Chapter 23

"Whew..."

After the match ended, Lai Yiming took off his helmet.

"Old Zhang, I've taken care of the two people in front. Now, let's watch an exciting match!" Lai Yiming walked back with a smile.

"Your grasp of precise data is quite good. However, your awareness, positioning, and judgment need improvement." Zhang Taihao glanced at Lai Yiming, then walked directly to the arena and put on his helmet.

"Is that a compliment?" Lai Yiming scratched his head.

Zhang Taihao had never spoken to anyone like this before. If so, it should have been a compliment, right?

"Uh, probably..." Zhou Xian also glanced at Zhang Taihao.

At this moment, on the opposite side at the Changsheng Club, Huang Yingyue comforted her teammates and then put on her helmet to enter the game.

Huang Yingyue, the senior, was a Berserker Warrior, specializing in enhanced close-range area attack skills, such as the Crescent Blade technique. This specialization was very convenient for using the Infinite Step technique.

On the opposite side, Zhang Taihao's Maniac Mage also entered the battlefield.

"I never thought you, Zhang Taihao, would want to fight me." Huang Yingyue smiled when she saw Zhang Taihao come in.

"Originally, I transferred here to meet more and stronger opponents. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. You are one of the people I want to challenge."

Hearing Zhang Taihao's words, Huang Yingyue tilted her head: "Well, what if you defeat everyone here, what will you do?"

"Of course, I will transfer again to a better place." Zhang Taihao said matter-of-factly: "But my current capacity is not enough. Although not now, I believe that one day, I will defeat everyone here."

Zhang Taihao has always been fighting with this belief.

To him, everything other than fighting is worthless.

"But I think you can stay here." Huang Yingyue glanced at Zhang Taihao: "Life is not just about competitive matches. You should be more open-minded. You should know that there are many good things in this world."

"..." Zhang Taihao ignored her and raised his staff: "Let's talk after the match. I'm already thirsty and hungry."

Hearing Zhang Taihao's words, Huang Yingyue focused: "Alright, let's do it."

The third match began.

This time, the terrain was chosen by Huang Yingyue, but she only selected a random map. The randomly generated terrain was a vast, open grassland.

"For Zhang Taihao's Maniac Mage, this terrain is quite advantageous..."

Seeing the terrain, Lai Yiming already saw Zhang Taihao's advantage.

"If the senior didn't have Infinite Step, this environment would indeed be a severe challenge for her. But Infinite Step is also suitable for this kind of terrain. Such flat ground is perfect for using Infinite Step."

Zhou Xian, who had also learned Infinite Step, reminded the others.

After the countdown ended, Huang Yingyue's Berserker Warrior immediately charged forward with continuous directional movements. In terms of using Infinite Step, Huang Yingyue was even more advanced!

Huang Yingyue's Infinite Step technique involved combining various basic movement skills to always maintain a suitable distance, staying at an angle where the opponent finds it hard to attack. This was similar to Zhou Xian.

But unlike Zhou Xian, the Berserker Warrior could also use enhanced area attack skills to continuously chip away at the opponent's health from advantageous angles.

The most perfect Infinite Step technique could even completely prevent the opponent from counterattacking, a terrifying skill.

Against Zhang Taihao, Huang Yingyue used extremely fast, high-frequency small steps to move, a classic starting technique for Infinite Step. If caught by such Infinite Step, due to the characteristics of the class, it would be even more troublesome than Zhou Xian's Infinite Step.

How could Zhang Taihao let Huang Yingyue succeed?

A Hellfire and a Fire Wall quickly restricted Huang Yingyue's movement range by half.

But at that moment, Huang Yingyue's Berserker Warrior suddenly glowed, and a Barbaric Charge skill was activated.

However, the moment Huang Yingyue used the skill, Zhang Taihao immediately used the Burst Flame technique, dealing a stun at close range! Not only that, Zhang Taihao also took damage and was instantly knocked out of his position! He then immediately cast three fireballs!

The audience was stunned.

"What was that skill just now?!"

"Barbaric Charge can't knock the opponent that far, right?"

"How did he not get stunned? Where's the stun?!"

The sudden technique that appeared was simply exaggerated.

"I didn't expect such a sharp Mage to exist in our school." On the other side, Gu Changsheng of the Esports Club also saw this.

"What just happened? This movement is too unscientific, right?" Li Binseng, although also an elite player, still didn't understand what happened.

"Tch, just a flashy trick." Su Xiaoyue immediately noticed what Zhang Taihao did: "He opened the system menu in an instant and turned on the 'Self-Destruct' switch, which gave him ten times the power, allowing him to push himself out."

"Amazing, to complete such an operation so quickly, how high must this person's reaction speed be..."

Hearing Su Xiaoyue's words, Li Binseng was shocked, but still had some doubts: "But if he used this skill with a Fire Ring, wouldn't it be better than three fireballs?"

