Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Chu Yunhe secured a crucial point, meaning that Shenwu Academy was now invincible in the first round.

Even if Li Yuan's team loses, Shenwu can still secure first place based on their points advantage.

At this moment, the East Arena had transformed into a world of ice crystals, with countless ice crystal flowers compressing the space around Li Yuan to its limit.

His blue robes were covered in frost, and his movements became sluggish, as if he might be devoured by those beautiful yet deadly flowers at any moment.

The odds for the betting game offstage have changed to Li Yuan to 1.5 and Leng Ning Shuang to 1.1.

It's clear that more people are optimistic about the cold cream.

But Li Yuan on the arena had increasingly bright eyes. He had gradually figured out the trajectory of Frost Burial. Although the overwhelming ice crystal flowers were terrifying, maintaining such a large-scale spell required an astonishing amount of mana.

Leng Ningshuang had only just entered the Breaking Illusion Realm, and her magical power could not be inexhaustible.

He was waiting, waiting for the right opportunity, a chance to ignore the difference in cultivation levels, to break through the enemy lines from a single point, and to turn the tide of the battle.

Li Yuan struggled to maneuver through the cracks in the ice crystals, enduring repeated erosion from the cold air. Countless tiny wounds had appeared on his body, and the seeping blood froze into beads, making him look quite horrifying.

He pushed his spiritual sense to its limit, locking onto the energy fluctuations around Leng Ningshuang.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

Right now.

Just as Leng Ningshuang was manipulating the core formation, attacking Li Yuan from several directions simultaneously to form a deadly encirclement, the fluctuations of her magical power also showed a slight stagnation.

A burst of golden light flashed in Li Yuan's eyes!

Instead of retreating, he charged towards the center of the formation, crashing into the dead end. The bronze palace hummed slightly, pouring all its accumulated power into its palm.

"Shattering Void Finger!"

With a low growl, Li Yuan's fingertips emitted golden rays of light, striking precisely the weakest point of the formation.

"Pop—"

A soft sound, as if a bubble had been popped.

The massive and magnificent ice crystal array trembled slightly, and its intricate internal structure quickly began to break down, with the crystals clashing and annihilating each other!

The ice crystals on the arena began to melt rapidly. In the blink of an eye, the massive formation collapsed, leaving only ice shards scattered on the ground.

Li Yuan's figure did not stop; he suddenly accelerated and rushed straight towards Leng Ning Shuang.

Such close proximity is almost fatal for cultivators skilled in magic.

The audience was stunned. The change was so sudden that they couldn't react for a moment.

For the first time, a slight ripple appeared on Leng Ningshuang's perpetually cold and aloof face.

She looked at Li Yuan knowingly, as if she had already known this outcome.

Li Yuan's fingertips suddenly stopped in front of her brow, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

The arena was deathly silent.

After a brief moment of stillness, Leng Ningshuang parted her lips slightly, and her clear, cold voice rang out calmly.

"I lost."

The three words, as crisp and clear as ice beads falling onto a jade plate, are frank and straightforward.

Amidst the melting ice crystals, a faint trace of demonic energy vanished in an instant, causing Li Yuan to pause in surprise. But he had no time to ponder it further.

He slowly withdrew his hand, the light at his fingertips completely fading. He took a step back and bowed to Leng Ning Shuang with clasped hands, saying, "You flatter me. Miss Leng's magic is profound. I admire you."

These were not mere polite words. If his spiritual awareness had not far surpassed that of others of the same level, and if he had not relied on the abundant true energy brought by the bronze palace, he would have had no chance of winning.

Leng Ningshuang's magical skills and understanding of formations are indeed far beyond those of her peers.

At this moment, Leng Ning Shuang's eyes regained their usual calm and cold expression, and she simply said, "I underestimated you."

She gave Li Yuan a meaningful look. "There seems to be something else about you... interesting."

Having said that, she said no more, nodded slightly to the referee, and then turned and gracefully descended the mountain.

