Chapter 222: Chapter 61: Scorpion Ron took the note, unfolded it, and started reading, his brows gradually furrowing, and his expression turning serious. "What’s wrong, teacher?" Lilia leaned in, asking with concern. "The rules of the Bloody Gladiatorial Games have changed." Ron handed the note to her: "They’ve canceled the final duel, replacing it with a mixed beast fight involving both apprentices and slaves. The final ranking will be determined by the masters based on performance scores." Lilia finished reading the note, her face losing its color: "A mixed beast fight? Doesn’t that mean that not only the slaves have to fight, but the masters have to go on the field themselves?" "Exactly." Ron’s brows were tightly knitted, but his eyes flashed with a strange light, not of fear, but a faint expectation mixed with calm contemplation: "It seems like the difficulty and risk of this gladiatorial event have increased significantly." He pondered for a moment, his mind already calculating various possibilities, considering the optimal strategies and potential risks. Then, a look of determination flickered in Ron’s eyes: "However, this is also an opportunity. If Dale and I can demonstrate excellent coordination in battle, the possibility of achieving a high ranking will increase significantly." "But, teacher..." Lilia looked at him with worry: "Those combat slaves are specially modified monsters, extremely dangerous. Many participants are skilled in combat magic, while your area of research leans more toward Magic Potion Making and Alchemy..." "Don’t worry, Lilia." Ron calmly interrupted her, his tone carrying an undeniable confidence: "I am well prepared." ......... The final stage of the Bloody Gladiatorial Games was a massive circular arena. The ground was covered with a layer of light brown, specially made sandy soil, surrounded by energy shield walls several dozen meters high, engraved with protective and isolation runes. These runes not only protect the audience from the aftermath of the battles but also prevent participants from fleeing during the matches. The high stands around were packed with apprentices of various ranks, eagerly chatting, their eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation. Ordinary apprentices wore gray and white robes, while the advanced apprentices were notable in their purple-edged gray robes, creating a distinct visual hierarchy. For those who lived in the Black Mist Jungle year-round, such bloody and thrilling scenes provided more vitality and excitement than monotonous study and cultivation. At the highest point of the stands sat a row of luxurious seats, occupied by figures wearing the robes of Official Wizards. They were today’s judges and the absolute authorities in this academy. Vice Principal Hayek stood alone at the edge of the high platform, his robe slightly resonating with the air, creating a bizarre visual distortion; Behind him, in the seats, sat the slender Soron Griffith, his eyes flashing with sharp scrutiny; On his right was the purple-eyed Yuni Seraphin, playing with a sparkling crystal ball in her hand. Other masters were also in place, examining the participants on the field with interest, occasionally whispering among themselves. The presence of these Official Wizards, especially Vice Principal Hayek, cast an invisible pressure over the entire venue. Ron stood in the contestants’ waiting area, beneath the apprentice’s gray robe was a fitted soft armor, ensuring good protection. At his waist hung a silver pocket watch, and he carried a few energy crystals capable of amplifying magic power, just in case. Dale stood beside him; compared to the near-starving small creature she used to be, she now had the form of a human girl, her silver hair braided by Lilia, dressed in a light armor designed for combat. "Master, you don’t look nervous at all." Dale looked up at Ron, her eyes glowing with a predator-like excitement. Ron smiled slightly: "A moderate amount of nervousness helps maintain alertness, but too much can affect judgment." "I will protect you!" Dale said confidently, puffing out her chest, her voice filled with determination, then she playfully winked: "Besides, I can’t wait to taste those rare creatures." Looking around, Ron could see other participants making their final preparations. Most apprentices brought various bizarrely modified slaves. Particularly eye-catching was a multi-legged creature covered in a black carapace, its eyes like burning coals, each step causing a slight tremor in the ground. This was the work of a highly ranked advanced apprentice, reportedly created by fusing the bloodlines of an underground centipede and a Fire Salamander. Holt stood not far from him, wearing his usual calm and cautious expression. Beside him was an Earth Elemental Golem nearly five meters tall, its entire body dark brown, covered in dark rugged rock, looking exceptionally solid. Ron nodded slightly in greeting, and Holt returned a brief nod. The two of them were each contemplating how they should display their prowess in the upcoming battle. Even though they were opponents on the field, they had a few acquaintances privately, at least confirming that the other would not become their primary target. Trish and Li Yue stood on the other side of the arena. The form of the Leopard Woman had become longer and more powerful than before, with her muscles beautifully contoured yet full of strength. Her beast-like eyes flickered with a dangerous light. The brown-haired girl turned her