Seraphine stood there, perfectly calm as she surveyed her surroundings.

  She gave her hand a slight, casual lift.

  Whoosh!

  The collection box suddenly trembled as a tightly folded slip of paper shot out. It sliced through a hundred meters of air like a bullet, landing right into her waiting palm.

  Shock!

  Total astonishment!

  The four other Evershield Body masters, along with hundreds of martial artists in the arena, were frozen in place.

  "What kind of martial arts is that?"

  A strong fighter standing nearby widened his eyes, his voice trailing off into a blank stare.

  "I have no idea. I’ve never seen anything like it," the man beside him replied, his face pale with shock.

  "Hiss... look at that move. It feels like Xelorian Sword Control, doesn't it?"

  Many in the crowd whispered that this might be a Daoist technique, something similar to controlling a flying sword through the air.

  Only Xelorian himself knew better.

  It wasn't.

  'I have spent over a decade merging my own soul with my sect's inherited blade. I endured endless hardships just to move a sword with my thoughts, and I still have to chant and burn incense every day to maintain that link.'

  Xelorian frowned, a sense of bitterness rising in his heart.

  'This Seraphine... how can she move objects from a distance with a mere wave of her hand? Can the myths about object-controlling spells actually be real?'

  Seraphine had no idea that her small, effortless action had left the entire audience in disbelief.

  To be fair, you couldn't blame these martial artists for being narrow-minded.

  Before the Ether was fully restored, the Earth was still a world bound by cold, material reality.

  Even though these powerful martial artists existed.

  No matter how strong they were, they couldn't just fire Sword Qi at people from a distance.

  Those rare Daoist techniques and secret arts usually only affected a person's soul.

  They couldn't do what people saw in movies—summoning tornadoes, calling down lightning, or throwing fireballs and ice waves.

  They certainly couldn't manipulate matter at will.

  Even a powerhouse like Xelorian, who practiced the Palm-Heart Lightning technique.

  He had to cultivate it by absorbing low-pressure currents from modern scientific tools.

  The entire process was incredibly dangerous.

  After all, humans are carbon-based life forms; there is no natural way to truly control raw electricity.

  So, seeing Seraphine display telekinetic powers multiple times.

  It completely shattered everything these martial artists thought they knew.

  Of course, not everyone was in the dark.

  "Hmm..."

  Vale frowned slightly and muttered, 'This feels a lot like the legendary superpowers.'

  Dreadlance came from the common folk.

  He wasn't like the other Evershield Body masters who lived comfortable lives in major sects.

  Over the years, he had rubbed shoulders with people from all walks of life.

  His knowledge was much broader than that of the average fighter.

  Leaving aside the confusion of the crowd, the other Evershield Body masters had finished drawing their lots.

  The final matchups were:

  Seraphine vs. Veritas.

  Caelus vs. Vale.

  Xelorian drew a bye.

  With that, the Evershield Body confrontation officially began.

  Except for Seraphine and Veritas, the other three masters slowly backed away.

  In the distant stands, Kael’s eyebrows twitched. He turned to a long-haired, elegant young man sitting next to him and asked:

  "Hey, bro, is this old monk actually that formidable? I’ve never even heard of him."

  The young man gave a gentle smile and spoke slowly:

  "Abbot Veritas is a monk, after all. He’s always been low-key and humble. Outside of the Martial Arts Convention, he rarely makes a move.

  "From what I know, the Abbot is a master of Buddhist Mental arts and various strike techniques.

  "He’s pushed them all to the very peak. He is a true, ultimate expert."

  "Ah~"

  Kael nodded, whispering with a bit of regret, "Mental techniques, huh? I guess there's no way for me to steal and learn that stuff."

  "What was that?" the young man asked, not quite catching the words.

  Kael quickly waved his hand and gave an awkward laugh:

  "Nothing, nothing. Hey, who do you think is going to win? I’m putting my money on the Ninth Princess. What about you?"

  "Hmm... I’m not sure."

  The long-haired man stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Evershield Body is the ultimate peak of martial arts. Even if the Ninth Princess has all these terrifying arcane arts, I don't think she can defeat Abbot Veritas in under a hundred moves. It just doesn't seem likely."

