Starting as an infant, with parents who are blond-haired delinquents?

Forfeiting would make her and her entire family a laughingstock. Furthermore, her family would absolutely not allow her to forfeit easily; who could accept their family abandoning a national-level competition because of a junior's last-minute withdrawal?

They simply don't have the face to confront them!

The two blows, one from the front and one from the back, left her completely isolated and helpless, leaving her no choice but to grit her teeth and face the situation head-on.

When she stepped onto the field, nothing else needed to be said; everything was understood without words.

The round of 32 to 16 this morning will also last for one hour. Within that hour, the assessment will be conducted randomly in the synthesis space.

In other words, the assessment content in each synthesis space is different from that of other competing groups.

Since this is a one-on-one competition anyway, it doesn't really matter whether the rules and content of the competition are the same for each side.

Given the current situation, each group has basically selected its own assessment content.

For example, the group that Gao Guojun and Gu Yizheng were assigned the task of synthesizing the most advanced crystal nuclei of low-concentration second-order crystals within one hour!

Second-order crystal nucleus!

The first test of second-order crystal cores finally appeared on the field.

Each tier of crystal core presents vastly different levels of difficulty. For them, who are still at the second-tier synthesizer level, synthesizing a second-tier artificial crystal core is a formidable challenge…

The speed and efficiency are far more troublesome and complex than those of first-order artificial crystal nuclei.

The gap between players is only much larger than that between first-order crystal cores.

However, Gao Guojun believed that even if he had drawn other questions, he would not have been able to surpass his opponent, so he accepted his fate.

At the same time, he would almost always compare himself to the unlucky Xiao Xia, so it's quite possible that he was already considered very lucky.

The task selected by Yang Yunqing and others was to transform a first-order synthetic crystal core into a second-order crystal core. The person who successfully transformed the most crystal cores within one hour would get the opportunity to advance.

This problem is more difficult than that of second-order crystal nuclei.

Transforming an existing first-order crystal nucleus into a second-order artificial crystal nucleus essentially alters the microscopic crystal nucleus embryo within it.

It seems like there's an extra conversion step, but one less compression and purification step...

However, the process is not like that.

What they were going to do was change the microscopic sequence of the first-order crystal core, thereby repurifying and compressing the spiritual power in the second-order demon beast crystal core.

In layman's terms, changing the microstructure means breaking down and dismantling the original structure.

This step requires a high level of attention to detail. The key point to note in this task is to ensure that the original structure remains intact.

Only then can the standard specified in the question be met.

Some people were also assigned the task of decomposing artificial crystal nuclei. As a qualified synthesizer, it is not enough to just master the most basic synthesis methods.

They also need to master the decomposition methods, which is the most crucial ability for a synthesizer.

Each step needs to be understood thoroughly and applied at every stage.

This is the most basic test for a compositor.

This competition perfectly embodies the concept of efficiency. What is efficiency?

Efficiency is a combination of speed and stability, and the most crucial factor affecting speed is proficiency—for each step and stage in the synthesis of artificial crystal nuclei…

A synthesizer's proficiency directly reflects their efficiency at this stage or in synthesizing crystal cores. Therefore, this is a way to test the efficiency of both players and see who is more efficient.

There is absolutely no problem with this.

While the contestants were starting to feel anxious about which competition challenges they would be drawn, Zhang Chaoqiang and Xiao Xia, in another synthesis space...

There weren't many emotions involved.

One was swallowing hard, while the other never showed the slightest confusion in his eyes, as if Zhang Chaoqiang knew what he should do next and what he needed to do.

In that instant, Zhang Chaoqiang didn't care what kind of competition questions he would be selected for, because to him, they were all basically the same.

There isn't much change, and nothing can change the fact that he will ultimately triumph.

Therefore, the void screen continuously rotated between the synthesis platform where Zhang Chaoqiang and Xiao Xia were located.

At this moment, he didn't experience much emotional reaction. Compared to Xiao Xia's inner turmoil, Zhang Chaoqiang's heart was as still as a lake that wouldn't ripple.

Finally, the constantly flipping void screen gradually stopped.

The assessment questions above are very simple, unlike the other contestants who drew questions such as decomposing artificial synthetic crystal nuclei or transforming low-level artificial synthetic crystal nuclei into higher-level crystal nuclei.

Their test task was to synthesize first-order intermediate-level artificial synthetic crystal nuclei. Within a one-hour time limit, the team that synthesized the most artificial crystal nuclei with the least damage to their microstructure would be the winner.

He was able to successfully advance to the next round of 16.

Currently, Xiao Xia's mental state seems to be somewhat unwell.

With the competition about to begin, her mind was completely elsewhere, not on synthesizing crystal cores.

After all, everyone knows that Zhang Chaoqiang's real intention this time is not what it seems. Victory is a sure thing in Zhang Chaoqiang's eyes, but his main goal is to avenge the offense his parents suffered.

As Xiao Xia's family, they no longer hoped for any miracles to happen.

The possibility of Xiao Xia successfully defeating Zhang Chaoqiang is virtually impossible; they merely hope that Xiao Xia will survive within the competition arena of the synthetic space…

They shouldn't lose to Zhang Chaoqiang in such a poor state, so as not to embarrass the Xiao family too much.

In that instant, the spiritual power emanating from Xiao Xia's body was not applied to the synthetic crystal core at all.

She had painstakingly protected all her spiritual power within herself, fearing that the elixirs she had taken before the competition would be ineffective and unable to provide her with any protection.

