Chapter 5: The Ice Empress’s Debut

On the competition stage.

Amidst the lively buzz surrounding the competition stage, a sudden gasp rippled through the crowd: “What? The new student actually accepted Senior Sister Lin Wanyun’s challenge!”

“Let’s go! Hurry and see!”

A chorus of voices rose and fell.

In a fleeting moment, the area beneath the stage was already a surging sea of people, packed so tightly one could barely squeeze through.

Witnessing this scene, everything seemed to be unfolding with the anticipated fervor.

‘Hmph, it’s time to fulfill my promise to Master. I must achieve my goal with the utmost speed.’

As Ouyang Xiyue stepped onto the competition stage, his thoughts drifted back to the past.

“Xiyue, since you are determined to avenge your father, you must grow as quickly as possible.

I will create opportunities for your training. You must give your all, proceeding cautiously with each step.

Once you accomplish all this, your strength will undoubtedly rival mine, perhaps even surpass it.

Your talent is the most exceptional I have ever witnessed.

What others struggle to comprehend, you always grasp swiftly.

You have been by my side since you were six, for seven long years now.

I will send you to the continent’s foremost academy—Sacred Sea Academy.

I want you to crush all the main clubs within a week, making your name widely known.

I know you need to conceal your identity, but this is your mission, and my task is to meticulously cultivate you.

Once your challenges are complete, I will guide you toward your next step.

Go forth!”

His Master’s words from the past echoed in his ears, and as he recalled them, Ouyang Xiyue’s gaze instantly hardened with unwavering resolve.

The currently known main clubs included Sword, Bow, Perception, and Release Speed, and there seemed to be a student council as well; as for the other clubs, they were merely a motley collection of individuals.

****

Meanwhile, Lin Wanyun, observing Ouyang Xiyue across from her, unconsciously clenched her hands into fists.

‘A newcomer, fresh to the academy, dares to be so arrogant, brazenly challenging me in swordsmanship? This is simply overestimating their own abilities!’

“Now, both parties, please bow and prepare for the match.”

The instructor of the Swordsmanship Club served as the referee for this bout.

“Ouyang Xiyue, I ask for Senior Sister Lin’s guidance.”

“Lin Wanyun, I ask for Junior Sister’s guidance.

I will show no mercy; I am determined to defend our club’s honor!” Lin Wanyun replied with a fierce demeanor.

“Before the match begins, I will explain the rules: neither party may intentionally cripple or kill the opponent.

The match concludes when one yields.

Now, let the match begin!”

No sooner had the referee’s voice faded than Lin Wanyun immediately let out a fierce cry:

“For the honor of our club, do not blame me for being ruthless!”

With that, she held her precious sword and roared with immense power:

“Man-Sword Fusion (TL Note: A state where the practitioner and their sword become one, enhancing their sword techniques)! Frigid Slash!”

In an instant, the sword in her hand emanated chilling cold, a layer of frost slowly adhering to its surface, as if adding wings to a fierce tiger.

Lin Wanyun’s figure shifted slightly, and with her at the center, frost instantly crystallized around her, even causing the air temperature on the competition stage to plummet.

Ouyang Xiyue gazed at the ice elements permeating the air, watching his own breath condense into white mist, and mused inwardly:

‘So this is Man-Sword Fusion? She has already cultivated the three realms of the sword to the peak of the first stage, needing only an opportune moment to advance further.’

‘However, for me, this is still far too weak.’

‘Ice is my most proficient domain; none can compare.’

‘Let me show her the immense gap between us in both ice and sword!’

“The formless triumphs over the formed; falling leaves and flying petals all become swords.”

Ouyang Xiyue stated indifferently.

No sooner had his words faded than the ice elements in the air, as if summoned, were rapidly absorbed by him.

“Come!”

Ouyang Xiyue pushed off the ground with force, soaring forward like an arrow released from a bowstring.

The moment he launched himself, the competition stage behind him was instantly engulfed by ice pillars that erupted from the ground.

Wherever he swept past, ice pillars followed like shadows, as if intent on freezing the entire world.

At this moment, Ouyang Xiyue’s eyes were resolute, his aura magnificent, like an unstoppable Ice Queen descending upon the world.

Lin Wanyun, gazing at Ouyang Xiyue’s chilling aura, understood in her heart that victory would likely be elusive, yet she did not retreat, instead charging towards her opponent with unwavering eyes.

When the two collided, a powerful surge of ice elemental fluctuations erupted from their center.

The surrounding ice elements gathered more and more, and the area outside the competition stage was already a chaotic mess; within twenty meters, heavy snow fell and cold winds howled.

Had it not been for the swift reaction of the Swordsmanship instructor, students near the stage might have been in mortal danger.

The instructor gazed at the competition stage, ravaged by ice elements, and countless emotions welled up in his heart:

‘Lin Wanyun, this child is already a genius in the realm of swordsmanship.

To have mastered Man-Sword Fusion at such a young age, she will surely achieve breakthroughs given enough time.’

‘However, Ouyang Xiyue’s swordsmanship realm has long surpassed my own, having already reached the peak of transforming the formless into the formed.’

‘This child’s future is boundless!

To dare to use his hand as a sword in combat—such a crazy feat, even I wouldn’t easily attempt it.’

“Achoo! It’s so cold!”

“This is terrifying!

I never expected Student Ouyang to be not only stunningly beautiful but also astonishingly powerful—they can only be described as a ‘freak of nature’ (TL Note: A slang term often used in web novels to describe someone with abnormally powerful or extraordinary abilities)!”

“Achoo! Look! It’s Ye Xuehui!”

“Ye Xuehui? I can’t believe even that monster is here!”

Ye Xuehui’s appearance profoundly shocked the students present, for they all knew her strength already rivaled that of some teachers.

Once, for reasons unknown, Ye Xuehui clashed with a highly cultivated teacher, and the two agreed to settle their dispute with a battle of strength.

Initially, the students all believed Ye Xuehui was bound to lose.

However, the match’s outcome left everyone dumbfounded: the teacher was defeated by Ye Xuehui and subsequently resigned from their teaching position.

Only then did the matter truly settle.

At this moment, the students mused inwardly: ‘It seems another powerhouse, comparable to Ye Xuehui, has emerged!’

Just then, a figure shot out from the competition stage, like a silver bolt of lightning, instantly appearing beside the Swordsmanship instructor.

A silver-haired girl was seen cradling a black-haired girl clad in a long robe.

The black-haired girl was pale, disheveled, and had fallen unconscious, yet the silver-haired girl’s expression remained unchanged, as if nothing had just transpired.

“Teacher, the outcome of the match is self-evident.

As for the ice on the competition stage, it will dissipate automatically in an hour.”

The competition stage at this point was completely overtaken by ice pillars that had erupted from the ground, leaving scarcely a place to stand.

After handing Lin Wanyun over to other students, Ouyang Xiyue glanced at her again and said:

“You possess great spirit, but you are still too weak.

I apologize for damaging your sword; I will provide compensation.”

This intense match forced the swordsmanship class to end prematurely.

Nevertheless, the students gained much, profoundly realizing the gap between themselves and the strong, and understanding that only through effort could they continuously improve.