  "I see." Kael nodded and then asked, "You seem to know a lot, don't you?"

  The young man smiled, pulled a business card from his pocket, and handed it over.

  Kael looked at the card.

  It read:

  《Wordly Prodigy List》 Chief Editor: Alban Sage.

  "The Wordly Prodigy List?!"

  Kael was surprised as he looked back at Alban.

  "Isn't that the most famous publication in the whole martial arts world? And you’re the chief editor!"

  Alban waved his hand modestly. "It’s nothing, really."

  Despite his words, he looked quite pleased with himself.

  Then, Alban pointed toward the arena and smiled. "I actually came here with my master."

  "Wait, your master is him?" Kael followed his finger.

  It was pointing right at Dreadlance Vale.

  Kael couldn't help but mutter, "That’s wild. You two don't exactly look like you come from the same world."

  "Hahaha!" Alban laughed. "My master has always been a free spirit. He hates fame and money.

  "He is a pure martial arts fanatic. He doesn't have that 'greedy businessman' vibe that I do.

  "So yeah, our styles are definitely a bit different."

  While the two were chatting, most people in the arena felt the same way Alban did.

  Even though Seraphine had killed Baek Tyranhold in one move yesterday.

  Everyone assumed it was because Baek was careless and Seraphine had caught him by surprise.

  Now.

  In a formal duel, there was no way Seraphine could just use that lightning move again.

  She would be forced into a brutal, close-quarters fight with Abbot Veritas.

  In a real fight, anything could happen.

  The crowd was whispering:

  "This is going to be a fierce battle!"

  Back on the arena stage.

  "Amitabha."

  Abbot Veritas slowly pressed his palms together and chanted.

  He looked at Seraphine, who stood across from him with her hands behind her back, and said gently:

  "Ninth Highness, let us begin."

  "Alright." Seraphine gave a faint nod.

  She immediately took an unconventional stance.

  This stance looked sturdy, but it wasn't considered top-tier for gathering force or speed.

  Strictly speaking, this was the posture a master would use to teach a student.

  It was condescending.

  Under normal circumstances, no martial artist would ever use such a stance during a duel.

  Unless they were extremely confident in their own strength.

  Xelorian, seated in a corner of the auditorium, frowned and gave a cold laugh.

  'Truly an arrogant little girl!'

  He didn't believe Abbot Veritas would miss the insult.

  As expected.

  On the arena, Abbot Veritas saw Seraphine's posture.

  Even though he was a monk and his mind was usually calm, he couldn't help but feel a ripple of anger.

  'As expected of noble birth. Even though the Imperial Family is in decline, she is still so arrogant.'

  Abbot Veritas's long eyebrows fluttered as if caught in a wind.

  'Very well, let this old monk teach you a lesson, young one.'

  The old monk shook his head, his heavy eyelids snapped open, and a sharp light burst from his pupils.

  He raised his dry, wrinkled hands.

  In an instant, he formed over a dozen hand seals, finally shaping them into a lotus flower.

  "Pure wisdom and truth, Great Sahā!"

  Buzz ~

  A colossal Mental Power suddenly emerged.

  Amidst the fluctuations, it struck like lightning toward Seraphine, who stood quietly in the distance.

  This move was Abbot Veritas's famous ultimate technique—Prajna Mantra.

  Stolen story; please report.

  If an ordinary martial artist endured this attack, they would faint in an instant, losing all control.

  Even other Evershield Bodies, if caught unprepared, would freeze for a split second.

  For top-tier experts.

  Even a momentary lapse in a life-and-death battle would lead to the grave.

  However, for Seraphine.

  This tragically weak Mental Power was simply amusing.

  Especially the contemptuous thought hidden within it, which made Seraphine chuckle.

  She didn't even bother to block it, allowing the Prajna Mantra to strike her mind.

  Seraphine shook her head slightly.

  "Haha, did you think I'm arrogant? You want to teach me a lesson?"

  If her calculations were right.

  Abbot Veritas's hundred years of arduous cultivation, when converted to her soul attributes.

  Was likely only in the double digits.

  Tiny.

  Very tiny.

  Too tiny.

  In Veritas's view.

  The arrogant princess must now be mentally paralyzed and unable to resist.

