CHAPTER 297 FIGHTING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

"Don't you think it'll be too boring? The Commander in Chief is the one who wanted to play, so I won't

hold back and take on him to the very end." Rocky smirked with a glint of steel in his expression. For a

brief moment, he looked almost transformed from his regular countenance.

Both Isis and Marin stared, stunned, at the change that came upon Rocky. This was the first time they

saw him appear so fearless and haughty that it seemed as though he had complete control of the

situation. They were both certain that the tide was about to change and that something big was about

to happen.

The ship gradually docked. After flashing the two ladies a glance, Rocky stepped off the ship and left

with Uriah.

"Isis, why did you tell Rocky all of those things? The more he knows, the more intensely he'll resist! It

won't do him any favors," Marin admonished Isis anxiously. Right from the start, she hadn't approved of

Isis informing Rocky about all of those things. But she was also subconsciously aware that Isis wouldn't

have been stopped anyway.

"Because it'll be interesting! Aren't you the least bit curious about what his true powers are? You're as

desperate to know as I am! I'm fairly certain we'll see it for ourselves soon." Isis smiled, satisfied with

how things had turned out.

"So you deliberately provoked him so that he would challenge the Commander in Chief?" Marin

demanded, scandalized, once she realized that this was Isis' intention all along. Frowning and with

furrowed brows, she added, "You know, if he were to reveal his true powers and strengths, it'll only

make the Commander in Chief want to promote him even more. And Rocky doesn't want that."

"What's wrong with you? You looked worried about him," Isis teased playfully as she raised an eyebrow

at Marin. She had noticed for a while now that Marin was particularly concerned over Rocky.

"Stop making fun of me, Isis, or I'm just going to ignore you," Marin grumbled, glaring Isis. However,

there was truth in what she said: she was very concerned about Rocky's wellbeing.

"Well, to tell you the truth...I have a bet with my father. I bet him that he wouldn't be able to subdue

Rocky," Isis suddenly remarked.

"You mean you had this planned out?!" Marin's jaw dropped in astonishment.

"Just relax. Rest assured, he'll be alright. I just want to see him make things more interesting for me! I

haven't met such an interesting guy before. I've never been so curious about anyone." Isis smiled

thoughtfully, seeming to be mulling it over.

Marin was surprised to see Isis' enchanted look. It was baffling to her, as she hadn't seen her take

interest in a man before.

By the time Rocky arrived back at the base camp, the second half of the first round was about to start.

He had planned to quickly wrap the matter up after he taught Evan a lesson he wouldn't forget.

However, after he was made aware of Lance's real purpose for holding the competition in the first

place, he changed his mind. If Lance was so desperate to know his real power, he didn't mind giving

him a surprise. And he was going to make sure that Lance knew he wasn't a man to be trifled with.

"This may just be the beginning!" Rocky smirked with menace.

The first round's second half was being held in a dense bamboo forest, just northeast of the base

camp. The fifteen spirit manipulators would be pitted against with each other until only seven of them

remained and were declared the winners. These seven winners would receive entry tickets to move on

to the second round of the capability competition.

Ten of the fifteen spirit manipulators were Deputy Commanders. At least, they had the capability

beyond the fifth grade of the Earthly Stage to be ranked as Deputy Commanders.

It's highly likely that in the upcoming round, the battles would undoubtedly be fiercer than the

competition had been in the first half.

But the key in this battle wasn't just going to be power and strength. It took a considerable amount of

intelligence as well. As long as they didn't fall or lose their efficacy in combat, the rules permitted them

to launch surprise attacks, set up ambushes, dodge battles and perform other arts in tactical warfare.

In addition to that, spirit manipulators that came from the same military camp were permitted to work

together cooperatively. Though the fog of battle didn't permit them to use many to fight against few,

they could ally with one another in order to consume the strength of their opponents. Naturally, the

military camp with the most spirit manipulators in participation virtually had an ace up their sleeves.

Based on the results of the first half of the first round, three military camps had three spirit manipulators

each while the other three military camps had only two apiece. For obvious reasons, the military camps

with only two spirit manipulators left in battle, to some extent, were already at a massive disadvantage

to their enemies.

However, if they wanted to achieve individual benefits, spirit manipulators from different military camps

might opt to ally with one another. Thus, the fight's tactics would be constantly changing. At this point, it

was still uncertain as to who would be the seven winners of the first round's second half.

And so it should be, as any weaker combatants able to somehow sneak through to the second half

would surely be defeated instantly. All in all, it was a true challenge to stand apart from the competition,

especially among so many spirit manipulators who were ranked as Deputy Commanders.

"Rocky..." a man called, materializing before Rocky without warning.

"Deputy Commander Chen," Rocky greeted.

"We can fight together later," Deputy Commander Chen informed him, nodding to Rocky as though he

hoped he understood.

The northeast military camp, after all, with only Rocky and Deputy Commander Chen qualified to enter

the first round's second half, was one of the three military camps in a great disadvantage.

Hearing Deputy Commander Chen's words, Rocky realized what was going on. However, to Deputy

Commander Chen's surprise, he responded, "I don't intend to cooperate with you."

Deputy Commander Chen was stunned. "We are the only ones left in the northeast military camp!" he

told him in disbelief. "If we act separately, both of us will be crushed. It's imperative that we team up in

the confused fighting. Otherwise, we won't win!"

"Really? Well if that's what you think, Deputy Commander Chen, please feel free to take care of

yourself out there," Rocky sneered, unperturbed. He had already seen through Deputy Commander

Chen's true concern: Chen didn't think that he would be able to win the confused fighting by himself.

And after witnessing Rocky's real power in the first half of the round, he felt that allying himself with him

was his best chance of surviving to the next round.

However, as his power currently stood, it would be extremely easy for Rocky to enter the second round.

He felt no need to cooperate with Deputy Commander Chen. With a nod in finality, Rocky turned and This material belongs to .

strode away.

Deputy Commander Chen stood dumbstruck in shock, momentarily frozen in place. Then he let out a

discouraged sigh and left on his own.

As the fifteen spirit manipulators stepped into the bamboo forest, one after another, the authorities from

the Crimson Dragon Group led by Lance had stayed out of the action. In this large forest, it was difficult

for them to watch the confused fighting in full view. Hence, the spirit manipulators supervising the

confused fighting would send them the real-time battlefield reports instead.