Thus, the only method that Spring Halo could think of was to fight in close-quarters combat with Boundless Ocean.
After all, only by using melee attacks to disrupt Boundless Ocean's casting could Spring Halo regain his upper hand in this fight as Shaman.
Spring Halo had added points into his physique and his weapon had sufficient physical damage. If they were to engage in brutal melee combat, Spring Halo was 100% confident that he would be able to pound Boundless Ocean to death.
Of course, given Boundless Ocean's skills, he naturally had hundreds of ways to prevent melee classes from getting close to him. It was naturally extremely difficult for a mere Shaman to engage him in a melee brawl.
"Ring of Fire!"
Upon seeing Spring Halo wanting to physically cross staff with him, Boundless Ocean raised his left hand, and shortly after, a circle of fire emanated from his body before colliding with Spring Halo's figure.
[Ring of Fire] was an ability that a Magician used to push away melee targets. Even though the damage wasn't high, the judgement was extremely high.
Spring Halo only felt a strong physical force collide against body, before he was flung a few metres backwards.
"Ice Dragon Tornado! Earth Storm! Bone Piercing Blizzard!"
Without giving Spring Halo a chance to recover himself, Boundless Ocean waved his staff and pointed it at Spring Halo, consecutively casting three abilities at the same time at Spring Halo. Shortly after, an ice dragon rose from the ground and trapped Spring Halo within the vortex.
Just when Spring Halo was about to dodge the attack, he suddenly realised that he was unable to move his feet at all. In a shock, he hurriedly glanced at his status bar, only to realise that he had been inflicted with the [Paralysis] effect.
The audience was as confused as Spring Halo at this moment. All three of these abilities were common abilities and thus everyone knew the effects of them. However, they are unable to recall either of these three abilities having the ability to inflict such a status.
"What an amazing casting ability!"
At this moment, Ming Du gaze fell upon Boundless Ocean's figure, before exclaiming in praise.
Ice Magic could only reduce the speed the opponent at best. However, the reduction in speed can be stacked and if it reaches over 60% reduction, a [Paralysis] status will be inflicted upon the target.
However, it was extremely difficult to achieve such an effect. Ming Du had once luckily managed to produce this effect in a battle, but was unable to reproduce again when he tried it subsequently. Who would have thought that Boundless Ocean would be able to do so easily?
The effects of both [Paralysis] and [Stun] were the same and were both hard control abilities. The Spring Halo that was paralysed had no ability to retaliate at all.
"Aurora Shock!!"
Following Boundless Ocean's loud cry, the magic staff in his hand started to gather the surrounding energy. Shortly after, a blinding white ray of light was blasted from the staff and onto Spring Halo's figure.
Even though Spring Halo had added points into his physique, he had received a few of Boundless Ocean's abilities previously and thus only had less than half of his HP remaining. Given his current state, there was no way that he could make it out alive after receiving this attack.
Without any opportunity to resist, Spring Halo was instantly blasted into a ray of white light and was sent off the stage.
\u003cSystem notification: Boundless Ocean from Kyushu Squad has slain Spring Halo from A Murder of Crows Squad, +1 point to Kyushu Squad.\u003e
Kyushu Squad had bagged the second round with a score of 5:4.
The audience in the arena descended into a momentary silence, before exploding into a sea of applause.
A battle between experts was always so exciting!
Even though Spring Halo had ultimately lost, he had lost with honour. Everyone knew that Boundless Ocean was a top-tier expert and the number of players in the game that could be considered his opponent were extremely rare. No one would have expected that Spring Halo, a support player from an amateur team, was able to fight Boundless Ocean to such an extent.
Regardless of the context, the strong would always be respected. At this moment, Spring Halo had earned the respect of everyone.
Boundless Ocean himself had secretly heaved a sigh of relief upon knowing that the battle had finally ended.
Even though Boundless Ocean had yet to fight other top-tier experts like Tranquility Yields Transcendence and Worldly Indifference, he knew deep down that their strengths were approximately the same and neither party could easily defeat the other.
After playing in the professional tournament for so long, this was the first time that Boundless Ocean had faced such a troublesome opponent. Furthermore, the opponent was merely a Shaman. If he was a Magician, the outcome of this battle would be uncertain.
"Brother Spring! You're amazing!"
After Spring Halo was sent off the stage, the people from Quan Zhen Sect surrounded him and gave him a huge thumbs up.
This time around, everyone was sincere in their praise and had been utterly amazed by Spring Halo's dazzling performance.
It should be known that the bunch from Quan Zhen Sect were haughty individuals and would rarely lower themselves to someone. The only person that had successfully done so was Wang Yu, and now, Spring Halo had joined the ranks.
Everyone knew the abilities of Boundless Ocean and had seen it for themselves. Even if they were delusional, they would not think that they had the capital to fight Boundless Ocean to such an extent.
Even the Vainglory who loved to argue with Spring Halo all the time, couldn't help but feel unjustified for Spring Halo and said, "If Brother Spring was a Magician, he definitely wouldn't have lost to that fellow."
"Nonsense!" Spring Halo shook his head and said, "There isn't such a thing as the strongest job class, only the most suitable one. If I was really a Magician, I'm afraid I would not even be able to last two exchanges against that fellow. That guy is frighteningly strong."
Upon seeing how the match had played out, Spring Halo was utterly convinced of Boundless Ocean's strength.
…
Once the second round ended, both teams went back to their resting room.
Following which was the final match in the professional tournament, and was the audience's and reader's most anticipated match.
Currently, both teams were drawn into a tie and no one was able to predict the outcome of the battle.
The players from Quan Zhen Sect knew that in a team battle, it was more than just the battle strategy. The ability to work as a team was extremely crucial as well.
The disparity in the abilities of the members of Quan Zhen Sect was very large. The good players were top-tier while the bad ones were pathetic. The average strength of Quan Zhen Sect was only so-so.
However, the members of Kyushu Squad were all top experts and their combined strength was frightening, even someone as vicious as Evil Rampage was defeated by them. It would be a lie if they were to say they weren't nervous when facing against such an enemy.
The moment they went back to their resting room, Ming Du and a few of them immediately went over to Fearless' side and nervously asked, "How do we fight the next round?"
"He he!" Fearless cheekily smiled and said, "Anyhow, fight it out! Since the right to choose the location of the battle does not lie with us, regardless of how we plan it, the initiative would still be in Boundless Ocean and his team's hands."
"Keke!" Upon hearing Fearless' words, Wang Yu raised one of his eyebrows and said, "Seems like you have thought of something."
Fearless coolly said, "I do have an idea, however, there are bound to be unexpected circumstances. If Boundless Ocean chooses the map location according to my intentions, then we do have a certain chance at winning."
"According to your intentions?" Ming Du raised his hand to feel Fearless' forehead before adding, "Are you feverish? Why are you spouting nonsense?"
F*ck, this was a tournament and not some random street fight. Why would the enemy be willing to choose the map location based on your own intentions?
"You don't know jack sh*t!" Fearless flicked away Ming Du's hand before saying, "Understand your enemy and you will gain the upper hand without having to attack."
"F*ck your brother-in-law!" Ming Du retorted.
"Tsk!" Fearless snorted in disdain and said, "I only have a sister-in-law, and she was snatched by someone else!"
"…"
Boson clenched his fist silently.