The crowd was buzzing with anticipation as the next match was announced—Azure Dragon Academy vs. Tianshui Academy.
Tianshui Academy was unlike the rest. Known as one of the Five Elemental Academies, their specialty in water and ice elemental spirit power was unmatched. Their unique admission policy, however, had long stirred both envy and admiration across the Empire—they only accepted beautiful and talented female spirit masters, each one carefully selected not only for spirit affinity but for grace and composure. The result? A team of ethereal beauty and formidable might.
As the announcement echoed, the seven members of Tianshui Academy stepped onto the stage with elegance that instantly silenced the crowd.
A wave of awe rippled across the audience.
They wore matching uniforms: deep blue silks that clung to their curves like water, edged in icy silver trim. Every motion as they stepped forward was fluid, rhythmic, and poised—like dancers gliding across a stage. Then, to everyone's surprise and rising cheers from the stands, the girls began to perform their traditional pre-battle dance—a signature of Tianshui Academy. Their long sleeves fluttered like ripples on a lake, their figures outlined against the sunlight. The music, soft and elegant, only enhanced their allure.
From Azure Dragon's corner—
"Uh… wow," Feng Ming muttered.
"Damn," Qiao Xuan added. "I mean… uh… elegant footwork."
Even Jiang Yun's red eyes narrowed, lips parting slightly. "Refined technique…"
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze sharpened.
Dugu Yan's smile froze.
"Yun-ge, your eyes haven't blinked in thirty seconds," Zhuqing whispered.
"I-I was just evaluating their battle potential," Jiang Yun replied shamelessly. "For tactics. Purely academic. I only have eyes for my beautiful Zhuqing and elegant Yan'er."
"Hmph." Dugu Yan rolled her eyes. "Shameless."
Zhu Zhuqing flicked his waist lightly. "Your nose better not start bleeding."
"They're just... coordinated," Jiang Yun said, averting his eyes. "That's all. I'm simply admiring their… discipline."
"Disciplined figures, you mean," Dugu Yan muttered under her breath, shooting him a sideways glare.
Jiang Yun grinned shamelessly. "Ladies, you're my eternal goddesses. I've only got eyes for you."
As the dance ended, Tianshui Academy lined up gracefully. Their captain, Shui Bing'er, smiled ,stepped forward, calm and elegant. "So, you're the ones who crushed Blazing Fire Academy?"
Jiang Yun nodded, "That's us. Think you'll do better?"
"Handsome big brother," At Shui Bing'er side, Shui Yue'er leaned in and giggled, eyes locked on Jiang Yun, "if I beat you, will you take me out for tea?"asked Shui Yue'er, winking boldly.
"Yue'er!" Shui Bing'er blushing and embarrassingly snapped, cutting her off.
Jiang Yun nearly choked on air.
Zhu Zhuqing was done. "I'll break her leg if you say yes."
The referee raised his hand. "Combatants ready. Begin!"
Jiang Yun's expression turned serious.
"Azure Dragon! Formation C!"
"CHOU HENSHIN!"
In an instant, blue light engulfed Jiang Yun as he transformed into Kuuga Dragon Form. His armor shifted into deep blue with blue trim, and a long staff of energy extended into his hands. The audience erupted in shock—many had never seen this side of his martial soul before.
"He transformed?! Isn't he usually red?!" someone exclaimed from the crowd.
"He's changing forms… like different modes? What kind of martial soul is that?!"
On the other side, Shui Bing'er activated her Ice Phoenix martial soul, summoning freezing mist around her. Her Ice Bind surged toward Jiang Yun, the chilling energy crackling.
But Jiang Yun twirled his staff and spun midair, dragon energy deflecting the bind mid-flight. "Not fast enough!"
To the right, Xue Wu had already begun dancing. As her arms flowed like water, a dark cloud spread across the arena. Raindrops followed—her Rain ability—drenching the battlefield and turning the ground slippery.
At the same time, Hua Yue roared into battle. Her Crimson Tiger martial soul ignited around her, and she struck head-on against Yu Hairou and Gu Qingbo. Flames coiled around her claws as she used Flame Claw and Inferno Charge to pressure the defenders
Dugu Yan unleashed her Jade Phosphor Mist, creating a zone of poison that clashed with the rain. Her poison turned greenish-blue, mutating under the watery influence. "They want weather control? I'll give them poison rain!"
Feng Ming soared upward, slashing through the clouds with Storm Claws, clearing a gap above the team for visibility.
Bai Ling, calm and serene, cast Lotus Sanctuary, protecting their backline from the cold and rain with a radiant barrier.
Meanwhile, Shui Yue'er used her agility-based techniques, vanishing into the mist, flickering in and out to confuse Qiao Xuan. But Qiao Xuan struck the ground, causing a Stone Fortress to erupt, breaking her rhythm.
