Fire Lotus Blooms

Nine fire lotuses circled around Ling Qianxue, like nine small suns radiating astonishing heat.

Facing Zhao Lie's flame dragon, she didn't dodge but extended her slender finger and tapped lightly.

"Condense."

The nine fire lotuses instantly merged into one, transforming into a massive golden-red fire lotus.

"Boom!"

The fire lotus and flame dragon collided in mid-air, erupting in dazzling light.

Everyone instinctively closed their eyes.

When the light faded, they were shocked to discover that Zhao Lie's proud flame dragon had vanished without a trace, while the fire lotus, though somewhat smaller, still burned in the air.

"How is this possible?" Zhao Lie's face was full of disbelief.

His Flame Dragon Roar incorporated his understanding of fire element laws, with power comparable to a Seven-Star Awakening Stage full strike. How could it lose to a Three-Star Awakening Stage newcomer?

"Fire against fire—did you think you had a chance?" Ling Qianxue asked indifferently.

She slowly raised her hand, and the remaining fire lotus began to change form.

Petals bloomed one by one, each crystal clear, like the most exquisite artwork.

"So beautiful..." some female disciples couldn't help exclaiming.

But Zhao Lie felt unprecedented crisis.

He could clearly sense his internal fire element spiritual power trembling, as if encountering a natural enemy.

"Bloodline suppression?" He widened his eyes in shock.

Only those possessing higher-tier fire element bloodlines could produce this kind of suppression on other fire element cultivators.

Could Ling Qianxue possess some powerful fire element bloodline?

"Surrender," Ling Qianxue's voice remained calm. "You're not my match."

"I haven't lost yet!" Zhao Lie gritted his teeth.

He knew continuing like this meant certain defeat, but he wasn't willing to surrender just like that.

"Blazing Sky Incineration!"

He began burning his essence blood, his body wrapped in raging flames, the whole person like a fire man.

"Fighting desperately?" The spectators grew tense.

Burning essence blood could greatly increase strength short-term, but the price was also heavy. At best, cultivation would regress; at worst, the foundation would be damaged.

"Is Zhao Lie crazy?"

"Is it worth it for a sparring match?"

"Look at his eyes—this isn't just a simple match anymore."

Indeed, for Zhao Lie, this wasn't merely a match but concerned his pride.

He was an outstanding Inner Disciple, a fire element genius—how could he lose to a newcomer?

"Since you want to fight desperately..." Ling Qianxue's expression finally showed a change.

Not nervousness, but appreciation.

"Then I'll be a bit more serious and give you a dignified defeat."

She formed hand seals, her aura beginning to climb.

Though her realm didn't change, the feeling she gave was completely different.

If before she was like a delicate flower, now she was a volcano about to erupt.

"This pressure..." Elder Chen Yang's expression grew solemn.

He could sense that the aura Ling Qianxue displayed had already surpassed ordinary Awakening Stage.

This wasn't a matter of cultivation level but understanding of fire element laws reaching an astonishing height.

"Come!" Zhao Lie roared, his entire person transforming into a streak of fire light charging at Ling Qianxue.

He wanted close combat—this was his last chance.

However—

"Phoenix Flame · Lotus Seal!"

Ling Qianxue chanted softly, a unique fire lotus blooming in her palm.

This fire lotus was pale gold, only palm-sized, yet radiated a heart-palpitating aura.

"What is that?"

"Such terrifying pressure!"

"My fire element technique is trembling!"

The fire element disciples all felt fear from their souls' depths. That golden fire lotus was like the emperor of flames, making their internal fire element spiritual power dare not move.

Ling Qianxue gently pushed out her palm, the golden fire lotus slowly flying out.

Though not fast, Zhao Lie discovered he couldn't dodge at all.

Not that he didn't want to dodge, but his internal fire element spiritual power resisted his commands, as if subjects dared not defy their sovereign.

"Boom!"

The golden fire lotus collided with Zhao Lie.

No earth-shattering explosion—Zhao Lie's flames melted away like snow meeting sunlight.

"Puh!"

Zhao Lie spat blood, falling to one knee.

But surprisingly, though injured, his wounds weren't severe. Clearly Ling Qianxue had held back.

"I... surrender," Zhao Lie said with difficulty.

He was thoroughly convinced.

That strike just now—if Ling Qianxue had wished, it could have taken his life. But she controlled it perfectly, only defeating his attack without harming his foundation.

This precise control of power was even more terrifying.

"Thank you for the match," Ling Qianxue nodded slightly.

The golden fire lotus dissipated, and she returned to her tranquil appearance.

The venue fell silent.

Then applause thundered like rumbling.

"Too brilliant!"

"This is true genius!"

"One against four complete victory, and such crushing dominance!"

Regardless of their previous opinions of Ling Qianxue, everyone was now conquered by her strength.

"Junior Sister Ling's fire element attainment probably isn't inferior to some Foundation Building Stage seniors," someone exclaimed.

