Another World: When a Necromancer Possesses the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls

"Student Lin." Li Xingyao nodded in greeting, his gaze sweeping over the expensive instruments. "This setup is very professional." His tone was calm, making it impossible to tell whether he was praising or stating a fact.

Lin Wei smiled slightly, clearly pleased with his observation skills: "Resources are tools; the key is how to use them." She stopped being polite and went straight to the control panel at the edge of the venue, pulled up several virtual documents, and projected them into the air between the two of them.

"This is the core of my recent research: a variant application based on the basic 'Fireball' spell, tentatively named 'Number 1'."

On the screen, an energy structure diagram that was more complex and condensed than the standard Pyroblast model rotated. The fiery orange-red energy core was extremely compressed, and the outer layer was wrapped in a stream of flames that flowed like magma but was forcibly bound and stretched into a slender shape by an invisible force.

"There are three objectives," Lin Wei's voice became clear and calm, as if she were reading an experimental report. "First, the energy compression is increased by 30%, sacrificing some of the explosion range in exchange for stronger single-target penetrating power; second, the shape is stable, maintaining a slender jet shape to fly for at least 150 meters without dissipating; third, it comes with a 'soul-burning' effect, after penetrating physical defenses, its high temperature can directly burn the target's spiritual essence, causing 'excruciating pain' interference similar to that on a spiritual level."

She raised her eyes and looked sharply at Li Xingyao: "The sparring partner I need is someone who can truly simulate the pressure of high-intensity real combat. I hope you will do your best in training."

The analysis was precise and thorough, pinpointing the core needs. There was no unnecessary emotional embellishment, just pure, straightforward technical requirements. Li Xingyao understood; this was precisely Lin Wei's style. He nodded: "Understood. How exactly do we practice?"

"Phase one, get used to the rhythm." Lin Wei walked to the center of the arena, and a golden barrier silently opened a passage in front of her. "I will use the standard Fireball spell, with the intensity controlled at the peak level of 100 star energy."

You will need to command your skeleton warriors in standard defensive, evasive, and aggressive attacks, feeling the energy fluctuations and attack rhythm of fire magic. Simultaneously, you can use Death Arrow and Bone Shield for counterattacks and defense at any time, keeping their intensity within the 100 Star Energy range; there's no need to hold back.

Li Xingyao stepped into the arena as instructed. A pale golden energy barrier silently closed behind him, completely isolating the inside from the outside, even making sounds muffled. The temperature inside the arena seemed to rise slightly. After entering, Li Xingyao summoned five skeleton warriors one by one.

"Begin!" Lin Wei didn't waste any words. The moment her voice fell, a red light suddenly lit up at her fingertips!

boom!

A half-meter-diameter orange-red fireball condensed and took shape in front of her like a miniature sun, whistling through the scorching air and trailing a long fiery tail, hurtling straight at Li Xingyao! Its speed and power were exactly the same as when she defeated Wu Feng on the arena!

Li Xingyao, who was prepared, narrowed his eyes. He instantly released his mental energy!

"Shield!" With a thought, three diamond-shaped shields made of stark white bones instantly appeared in front of him, spinning rapidly, with a dim gray light flowing across the surface of the bone fragments.

"Scatter!" At the same time, he gave the command to the five skeleton warriors that had already been summoned beside him. Like well-trained soldiers, they scattered in different directions without the slightest hesitation, their rusty swords lowered, their empty eye sockets locking onto Lin Wei, searching for her approaching path.

Boom!

The fireball slammed into the bone shield! A blinding burst of fire erupted! The shield trembled violently, its surface swirling with gray light, creaking under the strain, and even developing tiny charred cracks on the outermost bone fragments! The violent heat and impact transmitted through the shield, causing Li Xingyao's clothes to flutter wildly.

But he didn't budge an inch, his star energy continued to flow in, and his shield stubbornly blocked the first wave of impact.

Just as the aftershocks of the fireball explosion had barely subsided and the heatwave distorted his vision, Li Xingyao raised his right hand! His five fingers spread wide, and death energy gathered wildly!

"laugh!"

A condensed gray arrow of death shot out, piercing through the chaotic energy flow, accompanied by an ominous shriek, and aimed directly at Lin Wei's left shoulder—a spot that was not fatal but could affect her spellcasting!

A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Wei's eyes. She hadn't expected Li Xingyao's counterattack to be so swift, so precise, and so cunning in its target selection. With a light wave of her arm, a diamond-shaped shield, also made of flames, instantly materialized beside her.

puff!

The arrow of death pierced the fire shield! The dark gray death energy clashed violently with the scorching flames, producing a sizzling, corrosive sound! The fire shield's light dimmed slightly for a moment, but it ultimately blocked the arrow.

In that split second, three scattered skeleton warriors seized the opportunity and pounced from three directions! The rusty bone swords whistled through the air as they stabbed towards her lower back, right leg, and left arm!

Lin Wei snorted coldly, her footwork nimble, as if dancing on flames. She twisted her body at an incredible angle, narrowly avoiding attacks on her lower back and left arm. At the same time, a blazing white flame ignited at her fingertips, precisely aiming at the spine of the rusty sword that was thrusting towards her right leg!

Ding!

