The Frost Moon Sect was alive with excitement. The final day of the sect competition had dawned, and all eyes were on the arena. The tension in the air was thick, filled with the anticipation of the final match—a showdown between the cold and enigmatic Lin Xue and the fiery and arrogant Xu Tian. The arena was packed, not just with outer sect disciples but with inner sect members, elders, and even a few honored guests from neighboring sects. This was no ordinary battle.
The stakes were high: promotion to the inner sect and an invitation to the upcoming expedition into the Mystic Realm. For most, this was the pinnacle of their ambition. For Lin Xue, it was merely another step toward her ultimate goal—absolute strength.
She stood at the edge of the arena, her ice-blue eyes scanning the crowd with disinterest. Her silver-white robes fluttered gently in the cold breeze, the ethereal aura around her making her seem almost otherworldly. Her beauty was undeniable, yet it was a cold, distant beauty, as if she were carved from the ice that she commanded. Disciples whispered as they passed her, admiration mixing with fear. Lin Xue, the disciple who defeated every opponent with terrifying ease, had no equal.
Yet Xu Tian, standing on the opposite side of the arena, radiated confidence. His fiery aura clashed with the cold atmosphere, a stark contrast to Lin Xue's icy calm. Clad in crimson robes, his sharp features and piercing gaze were framed by his flowing black hair, and he cut an imposing figure. His confidence was palpable, born from years of success and adoration. He had never faced defeat, and he had no intention of starting today.
The elders called for silence as the Grand Elder rose from his seat, his voice booming across the arena. "The final match will now begin. Lin Xue versus Xu Tian. The victor will ascend to the inner sect and earn the right to participate in the Mystic Realm expedition."
Xu Tian stepped forward, his fiery Qi surging around him in waves, heating the air with every step. "Lin Xue," he said, his voice carrying across the arena. "You've proven yourself stronger than I expected. But today, you'll learn that I am the one destined for greatness. Yield now, and perhaps I'll let you join my ranks."
His offer was laced with arrogance, his gaze lingering on Lin Xue as if she were another conquest. The crowd murmured, their eyes shifting between the two combatants.
Lin Xue's expression remained impassive. She stepped into the center of the arena, her movements graceful and deliberate. The air around her grew colder, and the ground beneath her feet began to frost over. She raised her head slightly, meeting Xu Tian's gaze with a look so cold it could freeze fire. "I walk my own path," she said softly, her voice carrying an icy edge. "I have no interest in following anyone."
Her refusal struck like a slap, but Xu Tian merely smirked. "Then I'll have to break that arrogance of yours."
The elder raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. Xu Tian wasted no time. With a roar, he unleashed a torrent of flames, the heat of his attack overwhelming as it surged toward Lin Xue like a tidal wave. The flames twisted and coiled, threatening to engulf her.
But Lin Xue stood unmoved. She raised her hand, and the temperature in the arena plummeted. Ice formed around her, swirling like a blizzard, and as Xu Tian's flames reached her, they were instantly frozen, their furious heat turned into brittle shards of ice that shattered at her feet.
Xu Tian's eyes widened in shock, but he recovered quickly, launching another attack, this time with blazing fists cloaked in fire. He dashed toward her, his speed impressive, but Lin Xue's gaze never wavered. With a flick of her wrist, shadows curled from the ground, coiling around Xu Tian like snakes. His fiery aura burned against the darkness, but the shadows tightened, slowing his movements.
"Is this all you have?" Lin Xue's voice was cold, mocking. She flicked her hand again, and shards of ice shot forward, sharp as blades. Xu Tian barely managed to dodge, his robes singed as he struggled to free himself from the constricting darkness.
With a grunt, Xu Tian broke free, his fiery Qi flaring to life again. He summoned a massive fireball, hurling it toward Lin Xue with all his strength. The heat was intense, the ground beneath him scorching from the force of his attack.
But Lin Xue remained calm. She stepped forward, her hands weaving through the air in intricate patterns. A barrier of ice formed before her, thick and unyielding. The fireball collided with the barrier, flames licking at the edges, but the ice held firm. With a sharp gesture, Lin Xue sent the barrier forward, shattering the fireball and sending shards of ice flying toward Xu Tian.
He staggered back, his flames sputtering as he tried to defend himself. But Lin Xue pressed forward, her movements fluid and precise. She raised her hand, and the shadows beneath her surged forward, engulfing Xu Tian in darkness. Ice followed, freezing the ground beneath him, creeping up his legs.
Xu Tian struggled, his fiery aura flickering as he tried to burn through the ice and shadows, but it was futile. Lin Xue had already won.
"Enough," the elder's voice rang out, signaling the end of the match. The arena was silent as Xu Tian fell to his knees, his body encased in ice, his flames extinguished.
Lin Xue stood over him, her expression unchanged. "You relied too much on your strength," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But strength alone isn't enough."
The crowd erupted in cheers, but Lin Xue paid them no mind. She turned away from Xu Tian without another glance. This victory, like all her others, was hollow. It wasn't glory she sought—only power. And this battle had shown her that she was still far from her ultimate goal.
As she walked out of the arena, the cold wind swirling around her, she knew the Mystic Realm was her next challenge. There, she would find the strength she needed to continue her journey.