From the academy's observation deck, Nimrodel stared at the live feed of Floor 20. The forest's mist obscured movements, yet Feng Jian had navigated it with uncanny precision.
Why is he allowing the Mapane to lead him into a trap? she wondered. And why does something feel... off?
In the stands, students murmured: "He's got enough ADP to enter an elite class!" "I can't believe he's still standing."
Meanwhile, in the swamp-circled lake, Feng Jian advanced to the water's edge. Twenty-two lizardmen and their Water Mage Chief raised their arms in unison, channeling a wide-area aqueous barrier.
At that moment, the Mapane—the ancient tree elemental—twisted its own branches, pulling the surrounding trees inward to form a living cage. Before Feng could react, a torrent of arrows and water shards rained down.
Environment Breakdown
Caged Arena: Trees converge, forming a 360° barrier.
Water Current: A surface layer of fast-flowing water conceals submerged roots and ambush spots.
Mist Veil: Dense fog disrupts Qi detection beyond 50 meters.
Feng dropped both swords and drew his twin Obsidian Daggers from his belt. His aura shifted from green and blue to blue and black.
"Shadow Step."
He vanished and reappeared behind the chief, materializing from its own shadow with daggers poised.
Two lizardmen lunged to intercept him—but he leapt backward with a second Shadow Step, diving beneath the rippling lake surface where the true Mapane core pulsed.
Key Tactics
Isolation of Qi: Feng traced the stronger Mapane signature beneath the chief's weaker aura.
Surprise Strike: Emerging underwater, he unleashed Twin Poison Snakes—a Dark Element dagger art that sent ethereal snakes coiling around the Mapane's base.
The tree elemental writhed as its vines convulsed, but before it could summon nearby flora, Mapane fell—its core severed.
The swamp stilled. Trees receded.
Above water, the Water Mage Chief retaliated with a crushing wave.
Feng blocked the blast with a raised dagger, then whispered "Shadow Spikes."
Countless shadow-forged thorns erupted from the chief's silhouette, impaling the surrounding lizardmen in a single pulse. He then melted into the forest's darkness, dispatching the few survivors with silent strikes.
Trial Results – Floor 20
Time to Clear: 18 minutes
Base ADP: 30 monsters × 2 = 60
Record Bonus: +600
Total ADP This Floor: 660
Cumulative ADP: 150 (Floors 1–10) + 697 (11–19) + 660 (Floor 20) = 1,507 Points
Back in the control room, Nimrodel pressed her palm to the console, eyes wide. "In all my years… never have I seen such mastery."
The forest returned to stillness, bearing no trace of the tempest that had just raged within.
End of Chapter 15