Ron's sword skill had already reached the Master Level, able to handle the assault of five enemies with ease.

His every strike was extraordinarily precise.

Everywhere the Light Flame Sword Blade swept, a faint crack would appear on the body of the Shadow Nightmare Hunter, emitting a painful screech.

"Now, Dale!"

Ron suddenly retreated a step, creating space for the Little Sea Siren's magic.

—— Water Prison Technique!

Dale clapped her hands together fiercely, and the surrounding Water Element instantly coalesced, forming a massive water sphere, encasing all five Shadow Nightmare Hunters together.

The semi-corporeal warriors struggled in the water, but their movements became unusually slow, as if trapped in a quagmire.

"Sound Wave Oscillation - Erosion State!"

Ron seized the opportunity, launching his strongest magical attack once again.

Invisible ripples passed through the water sphere, directly affecting the bodies of the Shadow Nightmare Hunters.

The effect was immediate — the five Shadow Nightmare Hunters let out a simultaneous, shrill scream.

Their bodies began to twist violently, as if torn by some invisible force.

Black lines quickly spread, covering their entire bodies.

Soon after, these lines started to collapse, transforming into countless black particles that scattered in the water.

"We succeeded!" Dale exclaimed joyfully as she watched the enemies within the water sphere gradually disintegrate.

However, at that moment, the black particles suddenly began to gather, forming a vortex-like black cloud.

The vortex spun faster and faster, eventually condensing into a brand-new figure.

A huge, semi-transparent humanoid form, entirely pitch-black, with only its eyes and chest emitting a ghastly blue light.

"Fusion...?" Ron watched this scene in astonishment. "The Shadow Nightmare Hunters can actually fuse into a stronger existence."

This newborn monster waved a hand, and Dale's Water Prison Technique was effortlessly shattered like paper, turning into splashes of water that scattered everywhere.

"Master, watch out!"

Dale had just cried out when the black giant instantly teleported right in front of Ron.

With a punch launched, the speed was so fast that its movement was almost invisible.

Ron didn't panic, raising his sword to block.

The Flowing Shield Wall around his body began to function, providing him with a special defense against blunt force.

The massive fist, accompanied by a heavy whooshing sound, slammed down, only causing the fluid protection to dent inward.

Ron staggered back, his complexion looking slightly off.

He brushed his waist, and a shadow rapidly expanded, rushing towards the giant's face...

.........

Meanwhile, in another section of the Bloodline Altar, a group of young people dressed in special robes were gathering together.

Their robes, although still gray, had crystal-like, shiny silver patterns trimming the collar and cuffs, starkly different from the apprentices of the Black Mist School.

Embroidered on the back was a pattern of a Crystal Tower, clearly indicating their identity — the elite apprentices of the Crystal Spire.

"Is everyone here?"

A young man standing in the center of the crowd asked, his voice carrying an indisputable authority.

His most notable feature was an unusually large pair of ears, almost twice the size of a normal person's and much sharper, looking like two small fans from a distance.

This was the leader of the Crystal Spire apprentice team — Eliot Oswalt, a genius apprentice known among his peers as the "Wind Listener."

"Everyone's here, Eliot."

A female apprentice with light gray hair responded, her eyes an unnatural purple, with her hands wrapped in dense silver runes:

"Jacqueline just reached this area through the link."

Eliot nodded, this female apprentice also possessed a Special Talent, serving as the team's vice leader.

Just then, his large ears twitched slightly, as if catching some faint sound.

Everyone held their breath, knowing Eliot was using his Special Talent — the "Wind of Listening."

This was an extremely rare Special Talent, considered powerful even in the second tier.

Those with this talent could perceive energy fluctuations in the surrounding environment through their ears and translate them into information.

Simply put, his ears could "hear" information undetectable to ordinary people.

Including energy flow, spatial fluctuations, and even certain conceptual existences.

A moment later, Eliot opened his eyes, a trace of seriousness appearing on his face.

"The situation is more complicated than we anticipated." He looked around, his voice low:

"I've already 'heard' some information about this altar's trial."

The apprentices of the Crystal Spire immediately gathered around, their expressions turning solemn.

"Firstly, this space is indeed deeply tainted by the Abyss, but it seems that some force has limited the strength of the curse, allowing us to endure."

Eliot explained, his large ears still twitching, seemingly continuing to receive information.

"Secondly, I've 'heard' a very important piece of information — the altar generated doppelgangers significantly enhanced in bloodline traits using us trialists as templates."

"Doppelgangers?" A robust male apprentice asked in surprise.

"Yes, Kaiser." Eliot confirmed:

"Each participant in the trial has a corresponding doppelganger in the center of the altar.

Defeating your own doppelganger can significantly enhance your bloodline; defeating someone else's doppelganger allows you to gain part of their Elemental Affinity and some ability enhancements."

This news sparked a buzz of whispers, a glimmer of excitement and caution flashing in everyone's eyes.

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