"What a brutal fighting style."
Everyone watching broke into a quiet sweat as they witnessed the aftermath of Su Min's devastating final strike. The air in the arena was thick, tasting of parched dust and the metallic scent of scorched jade. There had been no fancy sword techniques and no intricate spells. There was only pure and unrestrained physical power pushed to its absolute limit.
It carried a certain brutal aesthetic, a focus on overwhelming force that achieved extreme enhancement without any visible change to her form. Of course, there was one particular area where any comparison to other powerhouses fell rather short.
Su Min herself felt somewhat helpless about the situation. That Earth-grade artifact had been truly annoying, nullifying her elemental advantages with its stubborn resistance. So she had decided to cut the nonsense and simply smash through it with raw and undeniable force.
Slurp—!
She took a long and deliberate sip from a gourd of spirit water, the liquid cool against her parched throat. "Better not use that body-enhancing technique too often. It puts some strain on the system," she mused to herself. "Ah, nothing beats good old-fashioned bombardment."
She rubbed her slightly sore wrist, which was the only aftereffect of that explosive strike. She watched her opponent's broken form vanish into a golden light. A quick circulation of spiritual energy through her meridians erased even that minor discomfort, leaving her feeling refreshed.
Soon, her physical body returned to its resting place in the secret realm, while a wisp of her divine sense lingered in the spectator stands. The next fight featured Xie Yingying, and her opponent possessed equally impressive credentials as the sixth-ranked cultivator on the Heavenly Ranking.
Every top ten contender had glorious battle records. While Su Min and Xie Yingying rarely fought openly, their few appearances had been more than enough to cement their fearsome reputations in the minds of their peers.
"Finally, we will see the Lunar Sovereign Body's true power! This one should at least force her to reveal something."
Compared to the earlier one-sided beatdowns, this promised to be far more revealing. As the saying went, amateurs watch the spectacle, but connoisseurs study the intricacies. Every Golden Core expert present was analyzing the underlying techniques and energy flows with narrowed eyes. For all the flashy displays in Su Min's previous matches, she had essentially reused the same core abilities until this last fight.
But the Lunar Sovereign Body's true capabilities remained a profound mystery to the public.
Xie Yingying wasted no time. The moment the battle began, the entire arena was dyed in monochrome. It looked as if the world had been submerged in an ancient ink-wash painting. Dense and heavy Yin energy saturated the combat space. It was a palpable cold that seeped into the soul and made the spectators' spiritual projections flicker. Before any attacks were even exchanged, her opponent's face already showed clear signs of distress as his breath began to frost.
"Tianyin infiltration disrupts the body's Yin-Yang balance," Su Min observed quietly. "The victim has to divert significant spiritual energy just to stabilize themselves."
"The severity depends on the power gap. Though they are both late Golden Core, the difference is still substantial. And that's before accounting for the Eternal Frost's effects."
Having sparred countless times with Xie Yingying, Su Min understood this intimacy well. Without using Xie Yingying's essence blood, their matches always ended in stalemates unless they fought to the death.
Su Min's fire-wood synergy and monstrous physique gave Xie Yingying endless headaches. The Taiyang Qi in Su Min's body provided partial resistance against the Tianyin domain, but each direct hit from those Yin force attacks was no joke. They bypassed even her Holy Body's defenses and threw her internal energy balance into chaos.
Worse, every strike carried a corrosive Yin miasma that degraded both artifacts and spiritual energy. Combined with the ancient Lunar Yin Scripture's specialized techniques, it was a nightmare for anyone to face.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three consecutive and almost casual slashes from Xie Yingying's blade left her opponent visibly impaired after just one exchange. Their movements grew sluggish and their energy flow faltered under the relentless Yin corrosion.
The Solar Sovereign Body produced similarly debilitating effects, though its "burning" manifestation differed slightly in execution.
"This will end soon," Su Min predicted.
Sure enough, Xie Yingying raised the sword Su Min had once gifted her. An icy blue Qilin appeared behind her. It was majestic and severe, a unique ability forged through her survival of the Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulations.
