Finals and the Ye Family Girl

"Shen Nanxun, I'm withdrawing from the competition."

On the way to the match, the usually haughty girl raised her eyebrows and said this to Shen Nanxun for the first time.

Shen Nanxun was stunned for a moment, then reached out to touch her forehead, tentatively asking, "Did you take the wrong medicine?"

"You're the one who took the wrong medicine!" Na'er turned her head away, muttering discontentedly, "You don't appreciate kindness."

"Oh, I understand."

A trace of imperceptible joy instantly flashed through the depths of Na'er's eyes. With her cheeks slightly puffed out, she turned to glare at him, her tone hiding a hint of deliberately suppressed softness: "That's more like it."

She had assumed Shen Nanxun finally understood her intentions—that it wasn't about winning or losing, but simply that she didn't want to stand in opposition to him. But the next second, a playful smirk curled the corners of Shen Nanxun's mouth, and he spoke with absolute certainty, every word hitting home.

"You know you're bound to lose to me, so you're quitting on purpose to do me a favor, avoiding the embarrassment of being defeated on stage and losing face, right?"

As soon as these words left his lips, the small glimmer of expectation on Na'er's face froze. She gritted her teeth in anger, raised her hand, and gave Shen Nanxun's arm a light punch. Her eyes widened, the softness completely fading away as she reverted to her usual haughty, bristling self.

"Shen Nanxun! What kind of nonsense are you spouting!" Na'er's cheeks flushed a deep red, both embarrassed and annoyed, her voice rising slightly. "Who's afraid of losing to you! I just... I just don't want to compete against you, stop flattering yourself!"

Watching her bristle, the smile in Shen Nanxun's eyes deepened, though he still feigned an enlightened expression and said slowly, "Oh? So that's how it is? I misunderstood?"

"Of course you misunderstood!" Na'er turned her head away, refusing to look at his punchable, smiling face. Her earlobes were quietly turning red; she was furious and frustrated, yet she could do nothing about him, so she could only mutter under her breath, "What a blockhead, you don't understand anyone's heart at all."

"Here."

Just then, a fair arm with a rolled-up sleeve was extended in front of Na'er.

"What's the meaning of this?" Na'er's silver eyes widened for a moment. She suppressed her craving and swallowed hard.

Shen Nanxun said helplessly, "Isn't this what you wanted to bite? A reward for you."

"That's not what I meant!" Na'er was a bit angry. Why did that stinky Shen Nanxun always think she had some ulterior motive?

But... but it smelled so good.

Ever since last time, Shen Nanxun had been smelling better and better.

"Then what did you mean?"

Na'er pulled two small bottles from somewhere and shook them.

"Can you add extra numbing spice and chili?"

"..."

A month later, the tournament schedule was nearing its end; the Youth Division Soul Master Tournament had the fastest progression.

But finally, it was time for the finals.

"The first Federation Star Dou Battle Net Internal Tournament, Youth Division Grand Finals are about to begin."

"The opposing sides are Wangzai Qiaoqiao and In the Name of Stars."

Unlike the regional qualifiers, this grand final had an audience. They were also watching by entering the Star Dou Battle Net through simulation pods.

However, most of the viewers were eliminated contestants and other high-ranking officials from the legions. Compared to the Adult Division, the Youth Division didn't have as much attention, but since it was the finals, there were still quite a few people in the stands.

Shen Nanxun arrived right on time, and his opponent was already in the arena.

"Both contestants, prepare. Release your martial souls. The match—begins!"

The mechanical voice faded.

A brilliant, dazzling golden light suddenly erupted from Shen Nanxun's body, and a pure, sacred soul power swept outward. The Angel martial soul slowly unfolded behind him, golden light flowing, and a noble aura that transcended ordinary martial souls instantly permeated the entire arena.

His first soul ring lit up, and the Angel Sword leaped into his hand.

The opponent on the opposite side moved almost simultaneously.

A surge of soul power erupted, and a long sword with a simple design but an ethereal sword intent appeared in her hand out of thin air.

The blade was as clear as a starry sky; it lacked unnecessary ornamentation, yet it seemed to carry the power of an entire galaxy.