  He made his move.

  "Respecting your opponent is the core principle of martial arts."

  The old monk stomped his foot, shattering the rock beneath him. His figure blurred as he crossed several tens of meters, appearing right in front of Seraphine.

  He spread his five fingers, his dry palm suddenly turning red and swollen.

  His Vitality had been pushed to the absolute limit.

  "Arhat's Handprint!"

  With a soft shout, Veritas unleashed a palm like a demon-subduing pestle, striking toward Seraphine's chest.

  But at that moment.

  Bang!!!

  A clear sound echoed in his ears, causing a painful buzzing in his head.

  His charging body instantly stiffened.

  In a trance.

  The relaxed posture of Seraphine suddenly burst with light, transforming into a War God with glaring eyes.

  Wielding a Halberd of Heaven, she charged at him with supreme authority.

  As if he were merely a minor demon.

  Heavenly might rumbled down.

  Wishing to suppress Abbot Veritas into eternal damnation.

  Outside the arena.

  The martial artists watching the battle saw a completely different scene.

  In their eyes.

  The ordinary Seraphine suddenly radiated an immense aura.

  It covered the entire arena.

  This aura.

  Like an Immortal, like a Buddha, utterly sacred.

  It shocked their minds, making them lose control of themselves.

  Immediately after, Seraphine placed her right hand behind her back.

  The immense aura disappeared.

  No.

  It didn't disappear.

  It was miraculously gathered within her left index finger.

  That finger pointed straight at Abbot Veritas.

  Bang!

  Seraphine pointed with one finger.

  Hitting the exact center of the old monk's right palm.

  In an instant, he was 'sealed' in place, unable to move.

  Veritas stood there stunned, his entire body stiff.

  He felt a fierce, domineering Mental Power breaking into his body.

  It pierced through his Vitality layer by layer, turning his internal energy into a tangled mess. It surged everywhere, causing extreme discomfort.

  It even flowed back into his mind, leaving him unable to think.

  After a moment.

  Veritas finally recovered.

  He suddenly realized he had fallen to the ground.

  The pain in his tendons and bones was unbearable, his Vitality was chaotic, and even his soul was injured, making his head spin.

  Veritas looked up in shock: "You... how is this possible?!"

  The old monk could not accept that he was defeated in one move.

  He wasn't the only one.

  Vale, Caelus, and Xelorian—the three Evershield Bodies—all had expressions of disbelief.

  Even the hundreds of martial artists watching were wide-eyed, their mouths agape, utterly shocked.

  A few seconds later, the crowd of martial artists erupted in a total clamor.

  The entire arena was filled with intense, deafening roars.

  "I'm speechless!"

  "Is this a dream?!"

  "How can it be settled in just one move!"

  "Even an Evershield Body grandmaster is instantly defeated!"

  "She is only twenty years old!"

  "Could the Ninth Highness truly be the number one in the world?!"

  The frantic discussions were endless.

  Everyone was talking at once, trying to process their raw shock.

  "Didn't you say it would be a long fight? Look at that! Look! Hahahaha!"

  Kael slapped Alban on the back, laughing wildly, as if he were the one who had crushed Veritas.

  Alban looked like he was doubting reality itself.

  He kept shaking his head and sighing: "Don't ask me. I don't know anything anymore."

  Sitting in the top tier of the stands, Xelorian's face was pale. He felt an immense pressure like a mountain crushing down on him.

  His heart roared with fury:

  'How can she be this strong?!'

  'This thief! This bandit!'

  'The bandit who stole my sect's cultivation method!'

  As early as midnight yesterday, he had received news of Chester and Victor's deaths, along with every grim detail.

  Xelorian was certain it was Seraphine's doing.

  As for how she had extracted the cultivation method from Chester in a single day and refined it to such a formidable level, he couldn't begin to understand it.

  But he was sure of one thing: the Ninth Princess had stolen their secret arts through despicable means.

  Remembering how Abbot Veritas’s mental secret arts had just failed completely, Xelorian gnashed his teeth and whispered: "I must go all out!"

  Ignoring the crowd’s chaos, Seraphine remained calm. She walked leisurely toward Veritas with her hands clasped behind her back and said with a slight smile:

  "Old man, you seem to have misunderstood something."

