Chapter 193: Decisive Battle (Natalia versus Yongrui)

The principal of the school shakily stood in the middle of the coliseum, trying to assess if the situation would take a turn for the worse or not… but after a few seconds, he vigorously shook his head, as if conceding to greater forces. With all eyes on him, he raised his hands and cut downwards, signaling the commencement of the fight between me and Natalia.

In a split second, the whole stadium was filled with her domain, a field of ice that would greatly boost her fighting prowess and optimize her usage of the Qi Energy. It was a typical clich move for an Ice Element user.

What a textbook example of using the Ice Element.

A smirk smeared across my face as I lightly tapped on the ice with my toes. In one second, it broke and disappeared into thin air, like a fog rising up as warm air spread through the atmosphere. Natalia’s pupils dilated in shock as she took a step backwards. She was probably trying to internalize how I managed to break her Domain with just a single tap of my feet.

Chance!

I tightened my core and ankles as I prepared myself for an instantaneous acceleration. In the blink of an eye, I was already beside Natalia, singing my right arm towards her neck for a knockout win.

Natalia’s jaws were still dropping when she realized that my wrist was about to hit her by the neck. In a desperate attempt to survive, or should I say, using her gut instincts, she covered herself with ice and at the same time, releasing massive amounts of Qi Energy into the air.

Good choice!

Just from those precious five seconds alone, I immediately realized that Natalia wasn’t just talented. She diligently put forth effort in her fighting abilities as well. Even without the Ice Domain, she managed to react just in time before my hands hit her.

My image of her underwent an extreme change. She wasn’t someone who would flaunt her power, nor is she someone who would keep quiet if she notices something wrong. In other words, she’s balance incarnate. Beautiful, Powerful, and yet, she never let it get through her head. She was the perfect disciple.

At that instant, my whole being was filled with determination to make her my disciple. She would be a fine addition to my Tang Sect, no, she will bring about another era in the Tang Sect. And also, if I were to recruit such a powerhouse of a lady, then not only will I get on the good side of my other disciples, I will also raise the reputation of the Tang Sect a little bit higher.

“Natalia, that thing you said before we started the match… are you sure about that?” I asked just to confirm. After all, maybe she just said that in the heat of the moment.

In response, Natalia cupped her hands and respectfully slightly bowed towards me. Her grace and fluidity on those small movements made me admire her even more. How many times did she practice to get such perfect cupping of hands and bow transition? Surely she had done it multiple times in front of a mirror.

“Yes, Sect Master Tang Yongrui. I partook in this student exchange in search of a teacher since I had absorbed everything that my Sect Master taught me back in my country. I hope that Sect Master would not take this match lightly. Underestimating an opponent is the lowliest gesture for cultivators.”

“Well, that alone is fine. I’m taking this fight seriously so be prepared to lose.” I clenched my fists as I charged at her one more time.

Later on, I would find out that Natalia was actually kicked out of her Sect because she was too strong for her Sect Master to handle. Seriously, what kind of a scummy Sect Master is that, getting rid of a disciple just because she was too strong? But then again, he was probably forced to do that since his other disciples complained about her… but still! Why keep quantity over quality? Was it because of the funds you receive from their family members or something? What kind of strange traditions are they practicing over there as Sect Masters?

As I charged towards Natalia, not only did I clench my fists, I also opened the shoulder plates on my back to ensure that my punch would connect. No matter how many layers of ice she put up in the way of my fist, it would all be blown to smithereens. My physical strength is more than enough to deal with those ice… assuming that I could unleash enough force, of course.

But Natalia wasn’t the least bit fazed. With an unwavering expression on her face, she released yet another outburst of Qi Energy from her body. This time, instead of forming a thick slab of ice on the ground, it covered the entire Coliseum, making it as frigid as the worst of winters.

The biting cold and sudden drop in the temperature almost made my movements sluggish but I managed to endure through it until I get in close range with Natalia.

“Isn’t this… Ice Zone?! Seems like I really did underestimate her.” I muttered to myself but I didn’t falter. I still have a trick or two up my sleeves and I’m perfectly aware that she’s oblivious about it.

Ice Zone, a powerful skill of the Ice Element that grants the user a huge increase in her attack, speed and defense. But that’s not the reason why the Ice Zone is a scary skill. The reason why is because… the Ice Zone actually grants an infinite amount of heal to the user with minimal consumption of the Qi Energy. Not only is it more efficient than Ice Dominion, it’s also well-rounded.

Oh, and did I already mention that Ice Zone greatly reduces the opponent’s attack, speed, and defense? Well, there’s no point complaining about it. I should just finish this match as soon as I possibly can. If not, then I’ll really get myself in some big trouble.

Imagine being a servant of a girl five years older than you? That would really dampen my reputation as the Sect Master of the Tang Sect. However! I know that it’s the only way to make Natalia agree to a match… or maybe my approach was wrong in the first place?

And before I forget, I should also mention that the Ice Zone eats away at the Qi Energy of the opponent, making him or her expend more Qi Energy than normal. Well, since I’m not using my Qi Energy in this fight, I don’t have to worry about running out of it. But if this dragged on for a bit longer, then it’s highly likely that I’ll run out of Qi Energy before her.

That’s why I should close the distance right now!

“Ice Spikes.” Natalia muttered.

It was expected what would happen next. Multiple ice spikes emerged from the ground and Natalia rode on top of one, smoothly and gracefully avoiding my intention of a closer quarters combat. As the ice spikes exponentially grew in size, Natalia coolly hopped on top of each ice spikes. I could imagine her sticking her tongue out in front of me and telling me to catch her if I can… and somehow, that imagery in my head pissed me off a little bit.

“If you want a game of cat-and-mouse, then count me in.” I said to myself since publicly screaming that phrase is actually quite embarrassing.

Finding the nearest ice spike, I started my ascent by stepping on it. However, as soon as I did, the ice spike collapsed on my weight.

This girl, so she’s going to buy time until the Ice Zone completely drains me of my Qi Energy. Quite the tactician indeed.

However, you’ve overlooked one thing, Natalia. When it comes to physical strength and speed, I’m a tad better than most cultivators. After all, there was a point in time when I had to rely on my physical strength more than anything else.

How ludicrous. How could she come up with such a ridiculous idea?

As Natalia was getting quite comfortable atop her multiple ice spikes, I squatted down as if I was trying to take a break. I heaved a huge sigh as I slowly sank my butt on the ground.

And just as expected, I managed to attract Natalia’s attention, bringing down her guard as her movements slowed down.

That moment was more than enough for me. In a flash, I accelerate myself towards her, putting all my strength on the soles of my feet. In a hundredth of a second, I was already in front of her… even I was surprised at how much I’ve grown in the past months. I’ve gotten faster, and to top it all off, I was under the influence of a huge debuff because of the Ice Zone.

“It’s my win.” I softly whispered at Natalia as I hit her by the nape. Another hundredth of a second later, she fell unconscious in my arms. In the process, her Ice Zone and Ice Spikes disappear into thin air, forming minuscule crystals that shimmer all over the coliseum.

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