The arrival of the Beitang Royal Clan, along with the academy's senior officials, instantly transformed what should have been an ordinary duel into a highly anticipated event.
As the spectators turned their attention to the two competitors standing in the arena, many couldn't help but feel that something about the matchup was strange.
A Combat Level 6 fighter facing an Ability User who had most likely reached Battle Rank 10—how could such a battle possibly unfold?
Yet, despite the overwhelming difference in rank, no one dared to conclude that Zhao Mu would lose.
Anyone who had survived Boot Camp knew one thing for certain:
Zhao Mu was a man who constantly created miracles.
He was someone who simply couldn't be judged by common sense.
The moment Instructor Xie Yingxue stepped off the stage, Shao Han wasted no time making the first move.
A surge of powerful Spirit Power erupted from his body, instantly transforming into a violent storm of frost.
As a dual-attribute Ability User possessing both Wind and Ice abilities, Shao Han could finally unleash the true power of the Endless Cold Secret Art, the Intermediate Battle Technique he had cultivated, after advancing to the Private Rank.
Frost spread rapidly beneath his feet.
Within moments, the entire arena was covered in a thin layer of ice, which soon reached Zhao Mu's position.
Upon reaching the Private Rank, Spirit Power users gained access to the fourth stage of Spirit Power manipulation:
Emission.
Refining.
Wrapping.
Condensing.
Emission.
Only after mastering all four could a Spirit Power User truly display their strength.
A storage ring on Shao Han's finger flashed.
An ice-blue longsword instantly appeared in his hand.
Without hesitation, he swung it toward Zhao Mu.
"Frost Moon Flying Stream!"
A crescent-shaped blade of icy Spirit Power shot forward.
More than a meter long, it tore through the air toward Zhao Mu at incredible speed.
In response, Zhao Mu drew his Extinguished Ember Great Halberd.
With a single sweeping strike, he intercepted the incoming attack.
Boom!
The collision erupted into a violent explosion of Spirit Power.
The frost covering the surrounding ground shattered instantly.
The resulting shockwave engulfed Zhao Mu.
He immediately realized how much stronger Shao Han had become after advancing to the Private Rank.
His power had increased several times over.
But before Zhao Mu could recover—
A second slash arrived.
Then a third.
"Frost Moon Flying Stream!"
Shao Han swung his longsword repeatedly.
One crescent blade after another flew toward Zhao Mu, creating an uninterrupted barrage of icy attacks.
He laughed confidently.
"Zhao Mu, you're only at the Fighting Fang Rank."
"You can't launch ranged attacks."
"Your total Spirit Power is also inferior to mine."
"So tell me..."
"How are you planning to break through this?"
Although Zhao Mu had successfully blocked the first attack, Shao Han remained convinced of victory.
The gap between them was simply too great.
Without saying a word, Zhao Mu continued defending.
Despite wielding an enormous halberd, his movements remained astonishingly agile.
One after another, he deflected the incoming Spirit Power blades.
However, every collision created another violent surge of energy around him, rapidly consuming his own Spirit Power.
To withstand the relentless assault, he was forced to activate Spiritual Entanglement for additional defense.
Shao Han was right about one thing.
As long as Zhao Mu remained at a distance, he had no way of threatening his opponent.
Realizing this, Zhao Mu finally made his move.
Light Spirit Steps.
His figure blurred as he accelerated forward.
With a powerful stomp, he shattered the ice beneath his feet.
The frozen battlefield had been created to slow Zhao Mu's movements.
Meanwhile, Shao Han could anchor himself effortlessly using his own ice.
Anyone else would have slipped.
But Zhao Mu relied entirely on overwhelming physical strength.
Every step crushed the ice beneath him.
Without slowing down, he changed direction repeatedly using curved footwork as he charged straight toward Shao Han.
Once he closed the distance...
His superior physique and Innate Divine Strength would become decisive.
