16 16 - Classic of Mountains and Seas: Its Name Is Fenghuang

Examination Room.

All candidates had begun their tests.

Jiang Yuqing immediately noticed that the scene involving the Shen siblings differed from the others. “Wait a minute, this starting position…”

“Shen Yunling and Shen Yunxi are surprisingly close to each other?”

Such luck was almost unbelievable.

Wang Mingde, drawn by her words, glanced over. Indeed, beneath the gloomy sky, the two stood behind separate large trees, yet were no more than a hundred meters apart.

He nodded. “Indeed, this position is perfect for collaboration.”

On the screen, Shen Yunling and Shen Yunxi had already spotted each other.

Without any conversation or gestures, a single glance was enough to convey their intentions.

Shen Yunxi acted first. Golden light patterns swirled in the air, instantly transforming into chains of allegiance.

These chains seemed alive, weaving nimbly through the air, precisely locking onto the movement paths of a large group of corrupted crows.

Shen Yunxi, the Supreme Deity Hera, wielded the divine skill “Chains of Allegiance,” able to control enemy movement.

“Truly impressive, Shen Yunxi,” Wang Mingde admired. “The angle and precision of her control…”

Before he finished speaking, Shen Yunling’s attack followed swiftly.

Blazing golden light coalesced in his hand, forming radiant arrows.

Compared to the last assessment, this “Arrow of the Sun God” showed a qualitative leap. Once the Level C Arrow of the Sun God was released, the corrupted crows it struck were instantly reduced to ashes.

The decisive and clean kills drew admiration from both Wang Mingde and Jiang Yuqing. “Shen Yunxi’s potent control paired with Shen Yunling’s ranged output—simply flawless.”

On the screen, the struck corrupted crows barely had time to utter a wail before vanishing en masse.

More importantly, they noticed that Shen Yunling’s Sun God Arrows carried an added “Blazing Radiance” effect, capable of dispelling the surrounding corruption.

A natural counter to the corrupted crow test!

“This is the terrifying strength of the ultimate build,” an examiner mused. “Mastering exclusive skills to perfection, combined with high-level auxiliary bonuses, encountering a test perfectly countered by such skills is a dimensionality reduction strike.”

“Chen Tian’s Garuda also counters this test.”

Everyone turned to watch. Golden wings spread behind him as he transformed into a streak of golden light ascending skyward.

This was his divine skill—the Wings of the Divine Bird.

Corrupted crows attempting to close in were shattered by the overwhelming might of Garuda.

Combined with the sharp wing attack “Golden Wing Slash,” Chen Tian cleared a large cluster of corrupted crows almost instantaneously.

Being able to fly within this test was the greatest advantage.

“These scions of noble families have truly refined their exclusive skills to the extreme,” someone sighed, envious. With abundant resources and experience, it was almost inevitable.

By now, Chen Tian and the Shen siblings had secured an absolute advantage.

“But what about that Su Fu…” someone mentioned.

Everyone’s gaze immediately shifted to Su Fu’s surveillance footage.

She remained behind a large tree, seemingly observing something.

“Her last skill, the Buddha’s Radiance, can counter corruption, but unfortunately…” Wang Mingde shook his head. “The casting time is too long; in this environment, it’s nearly impossible to use effectively.”

Jiang Yuqing sighed. “The Phoenix King she drew this time is, after all, a deity presiding over a hundred or so birds. Compared to a divine bird of Garuda’s caliber…”

Before she finished speaking, Su Fu suddenly moved on screen.

A divine shadow materialized, the multicolored phoenix silhouette flickering behind her.

A clear, piercing phoenix call sounded briefly, fading instantly, yet causing the swarm of corrupted crows in the sky to momentarily freeze.

At that moment, the “Heart of the Hundred Birds: Basic” skill activated!

Su Fu instantly locked onto six of the nearest corrupted crows.

The phoenix’s pressure transmitted through spiritual connection; the purple glow in the six crows’ eyes faded, replaced by a pale golden hue.

Success!

The distinct perspectives of the six corrupted crows abruptly flooded into her consciousness.

Dizzy for a moment, she then “saw” with remarkable clarity from multiple angles.

It was as if her eyes existed simultaneously in six different locations, each viewpoint crystal clear.