  Veritas’s beard trembled as he struggled to stand. He muttered in a low voice:

  "This humble monk... This humble monk..."

  Seraphine smiled and continued:

  "You always thought I was arrogant?"

  "You are wrong. It's not that I am arrogant—it is you who are arrogant!"

  She said no more and turned to leave.

  Veritas’s pupils shook as he heavily bowed his bald head in defeat.

  This battle was a total victory for Seraphine!

  Time passed quickly.

  Vale and Caelus were now standing in the arena.

  After a few brief words, they began their duel.

  For a moment, the arena was filled with the roar of the wind and constant air explosions.

  In the stands, Seraphine didn't mind having too much martial arts knowledge.

  She focused intently on their battle.

  Vale’s spear technique was grand and unrestrained, yet it held a gloomy, ghost-like aura.

  He stabbed his spear from unimaginable angles, making the air burst with ghostly screams.

  Caelus’s movements were even grander, highlighting his elegant demeanor.

  The old man’s figure flickered through time, manifesting several illusions that were hard to tell from the real body.

  Combined with the sharp force from his sleeves, he besieged a flustered Vale.

  Watching from a distance, Seraphine’s eyes flashed with bright light.

  《Dark Dreadlance Art》, 《Nether Echo Art》, 《Crane Leaping Step》, 《Seven Steps to Star-Gazing》, 《Spirit Shift》, 《Vast True Energy Art》...

  The various martial arts they displayed were continuously learned and integrated into her own system.

  Finally, Caelus moved one step ahead, breaking Vale’s sternum and winning the match.

  However, Caelus also took some minor injuries. He was panting and coughing up blood, staggering with every step.

  "Your Highness, there's no need for us to fight."

  Caelus’s face was pale. He coughed as he waved his hand toward Seraphine from afar. "Even someone as strong as Veritas was defeated by you in one move. My current state is poor. Never mind."

  "If there is a chance in the future, I will find Your Highness to spar."

  Seraphine smiled: "Alright."

  With this, the next match would be the final showdown between Seraphine and Xelorian.

  The match that would decide the number one martial artist in Emberlight.

  The crowd suddenly went silent as they realized this.

  Every head turned toward Xelorian.

  He maintained a nonchalant look, but the aura around him became noticeably colder.

  His heart was clearly not as calm as he pretended.

  The crowd sighed:

  "This battle will shake the entire world."

  In the auditorium, Caelus narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard. He said leisurely:

  "The Ninth Highness... she has likely already stepped onto the path forward in martial arts."

  "What did you say?!"

  Vale, hearing this, was stunned. He turned his head sharply toward Seraphine, who sat upright in the distance.

  Considering his old friend's words, he realized it was possible.

  Veritas had been an Evershield Body master for years.

  No matter how strong another master in the same realm was, defeating him in one strike was nearly impossible.

  Unless... she had found the path forward!

  On the other side, Xelorian’s eyes flickered with a deep light. His figure suddenly blurred, and in an instant, he leaped onto the arena.

  Next, he raised his head and shouted coldly toward Seraphine in the high seats:

  "Before our battle begins, this humble Daoist has a question. I wonder if Your Highness can clarify it?"

  "Ah."

  Seraphine’s eyebrows slightly raised. "Daoist, what doubts do you have?"

  "My doubt is..."

  Xelorian suddenly put on a stern face and shrieked, "Where did you secretly learn my sect's 《Primordial Ether Unification Art》!"

  Whoa—

  Upon hearing the old Daoist’s words, the hundreds of martial artists present all stirred.

  Primordial Ether Unification Art?

  Most people in the Emberlight martial arts world had heard of this cultivation method.

  It is said that this art was passed down from ancient times. It is difficult to master, and its power is vast and unfathomable.

  They also knew that this ancient method is the supreme peerless art of the Heavenreach Sect, the organization behind Xelorian.

  But now, Xelorian suddenly claimed that the Ninth Princess Seraphine had secretly learned it.

  This is a major taboo.

  According to martial arts rules, those who violate this taboo are crippled at best. At worst, they are killed.

  However, if an Evershield Body truly committed such a taboo, who would have the power to punish them?

