After deciding on their plan, Li Luo and the others hesitated no longer. They immediately triggered the anima cumulonimbus.

The one chosen to do the triggering was Bai Mengmeng. She would have to remain still and continuously funnel her resonant power into the anima cumulonimbus to stimulate the worldly natural energy within it into a reaction.

Bai Mengmeng was the weakest among them. Plus, her skills were suited to support rather than battle. Putting her on the task would free up the other fighters to deal with the other schools. She leaped down into the lake, dainty as a butterfly, and settled down into the lotus position on the water.

"Begin." Li Luo nodded.

Bai Mengmeng tucked her chin in and closed her eyes. Starry resonant power began to spread from her body, then it was funneled forward into the anima cumulonimbus.

With the addition of her resonant power, the worldly natural energy in the anima cumulonimbus began to stir. A kaleidoscope of colors blazed in every direction, refracting off the water's surface to create a myriad of hues that energized the mist.

The energized mist was then absorbed into the 23 flowers as usual, and now there was colorful condensation forming in tiny beads on the petals.

The sign that the anima dew was forming.

It was beautiful, but it was not the most spectacular phenomenon happening at that moment. Everyone's eyes were directed skyward. The rainbow lights had blasted through the energy membrane dome above them like a spotlight in the sky.

Everyone within 50 kilometers could see it.

"Wow. We're screwed," Li Luo said dryly.

"Everyone is going to be on us," Yu Lang said. "The Holy Grail people sure know how to start fights."

"Well, fighting's the point of the Holy Grail Meet. We're here to determine the strongest school and strongest students." Bai Doudou was the most grounded in reality.

Li Luo nodded cheerfully. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, the anima cumulonimbus has been activated. Now we're in for a whole mountain of trouble. I'm sure the other students are all rushing over. We'll be locked in numerous battles, perhaps at the same time, unless we choose to find a partner... But like I said, this isn't the time to be sharing. We have to get off to a strong start to earn respect. Any weakness we show here will only make our next play more difficult."

"It was a tough decision, but I think it's the right one. I think the schools that make it to the end will all choose this approach."

The others nodded. In a brawl, it was a power play to establish yourself as a lion first, and not a wolf in a pack.

Li Luo was aiming to be a lion. Independence was the name of his game.

"Our mission is to keep them off the anima cumulonimbus. At all costs. All we need to do is buy time until tomorrow morning, and the anima dew will be ours to collect. Once it's safely in our anima gourds, it can't be stolen anymore, and the other schools will leave of their own accord."

Dew could not be taken away from the anima gourd, not even if the holder was eliminated.

This was part of the game too. It encouraged students to fight a little more selflessly, and also gave them more options in a fight.

It was also to keep the fights a little cleaner.

The mechanic of anima cumulonimbuses already started enough fights.

If a school could hold out the entire night without their defenses breaking, then they deserved the rewards of an anima cumulonimbus.

"Mengmeng, tell us immediately once the anima dew is completely harvested," Li Luo ordered.

"Alright. Best of luck to all of you. I think I have the easiest job," Bai Mengmeng said shyly.

Yu Lang's eyes went soft as he looked at the sweet, little girl.

"Wipe that sickly smile off your face," Bai Doudou hissed at him. "Or I'll do so permanently with mouth surgery."

Yu Lang's smile evaporated.

"Alright, let's go set defenses." Li Luo clapped his hands, then he set off for the outside of the valley.

The others followed.

...

When the column of rainbow light blasted up into the sky, many teams noticed it immediately.

"Rainbow light—an anima cumulonimbus. And from its brilliance, probably a medium one at that," a youth in yellow commented.

The greed and hunger among his teammates was all too evident on their faces.

"Liu Xiao, looks like your information was good," the youth in yellow said to the person beside him.

Liu Xiao had managed to escape after their last disastrous battle, although he was wounded quite badly.

The person who had spoken was the One Star Hall leader for the Iron Sands Sage College. His name was Zhao Xingying, and he was a Second Changing, one of the stronger ones in the One Star Hall.

"Although a medium anima cumulonimbus is a tempting prize, the Astral Sage College is there," Liu Xiao croaked hoarsely. "I've told you already that they might have two dual resonance users."

Zhao Xingying's eyes narrowed. "Two dual resonance users across four halls would be remarkably rare already. Two within a single hall? In truth, I have my doubts." 

"So do I." Liu Xiao nodded. "I'm not sure about that Yu Lang person, but Li Luo definitely has dual resonances. And he's very strong."

Zhao Xingying considered it. At least one dual resonance user... that alone was difficult enough to deal with. And their point of reference for a dual resonance user was Lu Ming of the Heavenly Inferno Sage College. A tough opponent indeed.

They had no guarantee of being able to take him down.

Plus, there was the X-factor of a possible second dual resonance user.

"Boss, do we go for this anima cumulonimbus?" Liu Xiao asked anxiously.

"Since we're here, how could we give up without a fight?" Zhao Xingying said with a tight smile.

"Whether the information on the Astral Sage College's dual resonance users is true or false, we have our own forces, and our own ways of fighting. Plus, we can source for reinforcements."

He jerked his head towards the forest around them, where there were others gathering.

"Hello there, friend. Are you from the Iron Sands Sage College? I'm the commander of the Imperial Gem Sage College, Zheng Fuxing." A student stepped out. He had a wiry build, but his muscles looked hard as rocks.

"And I'm the overall commander of the Heaven's Path Sage College, Ding Chi," Another youth with flaming-red hair strode forward, a big smile on his face.

These two schools were part of the joint force that Li Luo's group had decimated previously, which was why they were so eager to show up.

Zhao Xingying smiled widely back at them and waved them over.

"I'm the commander of the Iron Sands Sage College, Zhao Xingying. Come closer, friends. Let us talk about the issue of taking this medium anima cumulonimbus."

The two other commanders nodded eagerly.

"With pleasure."