The finals between Kion Academy and Lanling Academy finally commenced in the hyped arena. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the crowd's cheers echoed throughout the stadium. The finals were the highlight of the tournament, and the strength of the two teams made it even more anticipated. Kion Academy had steadily advanced through the competition, while Lanling Academy shocked everyone by defeating the three-time champions, Sky Hall.
Chu Yi stood with Kion Academy's team, staring at the five cloaked figures of Lanling Academy across the field. His gaze pierced through the crowd, locking onto the mysterious group shrouded in black cloaks, hiding their faces and forms, making it impossible to discern their appearance.
"What are they planning?" Lin Xuanwu muttered, his brow furrowed with suspicion.
"These people are no ordinary opponents. I felt an oppressive aura from them earlier in the waiting area," Qing Xiu'er said quietly, her sharp eyes fixed on the opponents.
"Don't underestimate them. They beat Sky Hall, so they're not to be taken lightly," Chu Yi's expression remained calm. Despite the mystery surrounding their opponents, he knew the most important thing now was to stay composed and focus on the battle ahead.
The referee's voice echoed through the arena, "The finals—Kion Academy versus Lanling Academy—now officially begins!"
As the referee announced the start, Kion Academy's team immediately took an offensive stance, ready to go all out. All eyes were fixed on Lanling Academy, waiting to see their first move. To everyone's surprise, however, only one of Lanling Academy's members stepped forward.
"Only one person?" Ju Gouzi exclaimed in shock.
One cloaked figure slowly emerged from the group, the edges of his cloak swaying gently with his measured steps. His movements were steady, carrying an unshakable presence. He walked to the center of the field, pulled back his hood, and revealed a cold, stern face.
"Kyouya," Chu Yi muttered the name under his breath. Kyouya was one of the most mysterious figures in Lanling Academy. Only little information about him was available, but it was known that in previous matches, he had remained nearly unscathed, with an impenetrable defense.
Kyouya stood in the center of the arena, his cold gaze sweeping over the five members of Kion Academy. Then, he slowly raised his hand, forming a hand seal as he murmured, "Kid's Golden Bell Protection!"
In an instant, a golden barrier rose around his body, enveloping him in a faint, glowing light. Intricate script covered the surface of the barrier, resembling a golden bell hovering around him, isolating him from the outside world.
"Is that a defensive technique?" Zhang Liya furrowed her brow, watching the golden shield with a sense of unease.
"This shield looks strong, its defense must be formidable," Qing Xiu'er calmly analyzed. "But no defense is without weakness. We just have to find it."
"Let's go together!" Chu Yi shouted, charging forward. His hands quickly formed seals, summoning a lightning talisman. In an instant, a blade of lightning crackled to life in his hand.
The others wasted no time, following Chu Yi's lead and launching their attacks. Lin Xuanwu swung his iron rings, generating a deafening sound as spiritual energy infused into them, sending them crashing towards Kyouya's shield with immense force. Qing Xiu'er unleashed a series of swift sword strikes, her spiritual sword slicing through the air, targeting Kyouya's defense. Zhang Liya played her flute, sending sound waves rippling through the battlefield, attempting to disturb the opponent's defense.
However, all their attacks collided with the golden shield as if hitting an indestructible wall of steel. Lightning blade, iron rings, sword energy, and sound waves—all were effortlessly absorbed by the shield, not even causing a ripple.
"How is this possible?" Ju Gouzi was stunned. His full-force attack had done nothing to Kyouya's defense.
"This guy's defense is ridiculously strong," Chu Yi muttered, his brow furrowed in frustration. He had already used nearly his full strength, yet he couldn't break through Kyouya's shield, which made him feel uneasy.
Kyouya stood unmoved, his expression cold, indifferent to the attacks from Kion Academy. The golden barrier remained steadfast, impervious to everything thrown at it.
"We have to find a way to break his defense, or we won't stand a chance," Chu Yi gritted his teeth, his mind racing to find a solution.
Just then, the second member of Lanling Academy stepped forward. He too wore a black cloak, but a sly smile played across his lips as he moved with a lighter, more agile step, starkly contrasting Kyouya's solid presence.
"My turn now! Heh heh heh! Hahaha!" The student shouted wildly as he pulled back his hood, revealing a young, mocking face.
"Tohma," Zhang Liya whispered the name of their new opponent.
Tohma stood beside Kyouya, raised his arms, and spiritual energy surged around him. Suddenly, he opened his mouth and let out a deafening roar.
"Dragon Roar Yelling Technique!"
