Ice... I-Ice Empress

As the day of the match quietly drew near, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

On this day, the members of Blazing Academy arrived at the arena early.

The seven representatives from Blazing Academy were Huo Wushuang, who possessed the Fire Dragon Martial Soul; Huo Wu, who possessed the Fire Shadow Martial Soul; Jia Youcai, who possessed the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul; Yan Lingzhuo, who possessed the Phoenix Martial Soul; Yan Jinfeng, who possessed the Fire Scale Spear Martial Soul; Yan Xiaoran, who possessed the Flame Armor Martial Soul; and Chi Lingxuan, who possessed the Spicy Hot Strip Martial Soul.

Skywater Academy's seven representatives were Shui Bing'er, who possessed the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul; Xue Wu, who possessed the Dancing Snow Forging Martial Soul; Yu Hairou, who possessed the Coral Barracuda Martial Soul; Shui Yue'er, who possessed the Jade Dolphin Martial Soul; Shen Liuyu, who possessed the Enamel Crocodile Martial Soul; Gu Qingbo, who possessed the Azure Marlin Martial Soul; and Qiu Ruoshui, who possessed the Azure Perch Martial Soul.

However, just as the seven members originally slated to compete for Skywater Academy were about to enter the arena, an extraordinary woman approached with graceful steps.

She was tall and slender, her dark green hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. She was as cold and aloof as a solitary pine standing proudly in the snow. Her brows were like icy blades, her eyes like deep, frigid pools, carrying an air of distant untouchability.

She wore a crisp blue-and-white short skirt. As its hem fluttered, it revealed her long, straight legs. Delicate short boots covered her feet, while an aura of nobility and sharpness radiated from her, making others afraid to meet her gaze.

"Teacher Ruo, Bing'er and the others are no match for those people from Blazing Academy. Let me compete instead." The woman's cool voice rang out like a flowing cold spring.

Ruo Bingling glanced at the woman, her eyes carrying a measure of scrutiny and consideration. After a moment, she slowly said, "Liyue, though you are powerful, this match was carefully arranged as a chance for Bing'er and the others to gain experience. If you rashly step in, they will lose this rare opportunity to grow."

Bing Liyue frowned slightly. "Teacher Ruo, I understand your good intentions, but those seven from Blazing Academy truly cannot be underestimated."

At Skywater Academy, Bing Liyue's standing was comparable to the dean's. No matter what request she made, as long as it was reasonable, everyone had to comply. This was an instruction the dean had given the teachers.

"Very well." Ruo Bingling looked toward Qiu Ruoshui at her side. "Ruoshui, Liyue will replace you in this match against Blazing Academy."

Qiu Ruoshui cautiously glanced at Bing Liyue, then nodded heavily. "If Sister Li Yue takes action, those people from Blazing Academy are in for a miserable time."

Shui Bing'er stepped forward with light, graceful steps. She held even more respect for Bing Liyue than she did for some teachers. "Teacher Ruo, Sister Li Yue's strength is exceptional. With her joining us, we'll certainly have a better chance in this match."

Ruo Bingling nodded. "Then, Teacher wishes you all victory from the very start."

"Don't worry, we'll definitely win~" Xue Wu said playfully from the side.

As Ruo Bingling finished speaking, Skywater Academy's seven-person team swiftly adjusted their lineup.

Bing Liyue's expression was frosty as she steadily stepped into the position that had originally belonged to Qiu Ruoshui. A piercing chill radiated from her body, complementing the cool temperament of Shui Bing'er and the others beside her. Yet her unique presence instantly made her the center of everyone's attention.

On Blazing Academy's side, Huo Wushuang strode forward with his head held high. The aura of his Fire Dragon Martial Soul faintly spread outward, and scorching heat quickly filled the entire arena. Behind him, Huo Wu, Jia Youcai, and the others wore proud expressions as well, each releasing faint fluctuations from their Martial Souls, as if provoking Skywater Academy's team.

"Come on, let them see what Blazing Academy is capable of!" Huo Wushuang waved a broad hand and led Blazing Academy's seven members toward the arena platform at the center.

Skywater Academy's members were no less willing to yield. Shui Bing'er's gaze was blazing as she took the lead onto the platform. The others followed close behind.

When both teams mounted the platform and faced one another, the Skywater Academy students watching from all around instantly erupted. Cheers boomed like thunder, wave after wave, deafening the ears.

"Skywater Academy will win! Skywater Academy will win!" A group of female students waved blue ribbons in their hands and shouted in unison.

"Senior Sister Bing Liyue, go! Defeat those guys from Blazing Academy!" A petite female student stood among the crowd, shouting at the top of her lungs, her little face flushed red.

"Captain Shui Bing'er, show them how strong Skywater Academy is!" The male students on the other side refused to be outdone either. They waved their arms and cheered for Skywater Academy's team, their momentum overwhelming.

Amid the deafening cheers and shouts, the host slowly walked to the center of the platform. Her gaze swept over both teams before she loudly announced, "This match is intended to promote exchange and friendly competition between the two academies. I hope both sides can perform to the best of their abilities. Now, I declare the match officially begins!"

Standing among the team, Jia Youcai swept his gaze across the people opposite him. The first six were fine—whether their appearances or Martial Souls, they were almost exactly the same as in the anime. But who was this Bing Liyue? Was there even such a character?

It was truly strange.

Looking more closely and using the system to inspect her Martial Soul, Jia Youcai was immediately stunned.

"Ice... Ice... Ice Empress... Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion."

That was right. She was the soul beast ranked second among the Three Great Kings of the Extreme North, with Four Hundred Thousand Year cultivation who had Shapeshifted.

Her Soul Power level had already reached an astonishing level fifty-seven.

Jia Youcai turned back to look at his teammates. Only he, Huo Wu, and Huo Wushuang had barely reached the Soul Ancestor rank. The others were still merely Soul Elders.

"Oh, heavens above! How could the Ice Empress herself show up for such a small occasion?"

"How the hell are we supposed to fight? She alone could beat all seven of us until we couldn't tell east from west."

Jia Youcai broke out in a cold sweat. To contend with such a fully maxed-out powerhouse, his Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul had to reach Six Dou Hun before it could stand against her.

His Second Martial Soul, the Fallen Angel, was only at One Dou Hun. Worse still, there was no related Card Pool available to draw from, so he had no way to improve its Dou Hun.

The more Jia Youcai thought about it, the more despair he felt. Cold sweat poured down his forehead, and his body began to tremble slightly. He instinctively tugged at Huo Wushuang's sleeve beside him and lowered his voice, his words trembling slightly. "Wushuang, we're in serious trouble this time. That Bing Liyue over there has the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion Martial Soul, and her Soul Power is level fifty-seven."

"What?" Huo Wushuang broke out in a cold sweat as well.