"Are you sure the chains can hold me?" Bai Lingxi asked with a sudden smirk which sent alarm bells ringing in Min Li's mind.
Min Li instinctively jumped back as she felt a surge of immense danger. Her eyes widened as she saw a black aura emanating from Bai Lingxi, enveloping her entire body. Min Li shivered as she felt a chill. She watched Bai Lingxi effortlessly shatter the lightning chains that were holding her in place.
---
"Looks like it's over," Zhou Huixin said as she saw Bai Lingxi caught in the lightning chains.
"Hmm, those chains are far too powerful to be Disciple Min Li's attack," Lei Ping muttered, sensing that the energy from the chains was beyond what Min Li could conjure.
"Most likely, those chains are from an attack talisman. Judging by their strength, I'd say they were created by the clan leader of the Min Family and given to her for use in dangerous situations," Jiang Hong said, narrowing his eyes.
"Hah, as expected. It seems the final match will be between Disciple Wang Ming and Min Li," Zhou Huixin remarked. Even she wasn't confident she could escape the entanglement of so many chains. Perhaps she could break free if it were only a dozen, but not hundreds—especially if they were created by the Min Family's clan leader. If it had been Min Li's own attack, she was certain she could escape, even from thousands of chains. However, when it came to the clan leader, it was a different matter entirely.
The leaders of the top eight families were comparable to the Sect Master and Supreme Elders in terms of cultivation.
"I wouldn't be so sure. There isn't a hint of panic in Disciple Bai Lingxi's eyes," Jiang Hong interjected.
"What? Impossible! Even I can't break free from those chains," Zhou Huixin said, glancing at the Sect Master. However, he didn't respond and continued watching the field with a frown.
'It's not possible, right?' she thought nervously as she swalloed a mouthful of saliva.
They watched as Min Li explained how she had set the trap. Zhou Huixin began planning how she could recruit someone as resourceful as Min Li. But suddenly, they saw Min Li jump back abruptly.
"What?" Zhou Huixin exclaimed. Even the Sect Master and the Supreme Elder widened their eyes as Bai Lingxi effortlessly broke through the chains.
"Sect Master, do you know what that black light was?" Lei Ping asked, noticing Jiang Hong's intense gaze fixed on Bai Lingxi.
"For a moment, I thought you were going to lose," Wang Ming teased, a smirk on his face. Veins bulged on Bai Lingxi's forehead, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks from embarrassment at falling into a trap.
While they talked, the crowd erupted into a frenzy.
"Heavens! I thought Disciple Min Li would win for sure!" exclaimed one person in the crowd.
"Yeah, I didn't expect Disciple Bai Lingxi to win instead," added another.
"That black aura... What was that? I felt like I'd die if I got too close to it," said someone else, shuddering at the memory.
"Now she'll have to fight Disciple Wang Ming. Who do you think will win?" asked a disciple as they watched Wang Ming walking toward Bai Lingxi.
"Hehe, I think Wang Ming will win. He's an even bigger anomaly, in my opinion," replied another disciple.
"Look! She's going to use the same technique she used against Disciple Min Li," someone said excitedly, pointing at Bai Lingxi as she raised her bow upward.
"Thousand Arrow Raid," Bai Lingxi said as she released a blue arrow into the sky. The single arrow multiplied, raining down like a meteor shower.
"Heavenly Sword Art—First Form: Flickering Strikes," Wang Ming said calmly as he unsheathed his Flowing Flower Sword and vanished from his spot.
In an instant, all the arrows falling toward the ground shattered into specks of blue light. Wang Ming reappeared in his previous position, unfazed.
"Lingxi, you need to do better. There's no way you can make me feel even a hint of pressure if you don't get serious," Wang Ming said with a smirk.
"Fine," Bai Lingxi muttered.
"Ice Maker and Manipulation," Bai Lingxi said as the temperature dropped rapidly.