Zhang Chaoqiang seemed completely oblivious to her actions, continuing with his own synthesis process.

The synthesis of low-order artificial crystal nuclei is very simple.

For Zhang Chaoqiang, being able to synthesize as many as 30 in such a short time demonstrates his exceptional speed and efficiency, achieving a state of near perfection. He successfully purified the first-tier demon beast crystal core in less than a few minutes.

With the second step of processing already underway, everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly and methodically.

Several minutes passed, and Xiao Xia still hadn't started her synthesized movements.

Seemingly at peace, Zhang Chaoqiang and Xiao Xia, who were facing each other, did not seem to be disturbing each other.

Xiao Xia sensed something was wrong, but for a moment she couldn't be sure if it was the spiritual energy she used to protect her body.

The reason for this could be that the defensive elixir he had taken earlier successfully withstood Zhang Chaoqiang's attack, or perhaps Zhang Chaoqiang never actually launched a sneak attack on him.

Therefore, he gradually felt a little relieved.

At this moment, Xiao Jia, who was watching the game from outside the synthetic space, suddenly felt many eyes aimed at him, and these eyes were not friendly at all.

The reason is that the performance of her junior contestant, Xiao Xia, was simply too awful.

Not only did it freeze for almost several minutes, but even after it started its synthesized movements, it was still incredibly slow.

In a very stylish manner, they completely humiliated the Xiao family.

But there was no other way; we had to grit our teeth and keep watching, even though we knew the final outcome would be a complete defeat.

Zhang Chaoqiang, who had not made any moves in the synthetic space, seemed completely unconcerned about Xiao Xia's reactions and defensive actions.

He knew that such behavior would ultimately have no effect on him.

Under these circumstances, he calmly and patiently continued to synthesize his dynamics.

Instead of immediately targeting Xiao Xia, Zhang Chaoqiang successfully synthesized nearly six artificial synthetic crystal cores in his possession over a period of 20 minutes, taking less than 30 minutes in total.

After more than 30 minutes, Xiao Xia, who had initially been very wary of Zhang Chaoqiang, gradually changed her fear of him into a slight apprehension.

Although all the spiritual power she had used to protect her physical body was redirected back to him.

However, regarding the crystal core, she still divided her attention into two parts: one part was used to synthesize the crystal core, and the other part was used to guard against Zhang Chaoqiang's aggressive behavior.

This attempt to multitask inevitably resulted in her performance being negligible compared to Zhang Chaoqiang's, and it took her a full half hour.

Xiao Xia's current overall condition is that she has only synthesized one first-order medium-concentration artificial crystal core, which can be described as a complete mess.

When Zhang Chaoqiang successfully synthesized the seventh crystal core, he had already ensured that he had decisively crushed Xiao Xia, his so-called opponent, by a significant margin.

Subsequently, his main focus shifted from synthesizing crystal nuclei to Xiao Xia.

Devastating Xiao Xia is Zhang Chaoqiang's only goal and the only action he needs to take now.

Without saying much, his mocking gaze was exactly the same as when the other party had looked at Tie Daren and Gao Guojun with the same sneer as when they were testing him by using his parents as bait.

Zhang Chaoqiang looked at Xiao Xia, who was on the opposite side of him, with the same gaze. At that moment, Xiao Xia trembled violently.

Zhang Chaoqiang couldn't help but mentally complain. He didn't understand why Xiao Xia was trembling just now, even though he hadn't started his attack yet.

Then, without the [Scream] enhancing itself, the [Burning Eye] was applied to Xiao Xia's body, specifically to her hands, which were communicating with the spiritual power of the demon beast's crystal core.

With a clang.

Zhang Chaoqiang's probing gaze seemed to strike a layer of skin with a metallic sheen.

He knew this must be Xiao Xia's way of guarding against his attacks.

As a result, his intense gaze gradually began to focus.

Interestingly... without anyone noticing Zhang Chaoqiang's gaze.

The intense gaze, while generating higher temperatures and destructive power, also caused Zhang Chaoqiang's eyes to gradually converge inwards, temporarily turning him into a cross-eyed person.

Chapter 252 Collapse

Zhang Chaoqiang's cross-eyed state went unnoticed by others because he was facing most of the audience.

And with his head bowed and eyebrows lowered, no one could see the direction of his pupils.

Even Xiao Xia, who was opposite him, was distracted by the process of defense and synthesizing crystal cores.

Before he could react, he had already been attacked by Zhang Chaoqiang.

With a whoosh…

As if it were shattering, the protective force on Xiao Xia's skin, which was stimulated by the spiritual medicine, was instantly shattered by Zhang Chaoqiang's scorching gaze.

The intense, burning gaze focused on the point of impact, reaching a temperature of nearly three thousand degrees Celsius in that instant. Combined with the point-to-surface effect, after Zhang Chaoqiang expended some of his spiritual energy, Xiao Xia was finally reduced to an ordinary person without any protective gear…

Previously, in his eyes, the other party was no different from ordinary people, just like his parents, Zhang Huolong and Shen Qiangwei, in front of them.

Knowing full well that the effects of her own elixir had been reduced to ashes by Zhang Chaoqiang's methods, and unable to mount any resistance or attack, Xiao Xia found herself in the same predicament as Shen Qiangwei and Zhang Huolong in front of the three of them.

She stumbled, and the first stage of processing the second artificial crystal core in her hand was momentarily out of control. The pure spiritual energy extracted from the demon beast crystal core instantly returned to the core...