<h4>Chapter 71: Training Intensifies</h4>


    The loss to the <strong>Crimson Reapers</strong> still lingered in the back of <strong>Phoenix Reborn''s</strong> minds. Their defeat had exposed a critical weakness: they weren''t prepared to face teams that used <strong>beastmastery tactics</strong>, summoning creatures to overwhelm their defenses. Now, with the <strong>National PvP Circuit Qualifiers</strong> looming and a potential <strong>rematch against the Reapers</strong> on the horizon, <strong>Kai</strong> knew the team had to push harder than ever to improve.


    The training hall was filled with the sounds of battle. Lightning crackled through the air, shields mmed against the ground, and spells exploded in quick session. Phoenix Reborn had been at it for hours, their stamina tested as they ran through scenario after scenario. <strong>Kai</strong>, more intense than ever, pushed the team relentlessly, determined to make sure they were ready to face the Reapers again.


    "Last time, we didn''t adapt fast enough," Kai said, their voice sharp but focused. "Next time we face them, we''re not just going to hold out—we''re going to <strong>dominate</strong>. That means we need to <strong>train harder</strong> and develop new tactics that can counter <strong>beast-heavy teams</strong> like the Reapers."


    <strong>Tariq</strong>, his shield raised and already glowing with defensive magic, grinned despite the exhaustion on his face. "Bring it on. I''m ready to handle whatever they throw at us. Those beasts aren''t getting past me again."


    <strong>Beast-Specific Counter Tactics</strong>


    The team had identified the core problem from their previous encounter: the overwhelming number of beasts summoned by the Reapers. These creatures had split their formation, disrupted their positioning, and forced them into a defensive stance that they struggled to recover from. Now, Kai was determined to counter this strategy with precision.


    <strong>Lena</strong>, standing to the side as she adjusted her staff, spoke up. "We need more <strong>crowd control</strong>. My AoE spells can hit a lot of them, but we need to focus on <strong>slowing their advance</strong>. If we stop their momentum, we''ll control the fight."


    <strong>Alex</strong>, his hands glowing with healing energy, added, "We also need to be ready for when they target our backline again. They''ll try to swarm me just likest time. If we stay tighter, I can focus on healing without constantly dodging wolves."


    Kai nodded, their sharp gaze moving over the team. "This time, we won''t let them split us up. We stay together and move as a unit. <strong>Nina</strong>, you and I will focus on the summoners again, but we''ll need to be quicker—no hesitation."


    <strong>Nina</strong>, quiet but resolute, simply said, "Understood."


    The team began a series of <strong>intense training drills</strong>, simting wave after wave of summoned beasts, each scenario more challenging than thest. <strong>Tariq</strong> took point as always, his shield raised high as he braced for the onught of summoned creatures. He activated <strong>Irond Resolve</strong>, the protective aura radiating from his armor as wolves and boars charged toward him.


    "Hold the line, Tariq!" Kai called out as the creatures mmed into him.


    Tariq gritted his teeth, absorbing the impact as he activated <strong>Earthshaker</strong>, sending a shockwave through the ground that knocked the beasts back. But more came, circling around him, trying to push through to <strong>Lena</strong> and <strong>Alex</strong> in the backline.


    "I can''t hold them all!" Tariq shouted, his voice strained as the wolves began to nk him.


    <strong>Lena</strong>, standing behind Tariq, summoned <strong>cial Prison</strong>, freezing several of the wolves in ce, their growls silenced as ice encased them. She followed up with a <strong>Chain Lightning</strong> spell, stunning the remaining creatures and buying the team precious seconds.


    "They''re frozen, but we need to move!" Lena called out. "If we stay here, they''ll just summon more!"


    <strong>Kai</strong> and <strong>Nina</strong>, already in stealth mode, blinked through the chaos, using their stealth abilities to bypass the creatures and strike at the <strong>summoners</strong> hidden at the back. <strong>Kai</strong> activated <strong>Phantom Dance</strong>, blinking across the battlefield andnding behind a summoner, their daggers shing as they delivered a critical strike.


    "Summoner down," Kai said over thems. "Nina, take the next one!"


