Translator: CinderTL
A terrifying tremor shook the arena as Jiang Ye unleashed his ultimate move, engulfing the entire platform in a blinding light.
A brief silence fell over the crowd.
"Who won?"
"Was Li Qi defeated?"
"What a terrifying ultimate move! Why didn't Li Qi even try to defend?" Whispers gradually arose from the audience.
The hundred thousand spectators watched intently, refraining from loud cheers.
In the next moment, the light dissipated.
Li Qi stood firm on the arena, his purple robes torn but bearing minimal injuries.
"How is this possible?!"
"Li Qi... he actually withstood Jiang Ye's ultimate move?"
"Is Li Qi really this strong?" The crowd erupted in disbelief.
"It's over. Jiang Ye's going to lose."
"Jiang Ye's ultimate move couldn't even defeat Li Qi? How could this happen?"
"This is bad!" The students of Penglai University clenched their fists, their faces etched with worry.
Yun Qing'er, Shen Changxi, and Liu Wanxiao stared intently at the arena, their expressions tense.
Even Elder Lianbai, Mo Zixuan, and the other teachers wore grave expressions.
"Li Qi has activated his innate ability?"
"Li Qi is from the Li Clan. His Innate Domain is incredibly powerful."
"Jiang Ye is in trouble now." The teachers from various schools exchanged grave glances.
They had a clearer view of the situation than the other spectators.
The moment Jiang Ye unleashed his ultimate move, "Sea-Burning," Li Qi finally unleashed his innate ability.
"Is that the Raging Winter Domain?"
"The Raging Winter Domain isn't considered top-tier among Substantial Domains, but Li Qi possesses a trace of transcendent bloodline. His Raging Winter Domain can freeze all things, even those with higher cultivation levels."
"If Jiang Ye doesn't have any other trump cards, he's likely to lose."
On the arena stage, Li Qi had indeed activated his Innate Domain.
Jiang Ye felt it most acutely.
He was now trapped in a frozen wasteland, battered by terrifying icy winds that stiffened his body and completely encased his spear in ice.
"My ultimate move... sealed?" A flicker of surprise crossed Jiang Ye's eyes.
His opponent's innate ability had also caught him off guard.
The fourth form of his ultimate move, "Sea-Burning," had been instantly extinguished within this frozen wasteland.
In this Raging Winter Domain, everything was frozen solid!
"Jiang Ye, you're strong," Li Qi said with a smile. "But within my Domain, your spearmanship is completely countered. You've lost."
Jiang Ye's Great Sun Spear Technique was renowned for its fierce and blazing power.
However, in this absolute icebound environment, it was precisely this kind of spearmanship that faced utter suppression.
"It's over," Li Qi said, baring his snow-white teeth.
In the next instant, he moved again.
"Die!" Li Qi roared, his combat blade transforming into a phantom as he lunged toward Jiang Ye.
The terrifying blade aura sliced through the icy landscape, emitting an ear-splitting shriek.
Empowered by the Raging Winter Domain, the force of his strike surged to unprecedented heights.
Clearly, Li Qi intended to leave Jiang Ye no chance whatsoever.
He aimed to crush Jiang Ye with a ruthless, decisive, and lethal blow!
"Die!" Li Qi hissed.
A world-destroying blade light erupted, extinguishing all vitality. Even the frozen terrain seemed to cower before this absolute terror.
Even a late-second breakthrough genius would likely meet their end against such a strike!
Not to mention Jiang Ye, who was still frozen in ice.
However, just as the blade was about to strike Jiang Ye,
Buzz!
A completely different aura erupted from Jiang Ye's spear.
"Hmm?" Li Qi's eyes narrowed instantly.
In a clash between masters, every sense is heightened. He immediately sensed the unique aura emanating from Jiang Ye.
In that instant,
Boom! The aura exploded, transforming into a vast and overwhelming spear intent that surged forth with explosive force.
The spear moved.
Shattering the ice!
"Break!" Jiang Ye gripped the spear tightly and slashed through the air.
In that instant, the aura within the spear surged to its peak, completely shattering the seal. A power utterly distinct from the Great Sun Spear Technique erupted with thunderous force.
Clang!
A single spear strike blocked the world-destroying blade light.
"Blocked it?" Li Qi's face twisted in horror, disbelief etched across his features.
This was the first time anyone had ever blocked his ultimate move while trapped within his Raging Winter Domain.
Crack... Crack...
In the next instant, the world-destroying blade light began to crack.
Then, with a thunderous roar, it shattered completely.
One spear strike had shattered Li Qi's ultimate move!
"Cold Sun, rise."
The spear in Jiang Ye's hand transformed, and countless spear lights converged at astonishing speed.
In the blink of an eye, a massive white sun materialized. Unlike the fiery, overwhelming sun Jiang Ye had summoned earlier, this one radiated a different energy.
Instead of pure heat, this white sun carried a faint, icy chill alongside its solar warmth.
This was utterly astonishing.
How could a blazing sun emit cold? Yet the reality defied logic.