"More than not inferior—that golden fire lotus just now, I suspect even Foundation Building Stage might not withstand it."

"Most terrifying is her combat quality—every movement perfectly measured, not a single excess."

"Such a person is destined to become a powerhouse."

Elder Chen Yang looked deeply at Ling Qianxue and announced, "Match concluded, Ling Qianxue wins!"

"Wait," Ling Qianxue suddenly spoke.

Everyone looked at her, wondering what else she wanted.

"According to our agreement, these senior brothers should fulfill their bet," she said calmly.

Zhang Kuang and the others' faces changed.

Public apology—this was extreme humiliation for them.

But having lost the bet, they had no room to renege.

"Junior Sister Ling, could you..." Li Qing wanted to plead.

"Honoring bets is the most basic martial virtue," Ling Qianxue interrupted him. "If you don't even have this courage, what cultivation is there to speak of?"

These words left Zhang Kuang and the others speechless.

Zhao Lie was the first to stand, bowing deeply to Ling Qianxue and Xiao Hanye. "I'm sorry, we were wrong."

"For our previous verbal offense, please forgive us."

"In the future when we see you both, we'll definitely take detours."

Zhang Kuang and the other three, though unwilling, could only follow in apology.

"Sorry..."

"We were blind..."

"Won't disturb you again..."

Though their voices weren't loud, everyone present heard clearly.

Now the four had thoroughly lost face.

But simultaneously, everyone's awe of Ling Qianxue deepened.

Not only was she powerful, but she acted decisively, keeping her word. Such a person absolutely couldn't be easily provoked.

"Alright, since you've apologized, this matter is settled," Ling Qianxue said indifferently. "I hope you senior brothers remember today's lesson."

With that, she turned to look at Xiao Hanye. "Let's go."

Xiao Hanye was still in shock, only coming back to his senses when he heard her words.

He looked at Ling Qianxue, his eyes full of complex emotions.

Desire, unwillingness, inferiority... various emotions intertwined.

"Sister Qianxue..."

"We'll talk when we get back," Ling Qianxue said softly.

The two left the martial stage side by side.

Watching their departing figures, those present all had thoughtful expressions.

"This Ling Qianxue isn't simple."

"More than not simple—she's unfathomable."

"Do you think she's really only Three-Star Awakening Stage?"

"Who knows? Maybe she hid her cultivation."

"I think she might really only be three-star, but..." The speaker paused. "Her understanding of fire element laws has far exceeded her realm."

"Such people are most terrifying—realms can be slowly raised, but comprehension and talent are innate."

Various discussions continued.

Among the crowd, several people had particularly solemn expressions.

"Interesting." Murong Han stood in the distance, a smile curving his lips. "Water overcomes fire—I wonder if her fire lotus can block my ice power."

On another side, Ye Wuhen played with a flying knife in his hand, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Golden fire lotus... Phoenix bloodline? This is getting more and more interesting."

Others were secretly plotting something.

Ling Qianxue's forceful display was destined to attract attention from all parties.

Some admired, some envied, some wanted to recruit, and some wanted to suppress.

A storm was brewing.

Back at Snow Spirit Pavilion.

Xiao Hanye finally couldn't hold back. "Sister Qianxue, how are you so strong?"

Ling Qianxue smiled slightly. "I told you, I would protect you."

"But..." Xiao Hanye bit his lip. "I'm too weak, I can't help you with anything."

"Who says that?" Ling Qianxue looked at him seriously. "If not for you, I might never have known what true protection means."

"Sister Qianxue..."

"Hanye, you don't need to belittle yourself," Ling Qianxue said softly. "Everyone has their own path to walk. You walk yours, I walk mine, but our goal is the same—become stronger and protect each other."

Xiao Hanye took a deep breath, fighting spirit igniting in his eyes. "I understand! I will definitely become strong!"

"I believe you." Ling Qianxue smiled, then took out an ancient manual from her storage ring. "This is for you."

"This is..." Xiao Hanye took the manual, seeing four large characters on the cover—"Tyrant Body Scripture."

"This is a body refinement technique that doesn't require elemental talent to cultivate," Ling Qianxue explained. "Though entry is difficult, once mastered, physical strength won't be inferior to any spell cultivator."

Xiao Hanye excitedly opened the manual but soon frowned. "This... is so profound."

"Take your time, no rush," Ling Qianxue comforted. "The path of body refinement is inherently difficult, but I believe you'll definitely succeed."

"Mm!" Xiao Hanye nodded heavily.

He secretly vowed to master this technique—he couldn't let Sister Qianxue fight alone anymore.

Night deepened.

The entire academy was discussing today's match.

Ling Qianxue's name had thoroughly spread through Tiandu Academy.

A Three-Star Awakening Stage newcomer, one against four complete victory, even displaying a golden fire lotus suspected to be Phoenix bloodline.

Such a genius was destined to be extraordinary.

And undercurrents began flowing this night.

Some were plotting, some calculating, some waiting.

A bigger storm was approaching.