"Now—the final match: team combat!"
Shen Yi strode to the arena, voice echoing.
Fang Yang stepped forward, calm yet commanding:
"First Year Class One—seven members, form up!"
"Second Year Class One—send your seven!" Shen Yi called.
"Three minutes to prepare!"
Time vanished.
"Competitors—take the stage!"
First Year's seven marched forth: Fang Yang, Gu Yue, Xu Xiaoyan, Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi.
They lined up—aura sharp, unyielding—even the upperclassmen murmured in awe.
The Second Years followed: Yuan'en Yehui, Duan Hunxiao, Ye Xingmo, He Xiaopeng, Bai Hanying, Le Zhengyu, Liu Ruyan.
Their presence radiated confidence—second-year elites, battle-hardened.
---
In the stands, Ya Li smiled at Cai Yue'er:
"Elder Cai—who wins?"
Cai Yue'er chuckled knowingly:
"Asking that… means you've already crowned First Year victors."
Ya Li laughed softly, mind drifting:
"Recently, Brother Ming sought to take Fang Yang as his disciple… only to be refused."
She sighed, impressed: "At his age—a Soul Emperor! Truly extraordinary."
Gasps erupted from uninformed teachers:
"Refused the Pavilion Master?!"
"A Soul Emperor at thirteen?!"
---
Ya Li rose gracefully, gown fluttering like celestial silk:
"I'll referee this match."
She floated onto the arena—ethereal, serene.
Both teams faced off—eyes blazing with resolve.
First Year anchored by Fang Yang and Gu Yue—formation disciplined, unshakable.
Second Year led by Yuan'en Yehui—sharp, aggressive.
Le Zhengyu glared at Xie Xie—hatred burning.
Xie Xie smirked back—defiant, taunting.
"Ready—three, two, one—BEGIN!"
Soul power exploded!
Yuan'en Yehui chose the Fallen Angel over her Titan Giant Ape:
Darkness swallowed the arena—space warped.
Obsidian wings unfurled—lifting her into the air.
Four deep-purple rings blazed—her beauty now edged with demonic allure.
"Hmph!" Le Zhengyu snorted—displeasure sharp.
Golden light erupted—pristine wings spreading.
Four thousand-year rings flared—holy aura clashing with Yuanen Yehui's darkness.
Light vs. Shadow—divine forces colliding!
- He Xiaopeng summoned Eight-Petal Plum Silver Hammer—two yellow, one purple rings—steady, grounded.
- Ye Xingmo drew a longsword—golden star blazing on his brow—darting toward First Year like a phantom.
- Duan Hunxiao raised an ancient flute—two yellow, two purple rings swirling. Mournful notes wove through the air—soul-disrupting melodies.
(A rare sound-based martial soul—master of crowd control!)
- Bai Hanying stepped back, cherry-blossom branch blooming in her hands. Petals drifted onto allies—each bloom amplifying their stats, aura shimmering.
(An Auxiliary Tool Soul Grandmaster—martial soul: Cherry Blossom!)
- Liu Ruyan transformed into a pink fox—yellow ring, three purple—eyes gleaming with seduction.
Her third ring flared:
"Third Soul Skill: Enchanting Kiss!"
She blew a heart-shaped kiss at Fang Yang—pink energy laced with illusion.
But—Gu Yue shielded Fang Yang.
Her Elemental Staff blazed—five elements weaving around her:
"First: Elemental Tide!"
"Second: Elemental Control!"
"Third: Elemental Fusion!"
"Fourth: Elemental Staff!"
Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—merged into a cataclysmic rainbow beam.
Five-Element Annihilation!
The beam ripped toward Liu Ruyan—annihilation incarnate.
"No—!" Liu Ruyan paled—death flashing in her eyes.
WHOOSH!
Ya Li intervened—emerald barrier shielding Liu Ruyan.
The beam struck—ripples shattering the shield's surface.
Without Ya Li's aid, Liu Ruyan would've been crippled—or worse.
Silence fell.
"Holy crap—Gu Yue's insane!" Xie Xie whispered, awestruck.
Gu Yue's icy glare snapped to him.
Xie Xie clamped his mouth shut—rubbing his nose sheepishly.
"Big sis Gu Yue—you're amazing!" Xu Xiaoyan gushed, stars in her eyes.
Tang Wulin's group stared, stunned.
Yuan'en Yehui's pupils shrank—dread coiling in her gut.
That attack… it could've erased her too.
The stands erupted:
"FIVE-ELEMENT MASTERY?! UNREAL!"
"Goddess—take my worship!"
(Some First Year student's shout triggered roaring laughter.)
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)