head upon feeling Ron’s gaze, nodding slightly in greeting, with a complex expression flickering in her eyes. Her expression held a familiarity towards an old friend, yet couldn’t hide the sharpness towards a competitor. Without exception, all the combat slaves exuded a sense of danger, with some even requiring special chains to control them to prevent them from going berserk prematurely. "An interesting lineup," Ron evaluated silently in his heart: "Apart from Trish and Holt, the other people’s slaves are mostly hastily made; they appear fierce on the surface but must have significant internal flaws. In contrast, although Dale’s bloodline isn’t as aggressively modified, its stability and endurance are much stronger." There were several contestants Ron wasn’t familiar with, and their combat slaves took on various forms: There was a scorpion-man covered in black shell all over, a six-armed creature from the Otherworld, and a bear-man race engulfed in ghostly blue flames. Most of these contestants bore arrogant expressions, evidently confident in their combat slaves. They kept a cautious distance from one another, their eyes filled with vigilance and hostility. The atmosphere in the stands became even tenser. As Deputy President Hayek slowly raised his hand, the entire Beast Fighting Arena was plunged into a brief silence under the pressure of his magic. "The finals of the Bloody Gladiatorial Games will serve as the ultimate test with a beast battle." Hayek’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it clearly reached every corner of the arena: "The winner takes all, the loser is nothing. Final rankings will be based on your performance in battle." As his words fell, Hayek traced a complex magic trajectory in the air with his hands. Purple lines interwove in the air, forming an exquisite three-dimensional magic structure. Each line was precise to an astonishing degree, and the flow and control of energy exhibited an almost artistic beauty. "This is the magic control ability of an Official Wizard..." Ron silently recorded it in his heart, although he showed no emotional fluctuation on his face. Through his Extraordinary Recognition Ability, he recorded the details of this magic control in his Library of Consciousness, preparing for the day he would handle similar techniques himself. In the past few months, Soron and Yuni had privately revealed some information about Official Wizards to him during guidance sessions. What Hayek demonstrated now was not some complex magic construct, but an advanced application of Spiritual Power and Magic Power — sophisticated techniques only mastered by Official Wizards. This ability doesn’t rely on specific magic models but directly manipulates energy through fine magic control and guidance to form visible entities. It is this advanced magic application that allows Official Wizards to almost never need servants. They can accurately manipulate everything around them using this technique: levitating objects, cleaning environments, and even condensing water and fire from the air to meet everyday needs. To ordinary people, these abilities are akin to miracles, but in essence, they’re just fine control over magic. "This is true magic mastery." Ron contemplated silently, a hint of longing flashed in his eyes: "Not relying on fixed models, but shaping magic at will as an artist molds clay. One day, I will reach this level, even surpass it." But at this moment, he had to focus on the imminent crisis. The magic lines in Hayek’s hands increased, gradually forming a huge energy network. The magic lines interwove to create a complex three-dimensional structure, like an invisible net. As it unfolded, energy particles in the air began to vibrate intensely, forming a visibly rippling wave. Next, with a sharp wave of his hand, the magic lines instantly transformed into chains that plunged into the ground. With an ear-splitting roar, the center of the arena ground suddenly cracked open, and a giant creature was hauled out by the magic chains. It was a Scorpion — most of its body resembled a giant lion, covered in dark golden mane. Its tail rose high, ending in a keratinized, cold-glinting poison barb, shimmering with an ominous green light. The entire creature exceeded seven meters in length, lying on the ground, its ruby-like eyes alone were as large as dinner plates. Each claw tip on its massive forepaws sparkled sharply, capable of easily tearing steel; The poison barb on its scorpion tail continuously dripped venom, producing a loud corrosive sound as it hit the ground, instantly dissolving the sandy ground into a small pit. The Scorpion was tightly bound by magic chains, appearing to be in a semi-conscious state, panting heavily, with unfocused eyes. Yet even in this state, the pressure it exuded caused all the combat slaves on the field to show signs of unease. Ron’s face remained calm and unruffled, but he quickly activated his Extraordinary Recognition Ability inwardly, carefully observing the Scorpion. [Scorpion (Hybrid Modulation) Bloodline Purity: Golden Ring 86% (Relatively Unstable) Status: Energy Not Fully Activated (Current Strength About 50%) Danger Level: Extremely High (Currently Middle Level)] Special Abilities: ??? (Not Fully Manifested)] Ron’s heart sank slightly but he maintained his calm. This Scorpion was far more dangerous than it appeared; it seemed to be in some sort of semi-awakened state now. If it fully awakened, its danger would probably exceed the anticipation of all the contestants.