Well played, a feint to the east and attack to the west.
Only now did the Master, with the clarity of an onlooker, understand Tang Sui's plan.
Initially, Sui Sui had intended to appear weak, to lower her opponent's guard. But unfortunately, Dai Mubai, who had already witnessed Sui Sui's true combat prowess, was not fooled. He launched a fierce onslaught, turning offense into the best defense, a probing attack.
Seeing that Dai Mubai hadn't taken the bait, Sui Sui, her disguise revealed, no longer concealed her abilities. She displayed astonishing combat techniques, causing her opponent's wariness to tighten to the breaking point, focusing his entire attention on the fox mask.
The heightened tension and apprehension caused Dai Mubai to forget that Sui Sui's martial soul possessed more than just a single mask.
When focus is given to one point, a blind spot naturally appears.
As Dai Mubai's attention was entirely drawn to Sui Sui herself and the brilliantly shining fox mask, the ape mask quietly retreated into the shadows. It then suddenly reappeared, fulfilling its role by launching an unexpected attack on Dai Mubai.
Though the tactic was simple, it was highly effective.
The Master turned his head, looking at the stunned and silent onlookers, and said calmly, "Now, do you still think support roles are weak?"
Ma Hongjun and Oscar shook their heads frantically.
Weak?
No, no, no. Only at times like these does one realize that "noob" is actually oneself!
"Second Spirit Ability, Benevolent Mask."
A miniature white mask appeared beside the unconscious Dai Mubai, merging into his body and healing all his injuries.
His tightly shut eyelids began to flutter.
A few seconds later, Dai Mubai pushed himself up from the ground, holding his still dizzy head. He looked at Tang Sui, who stood obediently with her hands behind her back not far away, and understood that he had lost, his head aching even more.
"This battle, I have lost."
He straightened his body and looked at the ape mask with some curiosity. "Just now, I felt a black light explode before my eyes, and then my consciousness went blank. Sui Sui, does your mask have a special mental attack effect?"
Tang Sui glanced at the Master. He nodded slightly, and only then did she explain truthfully, "Yes. The ape mask possesses a special mental lock effect. For a short period, as long as the targeted spirit master's spirit power and soul power are not higher than mine, they will be drawn into a phantasm of fear. The time it takes to regain consciousness depends on the spirit master's inherent willpower and spirit power, or if I manually release the mental lock."
"So that's how it is," Dai Mubai sighed, dusting himself off. "Sui Sui, your mask is truly hard to guard against."
He looked at a frightened Ma Hongjun and Oscar, and managed a smile on his dust-covered face. "Xiao Ao, by age, you're next. Be careful."
Oscar: "!!!"
He stiffly turned his neck, looking at the Master, and stammered, "Mas-Master. Do I-I also have to spar with Sui Sui?" Surely he wouldn't be the one fleeing for his life from Sui Sui?
The Master looked at Oscar, pondered for two seconds, and said, "You and Ning Rongrong currently lack effective offensive capabilities. How about this: when it's your turn, you only need to last half an incense stick's time under Sui Sui's attack to pass. Conversely, if you cannot last half an incense stick's time, you will be considered defeated."
"Sui Sui, you are not allowed to use any spirit abilities when fighting Oscar and Ning Rongrong. Can you do that?"
Tang Sui, the center of everyone's attention, smiled innocently, "Of course, Teacher." Controlling the masks had nothing to do with spirit abilities, did it?
A chill ran down Oscar's spine. At that instant, Tang Sui's face transformed into a distorted demon, engulfing him in a shadow of fear.
Oscar: "!" My life is over!
Then, under the admiring gazes of the others, Oscar, under the combined assault of the fox mask and ape mask, flailed like a shrimp, leaping left and right, performing high-difficulty moves like aerial splits, and finally collapsed on the ground, gasping for air like a drowned dog after only half an incense stick's time, not wanting to move a single finger.
In the middle of it all, whenever Oscar tried to use his spirit ability to create sausages, the elusive ape mask and fox mask never gave him a chance. Even when he managed to create a sausage, why would the fox and ape masks let a mere human escape?
As the half incense stick drew to a close, Oscar was like a fish on a grill, tossed and turned at will.
"Next, Tang San." The Master looked at Tang San, adding a restriction. "In this spar, you cannot use your hidden weapons or the Eight Spider Lances, but you can freely use all three spirit abilities. Do you have any objections?"
Tang San shook his head. "No."
Even Dai Mubai, with no restrictions on his three spirit abilities, hadn't fared well against Sui Sui. He absolutely did not believe that using all three spirit abilities was overkill.
Ma Hongjun, having witnessed Oscar's miserable state, trembled as he grasped Tang San's hand and said emotionally, "Xiao San, all my happiness depends on you!" You must defeat Sui Sui!
Tang San: "......"
With a deadpan expression, he pulled his hand away and, without waiting for the Master to speak, stepped forward on his own.
"Third round, begin."
As the Master gave the command, Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps made him disappear from his spot. Simultaneously, countless vines of Blue Silver Grass, flowing with radiance, surged from the ground, rushing towards Tang Sui.
Tang Sui did not repeat her previous tactic of standing still. Instead, she used a footwork similar to Tang San's, swiftly evading to a blind spot of the Blue Silver Grass. The two masks fluttered, rapidly charging towards Tang San from different angles, but he skillfully dodged them all, not even brushing his clothes.
Of course, Tang Sui was not foolish enough to have the ape mask use its mental lock on Tang San.
Although she was seven spirit power levels higher than Tang San, in terms of spirit power, she was still weaker than Tang San, who had cultivated the Purple Demon Eyes!
— Author's Notes —
Sui Sui: My brother is also a fake control type, he's clearly an all-rounder!
There's a gathering today, so this is all I can write for now. I'll write more tomorrow.