With a sharp crack, the skeleton warrior was struck as if by lightning. The entire arm bone holding the sword was jolted upwards by a tremendous force, and the joint of the bones made a teeth-grinding grinding sound. The entire skeleton staggered back two steps.

The other two skeleton warriors didn't stop and pounced again!

Boom! Boom!

Lin Wei fired two smaller fireballs simultaneously, which struck the charging skeleton warriors precisely in the chest!

Click!Click!

The sound of bones shattering was clearly audible! The two skeleton warriors were blasted backward, their sternums caved in, their soul flames flickering violently, before crashing heavily onto the alloy floor and struggling to their feet.

Li Xingyao frowned slightly. While the skeleton warriors' defenses were stronger than before, they were still struggling against a fire attack of Lin Wei's caliber. His mind raced; while maintaining his bone shield, he simultaneously conjured another Death Arrow, aiming it directly at Lin Wei's hands as she prepared her next fireball!

At the same time, through the mental connection, she commanded the skeleton warrior that had been knocked back to abandon its attack and instead pounce on the nearest fallen comrade, attempting to pull it away from the range of Lin Wei's possible follow-up attacks.

"stop!"

Lin Wei's cool voice rang out. She dispelled the fireball spell that was about to take shape at her fingertips and also withdrew her fire shield.

The intense collisions on the field ceased instantly. Only the faint crackling of the remaining flames burning on the two damaged skeleton warriors and the strong smell of burning sulfur in the air remained.

"Phase one is over." Lin Wei walked to the control panel at the edge of the arena and brought up the floating light screen. It was densely covered with energy data streams from the brief exchange and dynamic images captured by high-speed cameras.

"The data analysis is as follows," she said, pointing to the screen with a flat tone, "The peak impact of the standard Pyroblast spell reaches 98% of the standard value. Your three bone shields share the impact evenly, and the peak single-sided resistance is estimated to be around 120% of the standard necromancer shield."

The shield structure has microscopic cracks, and its recovery speed is slightly slow. Optimization of the Star Energy Injection node is recommended.

"The skeleton warriors have a B+ level of teamwork and good evasion awareness, but lack the ability to withstand direct attacks. After the first skeleton was hit by a point attack, structural damage occurred at the joint of the arm bone, affecting subsequent combat effectiveness by 25%." The screen displayed magnified images of the minute cracks in the arm bone joint of the skeleton warrior whose spine had been struck by Lin Wei's sword.

"The second and third bodies suffered area-of-effect blast impact, resulting in sternal damage and a 15% decrease in Soulfire stability. They require 3-5 seconds to recover basic mobility. Their battlefield survivability needs improvement."

"Your Death Arrow has an A- level of timing accuracy and an A level of energy concentration. It has a 7.3% instantaneous penetration rate against fire shields and inflicts a slight mental erosion effect, interfering with casting for approximately 0.2 seconds. It is effective."

She glanced at Li Xingyao. "Your problem is that your attacks are too scattered. Simultaneously controlling the shield, the five skeleton warriors' counterattacks, and your own spell attacks makes your attacks lack lethality, leaving me enough room to dodge and counterattack. I suggest optimizing your mental energy allocation, sacrificing some defense when necessary to secure a crucial blow."

The analysis was cold and precise, dissecting Li Xingyao's strengths and weaknesses with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel. There was no emotional praise or criticism, only a pure technical assessment.

Li Xingyao nodded silently, memorizing every analysis Lin Wei gave. This feedback from his opponent in actual combat was invaluable.

"Take a five-minute break." Lin Wei turned off the light screen. "Second phase: testing the initial model of 'Crimson Light.' I will increase the energy compression and penetrability to 60% of the preset target, and control the form stability within 30 seconds."

You need to adjust your tactics, focusing on testing the defensive limits of your summons and shields, as well as your own ability to counter spells under pressure.

Five minutes later, a blinding red light shone again within the pale gold barrier.

This time, what Lin Wei condensed at her fingertips was no longer a fireball, but a thin, spear-like energy beam, entirely crimson, with a dazzling golden light flowing from its core like molten lava! As soon as it took shape, the surrounding air emitted a crackling sound as if scorched by the high temperature, and even the light was slightly distorted due to the intense heat!

"Crimson Light!" Lin Wei shouted in a low voice, and suddenly released her grip!

laugh--!

A sharp, piercing shriek rang out! The crimson beam, like a scorching spear shot from hell, instantly traversed a distance of over twenty meters, its speed so fast that it left only a distorted afterimage in the air! Wherever it passed, the air seemed to ignite, leaving behind a brief, scorching trail!

A terrifyingly high temperature and extremely concentrated penetrating power rushed towards him! Li Xingyao's pupils shrank sharply! Three white bone shields instantly stacked in front of him! Star energy was poured in without reservation!

puff!puff!puff!

Three muffled piercing sounds rang out almost simultaneously! The crimson stream, like a hot knife through butter, instantly pierced through the first and second bone shields!

The third shield lasted less than half a second before being pierced with a fist-sized charred hole amidst a piercing cracking sound! The beam of light slowed slightly, but still carried destructive power, stabbing straight at Li Xingyao's chest!

That's too fast! That's too strong!