Chapter 17: Training Tempest and the Weaver’s Edge

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The New Shanghai High training grounds pulsed with energy on July 8, 2045, as Lin Hao stood amidst holographic runes, sweat beading on his brow. The *Crimson Fang Core*, *Abyssal Orb*, *Wraith Crown Shard*, *Titan Heart Shard*, *Behemoth Core Shard*, *Overlord's Core*, and *Phantom Blade Shard* in his apron's hidden pocket thrummed like a countdown to doom, their Abyssal Energy syncing with the Level 30 *Abyssal Dragon* lurking beneath the Global College Combat Exam arena. The latest X message—"Weaver, your orbs are mine at the arena"—and the tremor that shook the campus last night confirmed the mastermind's plan to unleash chaos during the exams, now just one week away (July 15, 2045). At Level 23, Lin Hao's *World Weaver* skills needed a serious boost to face a dragon and pass his tests.

[Sassy, I'm supposed to train for a dragon *and* the exams in a week?] Lin Hao thought, gripping his *Blazing Weaver's Cleaver*, its fiery edge glinting under the arena's lights. [This is worse than cramming for finals!]

[Hidden Quest Update: The Abyssal Dragon's surge is set for the exams. Next step: Train with Squad Firestorm to master your skills and prepare for the Level 30 Abyssal Dragon. Reward: 2,200 EXP, Legendary Training Buff. Penalty: Exam Catastrophe,] Sassy, his sharp-tongued [System], replied. [The dragon's got 15,000 HP and Abyssal Energy that'll roast your apron. Push Forge of the World (Level 3), Thread of Fate (Level 5), Seasoning Slash (Level 6), and Cook the World in a Pot (Level 5) to their limits. You're the Spatula Hero, kid—train like a legend.]

Lin Hao's resolve flared like a wok on high heat. "If it's a dragon fight they want, I'll serve a masterclass." Squad Firestorm surrounded him: Su Yan's *Blaze Sorceress* flames crackling, Wang Lei's *Ironclad Knight* shield steady, Zhou Mei's *Wind Archer* bow poised, and Liu Tao's *Shadow Assassin* daggers glinting. The training grounds hummed with simulated monsters, and the squad was ready to grind.

"Spatula Boy," Su Yan said, her voice sharp, "you dragged us into a dragon mess. What's the training plan?"

Lin Hao held up the *Phantom Blade Shard*, its glow pulsing. "We level up, sync our skills, and prep for the dragon. The mastermind's hitting the exams, so we need to be unstoppable. Let's start with a simulated surge."

Zhou Mei grinned, nocking an arrow. "Dragon prep? I'm in."

Wang Lei grunted. "Don't waste my time."

Liu Tao nodded from the shadows. "Begin."

[Sassy: Simulated Level 24 Abyssal Wyrms inbound—5,000 HP each, weak to disruption. Use Thread of Fate to coordinate, and Forge something to boost the squad. Go big.]

Lin Hao activated the arena's training system, summoning three holographic *Abyssal Wyrms*—serpentine beasts with glowing scales and fiery breath. He used *Thread of Fate (Level 5)*, weaving golden threads into a glowing network linking the squad, boosting their coordination by 35% and mapping the wyrms' movements.

[Buff applied: Weaver's Synergy – Squad coordination increased by 35% for 60 seconds.]

Lin Hao activated *Forge of the World (Level 3)*, summoning a glowing anvil. He tossed in a *Guardian Rune* and *Abyssal Shard*, weaving *Thread of Fate* to bind them. The anvil flared, crafting a *Starfire Weaver's Bracers*—glowing armguards that boosted attack speed by 40% and had a 30% chance to disrupt Abyssal Energy.

[Item Crafted: Starfire Weaver's Bracers – +40% attack speed, +30% skill synergy. Special Effect: Abyssal Shock.]

He tossed the bracers to Su Yan. "Try these." Her fireballs doubled in speed, scorching a wyrm for 1,200 HP damage. Lin Hao used *Seasoning Slash (Level 6)*, hurling a *Glimmering Spice Jar* cloud at the wyrms, creating a *Blinding Starfire Tempest* that reduced their accuracy by 95% for 1,000 HP damage each.

[Debuff applied: Starfire Tempest – Wyrm accuracy reduced by 95% for 45 seconds.]

Su Yan's fireballs, Zhou Mei's arrows, Wang Lei's shield bashes, and Liu Tao's daggers tore into the wyrms. Lin Hao activated *Cook the World in a Pot (Level 5)*, tossing in a *Behemoth Core Shard*, *Wraith Crown Shard*, and *Minotaur Horn*, weaving *Thread of Fate* for potency. The wok produced *Wyrm-Wrecking Wonton Soup*—a radiant, spicy broth that surged across the arena, dealing 2,000 HP damage per wyrm and binding them with threads.

[Combo Success! Damage dealt: 2,000 HP per wyrm! Debuff applied: Wonton Bind – Wyrms immobile for 25 seconds. Squad HP restored by 35%.]

The wyrms dissolved, dropping simulated *Wyrm Scales*. X posts from students watching the session flooded with #SpatulaHeroTrainsHard. The squad panted, but Lin Hao pushed them into another round, this time against a simulated Level 26 *Abyssal Hydra*.

[Sassy: Hydra's got 7,000 HP and regenerates. Disrupt its energy with a bold combo.]

Lin Hao swung his *Blazing Weaver's Cleaver*, triggering Abyssal Sever for 1,500 HP damage. He used *Thread of Fate* to weave a golden cage around one hydra head, slowing its attacks by 70%. *Seasoning Slash* hurled a *Tainted Crystal* cloud, blinding the hydra with a *Disruptive Abyss Haze* for 1,200 HP damage.

Su Yan's bracer-enhanced fireballs, Zhou Mei's arrows, Wang Lei's shield, and Liu Tao's daggers shredded the hydra. Lin Hao used *Cook the World*, tossing in *Overlord's Core* and *Harbinger Wing*, creating *Hydra-Halting Hotpot*—a glowing stew that dealt 2,500 HP damage and stopped regeneration. The hydra fell, and the squad's synergy tightened.

[Training Success! 2,200 EXP gained! Level Up! Lin Hao is now Level 25! Skill Upgraded: Thread of Fate (Level 6) – Range increased to 28 meters, binding/enhancement strength increased by 30%.]

Su Yan smirked, tossing the bracers back. "Not bad, Spatula Boy. We might survive the dragon."

Zhou Mei whistled. "You're making us famous."

Wang Lei grunted. "Keep it up."

Liu Tao nodded. "Ready."

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**Cliffhanger**:

In his dorm, Lin Hao's [System] pinged. [Hidden Quest Update: Your training has sharpened your edge, but the mastermind's dragon stirs. Next step: Sabotage the arena's Abyssal conduits before the exams.] An X message read: "Weaver, your training means nothing. The dragon wakes in six days." A roar echoed from below the arena, and Lin Hao gripped his *Blazing Weaver's Cleaver*, heart pounding. "Sassy, I'm running out of time!"

[You've got Infinite Craft, Spatula Boy. Make those six days count.]

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