ETR | Chapter 85

The judges hadn't announced the start yet. Before the match began, both sides had some prep time and could even chat.

The water-element girl opposite was tall and slender, with short hair and a slightly cute face. She had a bit of baby fat, not particularly pretty, but left a strong impression.

What stood out most about her face were her eyes. They were a bit eerie, with irises so pale they were almost transparent, making it hard for anyone who saw her to forget those eyes.

Lu Ming said she had a certain coldness about her, like the chill was soaked into her bones and couldn't be shaken off. It was an honest assessment.

Xiao Wan wasn't seeing her for the first time, but every time he did, or got a bit closer, that chilly feeling was quite noticeable.

Water elements are usually associated with healing, so this type of spiritual power generally feels gentle. But this person was the complete opposite.

There was a bit of an evil vibe.

Xiao Wan remembered her name was Feng Lingru. She had some blood relation to Feng Yiyan from the Mercenary Guild.

Water and fire usually don’t mix, but she caught Feng Yiyan’s attention at a young age. He brought her to the Mercenary Guild to personally train her, inheriting his reckless fighting style with her water-element talent.

While Xiao Wan was sizing her up, she was doing the same to him.

Feng Lingru spoke first.

"I know the chief judge is your dad," she said with a smirk, making her wickedness even more apparent. "But no matter how grand the words, I'm definitely going to beat you this time. Your dad being the chief judge won't help."

"The last person who said that to me was Lu Ming," Xiao Wan replied, "and then he lost."

Feng Lingru tilted her head. "I'm not like him."

Meanwhile, the parents in the audience were also chatting.

Feng Yiyan wasn't sitting far from Xiao Xueman. He called him over and asked, "What's your kid's style? Tell me."

Xiao Xueman hadn't had the chance to watch when Lu Ming competed, and he didn't know Feng Lingru's fighting style.

Feng Yiyan chuckled, a clear hint of pride in his smile. "You'll see for yourself when the time comes. But honestly, Xiao Wan might not be able to beat him."

Xiao Xueman turned his head away, not asking further.

Feng Yiyan was a water element, which naturally had a restraining effect on Xiao Wan's fire. In terms of spiritual power, Xiao Wan indeed didn't have the upper hand.

Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of the match.

Xiao Wan moved first, his fire-element spirit energy forming an arrow, shooting straight at the opponent.

He knew water naturally suppressed his fire-element spiritual power, but his fire wasn't ordinary. Whether water would extinguish fire or he would counterattack and dry up that cold aura was yet to be seen.

The first fire arrow was dodged, and more arrows followed.

But Feng Lingru wasn't one to defend. She instinctively dodged the first arrow, then didn't bother dodging at all.

She quickly unleashed her spiritual power.

Though she was a water element, the moment she released her spiritual power, Xiao Wan's movements noticeably stalled.

Lin Yuan was an ice element, a variant of water, and Xiao Wan had experienced her spiritual power. But this person felt even colder than Lin Yuan.

Water was colder than ice, and he felt this deeply. The chilling sensation that seeped through every crack was unprecedented.

Once she released her spiritual power, she didn't need to dodge. Xiao Wan's fire arrows were gradually absorbed, not harming her at all.

Xiao Wan's expression didn't change. He had only released a few arrows to test her. If Feng Lingru had been hurt, that would have been strange.

"Now it's my turn."

The girl smiled, then waved her hand, releasing countless water droplets aimed at Xiao Wan.

Her water droplets had a faint blue tint, crystal clear and beautiful. If it were an ordinary water element, summoning such droplets would be the basic "Heavenly Dewfall," used to heal teammates, a comforting spell.

But when Feng Lingru used it, it was different.

Her water droplets had sharp tips, like the sharpest blades. They chased Xiao Wan, but were quickly dissolved by the fire-element spiritual power around him, not a single drop landing on him.

The first move was a mutual test. The next time they clashed, it would be more intense.

Xiao Wan's movements and footwork had been taught by Xiao Xueman, and he practiced often, showing a bit of his father's style. Feng Lingru's movements were equally fast, like a phantom.

Soon, a layer of water covered the arena floor. Wherever Xiao Wan stepped, the water would retreat from his fire, leaving a dry footprint. But as soon as he moved, the water quickly spread back.

Besides the arena floor, the entire protective shield was covered in a layer of water vapor, dripping down like a light rain.

The chilling sensation grew stronger.

Xiao Wan and Feng Lingru were evenly matched, neither clearly having the upper hand.

This girl fought fiercely, both reckless and sinister. Her violent water element was indeed violent.

The water she wielded was like a large blade, swinging towards Xiao Wan. She defended by attacking, rarely dodging Xiao Wan’s attacks, always pressing forward, while Xiao Wan’s fire element was more evasive.

