Complete Victory

## Chapter 4: Complete Victory

Hearing that the trial would continue, Yuan Chen didn't show much disappointment. He knew he had already succeeded halfway.

As a former member of the Elder Council of Yuentar, Grandma Lupe still held considerable prestige even after being exiled to such a small village.

It could be said that as long as he gained Grandma Lupe's approval, there would be no problem staying here. The subsequent trial was merely to convince the other villagers...

Those ignorant villagers, unaware of the outside world, their eyes filled with disgust and rejection.

Gaining the trust of these ordinary villagers was crucial for Yuan Chen's future convenience...

If he were still isolated after completing the trial, it would be incredibly difficult to deepen his magic or learn more about Ixialia's hidden knowledge, the kind not written in the lore books, in this tropical rainforest.

In the end...

Damn the League of Legends scriptwriters. You could have just copied Azeroth for the plot, but it's still a mess in its early stages. Now, even impersonating a Prophet, I can only do it half-heartedly...

Thinking this, Yuan Chen showed no change in his expression. He simply followed Grandma Lupe, awaiting the start of the trial.

With Grandma Lupe's summons, a large crowd soon gathered in the village square.

When looking at Grandma Lupe, these simple villagers' eyes held a trace of reverence. But when their gaze shifted to Yuan Chen beside her, their eyes held a hint of rejection.

Standing in the center, Grandma Lupe, holding her staff and clad in a Vydalian Robe, announced loudly, "The young man beside me is a scholar from distant overseas! A young Elementalist!"

Perhaps it was hearing the word "scholar," or perhaps it was the word "Elementalist." In any case, after Grandma Lupe finished speaking, Yuan Chen could clearly feel the rejection lessen significantly, replaced by curious scrutiny.

As if on cue, after hearing Grandma Lupe's words, a burly Stone Mason, around thirty years old, with greyish-white energy swirling around his wrists, spoke up:

"A scholar from overseas? Grandma Lupe, is what you say true? Isn't the outside world just a wasteland filled with disease and conflict? How could such a world nurture noble Elementalists and scholars?"

This has the flavor of the Qing Dynasty.

Grandma Lupe didn't reply. Instead, she looked at Yuan Chen, signaling him to display his talents.

Yuan Chen wasn't nervous. As a former Grand Dancer of Prestation, he had accumulated enough experience in both public performances and public humiliation.

Taking a deep breath, he walked to the center of the square, adopting the demeanor of a seeker of knowledge. "I am a dancer from across the sea, from a distant continent, the Land of Genesis, Ionia. I know you harbor doubts about me, but please believe me, Ionians are not the foolish warriors full of aggression like those on the Valoran Continent.

Nor are we arrogant and rude like the former Shurima.

Because we know that only humility is the virtue of those who witness the Truth. Just like the people and life on this land, we are full of vibrant vitality, yet we do not lack the will of Steel."

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, a few farmers in the crowd nodded. "Sounds decent. At least he's more polite than those barbarians. This place called Ionia seems to have some merits?"

"Yes, I heard from the mages in the prefecture. Ionia seems to be a place that greatly values peace, but it's a bit far from us, even farther than Fuguang Island!"

"No wonder," I thought. "This young man is so pleasing to the eye. Even though he's an outsider, he's very polite, much more so than those Noxians!"

As it turned out, regional attacks were effective in any world.

This was especially true for the Yixialian people, who practiced a closed-door policy. Nestled among the mountains.

Having witnessed the fall of the Shurima Empire, the ruin of Fuguang Island, and the Rune Wars on the Valoran Continent, their enduring cultural pride always made them feel superior when facing these outside civilizations.

But Ionia was different. Ionia was far from Yixial, separated by the entire Sea of Guardians.

Furthermore, Ionia had no land borders with the Valoran or Shurima continents. Thus, for a long time, Ionia had been isolated, living within its own small territory without any disputes with outsiders.

Through the villagers' conversations, Yuan Chen learned something... that the Noxians had begun their outward exploration.

This meant that before long, they might launch an invasion...

The only question was the scale of it, and whether it would be the same massive battle that changed countless destinies in his memory.

"Then how can you prove your identity?"

The burly Stone Mason asked curiously in a gruff voice, "Dancers and Elementalists shouldn't have much connection, right? Let alone scholars!"

"Not so," Yuan Chen replied. When it came to the legitimacy of his identity, he no longer maintained his politeness and composure, but corrected them:

"In Ionia, the boundaries between the material and spiritual realms are not clearly defined. Therefore, a single thought can attract the attention of evil spirits.

Because of this, the Ionian people advocate peace and tranquility. Both martial arts and dance are aimed at pursuing the ultimate core. Master Xinnia, the Silk Dancer, once told me that dance is the rhythm that accompanies the harmony of all things, not a performance."

Hearing Yuan Chen's serious words, the Stone Mason, who had been somewhat skeptical, instinctively took a step back. But then he said, "Then how do you prove it? At least let us see your power! Just talking about dance isn't enough!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen glanced at Grandma Lupe beside him. Grandma Lupe nodded and then looked at Audan, who was watching the spectacle, and said, "Then you shall spar with Yuan Chen."

"Huh? Me?"

Audan was taken aback when he heard Grandma Lupe's words, then said somewhat sheepishly, "Is that okay? I haven't mastered the Axiom of Water very skillfully... I mean, what if I hurt Yuan Chen?"

Hearing this, Yuan Chen didn't speak immediately. Instead, he activated a reconnaissance spell and cast it—

As Audan suddenly felt an indescribable chill, as if he had been seen through by a peeping tom, information about Audan immediately appeared in Yuan Chen's mind.

Name: Audan.

