With all hesitation cast aside, the two opponents clashed head-on.
The classmates who had grown up together at Yuwu School for twelve years now fought with everything they had, each carrying a determination they could not afford to abandon.
Shao Han's long saber flashed through the air with icy brilliance, while Zhao Mu's massive halberd swept forward with overwhelming force.
In Zhao Mu's hands, the halberd resembled a ferocious dragon—swift, relentless, and unstoppable.
Despite wielding a much heavier weapon, Zhao Mu's attack speed was even faster than Shao Han's.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Saber light and halberd shadows intertwined, creating a dazzling spectacle that left the audience breathless.
Everyone understood one thing.
In close combat, a single mistake could cost someone their life.
Although Shao Han possessed the advantage in spirit power, Zhao Mu's physical strength was far superior.
Every collision between their weapons sent violent vibrations through Shao Han's arms, making it increasingly difficult for him to maintain his grip on his saber.
Using his mastery of the blade, Shao Han extended his saber aura several meters beyond the weapon itself.
Normally, this technique would have been a tremendous advantage.
Against Zhao Mu, however, it became a weakness.
Spirit energy projected into the air lacked the solidity of a physical weapon.
Whenever Zhao Mu's two-meter halberd swept across the battlefield, it effortlessly shattered the extended saber light.
In the blink of an eye, thirty exchanges had passed.
Under Zhao Mu's relentless offensive, Shao Han's defenses were finally broken.
It wasn't that his swordsmanship lacked speed or precision.
Rather, Zhao Mu's halberd attacks were simply too powerful, leaving him no opportunity to defend properly.
Clang!
The halberd slashed downward, leaving behind a crimson trail as it aimed directly at Shao Han's head.
Shao Han immediately raised his saber with both hands.
Spirit power erupted from his body, coating the blade in brilliant blue frost.
Their weapons collided once more.
Two completely different types of spirit energy exploded outward in rippling shockwaves.
This time, however, Shao Han could no longer withstand Zhao Mu's overwhelming strength.
His hands trembled violently.
His grip nearly failed.
"It's over."
Watching from the sidelines, Zhang Biao put away his smile and spoke solemnly.
"In close combat, victory and defeat are decided in an instant."
"One mistake is all it takes."
In the audience, Shao Tianyi unconsciously clenched his fists.
Yet he remained seated.
He would not interfere.
Zhao Mu had perfectly seized the opening in Shao Han's defense.
The halberd twisted in his hands before lunging forward like a charging dragon.
His attacks became even faster.
Even more ferocious.
Even more ruthless.
Meanwhile, Shao Han was barely able to hold onto his weapon.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
After three more devastating collisions...
Shao Han's long saber was finally knocked out of his hands.
It spun through the air before crashing onto the ground.
"You've lost."
Zhao Mu stepped forward, pointing his halberd directly at Shao Han.
"Retreat."
He had no intention of killing him.
The duel simply needed a clear conclusion.
But Shao Han refused to accept reality.
"No!"
"I haven't lost yet!"
"I can't lose!"
With a furious roar, he unleashed every remaining ounce of spirit power.
Thick layers of frost armor formed around his body.
At the same time, he condensed another saber entirely from ice and snow.
Unfortunately...
It was useless.
Crack!
The icy weapon shattered instantly beneath Zhao Mu's halberd.
If even an Ember weapon couldn't withstand the attack...
An ordinary ice blade never stood a chance.
Still unwilling to surrender, Shao Han quickly summoned a Guardian Shield.
By this point, everyone understood the truth.
His desperate resistance had already confirmed his defeat.
Only his unwillingness to admit it kept him standing.
Zhao Mu remained expressionless.
There was no sympathy in his eyes.
Showing mercy to an opponent during battle was the greatest disrespect.
Moreover...
Until victory was officially declared...
One should never lower their guard.
For all he knew, Shao Han could still be preparing one final counterattack.
Without hesitation, Zhao Mu increased the intensity of his assault.
"Then..."
"I'll beat you until you admit defeat!"
He flipped the halberd around, striking with the blunt side rather than its blade.
Boom!