Back on the front, Jiang Yun confronted Shui Bing'er directly.
"You're strong," Jiang Yun acknowledged as he twirled his staff. "But you're holding back."
Shui Bing'er's eyes narrowed. "Not anymore."
She joined Xue Wu, and the two rose into the air.
"Martial Soul Fusion Technique—Drifting Snow!"
The skies trembled as snowflakes surged together, forming a massive cloud of condensed ice energy. From it, an enormous seven-meter-long Ice Phoenix emerged. Its feathers gleamed with frost, and its cry pierced the heavens.
The majestic bird began to descend, leaving a trail of snow and ice blades in its wake. The wind howled. Hail battered the field. Even Jiang Yun felt the bite of the cold as the fusion technique's power reached its peak.
"Everyone fall back!" he shouted.
Dugu Yan's Earthquake Fang cracked the icy ground to give them a moment of reprieve. Bai Ling, glowing, poured all her soul power into Radiant Bloom, keeping Jiang Yun and Zhu Zhuqing standing.
Zhu Zhuqing vanished into the snow and reappeared behind Shen Liuyu, delivering a stunning Nether Stab. Feng Ming flew low, dodging hail as he dove toward Qiu Ruoshui, using Wind Mirage to confuse her senses while assisting Hua Yue.
As the phoenix dove, Jiang Yun crouched and launched upward, spinning midair, his staff whirling with energy.
"SPLASH DRAGON!"
His blue staff struck the phoenix's chest directly, and with a thunderous burst of force and ice, the construct shattered. Snowflakes exploded outward in a blizzard of light.
The impact scattered both teams.
When the light cleared, the fusion was broken, and Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu lay unconscious. The remaining members of Tianshui, already drained, stood no chance.
"Victory—Azure Dragon Academy!" the referee declared.
The crowd roared, still stunned by the intensity of the match. Even Salas from Spirit Hall, watching coldly from the VIP box, narrowed his eyes in evaluation.
As the battlefield calmed and the snow melted under the warming glow of Bai Ling's healing light, the victorious members of Azure Dragon Academy stood among the fallen.
Bai Ling moved gracefully toward Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, her radiant lotus martial soul glowing softly. "They're stable. Just exhausted," she murmured.
Kneeling beside Shui Bing'er, she gently pressed a hand over the girl's chest, channeling warm healing energy.
A few seconds later, Shui Bing'er's eyelids fluttered open, her breath shallow but steady. "We… lost?" she whispered.
Jiang Yun crouched beside her, offering a half-smile. "You didn't make it easy. That phoenix of yours was beautiful—and deadly."
Xue Wu stirred next, groaning lightly as she sat up with Bai Ling's help. "I thought we had you when the hail fell…"
Dugu Yan crossed her arms, smirking. "You did. Almost froze our lungs."
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Jiang Yun, then said coolly, "You fight with elegance. But when it comes to teamwork, we don't lose."
Shui Yue'er sauntered over with a limp but still flashed a mischievous grin. "Handsome brother~" she sang, tilting her head, "I saw the way you were looking at us during our entrance. Did our little performance melt your mighty heart~?"
Before Jiang Yun could respond, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan both gave him sharp sideways glares. He coughed, scratching his cheek. "Ahem. I was just… appreciating your team's coordination. Nothing more."
"Sure you were," Dugu Yan muttered under her breath.
Shui Yue'er giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "Well, if you ever want a closer look, I could give you a private performance—"
"You've been hit in the head," Shui Bing'er interrupted flatly, now sitting up with Jiang Yun's support.
"I'm just saying, it's rude not to admire beauty when it's dancing in front of you," Yue'er replied with a wink.
Bai Ling chuckled softly, casting another round of healing light to ensure there were no lingering injuries. "Your team has spirit, I'll give you that."
Jiang Yun stood and extended a hand to Shui Bing'er. She looked at it for a moment, then took it with a soft sigh. "Next time… we'll win."
"I look forward to it," Jiang Yun replied warmly.
As Shui Bing'er stood, she gave a final nod. "Thank you… for the healing."
Bai Ling smiled. "We respect strength. You earned that much from us."
And with that, the teams parted amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd, the stage slowly clearing, but the warmth of sportsmanship—and a few lingering jealous glares—remained.
–––––
In another arena, news spread quickly—Blazing Fire Academy had just defeated Shrek Academy.
Without the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass couldn't resist elemental damage. Huo Wu's Repelling Ring, backed by four Soul Ancestors, overwhelmed them.
Tang San, lying on the scorched earth, questioned everything. "Did I… choose wrong?"
Flames crackled as Blazing Fire Academy walked away.