This was the “Heart of the Hundred Birds” skill: a control-type power that could briefly stun and manipulate corrupted birds below D-rank, sharing their vision and hearing.

Her divine power currently only controlled six corrupted crows, but it was already sufficient.

Su Fu gently stretched her neck and began adjusting the flight paths of the six crows.

To avoid alerting the others, she deliberately maintained slow, mechanical circling motions, gradually drifting away from the flock, dispersing in different directions.

Indeed, the other corrupted crows glanced at them with confusion but soon resumed their endless patrols.

Well done!

The first crow flew southeast, soon entering Jiang Yu’s field of vision.

Jiang Yu’s supreme deity was the Thunder God, specializing in offensive power. Accompanied by dazzling purple lightning, the corrupted crows struck instantly turned to ash.

Lightning flickered everywhere. Su Fu quickly maneuvered her controlled crows to ascend, dodging sweeping bolts.

“This attack power is formidable,” Su Fu silently assessed.

Meanwhile, in the southwest appeared Jiang Qingyu, the Huntress and Moon Witch.

Under the near-overcast sky, her “Artemis’ Silver Arrow” seemed enhanced.

Jiang Qingyu, nearly a blur, drew her silver bow full; the silver arrow became a streak of light, instantly striking a corrupted crow.

The pure moonlight power purified the crow instantly, reducing it to ash.

A large area was cleared in almost an instant.

Suddenly, Jiang Qingyu’s movement froze.

She seemed to sense something and sharply raised her gaze toward the corrupted crow controlled by Su Fu.

Her eyes were sharp and wary.

“Damn, her perception is incredibly strong,” Su Fu inwardly shuddered. Could one say it was fitting for the Huntress goddess?

As a specialist in long-range sniping, this was likely her greatest strength.

Though the crow mimicked its kin’s motions, subtle unnaturalness caught Jiang Qingyu’s attention.

Her silver arrow began to coalesce.

Su Fu hurriedly controlled the crow—not to flee, but to…

Clumsily trace a heart shape in the air.

Surely, this gesture was obvious enough?

Jiang Qingyu’s eyes flickered, a hint of surprise crossing her face.

What the hell? Corrupted crows drawing hearts?

Yet this pause bought Su Fu precious time.

The crow resumed flying, this time tracing a clearer path—a faintly visible character resembling “Su” appeared in the air.

Jiang Qingyu: …

Su… Su Fu?!

Her silver arrow halted.

Jiang Qingyu fixed her gaze on this unusual crow and cautiously spoke, “Su Fu?”

The crow immediately nodded, its movements strikingly humanlike.

Confirmed—it was Su Fu. This crow was almost certainly controlled via some divine skill.

In other words, Su Fu had summoned a new Chinese deity this time?

Moreover, she had gained the ability to control corrupted crows?

No… she soon realized it was more than mere control.

Recalling the crow’s behavior thus far, besides being controlled, it had been attentively observing the battlefield and responding accordingly to her reactions.

This skill allowed sharing the crows’ vision, transmitting real-time information!

If so…

She was stunned. If Su Fu could control enough corrupted crows, wouldn’t that mean the entire test field was under her surveillance?

No one’s movements or sudden incidents could escape such an all-seeing “heavenly eye.”

Four words came to her mind: total command.

Now, Su Fu was reaching out to her.

The implication was clear—she wanted to cooperate.

Jiang Qingyu looked at the incongruous corrupted crow and softly asked, “What do you want to do?”

…

The monitoring room fell silent.

Everyone stared at the crow that had suddenly drawn a heart, their minds momentarily frozen.

“Is this… really a skill granted by the Phoenix King deity?” Wang Mingde murmured. “Controlling corrupted creatures? Sharing vision and hearing?”

“The title ‘Hundred Birds’…”

Did it refer to a hundred birds?

Was it even legitimate?!

If this skill truly came from a deity governing over a hundred birds, he’d twist his head off and kick it like a ball!

Jiang Yuqing was stunned. “And six at once! She’s simultaneously controlling six corrupted crows!”

Six distinct perspectives unfolded, almost covering the entire test area.

Southeast, northwest, northeast… in every direction, she had her “eyes.”