As expected, Lin Xing and Lumiya defeated the SSS-ranked Thundercrystal Lion and Zhao Lei team.
The outcome was decided.
Lin Xing and Lumiya claimed victory in this match without any suspense.
Zhao Lei stared at the golden-red flame hovering before him, cold sweat soaking his back.
That flame was only three inches from his throat. If this hadn’t been a competition, there’s no way he’d still be standing here—he would’ve been reduced to charcoal by now!
Such a crushing defeat left the usually hot-blooded and combative Zhao Lei uncharacteristically silent.
He even began to question why he had entered this tournament in the first place.
Why did he have to face such monsters in the quarterfinals?
He knew there could be a gap between SSS-ranks. Like the Life Tree Beastmaster from the neighboring city—just hearing the name, anyone could tell it was stronger than his Thundercrystal Lion.
And that was indeed the case. He had fought against that Beastmaster before.
The defensive power she displayed left him completely helpless; he couldn’t even find an opening to attack.
Finally, when he managed to close in and attack the Beastmaster herself, she was buffed by all sorts of enhancements.
That usually timid girl suddenly exploded with power not a bit weaker than his own, fighting with a self-damaging style that was all about trading heavy blows!
Yet after exchanging damage, she’d instantly heal herself as if nothing happened. He couldn’t win at all!
He never expected Lumiya, now in human form, to be even stronger.
Without even trying, she defeated him and the Thundercrystal Lion in just a few moves!
Fortunately, Zhao Lei had a strong mindset and soon reignited his fighting spirit.
He had lost, yes, but he believed he lost to the champion!
He was certain: among those of the same rank, Lumiya was truly invincible!
It was as if she were an upper-three-stage fighter beating up the lower-three-stage in a one-sided fight!
Lin Xing patted Zhao Lei’s shoulder.
“Your Thundercrystal Lion is formidable. Next time we meet, let’s have a proper match.”
Zhao Lei wiped the dust off his face and grinned broadly.
“Definitely! Next time! We’ll spar again next time!”
Spar again, my foot! Only a fool would come back for another beating!
Zhao Lei swore he would never, ever fight Lin Xing again in this lifetime!
Just then, the arena’s announcement rang out.
“Quarterfinal contestants, Little White! Su Qing! Please proceed to Arena No. 3 and prepare!”
Little White, who had been cheering for Lin Xing from the stands, suddenly stood up. Snowball in her arms tensed nervously.
She took a deep breath and stroked the icy horn atop Snowball’s head.
“Snowball, it’s our turn to go up!”
Lin Xing and Lumiya also headed to the side of Arena No. 3.
Lumiya swayed her Dragon Tail and offered comfort.
“Don’t worry~ You’re sure to win!”
Little White nodded, hugging Snowball as she quickly made her way to the center of the arena.
On the other side, the Life Tree Beastmaster, Su Qing, had already reached her designated position.
Su Qing wore a pale green cotton dress, its hem embroidered with delicate vine patterns. She raised her hand gently, and a soft green light radiated from her palm.
As the glow spread, the arena floor slowly bulged upward.
Lush green branches and leaves broke through the ground, and a Life Tree Sapling over two meters tall gradually took form.
Its trunk was a gentle ivory white, branches and leaves lush as an umbrella, the leaf edges tinged with gold.
Between the veins, Healing Light shimmered, and several tender green vines wriggled gently along the ground, their tips adorned with tiny white buds.
A rich aura of life rippled outward, and the audience members instinctively drew deep breaths.
The fresh scent of grass and trees filled their noses, even easing their tense nerves, as if they stood in a forest after rain.
Little White gently placed Snowball on the ground.
The moment Snowball landed, ice-blue chill surged around her.
Though only slightly larger than a typical house cat, the icy horn atop her head glinted sharply in the sunlight, snow-white scales covering her spine, the tip of her tail encrusted with shimmering ice crystals.
She lifted her head and let out a clear dragon’s roar.
Ice elements swirled rapidly around her, coalescing into wisps of white mist that spread out in all directions.
In the midst of all that green, a dazzling and frigid patch of snow-white appeared—a striking clash of colors.
“Begin!”
At the referee’s call, Little White made the first move.
“Snowball, Ice Mist!”
Her fingertips flashed with icy light as she gripped a short dagger and charged swiftly toward Su Qing.
Snowball lifted her head and spewed a massive wave of ice-blue mist.
The fog swept across the arena like a tide, instantly blanketing everything in white.
The temperature plummeted, a thin layer of frost forming on the ground.
Su Qing, however, remained calm, slender fingers stroking the trunk of the Life Tree Sapling.
Dozens of thick vines shot up from the ground, weaving together into a vast Vine Net that closed in on Snowball’s position through the mist.
Meanwhile, Su Qing herself drew a wooden staff and advanced toward Little White.
The moment the short dagger and staff collided, Little White’s wrist twisted, sliding the blade along the staff toward Su Qing’s fingertips.
But Su Qing, unhurried, lips curving in a calm smile, didn’t dodge.
Instead, she pressed down with extra force, swinging her staff downward.
A faint green glow from the Life Tree Sapling swirled around her—clearly, she was prepared to trade injuries, not caring about the threat of Little White’s blade.
Forced to retreat, Little White barely dodged the smashing staff.
At that moment, Su Qing’s palm flashed green, and the vines on the ground suddenly accelerated, winding upward from beneath Little White’s feet.
Ice elements surged around Snowball, who unleashed a blast of Frost Dragon Breath.
The breath struck the vines, freezing them stiff in an instant.
Seizing the chance, Little White leapt up, her fingertips condensing an Ice Shard, which she hurled at Su Qing.
Su Qing ignored the Ice Shard completely, letting the sharp projectile embed itself in her shoulder and arm.
Healing Light gushed out, wounds knitting visibly, even forcing out the Ice Shard!
Despite the pain, Su Qing’s speed didn’t falter. Instead, she smiled faintly, a healthy flush coloring her face.
Catching Little White off guard, Su Qing closed in, her staff sweeping toward Little White’s waist with a whistling wind.
Little White ducked desperately, only to see Su Qing’s other hand already glowing green.
Several razor-sharp Leaf Blades materialized in midair, shooting toward her face.
She hastily formed a brittle Ice Shield before her. With several crisp clangs, the Leaf Blades shattered against the shield.
Using the rebound’s momentum, she staggered backward, barely evading the fierce onslaught.
No way to win.
After just that brief exchange, a deep sense of powerlessness welled up in Little White’s heart. Not only was she being completely suppressed by Su Qing in close combat—
Even Snowball was utterly unable to break through the opponent’s restraints.
Every time a vine from the Life Tree Sapling was cut down, two more sprouted.
Though Ice Mist and Frost Dragon Breath could freeze them temporarily, they couldn’t hold back the endless tide of green vines surging up from the ground, as if there was no end!
Offstage, Lin Xing was sweating for Little White.
He could see it too: Su Qing’s recovery rate was so overwhelming, it completely outpaced Little White’s damage output!
Unless her opponent stopped healing, defeat was already inevitable!