"Frost Qilin Possession—Lunar Judgment!"
The monochrome arena darkened further as a massive and spectral fifteen-meter sword descended from above. Its sheer Yin presence was so overwhelming that it devoured all remaining color and sound, leaving only a bone-chilling silence.
"ARGH!"
A short and sharp scream echoed as the Golden Core Avenue's protection activated, whisking the defeated contestant away before the blade could split his soul.
Silence.
Every spectator except Su Min stared grimly at the fading ink-wash hues. Even disregarding the direct attacks, that eerie monochrome domain alone felt deeply threatening. And those three initial slashes had been blocked, yet the opponent's pained expression had confirmed their devastating and cumulative impact.
One truth became starkly clear to everyone present: never engage the Lunar Sovereign Body in direct or prolonged combat.
Compared to Su Min's Nanming Lihuo, where blocking either worked or it didn't, the Lunar Sovereign Body turned every basic attack into a major technique. Each strike layered on Yin corrosion. It accumulated silently until the body and spirit simply collapsed under the weight.
"The Lunar Sovereign Body lives up to its reputation. It's even more domineering than Miss Su's dual divine artifacts in some ways."
"Honestly? I think even the Great Desolate Holy Body and the Five Elements Holy Body would struggle terribly against her."
"Obviously. The Lunar Sovereign and Solar Sovereign are in a class of their own."
Murmurs spread through the crowd like a chill wind. Though they had only glimpsed a fraction of the Lunar Sovereign Body's power, its terrifying potential was undeniable. The Great Desolate Holy Body boasted peerless physicality. The Five Elements Holy Body could invert elemental affinities. But the Lunar Sovereign Body operated on entirely different principles by corrupting a cultivator's foundation. It was far more dangerous to engage.
"Heh. Just wait until you see the Lunar Sovereign and Solar Sovereign in perfect equilibrium," Su Min smirked internally. "Now that's true horror."
With Xie Yingying's essence blood, she could absolutely dominate such matchups. But the cost was too steep for anything but a true life-or-death situation.
The remaining battles lacked such excitement. They proceeded efficiently, and soon the top five were decisively decided:
-Su Min.
-Xie Yingying.
-The Great Desolate Holy Body.
-Yao Xian'er.
-And the Heavenly Ranking's seventh-place holder.
As the last match concluded, a pillar of golden light transported the quintet to a special viewing platform high above the arena.
"Three hundred extra lifespan years... Core Vein Protection to ease the Nascent Soul breakthrough... Plus the other rewards... If only I could..."
"Who exactly could you beat among them?" another spectator retorted, cutting off the daydream. "This generation's talent density is insane. Lunar Sovereign, Five Elements, Great Desolate—three once-in-an-era physiques appearing simultaneously, plus that enigma Yao Xian'er. Be realistic."
"Maybe I could take the fifth one..."
Envy and resignation filled the spectators' gazes. While the top four were indisputable monsters, the fifth position drew open skepticism, especially from other top ten contenders like Han Chaoyan. Whether by luck or hidden skill, that spot had become a lightning rod for resentment.
The five on the platform ignored the noise. More pressing matters demanded their attention. A unique and resonant message echoed in each of their minds as the Golden Core Heavenly Ranking adjusted their rewards according to their individual paths.
[First Place Additional Reward: Key to the Earth Qilin's Hidden Vault]
Thud.
Su Min felt her heart skip a beat, her mind going blank for a second. She had already found leads on the other four celestial beasts' legacies, but the central Earth attribute—the Central Wutu—had always remained elusive. Even in her past life's knowledge, its acquisition method had never been revealed. It was likely reserved for future content. Her original plan had been to collect the other four first, then slowly search for the last one. But now... the key was right here.
"The Qilin race holds no divine offices. Like phoenixes, they are auspicious beasts that are rarer even than Golden Crows. And unlike fixed element creatures, Qilins embody all five phases." Her thoughts raced. "This Earth Qilin's legacy must be tied to Central Wutu. It's the final piece I need for my Five Elements Holy Body's completion."
First place was non-negotiable now. But who would she have to face?