Shao Han merely smiled coldly.
"I knew you'd choose close combat."
"But do you really think I'll give you that chance?"
The entire arena had become a gigantic skating rink.
For Zhao Mu, it was difficult terrain.
For Shao Han...
It was his personal domain.
He glided effortlessly across the ice like an elegant dancer.
His movements were graceful and fluid, resembling an ice prince performing upon a frozen lake.
The arena was spacious enough for him to maintain a safe distance while continuously attacking.
Again and again, Spirit Power blades shot toward Zhao Mu.
Unable to catch him, Zhao Mu could only remain on the defensive.
---
In the VIP section, Beitang Qiushui let out a bored yawn.
"This is boring."
"With such a huge gap in rank, how is Zhao Mu supposed to win?"
"So this is Qingfeng Camp's so-called genius?"
He glanced at his older brother.
"I don't think there's any reason to keep watching."
"Should we leave?"
"I still want to visit my little fiancée."
Hearing those words, the expressions of Principal Liu and the two Vice Principals darkened.
Even if Beitang Qiushui was royalty, repeatedly belittling their academy's students in front of them was no different from slapping them in the face.
Beitang Yihai simply smiled.
"No need to rush."
"Since Principal Liu personally recommended these two students, let's at least watch until the battle ends."
Unlike his younger brother, Beitang Yihai remained composed.
After all, as members of the Beitang Royal Clan, they possessed the confidence to judge even the finest students from a Military Martial Academy.
---
Back in the arena, Shao Han continued skating across the frozen battlefield.
His ranged attacks gave him an overwhelming advantage.
As long as he maintained his distance, he could slowly exhaust Zhao Mu's Spirit Power until victory was inevitable.
"There isn't any suspense anymore."
One trainee shook his head.
"No matter how talented Zhao Mu is, he can't overcome such a massive rank difference."
Another added,
"Training well is one thing."
"But real combat is different."
"A B-Rank Ability User like Shao Han is far stronger."
"The last time Zhao Mu defeated the Mutated Feather Beast King, he only succeeded because two A-Rank trainees and several elite students helped him."
"He just happened to receive most of the credit."
"Does he really think he can defeat a genuine B-Rank Awakener by himself?"
Several of Shao Han's supporters deliberately spoke loudly enough for others to hear.
Meng Qiuqiu, Lu Yan, and Zhuo Yun simply smiled without arguing.
They knew something the others didn't.
Zhao Mu was someone who constantly defied logic.
Even Shen Moran quietly murmured,
"No..."
"He still hasn't shown his true strength."
Her roommate, Zhang Yuan, turned toward her curiously.
"How can you be so sure?"
Shen Moran kept her eyes fixed on the arena.
"We're neighbors."
"I know Zhao Mu."
"He never reveals all of his cards."
Zhang Yuan rested her chin on her hand thoughtfully.
"Even so..."
"How can he possibly turn this around?"
"He's behind in Spirit Power."
"His opponent has superior range."
"Better Battle Techniques."
"Even stronger Ember equipment."
"Everything favors Shao Han."
"It looks like a dead end."
After speaking, she looked around in confusion.
"Strange..."
"Why isn't Guan Guan here today?"
"She would never miss a battle this exciting."
---
Inside the arena, Shao Han continued refusing Zhao Mu any opportunity to close the distance.
This battle had to end with absolute victory.
Only by crushing Zhao Mu completely could he erase the humiliation of his previous defeat.
Only then would the inner demon that had haunted his heart finally disappear.
Looking at Zhao Mu, Shao Han sneered.
"So?"
"Do you have any tricks left?"
"Your brute strength means nothing if you can't even touch me."
He deliberately tried to provoke Zhao Mu.
"I told you long ago."
"For a Spirit Power User..."
"Talent and Combat Level determine everything."
"All those strange techniques you've spent so much time researching..."
"In the end, they're nothing more than cheap tricks."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)