My Insect Fusion System: Invincibility Begins with a Cockroach

Chapter 132: Fiona Swann Takes the Stage

"This is..."

Serena Lowe furrowed her brows. Since Fly had declared he would decide the match with a single move, the power of this strike was bound to be extraordinary.

To advance from the group stages, she had meticulously studied the recordings of the Freshman Invitationals from Star City, Grand River City, and Obsidian City before the tournament; it was safe to say she had made ample preparations.

Whether it was Fly's Skills or his usual tactics, she knew them all by heart.

That was exactly why she had the confidence to trade one-for-one with him.

But who could have anticipated that Fly would adopt a completely new stance?

In Martial Studies training, many Skills had specific casting postures—in gaming terms, a "wind-up." It wasn't that a Skill couldn't be executed without it, but using a specific posture could significantly improve accuracy and power.

How could this be?

Serena's heart sank to the bottom of her stomach. The intel she had gathered was rendered completely meaningless at this very moment.

Yet, even with the hope of victory being extremely slim, she had no other choice.

"Moo!"

Emitting a muffled, bovine roar from her throat, she charged fiercely at Fly.

Facing the aggressively approaching Serena, Fly simply stood his ground, not dodging or evading in the slightest.

Unlike his previously agile, hit-and-run combat style, this time, Fly was as immovable as a mountain, exuding an aura of profound steadiness.

As the distance between them rapidly closed, he merely wagged his right index finger slowly, murmuring under his breath.

However, to those listening nearby, the sounds Fly was making sounded exactly like the eerie, sinister screeches of insects.

In an instant, a blinding halo of light began to expand outward, using the tip of Fly's index finger as its epicenter, forcing even the referee nearby to hastily retreat a safe distance.

After a few shakes of his finger, Fly aimed it directly at Serena's unavoidable path of charge.

All the light rapidly converged onto that specific area, and in the blink of an eye, that patch of ground was enveloped in a layer of dazzling luminescence. Set against this brilliant halo, the lighting in the rest of the stadium suddenly seemed a few shades dimmer.

Serena knew things were going south, but her massive momentum made it impossible to stop immediately. Half in terror and half in resignation, she plunged headfirst into that layer of light.

Bang!

Serena stomped her foot viciously onto the ground. At this moment, she couldn't even see the floor beneath her, but judging from the tactile feedback and the resounding crack, the arena floor had been shattered by her stomp.

What terrified her even more was that the range of this halo seemed absolutely endless; no matter which direction she ran, she couldn't break out of it.

"Trapped?" Serena blurted out.

"Skill: Tremor Strike!"

Serena made a split-second decision, unleashing her signature Skill in an attempt to shatter this luminous barrier. Instantly, a powerful shockwave erupted outward with her at the epicenter.

But how could light ever be dispersed by mere vibrations?

No matter how hard Serena tried, that blinding halo continued to shroud her, lingering like an unshakable phantom.

...

On the arena.

Fly still stood in his original spot, with the blinding sphere of light trapping Serena just a short distance away.

Over the past half-month, he had not only grasped the basics of converting his thunder-attribute abilities into light-attribute ones, but he had also integrated Psychic Assault into the foundation.

While this light attribute could be used to blind opponents, it was still far too limited at present. However, by infusing Psychic Assault into it, he could create an endless prison.

Within the opponent's perception, they would feel as if they could never run out of the halo no matter how hard they tried. But in reality, their physical bodies hadn't moved an inch; it was simply their subconscious tricking them into thinking they were moving.

However, half a month was simply too brief. Even with relentless day and night training, the area this sphere of light could cover remained very small.

And to restrict an opponent's movements like this, he had to ensure they actually entered the light sphere's range; otherwise, the Psychic Assault embedded within wouldn't take effect.

If Serena hadn't charged at him so recklessly, she truly wouldn't have fallen for it this easily.

Crackle!

A crisp crack of thunder echoed from Fly's hand.

Visible tendrils of pale purple electricity danced wildly at his fingertips, followed by the flash of a deep blue current.

The two currents, as if refusing to submit to one another, collided violently as they swirled around his fingers.

Crackle!

Every collision sparked a crack of thunder, and the intensity of the electric currents surged accordingly.

Crackle!

Crackle!

Boom!

The roaring thunder grew louder and louder until it was deafening, and the blue and purple currents transformed into miniature bolts of lightning!

"Skill: Thunder Strike!"

Fly's voice was low as his fingertips locked onto that halo of light.

Thunder Strike was arguably Fly's most powerful Skill at the moment.

