In terms of raw cultivation strength, Yuan Ning of Mount Hua Sect was significantly better than Bai Qing. He was in the middle of the Core Formation stage—a whole stage above Bai Qing.

The eldest martial sister of Qinling Peak was beyond nervous. If this were a year ago, she would have been eliminated a long time ago, but now, she stood proudly on stage, competing for the champion title. The pressure was unimaginable.

''Sister, please take care of me.''

Yuan Ning bowed lightly. Bai Qing also bowed back.

''Likewise, brother.''

The two drew their swords. After a brief silence, it was Yuan Ning who moved first.

''Hap—!''

He bravely jumped toward Bai Qing despite knowing she had a way to attack stealthily, and Bai Qing herself soon realized why.

'The Plum Blossom sword...!'

Although she had observed him fighting with it before this, seeing the elegant pinkish aura swirling around his sword was simply incredible. Not losing to her opponent, Bai Qing quickly activated her lightning sword. The moment a plum blossom petal touched the tip of Bai Qing's sword, the battle began.

The two threw everything they had into this round. Yuan Ning repeatedly used the Plum Blossom sword techniques, dyeing one half of the arena pink, while Bai Qing occupied the other half with a mix of lightning sparks and water torrents.

Every second, dozens of strikes were exchanged. Bai Qing, fully immersed, had her limbs move with pure instinct while constantly chanting water spells in her mind to catch up with her opponent. Suddenly, an unusually wet sensation hit her upper lip.

Her nose was bleeding.

But her opponent was still going strong. The situation didn't look good, but Bai Qing was determined to push through.

She gritted her teeth and forced her mind to concentrate even more, causing her muscles to tear from the excessive movements and her brain to be fried from using too much magic.

In the observation room, Kierra was frowning lightly.

'That idiot. She completely forgot the efficiency.'

She certainly taught her better than this. But... well, it had only been a few days. Kierra guessed that it was hard to shape her habit that easily. Still, Bai Qing had a chance. If she could just use her brain properly and utilize her advantage...

''Oh?''

To Kierra's surprise, she saw Bai Qing's mana slowly seeping into the other side of the arena, like a bunch of snakes, and then they connected to each other, forming a dense ball of mana. It was a result of Bai Qing's utmost effort to create a counterplay.

The ball slowly turned into water from the inside out, gradually forming a huge spear the size of a human, and the tip of it aimed straight at Yuan Ning's back.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

''That trick won't work against me!''

However, noticing the decrease in Bai Qing's water attacks at the front, Yuan Ning swiftly retreated and turned around to disable the spell preemptively, but then—

''Kuh...?!''

The spear suddenly burst into millions of needles, and some dozens were able to get through Yuan Ning's qi armor.

''ARGHHH—!!''

Suddenly assaulted by a painful lightning zap, Yuan Ning let out a scream. Meanwhile, Bai Qing herself was already preparing the spell to end this match. She squeezed out every ounce of qi and mana in her body and condensed them into a spear, this time, a proper one.

She jerked her hand, holding the zapping spear back before launching it at Yuan Ning. The spear squarely hit the disciple from Mount Hua, sending them far outside the arena, into the wall, unconscious.

''Hah...! hah...! ugh...!''

Bai Qing wanted to collapse. She wanted to rest right away, but just a bit more.

'Just a bit more...'

''The winner, Bai Qing—!!''

As soon as General Manager Sang's voice sounded, Bai Qing smiled softly before her vision turned blurry. Right before she fell onto the ground, her body was caught by someone.

''Good job, my disciple. You are the pride of White Lotus.''

'This voice and this smell... master Kierra.'

Feeling a hand stroking her head, Bai Qing lost consciousness.

As Kierra teleported back to the observation room with Bai Qing in her arms, she could feel the tension filling the space.

So she did what she always did best—ignoring it. She calmly put Bai Qing on her chair before casting an ordinary healing spell on her. This would not help Bai Qing recover her qi or mana, but it should help with the torn muscles and the bleeding.

While Yu Chen and Tian Yun were proudly petting Bai Qing, someone approached Kierra.

''Can we speak briefly, Miss Kierra?''

It was the abbot of the Shaolin Temple.

''Sure.'' Kierra replied.

''My name is Xuanji; nice to meet you.''

''Kierra Scarlett Aspenova.''

''...I am very much interested in the way this disciple performed.'' The abbot began. ''May I ask, are you the one who taught her the water techniques?''

''Indeed.'' Kierra nodded. ''And before any of you ask, it is not cultivation.''

Numerous 'What?!' popped up.

''Can you clarify that...?'' Xuanji continued.

Kierra pondered for a bit before replying. ''Well? Keep imagining it. It's more fun that way.''

Silence fell. Kierra leisurely pulled an additional chair over to her with telekinesis and sat down.

''...Miss Kierra, would you like to visit our temple sometime soon?'' Xuanji asked.

''Is the library available?'' Kierra asked back.

''Not all of it, but yes.''

''Sure. I'll go when I have time.''

With his initial goal of making Kierra aware of him achieved, Abbot Xuanji happily retreated. Seeing that, the others were about to jump in when Kierra suddenly stood up.

''There's nothing to do here anymore. Let us go back.''

'''' Yes. ''''

Yu Chen lifted Bai Qing up, and they promptly left the room. Only a suffocating silence remained.

Once outside, Tian Yun immediately raised her fists into the air, celebrating the victory that they just had. Seeing this, Kierra couldn't help but curl her lips up. The sight was akin to a white lotus flower dancing, simply delightful.

''Then, shall we rent a Cloud Boat to get back, or would you like to travel by dragon?'' Yu Chen asked.

''No, either of them takes too long,'' Kierra replied.

''Then...?''

''We will teleport back.''

Long-distance space travel was among the most intricate magic spells a wizard could do. It usually took dozens of high-level wizards just to activate the spell. And although Cosmos—Kierra's prime space magic aid—was currently unavailable, Kierra still had confidence.

So the archwizard readied herself. Right when she was about to do a short incarnation—

''Please wait!''

A voice interrupted her. Turning around, it was the sect leader of the Lightning Tiger Sect.

''Lord Kierra, I have a favor to ask.'' Kang Jiang bowed his head.

''Speak.''

''Could you please grace my daughter with your presence? She has been asking me ever since...''

''That can be done later.''

''P-Please! I fear she would destroy the whole sect if you didn't pay a visit...''

''...''

Suddenly, Yu Chen grabbed Kierra's sleeve.

''I think we should go there briefly. Just in time, I want to check up on that young master.''

''Fine.'' Kierra sighed lightly. ''You, come closer.''

So, the destination of the teleportation changed to Lightning Tiger Sect.