Lin Feng stepped onto the stage, her steps confident, almost too relaxed for someone about to enter a life-or-death match. A sleek bow was slung over her shoulder, and a long blade rested across her back, the hilt gleaming faintly in the afternoon light. Across from her stood her opponent a slim young man, lean but dangerous, and one cultivation level above her. His eyes glowed faintly with magic, and a strange aura pulsed around his arms. He was a fighter mage.
Xiao Xiao leaned close to Alex, tugging his sleeve Master do you think she'll win? Alex watched the ring with a thoughtful gaze. Let's just watch.
The announcer's voice boomed. Prepare for battle!
Lin Feng calmly reached over her shoulder and unsheathed the sword with her right hand. With her left, she notched two arrows on her bow, holding both weapons at once. Her form was unusual off balance, almost lazy but her eyes were sharp. Across from her, her opponent began to gather energy. Magic surged around him, swirling like wind in a storm. His aura shifted from blue to green. Lightning sparked at his fingertips.
Begin!
Lin Feng fired immediately. Two arrows zipped through the air with deadly speed. Her opponent dodged with a spin, charging forward with his twin daggers drawn. Lin Feng met the charge, switching in and out between shooting arrows and slashing with her sword, never staying in one place for more than a second. Each time he tried to retreat and cast, she peppered him with arrows.
Each time he closed in, she met him blade to blade. The match was intense. Fast. Violent. And it wasn't looking good. The crowd murmured she was fast, but not fast enough. Then something changed. Lin Feng's expression shifted. Her lips curled into a wild grin. She remembered something.
Alex's voice in her head. His awkward face. His stupid, shy little smile. His ridiculous advice from the night before. If you ever get desperate, he'd said, just do what I taught you. So she did.
Flash the Bosoms! she shouted. Her chest bounced with an exaggerated motion as she charged in, catching her opponent off guard. Boobs Up Destruction Style! She lunged with her sword, feinting twice before spinning low and rising with a punch.
IP-Man Machine Gun Punch! She jabbed so fast her arms blurred. The audience gasped. What in the world Yue'er muttered from the stands.
Rolling Trolley Recall! Lin Feng shouted again, hopping backward and twirling her bow like a baton. She spun, dodged, then Fake Drunken Fist Dance! she declared, swaying her hips and stumbling in a playful, clumsy rhythm. Her opponent was too confused to react. She dodged his next strike just by wobbling.
High Jump Underwear Despair Dropkick! she yelled. She jumped into the air, skirt fluttering, and slammed down with both heels into her opponent's shoulder. He crashed to the floor. Yue'er's jaw dropped. Is this seriously working?
Lin Feng blew a kiss to the crowd, winked, and spun again. Drunken Seduction Style! she shouted, twirling like she was on a parade float. People in the audience were stunned. Some whistled. Some laughed. Some just stared in total disbelief. And yet it was working. Her opponent couldn't keep up. His movements grew more frantic. He was being toyed with, humiliated even. Until something shifted. Suddenly, his aura changed. From green to red.
The ground cracked beneath his feet. His skin darkened, veins pulsing with a crimson glow. He wasn't supposed to have that kind of power. The announcer's voice boomed with panic. Stop the fight! The use of forbidden techniques is not allowed in junior matches!
Elders on the sidelines surged to intervene but it was too late. He was already charging at her, bloodlust in his eyes. Lin Feng froze. She could feel death coming. His speed was unreal now far beyond her level.
But in that moment, she saw it again. Alex's awkward smile. That shy little boy with the trembling hands who still believed in her. And she refused to die. She spun. Shot an arrow straight into his shoulder.
And while he flinched. She stepped forward and slashed. One, two, three, four rapid strikes blade glinting with every blow. With a final twist, she brought the sword down on his forearm. Blood sprayed. His blade fell. So did his hand. The crowd fell into stunned silence.
The announcer stumbled forward, stunned, then raised his hand. Winner Lin Feng of the Black Something Sect! Silence turned to cheers. Cries. Screams. Disbelief.
The match is over! The match is over! We'll be investigating the use of forbidden arts. For now… all participants are to rest. The competition continues tomorrow! Lin Feng stood tall, blood on her blade, breathing hard. She turned to Alex in the stands and grinned. Then gave him a big thumbs up.