Two yellow hundred-year soul rings spiraled upward as well, the light of the rings merging with the sword's soul power, making the weapon's aura increasingly sharp.

Before the two swords even touched, two distinct pressures of soul power collided in the center of the arena, golden holy light clashing against starlight.

The fingertips holding Shen Nanxun's Angel Sword paused slightly, a clear flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

Star Saint Sword?

No, this sword seemed to be on a higher level than the Star Saint Sword. Whether it was Ye Xi or his own mother, he knew a thing or two about the Star Saint Sword.

Without any unnecessary probing, the opponent struck first. Gripping her sword, she darted forward like a meteor, the long sword pointing straight at Shen Nanxun. The sharp sword intent tore through the air, pressing directly toward his face.

Ruthless and sharp, a domineering sword technique!

Shen Nanxun instantly focused his mind, leaving only seriousness in his eyes. He flicked his wrist, raising the Angel Sword with holy light entwined around the blade, and met the opponent's long sword with a steady parry.

After several clashes, neither side gained much of an advantage in terms of sword technique.

"Ye Family Sword Technique, who exactly are you!" The opponent's voice had also been processed by the system, making it impossible to tell if it was a man or a woman.

Shen Nanxun didn't reply, but the sword techniques in his hands became increasingly fierce.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The dense sound of metal striking metal exploded continuously in the center of the arena. Every time the golden holy light and the starlight collided, they kicked up violent ripples of soul power, sweeping across the entire competition field.

Shen Nanxun's Angel Sword was imbued with sacred soul power. Every strike was steady and imposing, the sword techniques wide and sweeping, carrying the innate suppression of the Angel Martial Soul.

His opponent's longsword, however, was agile and overbearing. The Ye Family Sword Technique was exquisite and peerless, the blade tip treacherous and ruthless, each strike aimed directly at his openings. Her ethereal sword intent blended perfectly with her sharp technique, showing no fear of the Angel Martial Soul's sacred pressure.

The two figures darted across the arena, leaving layers of afterimages in their wake. The dancing longswords stirred up gusts of wind, and the spectators in the stands couldn't help but hold their breath, their eyes locked onto the two figures locked in fierce combat.

After several exchanges of rapid strikes, they remained evenly matched. Their swords clashed repeatedly, neither gaining the slightest advantage, both feeling their fingertips go slightly numb from the recoil of their soul power.

Colliding with a thunderous boom once more, both utilized the force to retreat, opening up a distance of several meters as they stood in confrontation.

A hint of admiration appeared in Shen Nanxun's eyes. Judging solely by sword technique, his opponent was not the least bit inferior to him, despite his training under Qian Renxue and his mother, Ye Li.

This was a testament to the high level of her talent in the way of the sword.

However, this was a battle between soul masters, and victory relied on more than just swordplay.

His gaze turned sharp. The golden light of the Angel Martial Soul behind him grew increasingly intense, and the sacred soul power around him began to simmer. Facing an opponent whose level far exceeded her peers, a simple contest of sword techniques would not decide the outcome, and the longer it dragged on, the more variables would arise. He had no intention of responding in kind.

Thus, he held nothing back.

Shen Nanxun's second yellow century-ring suddenly lit up beneath his feet!

Dazzling golden light erupted to its peak in an instant. Within the sacred soul power, clusters of intensely hot, golden-red flames ignited. The Sun True Fire spread rapidly along the Angel Sword, instantly enveloping the entire blade. High temperatures swept across the arena, causing even the air to warp slightly.

The Sun True Fire, supreme in its heat and intensity, was the bane of all evil and yin-natured soul power. Possessing immense burning and destructive capabilities, it was the ultimate killing move of the Angel Martial Soul's second soul skill!

Shen Nanxun flipped his wrist and slashed horizontally with the flaming Angel Sword. The scorching waves of fire, accompanied by sharp sword wind, struck directly toward his opponent. The golden-red flames tore through the arena with the pressure to incinerate everything, locking onto her figure completely!

"Sword God Net!"