The sound wave was like a roaring dragon, a formless force exploding from Tohma, spreading out in all directions. It was as if countless blasts of air detonated at once, the powerful shockwave covering the entire field.
Caught off guard, the members of Kion Academy were blown back instantly. Chu Yi felt his eardrums scream in pain as his body was flung several dozen meters away, crashing into an invisible barrier. He gritted his teeth, trying to steady himself, but his chest throbbed with pain.
Zhang Liya, Qing Xiu'er, and the others were similarly thrown back, clearly suffering from the impact, some knocked unconscious.
"This guy… he sent us flying with just a roar?" Ju Gouzi clutched his chest, struggling to get up, the shock evident on his face.
"The power of Dragon Roar Yelling Technique really lives up to its name," Lin Xuanwu said gravely, "Tohma's skill level seems far beyond what we can handle."
"But what was that? It felt like we hit some sort of wall and bounced back into the field," Chu Yi's confused voice echoed their shared concern.
As they turned, they saw faint golden light, with countless script-like symbols forming a barrier around them.
"Is that… scripture from Kid's Golden Bell Protection?" Chu Yi's mind was racing.
"Wait… what am I seeing? Was Kion Academy just saved by their opponent, Lanling Academy?" The announcer's voice boomed in shock, and the crowd began to stir.
"We have not done playing yet! Heh heh heh! Hahaha!" Tohma continued to taunt them, laughing wildly.
Chu Yi gritted his teeth, glaring at Tohma and Kyouya. He realized that their opponents were far more powerful than they had anticipated, and if they didn't figure out a way to counter such overwhelming strength, the final battle would become an insurmountable challenge.
Just when Kyouya and Tohma had already made life difficult for the Kion Academy team, a third fighter, Mati, suddenly leaped into the air. He pulled down his cloak, revealing his lean but powerful body, his muscles visibly bulging. Mati spun in mid-air a few times before stomping forcefully towards the ground. This move wasn't just to land—it was to showcase his immense strength.
"Boom!" As his foot slammed into the ground, the entire arena seemed to tremble. The massive shockwave spread from where he landed, cracks appearing in the ground, and even the distant audience seats felt the vibration. The five students from Kion Academy were shaken so hard that they could barely stand.
"Is... is this guy really just a student?" Chu Yi looked at Mati in self-doubting emotion, cold sweat running down his forehead. Clearly, Mati's strength was far beyond what they had anticipated.
Mati sneered at the five from Kion Academy before leaping into the air again. This time, he targeted the very center of the Kion team, preparing to unleash a newly learned martial technique.
"Stop! Don't do it!" shouted Bi Hei Mentor, jumping up from his seat in a panic.
He recognized Mati's movements. "The Dominating Leg Technique," a martial art created by a notorious wanted fighter, who once, while cornered, killed seven fifth-rank spirit masters with a single kick. Its power was immense. As Mati reached mid-air, Bi Hei Mentor's face paled.
If this kick landed, the five students of Kion Academy would be gravely injured, maybe even killed. But Mati showed no signs of stopping. He hovered in mid-air, gathering strength, ready to deliver a crushing blow.
Lin Xuanwu felt the overwhelming pressure. He struggled with all his might to block the attack, but the gap in strength between him and Mati was too vast. If this kick landed, it would be devastating.
Seeing this, Bi Hei Mentor screamed with desperation, "Forfeit the game! Stop fighting! Do you want to die?!"
His voice was filled with urgency, but the students from Kion Academy gritted their teeth and held on. Despite their injuries, none of them were willing to give up in this final match. The honor of their academy, their mentor's expectations—everything was pressing down on them, making it impossible for them to back down easily.
"Boom! Crash!" Lin Xuanwu was sent flying out of the arena, crashing into the audience stands, smashing through the stone steps.
Chu Yi and Ju Gouzi could hardly bear to see the brutal situation unfold. But for the sake of their teammates, their desire for revenge had clouded their judgment, and they no longer feared death.
"Stop the match, Don't fight anymore!" Bi Hei shouted desperately. "Chu Yi! Ju Gouzi! Get off the stage! Are you ignoring your mentor's words?!"
Bi Hei Mentor's voice echoed through the entire arena, but the students of Kion Academy stood their ground, their jaws clenched, unwilling to surrender.
Bi Hei Mentor looked at their stubborn figures, feeling both anxious and helpless. He knew that if this battle continued, the students of Kion Academy might suffer irreparable consequences. But according to the rules, only the contestants on the field could choose to forfeit. As long as Chu Yi and Ju Gouzi refused to give up, Bi Hei Mentor was powerless to intervene.