He hadn't used his wood-element spiritual power much, still relying on fire.

Perhaps it was his battle instincts, but Xiao Wan felt it wasn't as simple as it seemed. Though they were fighting fiercely, it was still too mild.

If it were just this, Lu Ming might lose, but not so badly. As a lightning element, he wouldn't be suppressed, and there was no reason for him to be in pain for days, gritting his teeth.

Feng Lingru must have some other strange ability she hadn't used yet, something she was preparing.

Xiao Wan was on high alert, and his instincts were rarely wrong.

Midway through, both exchanged explosive moves, water and fire clashing, spiritual power bursting, pushing them back to opposite sides of the arena, both panting and standing still for a moment.

Feng Lingru had two water spheres swirling around her hands. Xiao Wan had indeed felt the advantage of her violent water element.

The two water spheres in her hands could be shaped at will, sometimes becoming a large blade, sometimes a long sword, or even a thin needle, quickly changing form based on their duel.

Such skilled reflexes were likely honed through countless battles.

"You're quite capable," Xiao Wan heard Feng Lingru mutter, "better than Lu Ming."

"Not using your wood element?" he heard her ask. "I'd like to see what the legendary wood element of Xiao Xueman's excellency feels like."

Xiao Wan frowned.

Before he could answer, she spoke again.

"But I think we should end this quickly," Feng Lingru said. "If we keep fighting like this, it's pointless. Xiao Wan, you should show all your skills soon."

Here it comes.

Xiao Wan's expression turned serious.

The chilling sensation had been noticeable earlier, but with Feng Lingru's words, it intensified, almost becoming tangible.

Xiao Wan felt the scene before him change, as if a veil had been drawn over it, his hands and feet suddenly heavy, his breath catching.

At the same time, the water on the ground began to bubble, each bubble raising the water level a bit. Soon, the water reached Xiao Wan's calves.

Fortunately, Xiao Wan’s fire-element spiritual power held, forming a barrier around him, keeping the rising water at bay. But the water rose quickly, and he had already fought several rounds, his spiritual power clearly depleted.

If the water’s erosion continued, he wouldn’t hold out.

Xiao Wan instinctively knew something was wrong. He couldn't let the water touch him.

What was going on?

What was Feng Lingru trying to do with this? Could her spiritual power sustain it?

In the audience, Xiao Xueman's expression turned serious.

Feng Yiyan hadn't revealed much, but some judges had been present during Feng Lingru's match with Lu Ming. Shen Guan, using his connections, had inquired and learned most of what happened.

Xiao Xueman had some guesses after hearing about that match. Seeing the current scene confirmed them, as did Shen Guan.

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions complex.

No wonder Feng Yiyan said Xiao Wan might not win.

“She’s awakened ‘Domain.’ When she fought Lu Ming, she used this ability, but subtly, not revealing it completely. So the judges present didn’t notice. But now, facing Xiao Wan in the final decisive match, she’s showing it all,” Xiao Xueman realized. “Though it’s still in its infancy and incomplete, it is indeed ‘Domain.’”

“Domain,” fully known as Spiritual Power Control Domain, is an ability usually awakened at the Spirit God level.

As the name suggests, it’s a special spiritual power barrier controlled by oneself, pulling the opponent into the “Domain,” where the controller is like the master, manipulating everything within. It’s a nearly overwhelming advantage.

Of course, there are exceptions. Exceptionally talented spirit cultivators below the Spirit God level can also awaken the Domain ability. Naturally, the earlier one awakens this ability, the better, but such individuals are extremely rare.

Feng Lingru likely awakened it recently. She’s still young, with low spiritual power, so she can’t apply the Spirit God level’s overwhelming effect directly. Xiao Wan still has a chance to fight back, but his odds of winning are indeed slim.

Xiao Xueman and Qin Lou were exceptions in the past. The Tianxi Divine Tree naturally came with Domain, and when Qin Lou’s talent awakened after being suppressed for too long, it also brought this ability.

But Xiao Wan, being dual-element, faced more challenges in acquiring Domain. He hadn’t awakened it yet, which was normal. Xiao Xueman hadn’t worried.

Take Feng Yiyan, for example. Other Spirit Gods gained Domain upon reaching that level, but he waited until Spirit God level two for it to come.

Now Xiao Wan was indeed facing a tough opponent.

But Xiao Wan on the arena didn’t know this. He hadn’t encountered Domain knowledge or seen it in action. Spirit God level fights wouldn’t casually use Domain.

He just frowned, his fingers unconsciously rubbing together.

A wave of moisture, damp and cold, was anything but comfortable.