A cold, clear shout rang out. The opponent held her sword horizontally across her chest, and her second yellow century-ring shone brilliantly. Myriad fragments of starlight burst from the blade, instantly weaving into an impenetrable star-blue sword net. Her soul power was condensed to the extreme, shielding her firmly. Every line of the net exuded sharp sword intent, attempting to withstand the onslaught of the Sun True Fire.

But Shen Nanxun's Sun True Fire was the supreme, scorching power nurtured by the Angel Martial Soul; how could a common defensive soul skill withstand it?

The golden-red flames slammed into the Sword God Net, and a piercing, sizzling sound erupted as the starlight-woven net melted at a visible rate.

Sparks flew in all directions; the seemingly sturdy defense was fragile before the Sun True Fire. In the blink of an eye, the entire Sword God Net was incinerated, and the scorching heat waves continued unabated, sweeping toward his opponent.

The opponent's expression shifted slightly. She retreated abruptly, swinging her longsword horizontally to cleave through the fire waves. Seizing the gap, she raised her sword and charged at Shen Nanxun again. Her Star God Sword Intent surged—she clearly intended to engage in close-quarters combat and end the fight quickly.

Shen Nanxun had anticipated this. He exerted force into his wrist holding the Angel Sword and met her blade in another collision.

"BANG!"

Another loud crash echoed as the two swords met, their soul power clashing wildly. This time, the opponent used the momentum from cleaving the fire waves, and her sword technique remained overbearing, but Shen Nanxun had a hidden move. They stalemated for a moment, their strength evenly matched.

During the deadlock, the opponent spoke coldly, her voice filled with certainty: "You cannot beat me with just your sword."

From the swordplay to the soul skill confrontation, they had remained evenly matched. In her view, even with the augmentation of the Sun True Fire, Shen Nanxun could not defeat her using only sword techniques.

Hearing this, a faint smile curled the corners of Shen Nanxun's mouth. A flicker of cunning flashed in his eyes as he replied calmly, "Who told you I only use a sword?"

The moment the words left his lips, Shen Nanxun suddenly released his left hand from the sword, his fist clenching tight.

His pupils instantly transformed into vertical slits. A faint dragon's might emerged, blood energy permeated the air, and a dark golden radiance surged around him. This punch was devoid of any flair, striking straight toward his opponent's chest.

Caught off guard, the opponent never expected Shen Nanxun to abandon his sword for a fist. In her haste, she had no time to defend and could only desperately mobilize her soul power to protect her body.

But this punch of Shen Nanxun's was no ordinary strike.

A dull, heavy thud of impact resounded.

The opponent felt a massive force slam into her. Her soul power barrier shattered instantly, and she was sent flying like a kite with a broken string. She crashed heavily onto the arena floor, sliding several meters before coming to a stop. The longsword in her hand dissipated instantly, and she was unable to rise again.

"Congratulations to Wangzai Qiaoqiao for winning the final!"

"That was dishonorable!"

In front of the simulation pod, the girl with long golden hair slammed her headset onto the ground, her azure eyes filled with indignation.

"Sister Xing Lan, are you alright?"

At the doorway, a chubby boy hurried over, asking with concern.

The girl's expression remained cold, and she didn't respond, seemingly still ruminating on the match.

How could the Ye Family Sword Technique be known to an outsider!

"Sister Xing Lan, it's fine. We're going to Shrek Academy soon. You'll definitely become stronger, and then that guy will never be your match."

The chubby boy chattered on, offering comfort. One moment he was saying Shen Nanxun won unfairly, the next he was talking about the talented individuals at Shrek Academy and how they would surely get their revenge. His mouth never stopped moving.

The girl remained silent, merely lowering her eyes and clenching her fingertips, replaying the scene from the arena over and over in her mind.

The Angel Martial Soul, that strange power, the powerful sword technique. And that flippant yet incredibly arrogant remark.

"Who told you I only use a sword?"

She never easily submitted to anyone. Among her peers, she had never encountered anyone who could match her in swordplay, yet today, she had fallen to an opponent with an endless array of tricks.

After a long while, she slowly raised her head. The indignation in her azure eyes had vanished, leaving only a cold, icy fighting spirit.

Her voice carried a stubbornness unique to a young girl.

"Next time."

"When we meet again, I will defeat you with my own hands!"