Whoosh!
The icy chill seemed to absorb the surrounding frost and snow, growing exponentially.
Then, it nourished the sun's fiery aspect, creating a symbiotic cycle. As both forces devoured the ambient energy, the white sun swelled rapidly, expanding to dozens of meters in diameter in an instant.
Though described at length, this entire process unfolded in the blink of an eye.
"What is this?!" Li Qi's face twisted in shock.
He could feel it.
Jiang Ye's spear was actually absorbing his innate ability!
His Raging Winter Domain hadn't suppressed Jiang Ye at all. Instead, it had become fuel for Jiang Ye's spear!
"Not good!" Li Qi retreated violently, his long saber vibrating incessantly as it unleashed a continuous barrage of blade light.
His strength was formidable.
In a mere instant, he unleashed hundreds of slashes, the blade light crashing toward Jiang Ye like icy tidal waves.
Simultaneously,
"Kill!" Jiang Ye thrust his spear forward, and the massive white Cold Great Sun surged forth with it.
The two collided with a deafening roar.
Boom!
This was an utterly terrifying clash, the most devastating collision seen so far in this year's Genius Cup!
The horrifying energy waves erupted like countless high-explosive bombs detonating simultaneously.
The terrifying shockwaves caused the arena floor beneath their feet to collapse repeatedly, only to rapidly regenerate and collapse again.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Amidst the chaos, the layers of blade light shattered one after another.
In mere seconds,
Li Qi's wave of blade light was swiftly crushed.
Yet the Cold Great Sun descended upon him with undiminished force.
Pfft! Like a rainbow piercing the sun, the Cold Great Sun instantly pierced through Li Qi's body.
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the arena as the Great Sun slammed into the stage, unleashing an earth-shattering roar.
Whoosh! Li Qi's body, like a kite with its string cut, was flung backward, crashing heavily beyond the arena's edge.
The sheer terror of the impact nearly overwhelmed the protective mechanisms, threatening to shatter his bones on the spot.
Jiang Ye wins!
A shimmering golden banner materialized above the arena.
Gulp~
Gulp! The sound of swallowing echoed through the arena.
The crowd of over a hundred thousand spectators stared in stunned silence at the scene before them.
"Jiang Ye won?"
"The energy from that clash was terrifying."
"That level of power... it almost surpasses the late-second breakthrough realm, doesn't it?" The audience members were visibly shaken.
But then...
"Jiang Ye! Jiang Ye! Jiang Ye!"
"The Twenty-Five School Alliance has won the championship!!"
"Jiang Ye is a goddamn beast!" Students from every school erupted in a thunderous, earth-shattering cheer.
They had won!
The Twenty-Five Schools had won!
Penglai University had won!!
"Did you see Jiang Ye's spearmanship just now? Have you ever seen anything like it?"
"No, I haven't."
"Me neither." Teachers from various schools exchanged puzzled glances, their faces etched with confusion.
Someone turned to Elder Bai. "Old Bai, did he inherit that spearmanship from the White Dragon's Court?"
"No," Elder Bai replied. "Jiang Ye obtained a cultivation method and an archery technique there."
"As for that spearmanship..." Elder Bai looked puzzled. "This is the first time I've seen him use it."
The teachers exchanged astonished glances.
They were all high-ranking professors, vice-principals, and even principals from various universities.
Most spearmanship techniques were familiar to them, or at least vaguely recognizable.
Yet none of them had ever seen the technique Jiang Ye had just demonstrated.
"Could this kid have created it himself?" Mo Zixuan blurted out.
Elder Bai remained silent.
Creating a technique? Impossible.
It seems to have traces of the Great Sun Spear Technique, Elder Bai mused inwardly. Could he have improved upon that foundation?
Hiss!
Surely not? Elder Bai couldn't help but gasp. If that's true, it would be truly astonishing.
I'll ask him properly after the competition ends.
"Jiang Ye from Penglai University," Chu Jingye announced loudly, "congratulations on winning this year's Genius Cup!"
"The top ten rankings for this year's Genius Cup are as follows:"
"First place: Jiang Ye"
"Second place: Li Qi"
"Third place: Lin Qingxue"
"..."
After announcing the top ten, Chu Jingye wasted no time.
"I hereby declare," Chu Jingye announced, "the Twenty-Five School Genius Cup concluded!"
As he finished speaking, Chu Jingye glanced down at Jiang Ye, a fleeting glint of light flashing in his deep, dark eyes.
No one noticed this brief exchange.
Because in the next moment...
Whoosh! Chu Jingye's figure blurred, vanishing from his spot.
This peerless prodigy from Heaven's Gate University had come to preside over the Genius Cup as if on a mission. With the competition concluded, he departed without delay.
"Jiang Ye, congratulations!" Shen Changxi said, her eyes sparkling with a smile. "You're the champion! Penglai University will be so proud of you."
Jiang Ye returned to the spectator stands, shaking his head with a smile. "You're exaggerating."
