NOVPUBA frigid silence gripped the arena.
The moment the Blizzard Pegasus emerged behind Shang Jiao, even the rowdy audience that was passionately supporting Mei Changsu fell still. Awe and disbelief rippled through the crowd like a wave under the snow.
The elders in the pavilion exchanged glances. Expressions shifted to doubt, curiosity, and understanding.
Seated atop the highest platform, the Sect Leader stroked his long beard and smiled faintly.
"So," he murmured, almost to himself, "Xiao Jiao was the true inheritor. Not Xiao Zhen." He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening. "But how? He possessed those abilities that far surpassed even a typical bloodline of Blizzard Pegasus that one inherits through birth. Was he, perhaps, blessed directly by the Guardian Spirit?"
He chuckled softly at that thought.
On the battlefield, Shang Jiao's form shimmered. Flesh turned to snow-white fur, limbs into powerful hooves, wings stretching wide with divine grace. She looked as if she had become the Blizzard Pegasus incarnate.
Across from her, Mei Changsu narrowed his eyes.
He remained composed, his confidence undisturbed. After all, he hadn't revealed his true strength yet.
With a slow breath, he raised both arms. Power surged from his palms, deep, abyssal cold.
"Ice Severing Heaven Art, Seventh Style: Chains of the Abyss."
Dark, jagged chains burst from the void, writhing through the air like serpents. They tore toward Shang Jiao, seeking to bind her limbs again. However, these serpent-like chains were different from the other. These can seal her bloodline itself.
But she did not flinch a bit.
With her eyes fixed on the incoming chains, she spread her wings.
A breath of air escaped her mouth.
It wasn't just cold. It wasn't just ice.
A wave of stillness washed across the platform, frozen in ice. The incoming chains were frozen mid-way. Mei Changsu's barrier was invaded by the freezing energy, turning him into solid ice, encased entirely in crystal-blue frost.
Gasping voices filled the arena.
"That's the Absolute Freezing…"
"Hey, why were even the elders so shocked?"
"You don't know? That's Absolute Freezing, Only the inheritor can
"Only the Blizzard Pegasus can use that…"
"It looks like she's the real inheritor… Not her brother..."
"The Heavens blessed the Lan Clan."
"Mei Changsu… lost?"
"Wait a second. If this is Absolute Freezing, then, did Lord Mei die?
"No, look at his eyes. He's still conscious. She didn't kill him."
"Merciful and powerful. She's unlike that arrogant brother of hers, Lan Zhen."
"Quiet! He's still the great-grandson of the Clan Leader."
The murmurs continued, but none dared shout.
Back on the stage, Shang Jiao slowly shifted back to her human form. However, her legs gave out immediately, and she collapsed, losing consciousness.
Mark was about to approach the field, but the Sect Leader was already at her side.
He knelt beside the fallen girl, his hand gently resting over her wrist. After a few heartbeats, he sighed in relief. "She's fine. Just spiritual exhaustion."
"Elder Yuanxing."
A beam of light landed beside him as the Grand Elder, a god-realm cultivator, materialized. Dressed in white robes with silver embroidery, she bowed deeply.
"Lord Lan."
"Take her to the Spirit Pool. Let her recover."
"Yes, Sect Master."
With gentle arms, Elder Yuanxing lifted Shang Jiao. A cold wind stirred, and they vanished in an instant.
Once the girl was gone, the Sect Leader turned his attention back to the platform.
Mei Changsu still stood frozen, his form locked in translucent ice.
The old man flicked his fingers. A wave of spiritual energy surged outward.
The ice shattered instantly.
Mei Changsu staggered slightly as he emerged, steam rising from his skin. He blinked, exhaled slowly, and then closed his eyes. He said nothing. He simply hung his head and walked away. As the proctor stepped forward. His voice rang out, clear and strong as he announced. "The winner of the match, Shang Jiao!"
The arena erupted.
Cheers roared from all corners. Cries of celebration, hands raised to the sky, robed disciples clapping and shouting the name of the girl who gained their acknowledgment and admiration in just one moment of transformation.
Three hours later, the battles for the top 4 were announced. Shang Jiao was eliminated and her opponent, the tournament favorite, Lan Xia, was automatically qualified for the semifinals.
None complained, not because they didn't postpone a bit more to give Shang Jiao an opportunity, but because Lan Xia was her opponent. No matter how much they saw her brilliance against Mei Changsu and how Shang Jiao could transform into a Blizzard Pegasus, in their eyes, she is still not a match for Lan Xia because she possesses the bloodline of a Frost Dragon King, a consort/subordinate of Blizzard Pegasus.
Of course, while Blizzard Pegasus' bloodline is higher than Frost Dragon King, the fact that Lan Xia is an immortal already gives a massive edge over Shang Jiao.
Although some were discontent, neither elders nor disciples objected to it in the end.
"The winner is Lei Fengyun"
"The winner is Bai Longwei."
"Now, for the final battle for the top 4, Lan Zhen and Lan Zihe."
With a single leap, Mark and his opponent landed before each other, the battlefield remained frozen, and neither bothered about it anyway. After all, most of the planet they were living on is practically filled with snowy and frozen landscapes anyway.
As soon as their eyes fell upon each other, Lan Zihe smirked, "So, does young master also have a surprise awaiting us, just like Lady Shang?"
Mark smiled back, "Oh, you will definitely be surprised. She only showed the superiority of her bloodline. I'll show you how useless your cultivation, which you painstakingly trained for decades, is."
Lan Zihe's smirk was wiped off her face instantly, and a frown replaced it. "Lan Zhen…"
Mark blinked, faking surprise. "Why? Aren't you the one expecting a surprise? I'm merely answering your question. Why do you look angry, Senior Brother… umm…" Taking a moment of pause, he suddenly tilted his head and added. "What's your name again?"
"You…"
Lan Zihe, offended by Mark's remark, raised his palm as he charged forward.
*Bang!*
*Argh…*
A bullet wound appeared on Lan Zihe's right leg, putting a brake to his movements for a second. A large silver handgun was in Mark's hand.
"Disciple Lan Zhen, I believe I haven't said start." The Proctor's tone turned serious, his eyes fixed on Mark. The latter raised the gun and rested it on his shoulder as he replied. "I didn't see the Proctor make any move when the other party charged at me with the intention to beat me. You are someone in the Saint Realm. Yet, you failed to react. In front of so many clansmen here, are you trying to prove that you are biased or incompetent?"
"Lan Zhen… You are overstepping your boundaries… You…" As the Proctor's face reddened in anger, Mark ignored him and stared at his opponent. "So, you want to fight, or should I wait until you heal?"
"This amount of injury is nothing…" Lan Zihe growled. The bullet was pushed out of his body, and his wound was automatically healed by his recovery speed. Capturing the bullet, he looked at it with surprise. "This is adamantine?"
Mark smiled once again. "Yup, this is a weapon I specially designed, Adamantine Desert Eagle. What do you think of it?"
