Outside the city.
Deep within the low-tier zone.
Lin Feng had stopped moving.
Not because he didn't want to continue—
But because—
The Fire Spirit had stopped.
"…Enough."
The Fire Spirit's voice sounded slightly lower.
The flames slowly contracted.
Returning to Lin Feng's palm.
Clearly dimmer than before.
Lin Feng glanced around.
On the ground—
More than twenty monsters lay scattered.
None escaped.
All eliminated.
"Your efficiency…"
Lin Feng muttered.
The Fire Spirit didn't respond.
After a few seconds—
It spoke:
"Not enough."
Lin Feng paused.
"That's still not enough?"
"Too slow."
The Fire Spirit replied coldly.
"If I go faster—"
"The consumption can be lower."
Lin Feng frowned slightly.
He understood now.
The Fire Spirit wasn't just fighting.
It was studying—
How to maximize efficiency.
At that moment—
A notification appeared in his mind.
[Fireball Proficiency Increased][Fireball Level: Lv7]
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened.
"It leveled up again?"
The Fire Spirit responded quickly.
"Mm."
"Almost there."
Lin Feng's thoughts moved.
Lv7.
Not far from Lv10.
"Continue?"
Lin Feng asked.
The Fire Spirit paused.
Then—
Its tone softened slightly.
"…Recover a bit."
Lin Feng nodded.
That was reasonable.
He was about to sit down.
But the next second—
The Fire Spirit spoke again.
"Recover while fighting."
Lin Feng: "?"
"Don't waste time."
The tone was calm—
But stubborn.
Lin Feng chuckled slightly.
"You're going a bit too far."
No response.
But the flames—
Lit up again.
Whoosh!
It shot out once more!
Lin Feng stood still.
Didn't stop it.
He just watched the flame.
And a thought formed—
—it can't stop anymore.
Half an hour later.
Lin Feng returned to the academy.
The moment he entered the training area—
He noticed something was off.
There were many people.
And—
They were clearly discussing something.
"You're back?"
A student walked up to him.
"Did you hear?"
Lin Feng paused.
"Hear what?"
"The freshman tournament."
The student lowered his voice.
"It's happening early this year."
"All newly awakened students must participate."
Lin Feng's brows moved slightly.
"A tournament?"
"Yeah."
The student nodded.
"I heard the rewards are huge."
"And—"
"High-level figures will be watching."
Lin Feng didn't respond.
But something stirred in his mind.
A tournament.
Public combat.
At that moment—
Zhou Yuan's voice came from afar.
"All students, assemble."
The crowd fell silent.
Zhou Yuan stood at the front.
Looking over everyone.
"The freshman combat tournament will begin in three days."
"The rules are simple."
"1v1 battles."
"Winners advance."
The crowd stirred.
Zhou Yuan continued:
"Top ten—"
"Will receive additional resources."
"Including—"
"Priority attribute selection rights."
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened.
Priority selection.
That meant—
Those who qualified could unlock their second attribute earlier.
At that moment—
He understood something.
This tournament—
Was not just about strength.
It was about—
The future.
At that moment—
In his mind—
The Fire Spirit spoke again.
This time—
Very calm.
"Fight."
Lin Feng paused.
"You want to participate?"
"Not want."
The Fire Spirit replied coldly.
"Must."
"I need to be stronger."
Lin Feng didn't speak.
But a faint smile appeared.
He already understood.
The next three days—
The Fire Spirit would not stop.
And this tournament—
Would be its true stage.