"Shen Changxi is right," Liu Wanxiao chimed in, his voice filled with awe. "You've truly made a name for yourself now! Defeating Star River University, ranked seventh among the ten great schools—that's unprecedented for Penglai University!"
"It's not that dramatic," Jiang Ye replied, shaking his head with a laugh. "Li Qi was only ranked in the middle of Star River University."
"He was in the upper-middle tier," Shen Changxi corrected him.
"Jiang Ye," Liu Wanxiao said enviously, "Penglai University will definitely go wild promoting you. You're about to become famous worldwide!"
"Famous worldwide?" Jiang Ye's heart stirred.
If that were truly possible, would his innate talent also improve?
The thought filled him with anticipation.
The Twenty-Five School Genius Cup had come to a perfect end.
Jiang Ye had claimed the Genius Cup championship, and his battle against Li Qi would undoubtedly become legendary.
But that was all for later.
Jiang Ye, Shen Changxi, Liu Wanxiao, and the others didn't linger at the venue.
Immediately after the competition, they boarded the school's flying vehicle and returned to Penglai University.
As for the ranking rewards? Those would be delivered by specialized personnel later.
Nightfall over Penglai University.
Manor No. 41.
The first thing Jiang Ye did upon arriving home was grab his phone and dial the number of a certain beauty.
Beep...
Click! The call connected.
A graceful figure in a moon-white dress appeared on the screen, her legs as pale and smooth as jade.
Her cool, elegant eyes opened, and the moment she saw Jiang Ye, a warm glow lit up her peach-blossom-like irises.
"Jiang Ye," Chen Zilu said with a smile, "The competition's over?"
"Senior Sister!"
"I won the championship," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "You're the first person I called, even before Teacher Zhu."
Chen Zilu paused, surprised.
"...Why are you emphasizing that?" The girl glanced away, a hint of awkwardness in her gaze.
"I promised I'd tell you first when I won," Jiang Ye said with a grin. "Didn't break my word, did I?"
"Hmph, I suppose you didn't," Chen Zilu huffed, trying to appear nonchalant.
But the corners of her rosy lips curled upward slightly, betraying her genuine happiness.
"Are you busy lately, Senior Sister?" Jiang Ye asked. "I have something I'd like to discuss with you in person."
"What is it?" Chen Zilu looked at him, puzzled.
"I'll tell you when we meet."
"Then come over. Call me when you get here," Chen Zilu said after a moment's thought. "I'm not too busy these days."
"Alright," Jiang Ye replied with a smile.
In truth, Chen Zilu was always busy. Her training schedule was incredibly demanding.
Jiang Ye knew this but chose not to point it out.
Soon after, he hung up and headed to the training hall.
"The Cold Sun Spear Technique truly possesses extraordinary power."
"Even just achieving Small Success in it was enough to defeat an opponent like Li Qi," Jiang Ye murmured, taking a deep breath as he recalled the battle. "A cultivation technique created specifically for oneself truly fits perfectly."
In his initial assessment, the Cold Sun Spear Technique likely only reached the earth-rank level.
It shouldn't have been able to reach Heaven-Rank.
If that was the case, why had it so easily defeated Li Qi?
Jiang Ye speculated that because he had created the spearmanship himself, its power was amplified beyond its inherent rank.
"From now on, I'll focus on mastering the Cold Sun Spear Technique."
"I can't neglect the Great Sun Spear Technique either. It can serve as validation for the Cold Sun Spear Technique," Jiang Ye planned inwardly.
After a moment, he sat down cross-legged, not rushing to practice his spear or cultivate his cultivation method.
Instead—
"Refining," Jiang Ye murmured, turning his gaze inward. He could see numerous strands of "spiritual essence" stored within his body.
This spiritual essence represented the dozens of major opportunities he had obtained during his journey through the Genius Cup!
Each one was a top-tier D-Tier Opportunity.
Together, they were enough to skyrocket his cultivation level in a short period.
However, these opportunities still required time to refine before they could truly be converted into Jiang Ye's own strength.
"I wonder how much these opportunities will boost my cultivation," Jiang Ye murmured, his eyes closing slowly with anticipation as he began refining them.
As Jiang Ye immersed himself in cultivation, the Twenty-Five School Genius Cup was rapidly spreading its influence across the Federation's forty provinces.
"Jiang Ye from Ancheng, West Mountain Province, claims the championship!"
"Genius Jiang Ye hails from Penglai University!"
"Crushing the star river, sweeping through the Northern Region!"
"Jiang Ye, Genius Cup Champion!" News outlets across the Federation broadcasted these headlines, causing news of the Genius Cup to spread like wildfire.
The Twenty-Five School Genius Cup already commanded significant attention.
But this year's competition was unprecedented.
Jiang Ye's circumstances were extraordinary: hailing from Ancheng, West Mountain Province, and an ordinary family!
Previous Genius Cup champions had never come from such humble beginnings.
Just as the news was gaining momentum, a bombshell dropped.
"Jiang Ye, with Primitive innate talent, wins the Genius Cup!!!"
(End of the Chapter)
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