All Eyes on the Contenders! The Geniuses' Shock!

The arena, Skywater Academy's exclusive viewing stand.

Shui Bing'er sat at the very front of the stand, her ice-blue hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, her exquisite features carrying a touch of cool aloofness.

She was twelve years old this year, a level twenty-seven Soul Grandmaster. Her spirit was the Ice Phoenix, and she was the most outstanding talent of Tianshui Sect's generation.

Beside her sat a girl who resembled her somewhat. She was younger, around seven or eight years old, with the same ice-blue hair tied into twin ponytails and a pair of bright, lively eyes.

She was Shui Yue'er, Shui Bing'er's younger sister. Her spirit was the Dolphin. Though she was only level twenty-four, her talent was equally impressive.

"Big Sister, that Zhao Tian is incredible..."

Shui Yue'er widened her eyes, her little face full of shock.

She had watched Zhao Tian's match against Huo Wushuang from beginning to end without even blinking.

Six years old, a level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster, the Radiant Phoenix Spirit, two hundred-year spirit rings, and two powerful spirit skills...

What shocked her most was not Zhao Tian's Soul Power Level, but his performance in battle.

Facing Huo Wushuang's speed advantage, he had not panicked. Instead, he had adapted quickly, found an opening, and won with a single strike.

Such combat talent far surpassed that of others his age.

"Mm."

Shui Bing'er nodded gently, a trace of gravity flashing through her cool eyes.

"His spirit is the Radiant Phoenix, a legendary ultra-top-tier spirit. It is inherently a level above Huo Wushuang's Fire Leopard."

"Moreover, his combat awareness is strong. He isn't the type who only knows how to charge in recklessly."

Shui Yue'er blinked. "Big Sister, if you fought him, could you win?"

Shui Bing'er fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"I don't know."

"His Soul Power is five levels lower than mine, but the quality of his spirit surpasses mine, and neither of his spirit skills is ordinary."

"That Phoenix Holy Light Blast is incredibly powerful. If it hit head-on, even I wouldn't be able to withstand it."

"The Phoenix Flame Slash has both cutting and burning effects, making it very difficult to defend against."

Shui Yue'er listened in a daze.

"Then... then doesn't that mean Big Sister could lose too?"

Shui Bing'er did not answer, but her silence was itself an answer.

"However..."

Shui Bing'er changed the subject.

"His weakness is also obvious."

"What weakness?"

Shui Yue'er asked curiously.

"His spirit skills are all offensive. He lacks defensive and control methods."

Shui Bing'er analyzed.

"If I can first use ice-type spirit skills to control him before his attack hits me, he won't have a chance to counterattack."

Shui Yue'er suddenly understood and nodded vigorously.

"Big Sister is right! Big Sister's Ice Phoenix Spirit is best at control!"

Shui Bing'er said nothing more. Her gaze returned to the ring, but the image of Zhao Tian unleashing Phoenix Holy Light Blast remained in her mind.

That dazzling beam of light had left a deep impression on her.

If possible, she did not want to face Zhao Tian in the competition.

But if they truly met, she would not back down either.

Blazing Fire Academy's exclusive viewing stand.

Huo Wushuang sat dejectedly in his chair, the burn marks left by Zhao Tian still visible on his body.

A large section of his left sleeve had been burned away, revealing a clear burn wound on his exposed arm.

Although the accompanying healing-type Soul Master had already treated it, the pain still twisted his expression somewhat.

"Big Brother, are you all right?"

A crisp voice sounded by his ear.

The speaker was a girl of around ten. She had short flame-red hair, delicate features, and brows that somewhat resembled Huo Wushuang's.

She was Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang's younger sister and Blazing Fire Academy's little princess. She was ten years old this year, a level twenty-one Soul Grandmaster, and her spirit was Fire Shadow.

"I'm fine."

Huo Wushuang shook his head and spoke through gritted teeth.

"That Zhao Tian... is indeed very strong."

Huo Wu frowned, her little face full of unwillingness.

"What is so strong about him? Wasn't he just lucky enough to hit Big Brother once?"

"If Big Brother had been more careful, Big Brother would definitely have won!"

Huo Wushuang gave a bitter smile and reached out to rub his sister's head.

"It wasn't luck."

"His speed really is inferior to mine, but his reactions and predictive ability are better than mine."

"I used Fire Leopard Assault twice in a row. He couldn't dodge the first time, but by the second, he could already predict my path."

"People like him are the hardest to deal with."

Huo Wu opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately closed it.

She knew her brother was telling the truth.

After all, she had also watched that match and seen the entire process, from Zhao Tian being struck the first time to perfectly evading the second.

That ability to learn and adapt was truly terrifying.

"However..."

Huo Wushuang changed the subject, a trace of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes.

"Losing this time doesn't mean I'll lose next time too."

"When I go back and train properly, I'll win it back sooner or later!"

Huo Wu nodded firmly. "Mm! Big Brother can definitely do it!"

Spirit Hall's exclusive viewing stand.

Hu Liena sat with her legs crossed, reclining sideways in her chair. Her golden ponytail glittered beneath the sunlight.

Xie Yue sat beside her with his arms folded, his expression blank.

Yan sat on the other side, holding a piece of roasted meat and stuffing it into his mouth in large bites.

"That Zhao Tian is rather interesting."

Hu Liena's lips curled slightly, a trace of interest flashing in her eyes.

"Six years old, level twenty-two, the Radiant Phoenix, and his combat awareness is not weak either."

"He's much more interesting than I imagined."

Xie Yue spoke flatly. "His spirit skills are powerful, but his level is too low to pose a threat to us."

"I know."

Hu Liena nodded.

"But if he gets a few more years to grow, that may not be the case."

"The Radiant Phoenix... that is a legendary spirit."

"As far as I know, this type of spirit has appeared fewer than five times in the history of the entire continent."

"Every time it appeared, it represented one of that era's strongest individuals."

Xie Yue fell silent for a moment, then said, "What do you want to do?"

"Nothing."

Hu Liena shrugged.

"Teacher said this competition is mainly for observation. Don't create unnecessary trouble."

"Besides..."

She paused, a smile flashing through her eyes.

"Isn't it quite interesting to watch him grow little by little?"

Xie Yue glanced at her and said nothing more.

Yan put down the roasted meat in his hand, wiped his mouth, and said in a muffled voice, "I want to fight him and see whether his Radiant Phoenix is stronger, or my Flame Lord is stronger."

"You?"

Hu Liena shot him a glance and snorted.

"You already have four spirit rings, while he only has two. Even if you win, it won't be honorable."

"Besides, whether he can even make it to the day he faces us is still uncertain."

"Yu Tianheng, Feng Xiaotian, and Shui Bing'er ahead of him—none of them are easy opponents."

Yan scratched his head and muttered, "True."

Hu Liena withdrew her gaze and looked back toward the ring, a profound light flashing in her purple eyes.

Zhao Tian, the Radiant Phoenix...

I hope you don't disappoint me.