The heavy shaft smashed violently against the Guardian Shield.
The impact echoed throughout the arena like the ringing of a massive bronze bell.
Shao Han staggered backward three steps.
Before he could regain his footing...
Zhao Mu attacked again.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The first strike forced Shao Han back another five steps.
The second strike caused fresh blood to spill from his mouth.
The third shattered the skin between his thumb and index finger.
Blood dripped from his hand onto the frozen ground beneath him.
"Resistance is meaningless!"
Zhao Mu gripped the halberd with both hands.
Lowering his stance, he placed the weapon across his shoulders before spinning his entire body with explosive force.
The halberd described a complete circle through the air.
A crimson aura erupted around it.
Then—
BOOM!!
The final strike landed squarely on the Guardian Shield.
The shield was blasted from Shao Han's grasp.
His wrist fractured instantly under the overwhelming force.
Both the shield and its owner were sent flying through the air.
With a heavy crash, Shao Han landed outside the arena.
The tremendous impact caused another mouthful of blood to burst from his lips.
He stared unwillingly toward the platform.
Toward the young man standing proudly with his halberd.
Toward Zhao Mu.
Finally, unable to endure his severe internal injuries any longer...
He lost consciousness.
Instructor Xie Yingxue walked over and briefly examined him.
After confirming that Shao Han was still alive, she turned toward the audience.
"I hereby declare the winner of this duel..."
She raised her hand toward the center of the arena.
"Zhao Mu!"
The match was finally over.
The moment Zhao Mu's victory was announced, Meng Qiuqiu and the others leaped to their feet.
"Xiao Mu!"
"You were amazing!"
"That was incredible!"
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena.
Nearly everyone stood while cheering.
Very few people had expected Zhao Mu to defeat an opponent of a higher rank.
What many had assumed would be a one-sided battle had instead become one of the most exciting duels they had ever witnessed.
Both competitors had demonstrated brilliant tactics.
Their use of Ember equipment had been especially eye-opening.
Many spectators couldn't help saying,
"This trip was absolutely worth it!"
---
Inside the VIP seating area, Beitang Yihai rested his chin on one hand as he watched Zhao Mu standing proudly in the arena.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"With strength like this..."
"You're telling me he only possesses an E-Rank Talent?"
He looked toward Principal Liu Weiguo with obvious curiosity.
"Principal Liu..."
"Are you certain there hasn't been some mistake?"
Principal Liu answered calmly.
"The military's assessment cannot be wrong."
"You know as well as I do..."
"One month ago, Zhao Mu's combat level had only just reached Rank One."
"The reason he's already Battle Rank Six is because he consumed a tremendous amount of Spirit Source."
Beitang Yihai frowned slightly.
Using excessive Spirit Source too early often weakened a cultivator's future foundation.
If the foundation became unstable...
Advancing later would become increasingly difficult.
Yet...
Zhao Mu didn't seem like someone whose cultivation had been forced.
On the contrary.
Everything about him appeared remarkably stable.
A smile slowly returned to Beitang Yihai's face.
"I have to admit..."
"I'm becoming quite interested in this young man."
Principal Liu and the two vice principals exchanged uneasy glances.
The situation they had feared most had finally arrived.
According to military regulations, the Five Great Border Fortresses held first priority when recruiting outstanding talents.
No academy had the authority to stop them.
As long as Zhao Mu agreed...
He could be taken away immediately.
Principal Liu spoke politely.
"If the Young Lord truly wishes to recruit him, we naturally have no objections."
"However..."
"Perhaps we should continue observing the remaining candidates first."
Beitang Yihai chuckled.
"Of course."
There was an unspoken rule among the major military academies.
Even when recruiting exceptional talents, they avoided taking too many from a single school.
Normally, one or two students were considered sufficient.
Still...
Beitang Yihai had developed a genuine interest in Zhao Mu.
Whether Zhao Mu's future truly had been limited by his E-Rank Talent remained uncertain.
But if no one more impressive appeared...
He would be more than willing to personally cultivate the young genius.
After all...
For the Beitang Royal Clan, the resources required to nurture a promising recruit were hardly worth mentioning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)