Yu Xiaogang explained, "Ring Fusion is a rare ability that allows a Spirit Master to instantly release the combined Spirit Power of multiple Spirit Abilities into a single burst. This greatly amplifies the resulting ability's power and explosiveness. In essence, it multiplies the impact of the Spirit Ability."
Back during the qualifying rounds, Yu Xiaogang had already suspected that Huo Wu possessed the talent for Ring Fusion. Now, his suspicions were confirmed.
Tang San asked, "So that's what it is. Teacher, do you think Lin Jie can withstand the Spirit Ability Huo Wu is about to unleash?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head slowly. "I don't know. The truth is, I'm finding it harder and harder to gauge Lin Jie's true strength. Even I can't fully grasp how powerful he is anymore. Perhaps... he can."
Zhu Zhuqing, having heard Yu Xiaogang's explanation, looked down at Lin Jie on the battlefield, concern written plainly on her face. Though she knew he was strong, she still worried. She didn't want to see him hurt.
—
On the tournament stage, white flames gathered and compressed in Huo Wu's hand, eventually condensing into a blazing white sphere the size of a fist. Unlike her usual attacks, this one wasn't merely heat—it was explosive. A sphere of detonation, forged from the last remnants of her Spirit Power.
Once the blazing sphere was fully formed, she flicked her wrist, sending it drifting silently into the air, heading straight for Lin Jie, who was still mid-air.
As the orb left her hand, Huo Wu's face turned deathly pale. She had poured everything into that one attack. She was now completely drained—her Spirit Power gone, her body exhausted.
Despite being airborne, Lin Jie's attention had been fixed on her from the start. The moment the orb was released, he reacted.
He tried to dodge—but found his body sluggish, as though an invisible force had locked onto him. The sphere exerted a gravitational pull, locking onto him with terrifying precision. Worse still, he had nowhere to retreat to in midair.
There was only one option: confront it head-on.
He didn't hesitate. A bluish-white lightning sphere condensed in his hand, and with a forceful throw, he hurled it toward the incoming blazing orb.
The two collided—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed across the field.
To Lin Jie's shock, the blazing orb barely paused, then continued its trajectory toward him, as if his attack had been nothing more than a breeze.
His brow furrowed.
A purple Spirit Ring lit up beneath his feet. A thick bolt of lightning shot forth and expanded into a web-shaped net of electricity. The moment it touched the blazing white orb—
Zzzrak!
The orb spun violently, cutting straight through the lightning net with a screech, seemingly imbued with its own slicing power.
It kept coming—faster than ever.
Lin Jie now understood: this attack wasn't just composed of Huo Wu's remaining Spirit Power. It was enhanced by Ring Fusion, multiplying its power severalfold. And it wasn't just an ability—it was being directed by Huo Wu's will.
It was homing in on him—and couldn't be evaded.
But Lin Jie had an idea.
Another bluish-white lightning whip exploded from his palm, arcing not toward the orb—but toward Huo Wu herself.
She was spent, with no strength left to dodge.
She gasped as the whip wrapped tightly around her slender waist.
Then, Lin Jie gave a powerful yank.
Using Huo Wu's body as a pivot point, he reversed his momentum in midair and launched himself directly toward her.
In an instant, the two collided.
Huo Wu instinctively tried to push him away, but her body was too drained—her strength nearly gone.
Lin Jie split his arms, attempting to swing around her to get behind—but Huo Wu, reading his intentions, summoned a final burst of strength.
She lunged forward, arms wrapping tightly around his neck, and legs locking around his waist.
She held on like a vice.
Lin Jie was stunned.
So… this was her plan?
Feeling the approaching energy from behind, he reacted swiftly. He grabbed her waist, spun in the air, and—
Switched their positions.
Now, Huo Wu was between Lin Jie and the oncoming orb—a human shield.
Huo Wu's heart froze.
She could feel the heat of the orb behind her, growing closer by the second.
And she knew—she couldn't stop it.
She had created it. She had directed it.
And now… it was going to kill her.
A bitter realization struck her:
She had lost.
Utterly.
Completely.
Was she really going to die—by her own Spirit Ability?
She knew better than anyone the power of that orb. In her current condition, there was no way she could survive the hit.
So this was it?
At least… she wouldn't be dying alone. Lin Jie would go with her.
The thought oddly comforted her.
She clenched her arms and legs tighter around him, expelling the last traces of Spirit Power to hold him close.
Memories flooded her mind—her defeat in the qualifiers, her month of bitter training, watching Lin Jie defeat six of her teammates, and now…
Now, he was using her as a shield.
She was furious. So furious she wanted to cry.
Lin Jie tried to shake her off—but she held fast. Then he caught a glimpse of her face.
Her eyes were red.
He was momentarily stunned.
He'd intended to forcibly dislodge her—but seeing her like this…
He couldn't.
Furious, ashamed, and heartbroken, Huo Wu looked up at him.
Then, without warning—
she bit him.
Hard.
Her lips parted, her sharp teeth sinking into his shoulder with shocking force.
Even Lin Jie's durable body couldn't fully resist. Blood trickled into her mouth.
"Xiao Wu!" Huo Wushuang shouted from the stands, panic etched across his face.
He tried to rush down, but it was far too late.
"Lin Jie!!" Zhu Zhuqing's voice rang out, full of worry and fear.
Ning Rongrong and the rest of the Shrek team were already halfway out of their seats.
Lin Jie sighed.
He understood.
Huo Wu had wanted to drag him down with her.
But he didn't hate her. To him, she was just a proud, stubborn girl who refused to admit defeat. He wasn't the kind of man to hold a grudge over that.
And he wasn't about to let her die—even if she hated him for it.
As the blazing white orb drew near, Lin Jie suddenly pulled Huo Wu tightly into his arms, then rotated in the air—
shielding her with his back.
In that final moment, his Spirit Power surged.
Lightning burst from his body, coalescing into a protective shield across his back.
It was hastily formed—its structure far from ideal. He hadn't had time to control it properly. Its defensive strength was no more than half of what he could usually muster.
But it would have to be enough.