Status: Full.

Class: Elementalist LV2

Equipment: Fish Skin Neckguard (Common) / Fish Skin Waistguard (Common) / Fish Hunting Spear (Fine)

SKILLS:

Axiom of Water Lv2 / Axiom of Earth, Axiom of Wind, Wood Axiom LV1.

TRAITS: None

Audan's stats were not considered excellent. As a Level 2 Elementalist, Audan had only mastered some basic techniques and could use them after...

But no matter what, this level was too low. Not to mention Yuan Chen's own Battle Dancer level had already reached the Master-level LV6, even the relatively disadvantaged Elementalist would have reached LV3 thanks to Oshirresh's Demon's Blessing.

And through the demon's protection, he could directly control Water Elements, and in actual combat, he might even unleash power far exceeding his stats.

Audan clearly did not realize where this chill came from, only looking around in confusion, thinking it was caused by his own distraction.

In response, Grandma Lupe keenly noticed Audan's change and turned her gaze towards Yuan Chen beside him--

Scouting techniques would leave the target feeling a chill and also leave behind special traces similar to mental perception.

Weaklings like Audan naturally couldn't feel the reason, but for a former Elder of Yuentar like Grandma Lupe, it wasn't difficult to discover who released it...

This was also one of the reasons why Yuan Chen did not rashly scout others.

In a place that was already xenophobic, casually using scouting techniques would only make others dislike Yuan Chen even more, and if the opponent was someone like Grandma Lupe, they might even take direct action.

Perhaps because the scouting technique did not directly fall on her, Grandma Lupe could not be sure if it was Yuan Chen who released it. Therefore, after a moment of silence, Grandma Lupe withdrew her gaze and turned to say:

"Then Audan, get ready, you are Yuan Chen's first trial!"

Upon hearing this, Audan nodded, then looked at Yuan Chen full of fighting spirit: "Then you get ready! I won't hold back next! For the glory of Ixialia!"

Nodding, Yuan Chen then silently spread his arms. The next moment, the surrounding Water Elements seemed to have received a summons. Everyone present familiar with the Axiom of Water could clearly feel the moisture in the air rapidly flowing and gathering.

In just a moment, a trickling stream formed out of thin air in the sky. Some Water Sources even emerged directly from people's water flasks, like green little snakes, coming to Yuan Chen's side and merging into a feather cloak made of Flowing Water...

Just like Luo's wing cloak.

Noticing Yuan Chen's movement, Audan gripped the Fish Hunting Spear in his hand, a look of confusion appearing on his dark face.

Seeing this, Yuan Chen simply said: "My profession is Battle Dancer, and the feather cloak is the most important weapon for a Battle Dancer... Don't underestimate it. Although it's made of flowing water, it's still tough!"

"I don't think a puddle of water can be that tough..."

Audan didn't pay much attention to Yuan Chen's words, but took a deep breath, gripped the spear in his hands, and prepared for battle--

It wasn't that Audan looked down on Yuan Chen, but purely because the flowing water cloak didn't look tough. Even now, the water flow within it maintained a clear and transparent texture, giving people no sense of pressure.

With a shout of "Begin."

Audan's entire demeanor became exceptionally solemn, his muscles tensed, and he strode forward without hesitation towards Yuan Chen--

When on the shore, Audan saw Yuan Chen's dance and knew that Yuan Chen's comprehension of the Axiom of Water was no less than his own.

For this reason, Audan had no intention of holding back. On the contrary, the moment the battle began, sharp and intense Flowing Water formed on both sides of his spear. Wherever it passed, even the air hissed.

In contrast, Yuan Chen calmly made the opening stance of his battle dance.

The next moment, Yuan Chen pushed his left hand forward. The water behind him, along with the pull of his muscles, seemed to obey a command. In an instant, it transformed into a powerful siege crossbow. Before Audan could react, the flowing water feathers shot out with a bang!

With a pong, the flowing water feathers exploded the moment they touched Audan, sending him flying uncontrollably.

After this, Yuan Chen did not stop attacking. Instead, using his waist as an axis, he extended his right hand, connecting with his spine. Accompanied by the rhythm of his core, it whipped forward like a long whip from bottom to top.

Instantly, the armbands wrapped around his wrist let out a clear and ethereal sound. As his bones moved, the ethereal sound gained a touch of depth out of nowhere.

The colorful jade took on a heavy hue. The pleasant sound, which had initially been like an ethereal breeze, suddenly transformed into the sound of thousands of massive rocks being struck by intense tremors!

As if obeying a command, the flowing water feathers, like spinning tassels or a giant python rising from the ground, coiled upwards with sand and stones, directly whipping Audan away!

Seeing this, a hint of panic flashed in Audan's eyes. Without hesitation, he focused his Attention on the Axiom of Water.

But then, Audan was shocked to find that the Flowing Water he could usually Control smoothly and freely now seemed deafeningly silent!

No matter how he urged the Axiom of Water, the moisture in the surrounding air remained motionless!

Below, Yuan Chen simply formed his right hand into a sword finger. The feathers behind him instantly split into several water blades like blue jade. He pushed forward, and the next moment, with swish swish swish! sounds of air being torn, several arcs flew towards Audan.

Before Audan could react, he felt his clothes being torn. With a pong!

When he opened his eyes again, he found that the blue jade water blades had pierced his leather armor, embedding themselves in the gap between the armor and his flesh, pinning him to the wall on one side of the plaza.

"...I lost?"

Audan felt as if he hadn't done anything and had inexplicably lost the ability to resist.

In response, Yuan Chen clapped his hands. The next moment, the water blades landed on the ground with a slap!, wetting the mud.

"That's how it is."