    <strong>Nina</strong>, silent and focused, moved like a shadow through the battlefield, her <strong>Venom Wraith</strong> des coated in poison. She appeared behind another summoner and struck with <strong>Death''s Embrace</strong>, the summoner falling before they could summon another wave of creatures.


    The team regrouped quickly, closing in on the remaining creatures as <strong>Tariq</strong> activated <strong>Fortress Unbreakable</strong>, creating a protective aura that boosted the team''s defense. The summoned beasts, though powerful, couldn''t break through their coordinated defense this time.


    After thest wave of creatures was defeated, <strong>Kai</strong> called the team together, their expression intense but proud.


    "Better," Kai said, wiping a bead of sweat from their brow. "We''re moving faster, staying together, and we''re cutting off the summoners before they can overwhelm us. But we''re still not <strong>fast enough</strong>. The Reapers aren''t going to wait for us to adapt—they''ll keep pressing. We need to <strong>anticipate</strong> their moves, not just react."


    <strong>Refining Tactics for Beastmastery</strong>


    Over the next few days, Phoenix Reborn worked tirelessly on <strong>refining their tactics</strong>. Each training session was tougher than thest, but the team''s synergy and coordination improved with every run. <strong>Tariq</strong> practiced positioning himself in a way that forced the creatures to funnel into narrow paths, reducing their ability to swarm the team.


    <strong>Lena</strong> experimented with using <strong>cial Prison</strong> in more strategic spots, freezing key areas of the battlefield and slowing the advance of summoned beasts. Her <strong>Elemental Cataclysm</strong> was now timed to hit at the peak of the creatures'' rush, devastating entire waves at once.


    Meanwhile, <strong>Alex</strong> focused on <strong>positioning</strong> and <strong>anticipating damage</strong>, setting up healing zones in safer spots and using <strong>Time Reversal</strong> at critical moments to restore health when it was most needed.


    "Kai," Alex said during one session, "if we stick to this formation, I''ll be able to heal you guys without needing to move. It''ll keep me from getting caught by the beasts."


    Kai nodded, their mind constantly running through strategies. "Good. We''re going to need that consistency if we''re going to oust them."


    <strong>Nina</strong> continued to perfect her ability to <strong>assassinate summoners</strong> before they became a problem, working closely with <strong>Kai</strong> to coordinate their strikes. The two moved like ghosts through the battlefield, striking key targets before retreating into the shadows. Every attack was calcted, every move designed to take out the Reapers'' support before they could summon more creatures.


    "Nina," Kai said after one particrly sessful run, "if we can take out their summoners this fast in the real match, they won''t stand a chance. Keep this up, and the beasts won''t even be an issue."


    After days of grueling practice, the team stood together, feeling the weight of their progress but also the excitement of knowing they were finally ready. <strong>Phoenix Reborn</strong> had adapted, improved, and strengthened their strategy for the uing rematch with the <strong>Crimson Reapers</strong>.


    "We''ve put in the work," Kai said, their voice filled with pride. "Next time, we''ll be the ones overwhelming them. No more hesitation, no more surprises. We <strong>know</strong> what they''re going to do, and we''re ready."


    <strong>Tariq</strong>, raising his shield, grinned. "Let them bring their beasts. We''ll tear through them this time."


    <strong>Lena</strong>, her eyes glowing with arcane power, added, "I''ll control the field. The creatures won''t even reach us."


    <strong>Alex</strong>, ever calm andposed, nodded. "We''ve got the healing and positioning. We''ll oust them, no matter what."


    <strong>Nina</strong>, as always, spoke quietly but with unwavering certainty. "I''ll take down their summoners before they can summon anything. They won''t see using."


    With their training intensified and their strategy perfected, Phoenix Reborn was ready for the <strong>rematch</strong>. They had pushed themselves harder than ever, adapting to the tactics that had once defeated them. Now, they were prepared to take on the <strong>Crimson Reapers</strong>—and this time, they would emerge victorious.


    <strong>Phoenix Reborn intensified their training, focusing on countering beast-heavy teams like the Crimson Reapers. With renewed tactics, refined teamwork, and sharpened skills, the team was ready to face their rivals again, determined to dominate the battlefield.</strong>