Only then did the referee recover from his shock and loudly announce, "East Arena, Li Yuan of Shenwu Academy wins!"

"Splash—!"

A thunderous roar of cheers erupted from all around the Tianyan Stage.

"He won! Li Yuan actually defeated Leng Ning Shuang, a cultivator at the Breaking Illusion Realm!"

"My God! How did he do that?"

"Too fast! I didn't even see it clearly."

"Level nine talent! Truly terrifying!"

"Divine Martial Academy! Mighty!"

In the Shenwu Academy's preparation area, Yu Ling'er jumped up excitedly, grabbing Ji Fanghua's arm and shaking it vigorously: "We won! We won!"

Ji Fanghua felt a little dizzy from being shaken, but she didn't push her away. A faint smile appeared on her pale face.

Chu Yunhe crossed his arms and looked at Li Yuan who was walking over. Their eyes met, and the two smiled at the same time, extending their palms.

"Snapped!"

The crisp sound of clapping rang out, a testament to the boys' most fervent emotions.

In contrast to the enthusiastic atmosphere at Shenwu Academy, the teachers and students of the other three academies had different expressions.

Zhao Lingyun from Tian Ce Academy looked grim. They had come in last place this time, scoring only two points, and were naturally unwilling to accept it.

Wanxiang Academy scored three points. Wen Ruoxu and several team members kept whispering to each other, glancing at Li Yuan from time to time.

Meanwhile, Taixu Academy remained silent, with only the teacher leading the group glancing at Li Yuan thoughtfully.

Soon, the academy announced that Shenwu Academy had accumulated five points, ranking first, and the audience erupted in thunderous cheers once again.

……

That evening, the Shenwu Academy hosted a banquet at the Lanxing Tower, both to celebrate the completion of the first trial and to provide an opportunity for disciples from the four academies to interact.

Li Yuan's outstanding performance in defeating a strong opponent naturally made him the focus of the entire event, with people constantly coming up to toast and congratulate him, their words containing subtle probing.

He discovered that Leng Ningshuang from Taixu Academy did not attend the banquet; instead, a gentle and elegant middle-aged female instructor came to Li Yuan to offer her congratulations.

"Junior Nephew Li is indeed a prodigy. Ning Shuang came back and said she was completely convinced of her defeat. At such a young age, she can fight against opponents of higher levels. Her future achievements are limitless."

Li Yuan casually offered a few humble words, but he didn't believe Leng Ningshuang would say such a thing. Given her icy nature, she probably wouldn't say anything at all.

Midway through the banquet, Li Yuan, already slightly tipsy, excused himself and went to the outer corridor to get some fresh air.

The night breeze was slightly cool, and he couldn't help but recall the faint demonic aura he had sensed on the arena during the day. Although it was so faint as to be almost imperceptible, he knew that it was definitely not his illusion.

The bronze palace also trembled, so it was clear that it could not have misjudged the situation.

Thinking of Leng Ningshuang's aloof and ethereal temperament, it was impossible to associate her with demonic aura. Was there something wrong with the magic she cultivated, or... was there another secret about Leng Ningshuang?

"What are you thinking about?" Liu Hongyan's voice sounded from behind. She had also come out at some point, leaning against the railing and looking up at the bright moon outside.

"Instructor Liu," Li Yuan bowed.

"No need for such formalities," Liu Hongyan smiled. "Leng Ning Shuang is quite capable, and your victory this time certainly had an element of luck involved."

Li Yuan nodded and listened attentively.

"Leng Ningshuang is indeed a cultivation prodigy. Her understanding and application of techniques far surpasses that of her peers. Frost Burial is a high-level technique secretly passed down by Taixu Academy, combining offense and defense. However, it is a pity that her cultivation level is still too low to sustain her."

"But after this defeat, she will surely reflect on it and will be more prepared if she fights again," Liu Hongyan calmly analyzed.