Chapter 203: The Final Stage of the Tournament
The arena fell into a profound silence, a stillness that rippled through every spectator. The very air seemed to freeze as Raja's overwhelming display of power left everyone in stunned awe. The usual hum of conversations, the rustle of robes, the shifting of feet—all ceased in that moment. Ling Kun, the usually stoic representative of the Mighty Heaven Sword Region, stood rooted to the ground, his eyes wide with disbelief. Even the most seasoned cultivators had never witnessed such power, not from someone so young.
Ling Yuefeng, his face pale, was the first to break the silence, his voice trembling with disbelief. "This... this power—it's beyond the Emperor Profound level. This... is the Peak of Emperor Profound Realm!" His exclamation echoed in the arena, and the crowd gasped collectively. They were not only witnessing a display of power but were now fully aware that Raja had ascended to a level of strength that was historically unattainable for someone of his age.
The shock rippled through the audience like a wildfire. Whispers spread like a wave through the stands. Raja, the young prodigy, had reached the Peak of Emperor Profound Realm, a level that many believed only the most venerable elders of the sects could hope to achieve. The crowd, still grappling with this new revelation, began to murmur in awe. Some speculated that Raja's rise was so swift and extraordinary that a new sect might soon emerge around him—one that could potentially overshadow the Frozen Cloud Asgard, the Burning Heaven Clan, and even the Xiao Sect.
Fen Juecheng, ever the calculating figure, was quick to act. Upon witnessing the death of his disciple, Fen Moli, he hurried to the center of the arena, kneeling before Ling Yuefeng. His voice rang out, not with the arrogance typical of the Burning Heaven Clan, but with a rare humility. "Lord Ling Yuefeng, I apologize on behalf of the Burning Heaven Clan. Fen Moli's rashness has been dealt with, and we seek your mercy for the actions of my disciple."
Ling Yuefeng's cold eyes remained fixed on Fen Juecheng, his expression stern. However, after a moment of tense silence, he nodded, his voice carrying authority but tempered with restraint. "Fen Moli's actions were foolish, but you have taken responsibility for them. The Burning Heaven Clan will retain its right to explore the Heaven Basin Secret Realm, but know this—any further misconduct will lead to severe consequences."
The tension in the air began to dissipate, but a new wave of unease swept through the arena as Chu Yuechan appeared in the air, her figure as graceful as ever, floating towards Raja. The crowd fell into a hushed awe, and many were confused by her close proximity to him. Raja, sensing her arrival, smiled softly to himself, understanding her intentions even before she spoke.
With a gentle gesture, he invited her to sit beside him, where she began to speak in a voice only he could hear. "You've made quite a spectacle today, Raja. But remember, this will not go unnoticed. There will be consequences, and not just for you."
Raja listened intently, his expression thoughtful as he nodded in understanding. When she finished speaking, he asked her to relay a message to her sect. "Please do not send Xiao Lingxi into the tournament. It's better to send someone else. We'll need to be strategic about who participates."
Chu Yuechan, with a small smile, agreed and took her leave, leaving the audience even more stunned. The exchange between the two had been so natural, so familiar, that the onlookers couldn't help but wonder: were Raja and Chu Yuechan more than just acquaintances? The mere fact that she had spoken to him in such an intimate manner set tongues wagging.
From the sidelines, Ling Yuefeng, who had been observing the interaction with growing jealousy, clenched his fists. He had once been captivated by Chu Yuechan's ethereal beauty, but now, he couldn't deny that it was her strength that left the deepest impression on him. She was no ordinary woman. His thoughts turned darker as he speculated on the nature of her relationship with Raja.
Meanwhile, the tournament continued. The second match of the quarterfinals was about to begin. Two disciples from Heavenly Sword Villa, Ling Jie and Ling Feiyu, took to the stage. Despite the fact that Ling Feiyu was the stronger of the two—at the 9th level of Spirit Profound Realm—he made a shocking decision. With a grim expression, he surrendered without a fight, an unprecedented move that left the crowd in stunned silence. Yun Che, sitting among the spectators, couldn't hide his surprise. He had expected a much fiercer competition, especially given Ling Feiyu's higher cultivation.
Ling Yuefeng, standing beside Ling Yun, exchanged a brief glance, both of them seemingly unshaken by the unusual outcome. To them, it appeared that Ling Feiyu's surrender had been anticipated long ago, leaving many wondering about the hidden reasons behind his decision.
The third match unfolded quickly, with Shui Wushuang from Frozen Cloud Asgard agreeing to forfeit after receiving counsel from her senior, Chu Yueli. Ling Yun, of Heavenly Sword Villa, advanced by default, leaving only one disciple from Frozen Cloud Asgard in the tournament: Xia Qingyue. The crowd was growing more and more intrigued by the mysterious woman from Frozen Cloud Asgard, whose strength was clearly not to be underestimated.
And then, the fourth quarterfinal began—Xia Qingyue vs Xiao Kuanglei of the Xiao Sect. The tension in the air was palpable. Both participants had something to prove, but the clash between them would be more than just a battle of strength—it would be a test of wits, strategy, and hidden talents.
