On the main platform, Xiahou Wanyu’s face was etched with shock and disbelief. Lin Xiao had blocked his sister’s Second Layer Dual Sword Prison.
This meant Lin Xiao could withstand the equivalent of the fourth layer of the Nine Nether Sword Prison—surpassing even Xiahou Wanyu’s own achievements from his time.
He struggled to accept that Lin Xiao was more prodigious than he had been.
Mo Jiutian’s face also showed deep astonishment, stunned that Lin Xiao’s strength could withstand such an attack and survive.
Yet, there was no disappointment in his expression. Instead, a ruthless glint shone through—a resolute confidence in killing Lin Xiao.
On the life-and-death stage, just as everyone thought the battle would end in a draw, Xiahou Jing’s words shattered the assumption: “Your strength truly shocks me. This must be your final trump card. But it’s not mine!”
A wave of gasps swept through the crowd. This wasn’t Xiahou Jing’s ultimate move?
Could she have mastered the Third Layer Dual Sword Prison, multiplying its power several times over?
The Xiahou family’s Nine Nether Sword Prison was notoriously difficult to master.
If so, what could Lin Xiao use to counter it?
Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed. Did Xiahou Jing truly have a Third Layer Dual Sword Prison?
That would be terrifying.
“I haven’t mastered the Third Layer Dual Sword Prison,” Xiahou Jing said calmly, as if sensing the crowd’s doubts. “But within the Second Layer Dual Sword Prison, I’ve infused yin-yang power, creating the Second Layer Yin-Yang Dual Sword Prison, doubling its power.”
The crowd erupted in awe. Infusing yin-yang power into the Nine Nether Sword Prison, she had forged a fusion-based attack technique.
This talent was simply heaven-defying.
The Second Layer Dual Sword Prison had already pioneered the Xiahou family’s dual sword prison style, with the first layer equalling the second layer’s might. If mastered to its peak, its multiplied power would be unimaginable, reaching an unprecedented height for the Xiahou family.
And with yin-yang power infused, doubling it again, it was effectively quadrupled.
Quadrupling the Nine Nether Sword Prison’s power—if mastered to its peak—could propel the Xiahou family to surpass countless factions, achieving an unparalleled legacy.
Everyone knew Xiahou Jing’s talent and strength were extraordinary, but no one had imagined they were *this* extraordinary.
Xiahou Jing was truly a genius surpassing all previous ranking competition champions.
No wonder the lofty Seventh Elder had come to watch in person, and no wonder Mo Jiutian, the top genius of the Human Star List, chose to align with the Xiahou family.
It all made sense—Xiahou Jing’s potential was limitless!
“Lin Xiao, what can you use to face me now?” Xiahou Jing looked down imperiously, her tone icy. In this moment, she was like a lofty phoenix, her cold pride unmatched by anyone.
And she had every right to that pride.
“Lin Xiao, concede. This match is over,” even the Vice Dean couldn’t help but urge.
He could see that Lin Xiao had unleashed his full power, exhausting all his previous trump cards, only to match Xiahou Jing evenly.
With Xiahou Jing’s even stronger strike, Lin Xiao clearly couldn’t resist. While Xiahou Jing’s talent was remarkable, in the Vice Dean’s eyes, Lin Xiao’s was far more terrifying, far surpassing her.
Lin Xiao’s talent was critical to Saint Yuan Academy.
In truth, no matter how heaven-defying Xiahou Jing’s talent, it paled beside Lin Xiao’s. Lin Xiao was only at the first level of Martial King, while Xiahou Jing was at the third.
If both were at the third level, even Xiahou Jing’s strongest strike might not match Lin Xiao’s.
Moreover, Lin Xiao had tempered his body with heavenly thunder, wielded both thunder and sinister powers, and fused two spiritual energies—a feat even peak powerhouses couldn’t achieve.
In terms of talent, Xiahou Jing was far inferior.
At least, that’s how the Vice Dean saw it. He’d rather lose a hundred Xiahou Jings than one Lin Xiao.
Thus, he didn’t want Lin Xiao to continue fighting and fall to Xiahou Jing’s hand.
Even if it meant breaking the life-and-death stage’s rules.
“Vice Dean, withdrawing midway in a life-and-death battle—is that appropriate?” the Seventh Elder interjected. Seeing Lin Xiao’s talent, she was determined not to let him live, as he’d be the greatest threat to Xiahou Jing in the future.
“The life-and-death stage only sees life or death…” a representative from an allied faction began cautiously, with others ready to chime in.
But the Vice Dean cut them off with a cold shout: “Silence, all of you!”
A terrifying aura of authority swept out, suffocating the disciples, their bodies trembling under the pressure. This was merely a sliver of the Vice Dean’s might, uncontestable.
It was hard to imagine the terror if he unleashed his full presence.
That alone could likely kill countless disciples on the spot.
Under this authority, everyone fell silent. The allied elders’ faces showed terror, their mouths clamped shut, not daring to speak.
This was the helm of Saint Yuan Academy, the undisputed lord of the Holy City, a figure who could stride unopposed across the continent. Who would dare provoke his wrath?
Let alone stopping this battle—if he killed someone on the spot, no one would dare object.
It was clear to all: the Vice Dean was protecting Lin Xiao, refusing to let him fall.
Seeing this, Baili He quickly added, “The Vice Dean is right. Both are prodigies, blessings to Saint Yuan Academy and the Holy City. Losing either would be a tremendous loss. And while the life-and-death stage is about life or death, if both agree, the battle can end without breaking rules.”
He turned to Xiahou Jing. “Xiahou Jing, let Lin Xiao concede. You take the championship. End the match now—how about it?”
Baili He’s tone carried authority, less than the Vice Dean’s but still formidable as a Martial Lord.
The Seventh Elder, about to speak, was silenced by the Vice Dean’s piercing gaze.
Then, the Vice Dean’s eyes turned to Xiahou Jing.
His intent was clear: he wanted to end this battle.
Mo Jiutian’s heart grew cold. With the Vice Dean’s intervention, killing Lin Xiao now was impossible.
Everyone sighed inwardly. This life-and-death battle wouldn’t resolve in life or death.
Many secretly worried for Lin Xiao. Such a peerless prodigy falling would be a tragedy.
But just as everyone thought Xiahou Jing would yield, she stood unbowed and declared to Baili He and the Vice Dean, “Elder Baili, Vice Dean, I, Xiahou Jing, refuse to accept this!”
The crowd gasped.
Even the Seventh Elder had stayed silent, yet Xiahou Jing dared defy the Vice Dean. Truly, her talent bred audacity!