  Rules are set by the strong, and the blade always strikes the weak.

  The expressions of the martial artists were uncertain, their gazes wandering back and forth between the two.

  Alas, let's just watch the show.

  Having made up their minds, the crowd quieted down.

  Their gazes toward Seraphine began to carry scrutiny and suspicion, as well as awe and envy.

  These complex emotions converged upon Seraphine alone. The atmosphere of the entire arena became heavy.

  Youngsters like Kael even shrunk their necks, not daring to speak. He, too, had secretly learned martial arts before.

  The younger one is, the more they want to prove themselves, and the more they fear being scrutinized by others. This has nothing to do with strength; it is purely human nature.

  But this was Seraphine.

  How could she care about the thoughts of others?

  "Hahahahahaha!"

  Suddenly, Seraphine looked up and laughed loudly, completely disregarding the gazes of the crowd. She looked down at the serious Xelorian and mocked:

  "I say, old man, so that's why your eyes were darting around just now."

  Her smile remained unchanged as she continued:

  "It's true. I have learned your Heavenreach Sect’s Primordial Ether. What do you want to do about it?"

  "But I must clarify, this wasn't secretly learned."

  Seraphine raised her eyebrows with amusement. "You probably don't know yet, old man. Primordial Ether was personally 'taught' to me by your excellent disciple, Chester."

  Xelorian’s white eyebrows twitched as he suppressed his anger. "What nonsense are you talking about!"

  He sneered. "This art is extremely complex. Without the guidance of my Heavenreach Sect elders, even Chester himself wouldn't have the ability to teach it.

  Furthermore, observing your mastery over the past two days, this isn't something achieved in a few years. If you didn't cultivate it wholeheartedly, how could you reach your current realm!

  You little thief must have stolen this art a long time ago!"

  "Wholeheartedly... Ah."

  Seraphine laughed and spread her hands helplessly. "So, this is the difference between an idiot and a genius."

  Xelorian was stunned. "Hmm? What do you mean?"

  Seraphine said indifferently: "Old man, I don't know what your talent is like, but for me, the myriad martial arts of the world... I learn as soon as I see them!"

  Boom!!

  It was as if a bomb had dropped on the scene.

  Xelorian’s eyes widened, too shocked to speak. Many martial artists were also shaken.

  Myriad martial arts... Learned as soon as she sees them...

  What kind of arrogant talk was this?! Is she a Martial God reincarnated?!

  Kael, far away, was even more shaken. He never thought another person in this world possessed... No! Even more terrifying talent than himself.

  Even he couldn't learn a profound Vital Energy method just by looking at it twice.

  Kael muttered: "Indeed, there is a difference between people."

  Alban, beside him, shook his head in denial.

  "Impossible. There cannot be such a monster in the world! It goes against common sense!"

  Kael nodded quickly. "Yes, you are right."

  Before everyone could process their shock, Seraphine spoke again:

  "That day, your two disciples were disrespectful to me, so I killed them.

  As for this Primordial Ether Unification Art, it's too simple. I only watched that Chester for one minute, and I learned it completely. You really can't blame me."

  "Humph! Utter nonsense!!"

  Xelorian suppressed his shock and rebuked her coldly:

  "You must have used some despicable trick to steal my sect's art. Today, no matter who comes, it is useless. Even if you are a princess, you must die!!"

  He suddenly made a hand seal and released a streak of purple lightning and wild thunder toward Seraphine.

  Crackling! Boom!

  Surging lightning enveloped Seraphine. Rampant electric currents ravaged an area of several tens of meters, charring the auditorium.

  The arena and seats were blasted into dust.

  A few martial artists who were too close were caught in the attack, turning into charcoal and exploding on the spot.

  Others nearby trembled and jumped away in a panic. Though not dead, they were electrocuted and charred, their bodies shaking uncontrollably.

  This was not over.

  Xelorian released four or five more lightning strikes. The area where Seraphine stood exploded repeatedly, sending debris flying in all directions.

  "Even an Evershield Body is still a mortal body. Enduring six Palm-Heart Lightning strikes with no defense... she should be dead by now!"

  Xelorian sneered. "After all, even I wouldn't be able to withstand that."