"You don't know who his opponent is." Su Xiaoyue pouted: "Did you see that Infinite Step just now? That level of completion is completely 'godlike.' If he used a Fire Ring and a combo, he would probably be beaten to a pulp by the Berserker Warrior's skill chain when he approached."

"Infinite Step? Infinite Step... That skill shouldn't have been useful just now, right?"

Gu Changsheng shook his head: "Li, you still have a lot to learn. Infinite Step is just a technique. But don't forget, Huang Yingyue was still in the state of a charge skill. If she used Infinite Step to change direction, she would directly stun the opponent, and the Maniac Mage from the Longmu Club would be in trouble. In fact, Huang Yingyue's active attack might have been to lure this Maniac Mage into making a mistake."

"There's no need to watch, the outcome of this match is already decided. I'll go back first."

Su Xiaoyue stood up and was about to leave.

"Huh? Didn't the senior say she would stay to watch the Longmu Club's match? Why is she leaving now?" Li Binseng asked, confused. At this moment, Gu Changsheng gave a meaningful look at Zhou Xian sitting on the bench.

"Already said, the outcome is decided. The Longmu Club still has one person, they can't possibly lose. That's it."

With that, Su Xiaoyue left.

"Eh, Captain, what's up with the senior?" Li Binseng, seeing Su Xiaoyue who seemed a bit angry, was at a loss.

"Li, that's just women for you!" The president of the Esports Club said very seriously.

Meanwhile, the match was still ongoing.

After the first round of probing, both players' health bars were mostly intact, both above 90%.

"Perfect prediction, and the positioning is also very strong, even better than Zhou Xian's Infinite Step." After the first round of probing, Zhang Taihao had already seen the difference between Zhou Xian and Huang Yingyue in terms of Infinite Step.

"But my three major movement skills can't match Zhou Xian, and he has his ultimate techniques. My Infinite Step is all I have."

Huang Yingyue, the senior, humbly said.

"As long as a technique is perfected to the best, it is the strongest—!"

Zhang Taihao said, and threw three fireballs again.

Huang Yingyue easily dodged the three fireballs, moving towards Zhang Taihao in a zigzag pattern.

At this moment, Zhang Taihao used the Fire Wall spell to restrict Huang Yingyue's movement, followed by three Ice Spikes. He took a step back, seemingly preparing to use a skill.

This was the first step of Zhang Taihao's Ice-Fire-Electric combo!

However, Huang Yingyue easily dodged Zhang Taihao's attack and then charged at him.

But Zhang Taihao's lips curled into a strange smile: "Ice Storm!"

"Ice Storm! Ice-Fire-Electric combo!" Tao Shan and Xu Tianyun immediately perked up.

But at that moment, Huang Yingyue's attack also reached Zhang Taihao.

"Fire Ring!" Zhang Taihao immediately used this non-active movement skill to push Huang Yingyue away.

Next, it should have been Zhang Taihao's Flash of Light skill. Ice Storm plus Fire Ring plus Flash of Light, this series of classic skills was one of Zhang Taihao's killing moves, the Ice-Fire-Electric combo!

However, Zhang Taihao's attack did not materialize.

Or rather, when he used the Fire Ring, his Ice-Fire-Electric combo was already broken.

Because Huang Yingyue was directly pushed out of Zhang Taihao's attack range.

"What's going on? It's similar to what happened with that cold-faced glasses guy."

"Did we get it wrong? Are we not playing the same game?"

Seeing the sudden situation, the audience was stunned.

"Self-Destruct switch..."

Zhou Xian muttered.

"Isn't this a dangerous technique that only professional players can use? When did middle school students become so proficient? Why can't I do it? Am I still in elementary school?"

Xu Tianyun, seeing Huang Yingyue being pushed away, also felt a bit disoriented.

Opening and closing the Self-Destruct switch in an instant was a very dangerous move. At that moment, the player couldn't see the game interface and had to rely entirely on their prediction. More importantly, they needed to know if the enemy would notice and use a powerful skill—otherwise, they could be instantly killed.

Therefore, this was a technique that looked powerful but was actually very dangerous.

This technique, which should not have appeared in a middle school tournament, was suddenly used by two people, making Xu Tianyun, a "normal middle school expert," feel like the world was about to end.

At this moment, Zhang Taihao's technique was broken by Huang Yingyue using this special method, and the two were again in a stalemate.

"An eye for an eye, this time it's my turn to attack!" Seeing Huang Yingyue dodge his Ice-Fire-Electric combo, Zhang Taihao's fighting spirit grew even stronger.

He immediately threw three Ice Spikes.

Huang Yingyue calmly dodged them.

But just that moment, the others were already staring in amazement.

Throwing three Ice Spikes required some skill, but Zhang Taihao made it look effortless, using such a sharp move with ease. On the other side, Huang Yingyue's dodging was also effortless. If someone who hadn't played the game saw this, they might not be impressed, thinking it was normal. But the students here, who had all played the game, found it terrifying to see such flashy skills executed so smoothly.

