[Vol. 6] Chapter 225: Actually... I’ve Been Wanting to Beat You Up for a While!
The battle between [White Rainbow] and [Shaking Mountain] immediately became the hottest topic in Xingyuan City.
Although the fight lasted only a single round before a winner was decided, the quality of that exchange easily outclassed 99.9% of the matches in the tournament so far.
Whether it was the ferocious roar that felt like the Eastern Holy Beast [Bai Ze] had descended in person or Miss White Rainbow’s incredible feat of blocking the entire attack with a single hand, both left the audience in awe. The city, full of people who revered strength, was abuzz with excitement and admiration.
This one match alone practically erased the lingering effects of the earlier incidents in Xingyuan City. Major events that had occurred just days prior were now barely mentioned.
Instead, the names [White Rainbow] and [Violet] were on everyone’s lips. Speculations about who would win the tournament became the city’s favorite topic, sparking debates and even dividing people into factions. These fiery discussions added just the right amount of spark to the tournament’s already heated atmosphere.
Following that match, Violet predictably won two more rounds in a row. She defeated the leader of a major sect at the [Seeker of Immortality] level and an experienced veteran who had lived in seclusion for years. Her fame continued to grow, and she successfully advanced to the final match.
It must be said, the opponents who made it to the final rounds were no pushovers. While their raw power fell short of hers, their clever strategies and refined techniques earned even Violet’s silent admiration.
One opponent from the final four, in particular, stood out. Though Violet won decisively, she later learned that this individual ranked fifth on the [Ancient Spirit Realm’s Top 100 List]. He was a wandering master with over 400 years of fame, known as [Soaring Hawk].
Not only had he reached the [Bright Mist] Realm, but his disciples were spread across the land. He was a true grandmaster with a long-standing legacy.
Oddly enough, [Soaring Hawk] had been absent from public life for many years. His last participation in the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] was two tournaments ago. No one knew why he suddenly decided to show up this time, only to act like he was fishing around.
Before [White Rainbow] and [Silver Cat] began to shine, the person identified as the favourite winner in this competition was none other than [Soaring Hawk], the overwhelming favorite to win, so much so that he was practically seen as the only viable champion.
Back then, he had concealed his true level using some advanced disguise technique, and his attacks had all been automatically deflected by the [Feather Robe Graria]. At the time, Violet simply thought he was quite agile and tough, managing to take several of her kicks without falling and dragging the fight out longer than expected…
Who would have thought he’d turn out to be such a big name?
But regardless of his impressive background or titles, a loss was a loss. Now, standing before Violet was her final, unexpected opponent.
At noon, with the packed arena buzzing with excitement, the commentator’s amplified voice rang out clearly across the crowd:
"Everyone! The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here. The ultimate showdown! The grand finale of the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] is about to begin. From millions of participants, two finalists have emerged to stand before you! They are none other than Miss Violet, known as [White Rainbow], and Miss Kong, also known as [Silver Cat]!"
"This year’s [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] has truly been full of surprises and rising stars. Neither of these finalists is ranked in the [Ancient Spirit Realm’s Top 100], and both were virtually unknown before this competition. Yet, through match after match and victory after victory, they have proven their strength and earned their place here as true champions!"
"Who will claim the ultimate victory and the grand prize in the competition? Let’s find out together!"
"Ooohhhhhhh!!!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, chanting the names and titles of the two finalists. While Violet had more supporters due to the subtle backing of the Holy Sect and her commanding presence in previous battles, Xiao Kong also had her fair share of fans. Some had even raised banners and signs in her support, dividing the audience into two clear factions.
The suspense and tension had reached their peak. With such a thrilling and eye-catching tournament, almost no one was still dwelling on the minor events of the past few days.
On the stage, where the two girls were about to face off…
“Why do you seem so excited and eager? Are you that keen on beating me up? Did I offend you at some point?”
Across from her, the cat-girl smiled mischievously, flexing her fingers and showing off her gleaming, claw-like weapons.
“Of course! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity~”
The unspoken second half of her sentence was likely something along the lines of, "Normally, I wouldn’t have a good excuse to fight you." It was clear that this had been on her mind for quite some time.
“Sigh… fine, fine.”
Truth be told, Violet still had no idea what Xiao Kong’s true strength was. Her opponent was vague whenever the topic came up, and since she rarely fought proactively, Violet’s impression of her abilities remained limited to something like: "She has spatial powers, can teleport around easily, and is generally unbeatable by most people."
Violet had watched all of Xiao Kong’s matches leading up to this point, and while each one followed a similar pattern, they were undeniably impressive. Unlike Violet, who often relied on the defensive capabilities of her artifact to withstand attacks directly, Xiao Kong would summon a circular, silver shield of light in her hand. This shield effortlessly absorbed every attack thrown at her, allowing her to counter with precision and defeat her opponents with ease.
Even in the semifinals, when her opponent was a [Eternal Life] level powerhouse who seemed as strong as Mu Ze, the mysterious shield held firm without any visible strain. That match had ended even faster than Violet’s own, leaving her intensely curious.
This was the perfect opportunity to test Xiao Kong’s limits. After all, it was the final battle, so there was no harm in enjoying it to the fullest.
Raising her hand, the [Eternal Scepter of the World's Heart] appeared in Violet’s grasp.
“Come on. Don’t hold back.”
“Hehe… Watch out!”
“Let the match… BEGIN!”
"CLANG!!!"
A flash of silver light burst across the stage. In the instant the word "BEGIN" was announced, the cat-girl, who had been standing over ten meters away, suddenly appeared right in front of Violet. Her clawed hand slashed down in a brilliant silver arc, aiming straight for her head.
“[Light Protection]!”
Violet wasn’t reckless enough to take a direct hit from an unknown enemy. A surge of radiant energy erupted from her, forming a thick, elegant barrier that stood firm against the incoming attack.
“Zzzzzzzz…!!!”
Sparks flew like a high-speed saw grinding against metal. The [Light Protection] flickered and wavered under the intense pressure, breaking and reforming rapidly. It struggled but ultimately succeeded in blocking the claw’s forceful strike.
This was the sheer difference in power. Even a casual swipe from Xiao Kong held more destructive energy than Shangguan Hong’s strongest attack. The defensive immunity of the [Feather Robe Graria] wouldn’t have been able to withstand it.
In other words, Xiao Kong’s overall attributes were easily above Level 90.
But what truly shocked Violet was what happened next.
Seeing her attack stopped by the barrier, the cat-girl didn’t panic. Still airborne, she flashed a mischievous grin at the black-haired girl.
“Heh, I’ve already seen this move plenty of times!”
As her words faded, the glow around her claws shimmered and blurred.
To Violet’s disbelief, the golden barrier, which had always been almost impeccable, rippled like disturbed water. In the blink of an eye, the claws passed through as if the barrier wasn’t even there, slicing straight inside.
“Take this, you idiot! Feel my wrath!”