With a resonant clink, Zhang Lie reached out and grabbed a tiny jade needle with his hand, one formed out of pure genetic energy. It was so thin that it could barely be seen with the naked eye.

"Excellent performance, Zhou Ying. Your fighting style is very mature, and you've surpassed my expectations! Your manipulation of genetic energy is precise and already extending into the microscopic."

In response, Zhou Ying sent a flurry of jade-green leaves rushing over toward him, a veritable tornado of green, each leaf as sharp as a blade.

A black serpent materialized from Zhang Lie's back and wrapped around him, dissolving any of the leaves that approached him.

A figure flew toward the serpent, wrapped up in a...