As the match commenced, Xia Qingyue seemed delicate, almost fragile. But as soon as she drew her ice sword, an aura of immense power erupted around her, and the air itself seemed to freeze in response. At the tip of her blade, an ice lotus blossomed, its beauty hiding a deadly edge. Her movements were precise, elegant, and fluid, as she faced Xiao Kuanglei, who stood with his imposing Earth Shocking Sword, ready to unleash his devastating might.
Xiao Kuanglei attacked with blinding speed, his Earth Shocking Sword cutting through the air in a series of rapid strikes. Each blow collided with Xia Qingyue's ice lotus, shattering it into countless shards. Yet, every shard of ice reformed, raining down upon him like a storm of needles. The chill from the ice made his hands burn with frost, and though he gritted his teeth in defiance, the frustration was evident on his face.
"Don't underestimate me, girl," Xiao Kuanglei growled, his voice low with anger. "I'll show you what true power is!"
With that, he summoned his ultimate technique—the "Extreme Wind Sword," an attack so fast that it made him almost invisible to anyone below the Earth Profound Realm. But Xia Qingyue remained unfazed. With grace and poise, she deflected each of his attacks, her movements seeming almost effortless.
The battle raged on, each combatant displaying their mastery of their respective skills. But despite the overwhelming force of Xiao Kuanglei's strikes, Xia Qingyue remained composed, retreating only when necessary, her ice lotus continuously defending her from the storm of attacks.
Frustration began to cloud Xiao Kuanglei's judgment. Unable to break through her defense, he resorted to his ultimate technique: "Fleeting Strike." The attack created a whirlwind of profound energy that swept through the arena, threatening to tear everything in its path.
But once again, Xia Qingyue stood resolute, raising her ice sword with a calm determination. At the tip of her blade, a massive blue Ice Lotus bloomed, its power clashing violently with Xiao Kuanglei's attack. The resulting explosion sent a shockwave through the arena, temporarily blinding the audience with the intensity of the energy released.
When the dust cleared, both fighters stood, seemingly unharmed. But the truth was far different. Xiao Kuanglei, despite his boastful nature, was already defeated. Unbeknownst to him, Xia Qingyue had silently inflicted multiple ice wounds upon him during their exchange. The cold energy had seeped into his body, freezing his meridians and effectively rendering him immobile.
As Xiao Kuanglei attempted to draw his Earth Shocking Sword, he collapsed, his body unable to support him. The realization hit him like a lightning bolt: Xia Qingyue had defeated him without him even realizing it.
The arena fell into stunned silence, and Ling Wugou, the tournament's referee, quickly moved to check on Xiao Kuanglei. After a brief examination, he confirmed that Xiao Kuanglei had been immobilized, but was not critically injured. His meridians were sealed, and it would take time for him to recover.
"Xia Qingyue wins," Ling Wugou announced, his voice echoing across the arena.
Xiao Kuanglei's family, standing at the sidelines, were speechless. Xiao Juetian, ever the strategist, observed his son's condition with a mixture of concern and grudging respect. "Her Frozen Cloud Arts… are beyond what I expected. To seal his meridians without him noticing… impressive."
The audience buzzed with excitement as the match concluded, but the most significant realization came to those with sharp eyes: Xia Qingyue was no ordinary participant. Her skills were beyond her years, and if she had not shown mercy, Xiao Kuanglei would have been killed.
As the semifinal matchups were announced, the tension in the air was palpable. Yun Che would face Ling Jie, while Ling Yun would meet Xia Qingyue. The stage was set for a showdown that would leave no one unaffected.
Xia Yuanba, full of pride, watched his sister's victory with joy, but his smile faded when he thought of their late mother. He couldn't help but feel that Xia Qingyue's extraordinary strength came with its own dangers.
Jasmine reveals that Xia Qingyue possesses the "Heart of Snow Glazed Glass," which grants her exceptional memory and the ability to sense good and evil, danger, and even see into people's hearts.
Jasmine also explains that Xia Qingyue has the "Nine Profound Exquisite Body," a rare and powerful physical condition that could store vast amounts of energy, allowing her to cultivate beyond normal limits.
Jasmine warns that if anyone were to discover the nature of Xia Qingyue's "Nine Profound Exquisite Body," she would be in constant danger, as it makes her an extraordinary cultivation vessel. Her virginity would allow someone to create a powerful "Exquisite World" inside her, making her an object of desire for many.
Raja is Contemplate by Jasmine's explanations, especially the idea of a "small world" existing within someone's body. He wonders if it's true and is concerned about the implications for Xia Qingyue's safety.
And as Raja observed all of this, a deep thought settled in his heart. He had vowed to protect his family, and once his cultivation reached the Emperor Profound Realm, no one—absolutely no one—would be able to hurt them again.
The tournament was far from over. But one thing was clear: the stakes were higher than anyone had ever imagined.