“I bet Wanbao Tower isn't worried about losing spirit stones on this match at all.”
Another person couldn't help but sigh. “Xie Wujiu is really down on his luck.”
“With his strength, he could have easily competed for a spot in the top four.”
“But of all people, he had to draw Yun Heng.”
“He's a goner for sure.”
On the main stage, Gong Yiding took a step forward.
“Welcome, everyone, to the battle for the top four of this session's Five Domains Prodigy Gathering!”
“And now, I officially declare—the battle for the top four of the Five Domains Prodigy Gathering has begun!”
As soon as she finished speaking, the spectator stands erupted into thunderous cheers.
Countless cultivators stood up from their seats, shouting the names of the competitors they supported at the top of their lungs.
Gong Yiding waited for the cheers to subside slightly before continuing.
“Next up, please welcome our first pair of competitors!”
“Xiao Cen versus Yu Chengge!”
The massive light screen above the main stage shifted.
Xiao Cen and Yu Chengge's faces, names, and cultivation bases appeared on the screen simultaneously.
In the competitors' waiting area, both of them stood up at the same time and stepped onto the sparring platform from opposite sides.
Yu Chengge possessed a Water Spiritual Root and was highly skilled in various water-attribute spells.
The moment the match began, she made the first move.
A massive amount of water spiritual energy gathered toward the sparring platform from all directions.
Within a few breaths, a massive curtain of water materialized above the platform.
Yu Chengge raised her hand and pressed down, causing the deluge of water to pour down.
Hundreds of water blades hid within the cascading torrents, sweeping toward Xiao Cen from all directions.
Xiao Cen swiftly drew her sword.
Sweeping her sword, she unleashed a massive arc of sword qi.
The sword qi collided head-on with the water curtain, tearing a massive gap through it.
Torrents of water exploded in mid-air, turning into a dense downpour that showered the entire platform.
Yu Chengge quickly formed another hand seal.
The water that had accumulated on the ground began to churn.
It quickly gathered, condensing into several water dragons dozens of zhang long in the blink of an eye.
Letting out low, resonant roars, the water dragons lunged at Xiao Cen from all directions.
Xiao Cen slashed out several times in rapid succession.
Her sword qi clashed continuously with the water dragons, triggering a series of thunderous explosions.
No sooner had one water dragon been shattered by her sword qi than Yu Chengge would gather the scattered water once more, reforming it into a new dragon to resume the assault.
Suddenly, one of the water dragons struck Xiao Cen head-on.
The impact sent her flying dozens of zhang backward, crashing heavily onto the other side of the platform.
Her defensive artifact flared to life, absorbing most of the impact, but the blood in her chest still churned violently.
Before Xiao Cen could even steady herself, the remaining water dragons charged at her again.
She had no choice but to continuously dodge while swinging her sword to deflect the incoming strikes.
After several exchanges, Xiao Cen began to notice a pattern.
Every time Yu Chengge controlled such a massive volume of water, she had to dedicate almost all her focus and spiritual energy to the spell.
Such wide-range attacks were indeed devastatingly powerful.
However, this also meant that Yu Chengge's personal defenses became incredibly weak.
If Xiao Cen could close the distance while she was casting, she would have a chance to disrupt her rhythm.
The next wave of attacks came swiftly.
Yu Chengge formed another hand seal, and another massive wall of water rose around her.
Xiao Cen immediately activated her protective artifact.
A barrier of spiritual energy enveloped her.
Charging right through the incoming torrents, Xiao Cen dashed straight toward Yu Chengge.
Yu Chengge clearly hadn't expected Xiao Cen to mount a direct frontal assault.
She continued to direct the water, trying to force Xiao Cen back.
More and more water dragons crashed into Xiao Cen.
Crack!
Unable to withstand the sheer pressure, the defensive artifact shattered completely.
The residual water energy slammed directly into Xiao Cen.
Her body shuddered, and a trickle of blood escaped the corner of her mouth.
Yet, she did not stop.
Forcing her way through the curtain of water, she finally closed the distance and appeared right before Yu Chengge.
Her sword, ablaze with sharp sword qi, slashed down toward Yu Chengge.
Yu Chengge's expression flickered. She hastily mobilized the surrounding water.
Several thick walls of water rose in front of her one after another.
As Xiao Cen's first strike landed, the outermost water wall exploded.
Xiao Cen swung her sword in rapid succession.
Arc after arc of sword qi rained down, shattering Yu Chengge's water walls layer by layer.
Yu Chengge was forced to retreat.
A massive amount of water rushed to her side, attempting to push Xiao Cen back and re-establish a safe distance.
Having fought so hard to seize this opportunity, how could Xiao Cen possibly allow her to gather her strength again?
A torrential downpour of sword qi fell, slicing the gathering water into useless splashes.
Yu Chengge was left with no choice but to retreat while hastily forming new water walls and shields to block the onslaught.
From that moment on, the momentum of the battle shifted completely.
Every time Yu Chengge tried to gather the water scattered across the platform, Xiao Cen ruthlessly interrupted her.
The water shields protecting her grew thinner and weaker.
The spiritual energy in her body was also depleting at an alarming rate.
If this went on, she would be completely trapped in Xiao Cen's rhythm.
Gritting her teeth, Yu Chengge decided to stake everything on one final gamble.
She swallowed a spirit-replenishing pill and forcibly gathered every last drop of spiritual energy in her body.
Drawn by her will, the water on the platform rushed toward her, coalescing rapidly in front of her.
The immense water energy compressed continuously, eventually solidifying into a massive water spear.
Its tip locked onto Xiao Cen.
Yu Chengge thrust her hand forward.
The massive water spear hurtled toward Xiao Cen with terrifying force.
Seeing this, Xiao Cen poured all of her remaining spiritual energy into her sword.
The blade vibrated violently, letting out a sharp hum.
In the next instant, Xiao Cen unleashed a strike.
The sword light and the water spear clashed head-on in the center of the platform.
The two forces locked in a brief, tense struggle before exploding violently.
Water surged into the sky, blanketing almost the entire platform.
The dense curtain of water blocked everyone's view, leaving them unable to see what was happening inside.
While the crowd stared intently, a figure suddenly burst through the exploding curtain of water.
It was Xiao Cen.
By the time Yu Chengge registered her presence, Xiao Cen was already upon her.
Her first strike fell.
The final layer of defense before Yu Chengge shattered instantly.
Right on its heels, the second strike arrived.
The sword qi struck Yu Chengge head-on.
The immense force blasted her backward, sending her flying over the edge of the platform to crash heavily onto the ground below.
The entire Five Domains Platform fell dead silent for a brief moment.
Then, the spectator stands erupted into deafening cheers.
Some stood up from their seats in sheer excitement.
“I bet right!”
“I knew Xiao Cen would win!”
Nearby, another cultivator slapped his forehead in agony.
“I can't believe Yu Chengge lost!”
“My spirit stones are gone!”
Sitting in the waiting area, Yun Heng smiled as well.
Yu Chengge was clearly no pushover.
For Xiao Cen to win this match was truly no small feat.
On the platform, Xiao Cen stood panting heavily, her chest heaving.
That final strike had completely drained her remaining spiritual energy and physical strength.
Below the platform, Yu Chengge lay unconscious and covered in blood. Medical cultivators quickly carried her away to the back for treatment.
The refereeing elder immediately announced, “First match, Xiao Cen wins!”
Rate on N.U.
