured the kill pushed the emotions to a climax, putting a perfect end to the battle.

"Fang Zhou, that move was incredible!" Meng Hongzhuang said excitedly, admiration written all over her face.

Bai Xiaochan nodded in agreement. "Seriously, you managed to take out that annoying guy even while he was hiding behind a pillar. Fang Zhou, I’m in total awe of you."

Ye Fan, however, asked with some confusion, "What I’m curious about is why you let those students go. That doesn’t seem like your style."

Fang Zhou chuckled and explained, "You think I wanted to let them go? I was messing with that Magic-guided Crystal Cannon for ages, and it turns out the ancient thing could only fire a single shot.

"Now it’s completely useless!"

Pfft.

The members of the Sea City Military Academy all stared at Fang Zhou with strange expressions. Even the students in the audience who had been cheering his name were stunned. That move had really fooled everyone.

"I knew it. Since when were you so reasonable?" Meng Hongzhuang said helplessly.

"That was a beautiful play. Mo Zishu will probably cough up blood from rage when he finds out," Bai Xiaochan added excitedly.

"I didn’t think much of it then, but looking back, that was really thrilling," Yue Lingyun said with a smile.

However, in reality, Mo Zishu had already coughed up blood. After being killed by Fang Zhou, he was forcibly transported to a random respawn point to await revival. While waiting to respawn, there was nothing he could do but repeatedly review Fang Zhou’s maneuvers. With his intelligence, he quickly understood that Fang Zhou had been running an ’empty fort’ bluff.

Since his Awakening, when had Mo Zishu ever suffered such humiliation? He could have at least accepted Fang Zhou winning against him, even killing him. After all, everyone knew Fang Zhou was overwhelmingly strong. No one defeated by him would be considered weak for it. However, the Magic-guided Crystal Cannon had clearly been destroyed after just one shot. Yet that guy, using nothing but an inert Magic-guided Cannonball held by two Skeletons, had scared their large group into cowering. Then, Fang Zhou had played them like a fiddle, killed him with flair in front of everyone, and simply walked away. Recalling this brief experience, his face burned with shame, and his heart churned with a storm of complex emotions.

Mo Zishu secretly swore to himself that he would repay this humiliation twofold. But no matter how bitter he felt, Fang Zhou’s maneuver was now the talk of the town.

***

True to the saying, bad news travels fast. By the time Fang Zhou led his team to the dueling arena, word of what he had said back at the manor had already reached the ears of every contestant.

The students who hadn’t participated in the siege on Fang Zhou expressed their sincere admiration. Those who had, however, glared at him with eyes that seemed to shoot fire, their anger practically burning in the air. Fang Zhou, however, simply smiled and nodded in acknowledgment to everyone without distinction, which only infuriated them more. His smile seemed to silently mock their ignorance and recklessness.

***

The duels had already been underway for a few minutes. Three platforms, like three independent fighting rings, were hosting intense one-on-one battles.

"Which platform do you all want to compete for?" Fang Zhou asked, his tone relaxed.

Bai Xiaochan spoke up, "I’ll pass. I’m a Support Professional, and I’m already in the top fifty thanks to the points from our team hunts. That’s good enough for me." Her expression was calm, showing she had a clear understanding of her own role.

"I’m not very interested either," said the team’s female Light Priest. Her voice was gentle, but her tone was firm, making it clear she had her own plans.

Meng Hongzhuang said with some frustration, "I want to challenge for the main dueling platform, but I’m definitely no match for you, Fang Zhou. I’ll try for the second one instead." A trace of unwillingness flashed in her eyes, but it was overshadowed by a clear-eyed assessment of her own strength.

Fang Zhou patted her on the shoulder comfortingly. "It’s fine. Just do your best."

"Tch." Bai Xiaochan flipped Meng Hongzhuang off.

Meng Hongzhuang just snorted and walked toward the second dueling platform.

"You all decide for yourselves," Fang Zhou said. "The next phase should be the one-on-one battles, so be realistic about your own strength. I’ll handle my end."

Ye Fan, Gu Zhiqiu, and the others nodded. They dispersed, heading off with Meng Hongzhuang to find suitable dueling platforms.

Fang Zhou walked over to a pillar that shimmered with a mysterious light. Seeing a handprint on its surface, he pressed his palm against it without hesitation.

An electronic, synthesized voice immediately echoed from the pillar, "Senior Sergeant Fang Zhou, you have qualified to challenge for the main dueling platform. Currently ranked first in points, your challenge will be in the next match."

The voice continued with the rules.

"First, challengers may not concede to one another or engage in any form of cheating. Anyone discovered doing so will have their qualification revoked immediately.

"Second, stalling is prohibited during a challenge. After the battle begins, failure to attack within five seconds will result in a warning. Failure to attack within ten seconds will result in immediate disqualification."