Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

Liu Mei reappeared in his shadow, her breath like winter mist as she whispered:

"Freeze."

A wave of absolute cold engulfed Xiao Ling. His entire right arm turned blue, frost racing up toward his shoulder.

His golden flames flickered—and then died out. Impossible. Xiao Ling's mind reeled.

His spirit fire had withstood storms, curses, and even direct strikes from enchanted weapons. Yet now, under this unnatural frost, it was simply... gone?

His eagle screeched in distress, flapping wildly as it tried to shake off the sudden frost accumulating on its wings.

The arena fell silent.

Liu Mei stepped back, her fox standing proudly beside her, its five tails still shimmering with icy power.

Xiao Ling gritted his teeth, his arm numb and unresponsive.

"You—" His breath came out in white puffs.

Liu Mei tilted her head, her voice light and teasing.

"What was that about proving something?"

Xiao Ling's face twisted in frustration. His body refused to move properly, the frost creeping deeper into his muscles.

And then—

The referee raised his hand.

"Xiao Ling can no longer continue!" His voice rang through the stadium.

"Winner—Liu Mei!"

The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers, disbelief, and awe.

Liu Mei smiled slightly, then turned her gaze toward the stands—toward Ace.

She lifted a hand and waved.

Ace, who had been gripping the railing so tightly that it nearly bent, finally let out a shaky breath.

Shan Yifeng chuckled beside him.

"Master, you were panicking over nothing."

Ace's eye twitched.

"Shut up."

Liu Mei stepped off the stage, her steps light and unhurried, as if she had simply taken a stroll rather than defeated one of the strongest contestants in the tournament. White Fur, her five-tailed snow fox, trotted beside her, tails swaying elegantly.

The moment she reached Ace, she grinned up at him.

"Did I do well, Master?"

Ace stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

Damn brat. He had known she was talented, but this? She made a major Gold Rank look like a true novice. I should be scolding her for taking risks. But... Well, she's my student. And she won..

"You reckless brat," he muttered. "What would you have done if something went wrong?"

Liu Mei pouted, rubbing her forehead. "But it didn't."

Shan Yifeng snickered. "She totally had it under control, Master. You should have seen your face."

Ace shot him a dark look. "And you? You knew she advanced to Gold Rank and didn't think to tell me?"

Shan Yifeng grinned, entirely unapologetic. "I thought it'd be a fun surprise."

Ace exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temples. "You two are going to be the death of me."

Meanwhile, the arena was still buzzing with energy. Sect elders whispered among themselves, their eyes flickering toward Liu Mei with undisguised interest. A Gold Rank at her age, with that level of combat mastery—it wasn't just impressive. It was unheard of.

"Master Ace," a deep voice called.

Ace turned, his expression shifting as he recognized the man approaching. An elder from the White Ice sect.

"I'd like to have a word about your disciple."

Liu Mei tensed slightly, but Ace only crossed his arms.

"She's not for sale," he said flatly.

The elder chuckled. "I expected that answer. But surely you'd consider an exchange of knowledge? A talent like hers—"

Ace's gaze darkened. "She's my disciple. Whatever she learns, she'll learn from me."

The elder's smile stiffened, but he didn't press further. Instead, his gaze shifted to Liu Mei.

"Young lady, you've made quite the impression. I look forward to seeing how far you can go."

He turned to leave—but not before slipping a jade emblem into her hand, so quickly that only Ace caught it. A silent offer. A future invitation.

Ace's jaw tightened. They're already trying to poach her.

Liu Mei threw the jade as she glanced at Ace. "Master are all sect elders this annoying?"

Ace sighed. "You have no idea."

A new announcement rang through the arena.

"The final round of title challenges has concluded! For the next two hours, all eligible contestants who have not been disqualified may challenge for any remaining titles!"

The announcement rang through the arena, reigniting the competitive fire in those still eager to prove themselves.

The battles resumed with renewed intensity.

Shan Yifeng found himself facing two more challengers, both eager to claim his title. Yet, with calculated precision and unwavering confidence, he fended them off, securing his place among the champions.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ling, undeterred by his earlier defeat at Liu Mei's hands, refused to leave empty-handed. After a grueling match, he successfully seized another title before the hour came to an end.

The dust settled, and the battlefield grew still once more, marking the final moments of the tournament's challenge phase.

The arena lights dimmed slightly, and a deep, commanding voice echoed through the grand coliseum, filled with ceremony and power.

"Honored warriors, stand tall! The titles of this grand tournament have been claimed! Now, let the champions step forth and receive the glory they have earned!"

A hush fell over the audience before a chorus of cheers erupted, shaking the very ground beneath them. One by one, the victors' names were called, their titles rolling off the announcer's tongue like legends being etched into history.

"Liu Mei—the Azure Sky Dragon!"

For a second, there was silence. Then, the arena erupted.

"She's the youngest Gold Rank to ever win a title!" someone shouted.

"Did you see how she crushed Xiao Ling? No hesitation!" another voice exclaimed.

She stepped forward, her five-tailed snow fox trotting beside her, its white fur shimmering under the arena lights. A translucent blue dragon silhouette shimmered behind her, adding to the mystique of her title.

In that moment, Liu Mei wasn't just a competitor anymore. She was a legend in the making.

The declaration continued to go on.

"Hua Feng—the Crimson Flame Dragon!"

Shan Yifeng walked forward with a confident stride, flames flickering at his fingertips. Behind him, an illusory dragon wreathed in fire coiled into the sky, roaring into the heavens.

"Flow—the Scarlet Moon Phoenix!"

A woman clad in deep red robes moved gracefully, a shadowy red phoenix projection flaring its wings behind her, exuding an aura of silent power.

"Lanah—the Silver Wind Phoenix!"

A gust of wind swept through the arena as she stepped forth, silver feathers glinting in the air like scattered moonlight. The ethereal cry of a phoenix echoed as she raised her head proudly.

"Iron Claw—the Emerald Earth Dragon!"

The ground rumbled slightly as a massive figure stepped forward, his presence alone exuding the weight of an unshakable mountain. Behind him, a towering jade-green dragon formed, its scales shimmering like living stone.

"Xiao Ling—the Shadow Fang Dragon!"

Dark mist coiled around Xiao Ling as he walked forth, his shadow stretching unnaturally long. A sleek, obsidian-black dragon flickered in and out of sight behind him, its eyes glowing ominously.

"Betty—the Golden Radiance Phoenix!"

She stepped forward last, golden light cascading from her like the dawn breaking over the horizon. The brilliance of her phoenix projection illuminated the stage, feathers shimmering like liquid gold.

The audience roared in approval, the sight of these champions standing side by side like celestial beings filling them with awe.

As medals were bestowed upon them, the atmosphere swelled with grandeur, as if the heavens themselves had descended to acknowledge the victors.