At this moment, Zhang Taihao was already closing in on Huang Yingyue.

A Mage doing this would seem crazy to others. But when Zhang Taihao did it, everyone felt it was the right move. His presence was different, and the meaning of his every move changed in the eyes of others.

However, facing Zhang Taihao's attack, Huang Yingyue began to circle around him, as if she were the one using the kite tactic.

At this moment, the audience was already confused by this chaotic scene. But it didn't affect their enjoyment of the match.

"Too bizarre." At this moment, more than one person was probably thinking this.

"Zhang Taihao is so cool~ Zhang Taihao is so amazing~"

At this moment, only the girls were fangirling.

"What's going on?" In the Tiantian Club, Ying Tianlong and the others were also watching the match.

"It's simple." Mo Xie, a Mage, glanced at Ying Tianlong, who didn't know this, with a look of disdain: "Watch the Warrior. Although it seems like she's kiting, their distance will never exceed the maximum range of the Barbaric Charge skill."

Ying Tianlong, seeing this, nodded in surprise: "Right, a Warrior can do this!"

Seeing Ying Tianlong's reaction, Mo Xie shook his head.

Although Ying Tianlong had the Soul Command system, he had neglected the actual combat techniques because of it, which was putting the cart before the horse.

"Speaking of which, using the Soul Command system as a reward to protect this idiot, does it feel a bit off?" Mo Xie seemed to realize that the Tiantian Club was not what he had imagined. He had a vague sense of worry, but he couldn't pinpoint the source.

Meanwhile, the match had been going on for five minutes.

But no one complained about these five minutes. The amount of information contained in these five minutes was simply enormous!

In these five minutes, they saw absolutely stunning techniques and godlike operations. This was not something ordinary people could possess.

"Their health is still above 85%. Is this going to be a 20-minute match?"

Xu Tianyun looked at both players' health bars and shook his head.

The maximum duration of each match in the middle school tournament was 20 minutes. But this rarely happened; usually, matches were resolved within ten or even five minutes. If both sides were mutually countering each other, the match could be resolved in one minute.

Someone had once tested that if a person didn't resist, they could be knocked out in as little as 30 seconds.

But the pace of this match was clearly different from the norm.

No, it was completely different from any other match.

Both Zhang Taihao and Huang Yingyue's techniques could be considered professional level.

"Who did Senior Huang Yingyue learn her techniques from? Her Infinite Step is just amazing!" This match clearly ignited Tao Shan's passion for Infinite Step.

"I'll tell you when you can link your three major movement skills to a godlike level."

In Zhou Xian's view, Tao Shan's approach was overly ambitious.

"Uh—"

Hearing Zhou Xian's words, Tao Shan fell silent.

To reach a godlike level of completion with all three major skills would take a long time. Zhou Xian had spent a considerable amount of time learning these three skills.

Meanwhile, the match was still ongoing.

"I never thought, Zhang Taihao, that you would also be so knowledgeable about Infinite Step. You've deflected all my attacks. But why don't you use Infinite Step yourself?" Huang Yingyue couldn't find any weak points in Zhang Taihao's attacks. Zhang Taihao's understanding of Infinite Step was already beyond comprehension.

"Infinite Step is indeed powerful, but for me now, this technique would only increase my error rate. So, I'm more interested in countering such movement techniques than learning them."

Zhang Taihao looked at Huang Yingyue, also pondering his strategy.

Whether it was his Ice-Fire-Electric combo, explosive movement, or fiery flow tactics, all were countered by Huang Yingyue.

Zhang Taihao then directly cast a Lightning Bolt. But Huang Yingyue still easily dodged it using Infinite Step, and there was a hint of an offensive move, but the battle suddenly seemed to come to a halt.

The audience was also confused.

The first five minutes were indeed a very exciting match. But the next five minutes... why did the pace of the match suddenly stop?

At this moment, both sides had almost completely stopped fighting. They were indeed looking for each other's weaknesses and thinking of ways to counter, but this made the audience feel very monotonous.

"Is this going to be a 20-minute match?"

Zhou Xian looked at the time; the match had already been going on for ten minutes, but both sides' health bars had not decreased.

This strange scene left the commentators with no choice but to use some off-topic remarks to avoid the match becoming dull.

Perhaps because the match was halfway through, the two combatants finally began to probe each other again.

But after eight minutes, both sides still had about 70% health.

"Old Zhou, I think this match is quite memorable." Xu Tianyun interjected next to Zhou Xian.

"Xu Expert, I also think this match will 'go down in history.'"

No, Zhou Xian believed that by September, when the gossip magazines were evaluated, this match would definitely be selected as "the most bizarre match in the Zhongzhou School Esports Cup."

This was a certainty.

"There are only two minutes left. Will they still fight?" Tao Shan felt like he was about to fall asleep.

"They will definitely fight." Zhou Xian looked at the two on the