As the arena buzzed with excitement from the male semi-finals, Elder Pan stepped forward to address the crowd. "Disciples, the time has come to begin the female bracket of the tournament. We have many talented female disciples who have trained diligently for this moment."
Before he could continue, May, the granddaughter of the current sect leader, stepped forward. Her presence commanded attention, and the crowd fell silent in anticipation of her words.
"Elder Pan, if I may," May began, her voice clear and confident. "I propose a different approach for the female bracket. Instead of the usual matches, I will stand as the defender. Any disciple who believes they can defeat me may step forward and challenge me. If they succeed, they will take my place."
The crowd murmured in surprise at May's bold declaration. Elder Pan considered her proposal, then nodded. "Very well, May. Your challenge is accepted. Let us see who among the female disciples has the courage and skill to face you."
May moved to the center of the arena, her stance calm and poised. The female disciples hesitated, knowing May's formidable reputation. She was a prodigy, renowned for her skills and her lineage.
Nova's Bold Move
In the midst of the hesitation, Nova stepped forward. Her eyes were determined, and she carried a bag filled with her own creations. This was her chance to prove herself and showcase her talents in alchemy and combat.
"I'll challenge you, May," Nova declared, her voice steady.
The crowd turned to look at Nova, a mix of curiosity and skepticism in their eyes. They knew she was skilled in alchemy, but could she truly match May in combat?
Nova reached into her bag and pulled out three staff weapons, each imbued with different elemental qi. She had crafted these artifacts herself, and now was the time to test them in battle.
Nova's Artifacts
Blazing Inferno Staff: This staff was imbued with fire qi, and upon impact, it could create an explosion of fire that would engulf both the target and the user. The intense flames could cause significant damage, but the staff's power was limited to three explosive strikes due to Nova's current level of alchemical skill.
Thunderclap Staff: This staff harnessed the power of thunder qi. When struck against an opponent, it unleashed a thunderous explosion, capable of stunning and injuring both the target and the wielder. Like the Blazing Inferno Staff, it could only be used for three explosive attacks.
Whirlwind Staff: Infused with wind qi, this staff generated a violent burst of wind upon impact, creating an explosion that could knock both the opponent and the user off their feet. Its usage was also limited to three explosive strikes.
Elder Yang, observing from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Impressive," he murmured to himself. "To create such artifacts at her level... this Nova is quite talented."
The Battle Begins
May watched Nova with interest, recognizing the determination in her eyes. "Very well, Nova. Show me what you can do."
Nova grasped the Blazing Inferno Staff, feeling the fire qi coursing through it. She knew the risks involved in using these artifacts, but she was ready to face them.
The referee signaled the start of the match, and Nova charged forward, her staff glowing with fiery energy. She swung it towards May, aiming for a decisive strike.
May dodged the initial attack, her movements fluid and precise. She countered with a swift palm strike, but Nova was ready. She brought the staff down, creating a fiery explosion that forced May to leap back.
The crowd gasped at the intensity of the blast, and Elder Yang leaned forward, intrigued by the artifact's power. "Such explosive force... she must have spent a great deal of effort crafting these."
May regained her footing, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Nova's strategy. "Impressive, but you'll need more than that to defeat me."
Nova switched to the Thunderclap Staff, its thunder qi crackling with energy. She swung it towards May, creating a thunderous explosion that sent shockwaves through the arena. May managed to evade the full brunt of the attack, but the force of the explosion made her stagger.
"You've got some impressive artifacts, Nova," May acknowledged, a hint of respect in her voice. "But let's see how you handle this."
May unleashed a series of rapid strikes, her movements too fast for the eye to follow. Nova struggled to keep up, the intensity of the battle pushing her to her limits. She activated the final artifact, the Whirlwind Staff, and swung it with all her might.
The resulting explosion of wind knocked both fighters off their feet, sending them sprawling across the arena. The crowd watched in stunned silence, unsure of who would rise victorious.
A Test of Endurance
Both Nova and May slowly got to their feet, their breaths heavy and their bodies battered. Nova's artifacts had been powerful, but they had taken a toll on her as well. May, though impressed, showed no signs of backing down.
"You've done well, Nova," May said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "But this fight isn't over yet."
Nova, her energy nearly depleted, nodded in agreement. "I know. And I won't give up."
The two fighters squared off once more, each determined to prove their worth. The outcome of this intense battle remained uncertain, and the crowd watched with bated breath, eager to see who would emerge victorious.