The victor was decided! The final prize of the first round! (Bonus chapter for monthly votes)

At that moment, the two stood locked in place like statues, each pouring spiritual power in with all his might.

High above them, even the great cultivators who ordinarily would not change expression if Mount Tai collapsed before their eyes could no longer sit still.

"What?!"

Lu He, the usually composed deputy dean, could not help crying out in shock. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on the two figures below.

He could see that, although this was only the first round, both Ji Li and Chu Bai had already exhausted their tricks and were fighting with everything they had after that intense melee.

Ji Li's strength was beyond dispute. His Magnetic Spirit Power was unmatched in its dominance, and the sight of him walking through the air had dazzled everyone.

Yet even against him, the young man named Chu Bai was not giving an inch!

True, Chu Bai had entered the fray a little later and had a slight advantage in remaining spiritual power. But who was his opponent?

It was Ji Li!

The Prodigy of the foremost Aristocratic Clan in Great Plains Prefecture, who had held the top spot among third-years for years—a lonely, undefeated figure among his peers!

Even when Lü Qing and Wu Jianfei had joined forces against him, they had failed to drive him into truly desperate straits. He had turned the tables and suppressed them instead.

But now, under this young man's relentless assault, Ji Li had been left bleeding at the mouth, his headpiece askew, looking almost bedraggled?

And the one responsible was the seemingly unremarkable Chu Bai?

Even the dean, who had remained as unruffled as an ancient well, as though his mind were wandering elsewhere, showed a rare trace of surprise on his aged yet imposing face.

He turned his