Lightning erupted without warning, sweeping across and filling the entire arena in the blink of an eye. Blinding bolts spread overhead and across the earth, their crushing pressure bearing down in every direction.
Mu Xiaoqing's expression sharpened. Her fingers rapidly formed seals as incantations tumbled urgently from her lips. Spiritual power surged, and a protective barrier abruptly unfurled around her. Layers upon layers of spiritual light stacked across its surface, desperately resisting the violent pressure of the thunderbolts.
In an instant, two vast forces of spiritual power crashed into a deadlock. Thunder blazed fiercely while spiritual light condensed solidly, each claiming half the arena.
Their razor-sharp auras clashed without yielding, and even the air trembled endlessly as it was torn between the two powers.
Intense light roiled across the sky. The people below were blinded, raising their hands to shield their eyes as they held their breath and dared not make a sound.
Only after the dazzling spiritual light slowly faded and the violent aura gradually subsided did everyone abruptly open their eyes and see the scene upon the arena.
Mu Xiaoqing had already exhausted her strength. She lay limp beneath the platform, her clothes disheveled and her breathing chaotic.
Jiang Wenxu was also down on one knee at the center of the arena. His shoulders rose and fell slightly, a thin sheen of sweat covering his brow. He had expended an enormous amount of spiritual power.
Boom—
The entire venue fell silent for a moment before erupting into an uproar.
The two had actually been so evenly matched that they fought until both were badly injured. Yet Jiang Wenxu had still edged her out by a fraction and claimed victory in this duel.
A voice rang out from the stage. "Jiang Wenxu—victory!"
As soon as the words fell, You