The Eve of the Finals

Shancheng Martial University's team area.

"Lin Hao, did you figure anything out?" Jiang Weiwei asked, her brows lightly furrowed.

Lin Hao shook his head, his expression grave. For a split second, just as Ye Shuangshuang's attack vanished, he had felt something—but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. It was simply bizarre beyond words.

It wasn't just Lin Hao. The principals of the various Wu Universities were all stunned. Even the Diamond-rank powerhouses among them couldn't tell what Martial Art Liu Qingmeng had used. Only Xing Tianhe, the principal of Jiangnan Martial University, wore a smile. "That girl Qingmeng has grown even stronger."

"Is that your strongest Martial Art? As the top genius of Qingzhou Martial University, you should have more than this." Liu Qingmeng gazed calmly at Ye Shuangshuang, whose face was grave. Ye Shuangshuang was seething with frustration. She had used three Martial Arts in succession, consuming nearly half her Spiritual Power, yet Liu Qingmeng hadn't even moved.

"No matter how strange your moves are, I'll win this match with my next attack." Ye Shuangshuang no longer dared to hold back. In an instant, she leaped into the air, and the Blue Staff in her hand blazed with light. The moment it lit up, a ring of blue beams enclosed the entire arena. Then, a ten-meter-high wall of raging waves appeared out of nowhere. Martial Art: Cold Tide Raging Surge activated. The enormous waves, bearing down with a terrifying pressure, crashed toward Liu Qingmeng, who stood on the arena.

The referee broke into a cold sweat and immediately leaped into the air. Yet Liu Qingmeng remained rooted to the spot. In an instant, the giant waves swallowed her whole, while the blue beams surrounding the arena held them back, preventing them from crashing into the competitors' area or the stands.

Ten seconds later, the waves subsided, leaving the arena like a gigantic glass fish tank filled with water. But it wasn't over yet. Ye Shuangshuang's remaining Spiritual Power rapidly gathered around her. Her water-blue hair turned pure white, and even her staff transformed into a crystal-clear Ice Staff. With an impassive expression, Ye Shuangshuang pointed the staff through the air. The arena, which had been full of raging waves, instantly froze into a sculpture of ice.

For a moment, it was as if the whole world had stopped. The spectators fell utterly silent, their mouths hanging open as they stared at the scene.

Jiang Tianhai shook his head with a smile. "No wonder she's the Ice Snow Empress's disciple. Not only did she awaken the Water Element Ability, she also has the same Ice Element Ability as her master. None of the team captains in the top ten of this tournament are pushovers."

Fang Wei nodded. "Feixue really did take on an extraordinary disciple. It's just a shame she ran into a once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy."

Lin Hao watched the arena intently. He had a feeling that, despite the power of Ye Shuangshuang's Martial Art, Liu Qingmeng hadn't been hurt at all.

Ye Shuangshuang slowly landed atop the crest of the wave she had frozen. Her attack had controlled the entire arena; no matter how strong Liu Qingmeng was, she should have been trapped beneath the ice, unable to move. As Ye Shuangshuang panted, a girl dressed in white quietly appeared behind her.

"Not bad. That move really is powerful, but it doesn't do much against me." Before Ye Shuangshuang could react, Liu Qingmeng simply brought down a hand chop on the back of her neck. Ye Shuangshuang didn't even get a chance to speak before she pitched forward and passed out.

As Ye Shuangshuang lay unconscious, she returned to her original appearance. The referee hurriedly announced, "Second semifinal: Jiangnan Martial University versus Qingzhou Martial University. Jiangnan Martial University wins and advances to the finals."

At the referee's announcement, applause crashed through the arena like storm-tossed waves. The spectators were thrilled by the match, but the competitors and principals of the various Wu Universities were dumbfounded. "How did she get behind Ye Shuangshuang?" Even the Diamond-rank principals hadn't seen it clearly.

Lin Hao's eyes flickered with dawning understanding. "Could it be...?" Jiang Weiwei heard him mumble and turned to look at him. "Lin Hao, did you figure something out?"

Lin Hao nodded. "A little. But I can't be sure yet. I'll have to fight her to find out."

Jiang Weiwei gave a slight nod.

On the arena, Ning Feixue was checking Ye Shuangshuang's injuries. When she saw that Ye Shuangshuang had only fainted, she felt somewhat relieved. Her expression grave, she watched Liu Qingmeng, who had already gone far away. Even she couldn't figure out what ability the girl had. She had won with ease despite her disciple using every trump card she had.

After the match, everyone left the arena in an orderly fashion. The spectators eagerly anticipated the finals the next day.

"Who do you think will win tomorrow?"

"My money's on Liu Qingmeng. She only fought once, but she crushed Qingzhou Martial University's top genius without even trying. She's ridiculously strong."

"I think Lin Hao will win. Don't forget, he also crushed a genius like Mo Yu. And he has Spear Intent, too."

"If Lin Hao were Silver Grade, I'd back him. He's a genius, sure, but he's still only Bronze High-rank."

The spectators were still arguing among themselves.

That evening, after dinner, everyone from Shancheng Martial University gathered in their private meeting room. Liu Qingmeng's performance that day had truly shaken them. Everyone looked silently at Lin Hao.

"Why are you all staring at me?" Lin Hao's mouth twitched.

"Great God Lin, are you confident you can win tomorrow?" Mo Zixuan asked anxiously. He and the other team members hadn't been able to figure out what ability that girl, Liu Qingmeng, had.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Lin Hao gave a wry smile. "Sigh, I don't know either. If Liu Qingmeng hadn't competed today, I probably would've ended up like Ye Shuangshuang, getting beaten until I questioned my own existence. But judging by Liu Qingmeng's performance, the Ability she awakened definitely isn't ordinary. From what I can tell, it might have something to do with space."

"I think so too." Just as they were discussing it, the meeting-room door opened. A beautiful, middle-aged woman entered with a blue-haired girl.

Everyone froze. "Sister Ning, what brings you here?" Lin Hao asked, completely bewildered. It was Ning Feixue, the principal of Qingzhou Martial University, along with her disciple, Ye Shuangshuang.

"Since you call me Sister, how could I not come help my little brother before tomorrow's finals?" Ning Feixue smiled and greeted everyone. Lin Hao quickly stood and brought Ning Feixue and Ye Shuangshuang chairs, then poured them each a cup of hot water.

"Aunt Ning, does that mean you've figured something out?" Jiang Weiwei found it awkward to call her Aunt Ning. Lin Hao called her Sister, while she called her Aunt. Wasn't Lin Hao blatantly taking advantage of her?

Ning Feixue saw Jiang Weiwei's discomfort. "Oh, don't mind Lin Hao. We'll each use our own way of addressing me." She smiled faintly. "I came here to give you all a warning. Liu Qingmeng's Ability is very likely a rare Space-type Ability. No one in Xia Kingdom's history has ever awakened one. Normally, only Demigod-rank powerhouses and above can barely touch the edges of spatial power. If she really has awakened a Space-type Ability, then this will be a serious problem."