Her gaze swept across the others. Aside from Yao Xian'er and Xie Yingying, the remaining two wore equally intense and focused expressions. The Great Desolate Holy Body's fighting spirit was a palpable heat, and it blazed openly when he met Su Min's eyes.
Xie Yingying stepped closer to Su Min, her presence a cool shield against the other combatants' auras. She cast a territorial glance at the Great Desolate Holy Body, her eyes narrowing in a silent warning not to look at Su Min for too long.
[Yao Xian'er receives a two-round bye to the finals. The remaining four will compete in the semifinals.]
Golden threads of light manifested in the air, linking the combatants. One thread connected Su Min directly to her opponent, the Great Desolate Holy Body. He cracked his neck, his grin promising an all-out brawl.
"If you defeat him, I will forfeit our semifinal match."
Xie Yingying's whisper reached Su Min's ear as she leaned close. She carried a signature cool plum blossom fragrance that momentarily distracted Su Min from the bracket.
"You would just give up your shot?" Su Min asked, surprised.
"Only you in that state can challenge Yao Xian'er. I'm no match for her, not yet."
It was a quiet and frank admission of her own limits. Without Su Min using her essence blood for enhancement, a decisive victory against Yao Xian'er was impossible.
"Also, don't underestimate yourself," Xie Yingying added. Her voice softened almost imperceptibly as she brushed a stray strand of hair from Su Min's face. "A perfected Five Elements Holy Body rivals my Lunar Sovereign Body. Yours is not yet complete and you lack its dedicated cultivation method, and yet you already match me."
"Enough pep talks," Su Min replied, though a corner of her mouth twitched upward. "I'm not slacking off."
That first-place reward was far too important to ignore. Across the platform, Yao Xian'er observed their quiet exchange with mild and detached interest, though the formal setting prevented any conversation. Soon, the five figures vanished from the platform. The battles for the lower ranks continued fiercely below, but that was someone else's concern now.
"Surprised you are not tempted by the top prize."
Back in the privacy of their secret realm, Su Min studied Xie Yingying. Only she and Yao Xian'er had shown a complete indifference to the revealed reward.
"My path as the Lunar Sovereign Body is already set. Those external rewards are just luxuries," Xie Yingying stated simply. She sat on the stone floor, her robes fanning out around her. "Yao Xian'er likely feels the same way. More importantly, are you confident against the Great Desolate Holy Body?"
Her question cut directly to the heart of the matter. Su Min's ability to use the essence blood was usable only once every three months. With the tournament ending in mere weeks, deploying it now would forfeit her strength for the finals.
"Fifty-fifty," Su Min admitted. Her expression turned serious. "He is physically stronger, I will give him that. But the outcome is still uncertain."
There were no guarantees this time. Over the following month, Su Min observed the remaining battles with a keen and analytical interest. Though these contestants could not threaten the top five, their diverse techniques and unique approaches offered valuable insights for her future.
Her focus, however, remained firmly on one opponent.
"They say he trained alone for decades before the Golden Core Avenue opened," she murmured. She watched a replay of one of his fights on a jade slip. "Not only did he reach late Golden Core, but he advanced his physique's development significantly. He must have inherited the Great Desolate Martial Sage's true legacy."
The Great Desolate Martial Sage stood alongside legends like the Lunar and Solar Sovereign Ancient Emperors. He perhaps even surpassed them in raw and destructive renown. The lore fragments she remembered hinted at his overwhelming might, though his full inheritance—like the Five Elements Emperor's—had always been shrouded in mystery.
What secrets did his legacy hold?
Of the five supreme physiques, only three had appeared in this generation. The Solar Sovereign Body wouldn't manifest unless something catastrophic happened to Xie Yingying, while the legendary Spiritual Dao Body remained conspicuously absent from the records.
Unless...
Su Min's gaze flickered, drawn toward a solitary figure in the distant crowd. It was a person whose very presence seemed to reject integration with its surroundings. This figure felt subtly disconnected from the world itself.
"Perhaps," she thought, a startling hypothesis forming, "someone chose to sever that legendary physique themselves."