Chapter 16 Final Match
### Chapter 17: The Final Matches
The long-anticipated **finale of the Grand Tournament** had arrived. Only the **three strongest cultivators** remained, standing atop the battlefield as the world watched with bated breath. The arena, an ancient coliseum imbued with celestial formations, pulsed with residual energy from countless battles fought before. Every corner of the cultivation world had its eyes on this moment—where the next legend would be forged.
#### **The Finalists**
1. **Ruoyan** – Wielding her newly awakened **Dragon Fire Spiritual Roots**, she had surpassed every challenge thrown her way. Her flames, now infused with **dragon essence**, carried an oppressive might that forced even the most seasoned warriors into retreat. Her mastery over **Flame Devouring Lotus** and **Phoenix Ascension Strike** had secured her place in the finals.
2. **Bai Zhen** – The prodigy of the Bai Clan, possessing unparalleled control over **Frost Domain** and wielding the **Celestial Ice Sword**, he was a force of nature. With each step he took, the ground beneath him froze, making the battlefield his domain. His calm, calculated approach had earned him the title of **Unbreakable Glacier**.
3. **Lotus Shadow** – The enigmatic warrior who had risen from the darkness, proving that even those without noble lineage could challenge the heavens. Her **Shadow Affinity** made her elusive, unpredictable, and deadly. Every battle had only sharpened her skills, and now, she was on the cusp of ultimate victory.
#### **First Match: Ruoyan vs. Bai Zhen**
As the gong sounded, **Ruoyan and Bai Zhen** stepped forward, their gazes locking in mutual recognition of strength. The clash between **fire and ice** sent shockwaves through the arena. Ruoyan's **Flame Devouring Lotus** roared forward, clashing against Bai Zhen's **Frozen World Domain**.
- **Bai Zhen countered with Frost Dragon's Fang**, summoning a serpent of pure ice that lunged at Ruoyan.
- **Ruoyan responded with Phoenix Ascension Strike**, her flames bursting into a towering inferno that melted away the attack.
- The battlefield became a chaotic dance of fire and ice, with Bai Zhen slowly gaining the upper hand, forcing Ruoyan back step by step.
But then, **Ruoyan unleashed her hidden trump card**—the **Dragon Sovereign's Awakening**, summoning a massive fire dragon that shattered Bai Zhen's defenses. His ice domain cracked under the sheer force of her attack, and in the final moment, Ruoyan's **Flaming Lotus Piercer** struck true, sealing her victory.
#### **Second Match: Lotus Shadow vs. Ruoyan**
The final battle had arrived.
Lotus Shadow emerged from the darkness, her **Moonlit Phantom Steps** leaving only afterimages in her wake. Ruoyan, still exhausted from her previous battle, steadied herself, knowing that **this would be the true test**.
- **Lotus Shadow began with Nightfall Blades**, sending a rain of shadow daggers at Ruoyan, forcing her on the defensive.
- Ruoyan retaliated with **Dragon's Breath**, a wide-sweeping flame attack that set the entire battlefield ablaze.
- **Lotus Shadow moved through the flames like a wraith**, her body flickering in and out of existence. She struck from impossible angles, keeping Ruoyan guessing.
It was a battle of agility versus power, precision versus overwhelming might. Ruoyan's **Dragon Fire** burned fiercely, but **Lotus Shadow's movements were too unpredictable**. As the battle raged on, both warriors reached their limits, but just as Lotus Shadow was about to land a decisive blow—
A massive **celestial light engulfed the arena**, stopping the fight.
#### **The Mysterious Test of the Star Lord**
The **Star Lord himself descended**, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield. With a voice imbued with divine resonance, he declared:
**"This battle will not be decided by mere combat alone. The fate of the cultivation world hangs in the balance, and your destinies have yet to fully unfold. To prove yourselves, you must undergo the Supreme Trial."**
With a wave of his hand, a **Celestial Gate** materialized in the sky, shimmering with divine runes. This was the **Gate of Ascendancy**, a test designed to reveal one's true potential and fate.
**The Trial of the Gate of Ascendancy** – The contestants were thrown into an illusory world, a place where their past, present, and future intertwined. Each had to navigate through their greatest fears, relive their most painful memories, and make choices that would shape their destiny.
- **Ruoyan found herself in the flames of betrayal once more**, her past life's suffering playing out in front of her. She had to make peace with her rage, or risk being consumed by it.
- **Bai Zhen was faced with a frozen wasteland**, a vision of what would happen if he continued down his rigid, emotionless path. He had to break free from his own shackles to find true strength.
- **Lotus Shadow was confronted by the ghosts of her past**, the ones she had abandoned in her pursuit of power. Could she truly claim victory while carrying such guilt?
As each contestant battled their inner demons, the **Gate of Ascendancy began to open**, revealing the true prize—**a fragment of celestial enlightenment**, something that would change the fate of whoever claimed it.
The light of destiny shone upon them.
**The real battle was yet to come.**