Yet its pros and cons were both glaringly obvious.

The advantage was its immense destructive power. Fly had specifically tested it using professional equipment at Grandmaster Muse's estate; when unleashed at full force, the Thunder Strike could reach an astonishing ten thousand volts!

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But its drawback was that it required a considerable amount of preparation time to allow the electrical current to slowly "heat up and take shape."

This effectively meant it had a highly telegraphed wind-up animation.

It was highly likely to be interrupted or dodged by an opponent.

But now, with the luminous barrier restricting the opponent's movements, both the success rate and the hit rate of Thunder Strike can be massively increased.

The moment Fly finished speaking.

The power of thunder at his fingertips had fully coalesced, launching outward straight toward that sphere of light.

Naturally, to avoid threatening Serena's life, Fly hadn't cranked the Thunder Strike up to its maximum output.

Rumble!

With an ear-splitting boom, the violent lightning strike cascaded onto the halo, sending plumes of black smoke billowing out from beneath it.

The referee, the commentators, and the live audience all raised their heads to watch Serena's body trace a perfect parabola through the air, before crashing down to form a half-meter deep crater at the edge of the arena.

A faint stench of charred flesh drifted through the air.

Under the immense high-voltage shock, parts of Serena's body had been gruesomely scorched.

The sheer force of the impact knocked her out cold instantly.

Yet, the wild electric currents still surged through her body, causing her to twitch uncontrollably every few seconds.

White foam constantly spilled from the corners of her mouth.

"Hiss..."

Witnessing such a scene, even a highly experienced commentator like Winston Hayes couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

Was this really a level of combat meant for the group stages?

No...

Was this truly the strength a ninth-grade freshman from Star City High should possess?

It was important to remember that when facing Obsidian City earlier, Serena had accomplished the monumental feat of sweeping three opponents in a row!

An incredibly formidable Beast Warrior!

Yet standing before Fly, she appeared so utterly fragile and defenseless.

What shocked Winston Hayes even more was...

He didn't even feel like this was Fly's full strength!

Feels like no matter what kind of techniques Fly pulls out next, I won't be entirely surprised anymore...

Winston Hayes mused silently.

At that moment, the referee's sonorous voice echoed across the stadium.

"The winner of this match, from Star City High, Fly!"

As the referee's words settled, the live audience erupted into deafening screams.

...

Serena never dreamed in a million years that she would be defeated so swiftly.

She had stepped onto that arena fully prepared to drag her opponent down with her, yet in the end, she hadn't even managed to lay a finger on Fly.

She couldn't remember what happened after that. All she knew was that she was currently lying in the waiting room, swathed entirely in bandages.

"This Fly's methods are absolutely monstrous..." Jasper Locke gritted his teeth. He had thought that with a genius Beast Warrior like Fiona Swann this year, Sun-Peak High would finally be able to break out of the group stages and viciously slap the faces of everyone who looked down on them.

But to his dismay, the successive severe injuries and defeats of Luna Monroe and Serena Lowe had caused their morale to plummet to rock bottom.

Especially the Thunder Strike Fly had just unleashed; that was absolutely not a Skill on the level of a freshman.

In order to advance, they had watched the recordings of the Freshman Invitationals from various cities over and over again.

Distinctly remembered Fly's strength wasn't anywhere near this absurd!

It was incredibly frustrating.

Forget it. Moping around here won't change the outcome. If push comes to shove, I'll just use poison to ambush Fly.

Jasper Locke clenched his fists, his thoughts turning toward underhanded tactics.

There was no need to actually put Fly's life in danger; he just needed to drug him unconscious, rendering him unable to continue competing.

Though he himself would be disqualified, he would successfully eliminate a massive threat in the process! With Fiona's strength, sweeping Star City High's remaining three competitors was still possible.

Although it was a dirty trick, it might be their only hope of advancing.

I'll be the villain!

Shoulder all the pain and all the blame!

Having made his decision, Jasper Locke turned around, ready to take the stage.

But suddenly, a delicate pair of hands gently grabbed the hem of his shirt.

Jasper subconsciously turned his head, only to find that it was none other than Sun-Peak High's ace—Fiona Swann.

She was only one and a half meters tall, with youthful features and short-cropped hair. Though she was a ninth-grader, she looked more like an elementary school student.

"Let it be me."

According to their original strategy, Fiona was supposed to be the final boss.

Luna's and Serena's mission had been to exhaust the opposing team's strength as much as possible.

"If I lose, just forfeit," Fiona continued. "We... can't afford any more injuries."

She understood Jasper's character and knew that he was capable of doing absolutely anything for her sake.

She also knew that he stood no chance against Fly whatsoever.

Even if he went up, he would be effortlessly crushed by Fly.

Only she...

Was the only Beast Warrior on the team with any hope of defeating Fly in a head-on clash.

"Fiona..." Jasper wanted to say more, but Fiona raised a finger to her lips, shushing him.

"I know. I know what you want to do, Jasper," Fiona nodded. "I know everyone wants to advance out of the group stages, not just for the school, but for me as well."

She was well aware that everyone had always felt sorry for her. If she had been born in a major city, with her martial talent, she would have undoubtedly received far superior nurturing.

She would have undeniably shined brilliantly in The Jade State League!

But Sun-Peak City, starved of educational resources, couldn't offer her much assistance on her martial path.

That was exactly why everyone hoped to advance this year—to show the entire Jade State that even a small city like Sun-Peak could birth a true genius!

But now, Fly stood before them, an insurmountable mountain blocking their path.

It inevitably brought a sense of despair!

So, even if it meant resorting to dishonorable methods, Jasper wanted to help her advance!

Just that...

They had no feud or grievance with Fly.

Fly could also be considered a representative of "grassroots" Beast Warriors.

Advancing was undeniably important to them.

"But for Fly and his team, this is also an opportunity they can't afford to lose, right?"

"If someone chose to poison and harm me just to advance," Fiona said with a bitter smile, "how would you feel about that, Jasper?"

"I..." Jasper was momentarily at a loss for words.

If anyone actually did something like that, he would absolutely never let that bastard get away with it!

"Even though I don't know Fly personally, I imagine there are people by his side who cherish him dearly too."

"Right?"

"Moreover, I don't want you dirtying your future and staining your heart just for me."

"Don't you love Martial Arts the most, Jasper?"

"I..." Jasper opened his mouth, feeling utterly ashamed of himself.

Fiona took a deep breath, then slowly turned around. "What we Beast Warriors pursue isn't just about results. If we only chase after scores, we'll inevitably stray down the wrong path."

"The true spirit of Martial Arts would be gradually eroded away by relying on flukes and dirty tricks. I believe the most important things for a Beast Warrior are an indomitable heart and an unwavering will to grow stronger. As long as one's heart is resolute enough, even if we fail to advance this time, fueled by this burning spirit, we will eventually become true Martial Arts Grandmasters!"

"Everyone has already done incredibly well."

Hearing Fiona's words, Serena, lying on the stretcher, slightly regained her senses.

Achieving absolutely nothing.

Crushed by Fly at lightspeed.

Leaving Fiona to bear all that immense pressure.

Yet in the end, it was Fiona who was comforting them.

"Yeah."

"We'll definitely become stronger!"

Staring blankly at the ceiling, a tear slid from the corner of Serena's eye.

Jasper Locke was also moved to tears.

"Leave the rest to me."

Her smile never wavering, Fiona bid farewell to Jasper and Serena before slowly walking toward the competitor's tunnel.

Watching Fiona's departing figure, the faculty advisor of Sun-Peak High couldn't help but feel profoundly moved.

Back when he was in university, he had heard his professors say: Martial Arts fortifies the body, but tempers the heart.

The wise seek power from within.

True Grandmasters of Martial Arts invariably refine their own temperament.

In the past, he hadn't quite understood those words.

Only now, after witnessing Fiona's actions, did he truly grasp their profound meaning.

Fiona Swann might not be the strongest freshman Beast Warrior in the Jade State, but her heart for the Martial Arts was something very few could rival.

"If she could only enter Sovereign High or Willow High, she would undoubtedly achieve so much more, wouldn't she?"

"Ultimately, it's Sun-Peak City holding her back."

A wave of guilt washed over the faculty advisor's heart.

Meanwhile...

Fiona Swann stepped onto the arena. Compared to the other competitors, her stature was exceedingly petite, making her appear somewhat frail and delicate.

Commentators Winston Hayes and Vera both thought Fiona looked incredibly adorable.

"But, to be able to step onto the arena so calmly after witnessing Fly's terrifying power, this competitor is quite remarkable."

As Winston Hayes praised Fiona, he casually picked up the competitor profile sheets from his desk.

"A Mythical Species?"

Winston Hayes exclaimed in surprise after glancing at Fiona's registered data.

Thinking back, it had been many years since a Beast Warrior possessing a Mythical Species totem had emerged from Sun-Peak City.

On the arena, a faint light flashed, and Fiona's Beast Totem materialized.