After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 109

At the peak of Dao Discussion Peak, on the main arena.

The wind seemed to stand still at this moment. Hundreds of thousands of gazes converged here, and the air was thick with suffocating anticipation. Sunlight spilled onto the mirror-like surface of the arena, reflecting a dazzling brilliance that paled in comparison to the two figures standing on stage.

Ye Li, dressed in ink-black clothes, stood tall and straight like a pine tree. The Profound Ice Sword remained unsheathed as she stood with her hands clasped behind her back. Her eyes were calm and unperturbed, like a bottomless cold pool. Only those familiar with her could detect a hint of the most condensed fighting spirit from her slightly pursed lips. Six months of tempering had allowed her to completely master her surging power, her aura restrained, yet appearing even more unfathomable.

Qin Yixuan, in snow-white robes, her sleeves gently fluttering in the breeze, looked like an immortal descending to the mortal world. She held the long sword that flowed like water, with the Sea Moon Pearl suspended beside her, emitting a soft and pure azure glow. Her face still carried a slight pallor from a recent injury, but her eyes were extraordinarily bright. In her clear eyes, Ye Li’s reflection was visible, carrying a complex emotion that included concern, admiration, and an unwavering resolve.

No words were needed. Both understood that this battle was not about personal grievances and even transcended sectarian honor. It was a test of their own Dao paths, a validation of six months of arduous cultivation, and a long-anticipated, pure clash of the Dao between two peerless prodigies.

On the high platform, Grandmaster Xuan Chengzi of the Mysterious Cloud Sect, Pavilion Master Shui Jing (Master Water Mirror) of the Azure Water Pavilion (who personally attended the ceremony this time), and other giant figures of various sects all wore solemn expressions. The outcome of this battle would directly influence the landscape of the Northern Region’s younger generation for the next decade.

“Northern Region Youth Grand Competition, Final Round, Begin!”

With the command from the Sect Master of the Heavenly Craft Sect, it was as if a switch had been flipped.

Boom!

The auras on both of them erupted almost simultaneously!

On Ye Li’s side, extreme cold spiritual energy soared to the sky. The temperature of the arena plummeted, and fine ice crystals condensed in the air. A chill that seemed to freeze the soul permeated the surroundings. Vaguely, the phantom of stellar annihilation seemed to flicker behind her.

On Qin Yixuan’s side, vast and oceanic Profound Water spiritual energy surged out, gentle and soft, yet containing a majestic power that encompassed all things and could sweep everything away. The Sea Moon Pearl shone brightly, reflecting an boundless, shimmering ocean behind her, as a phantom of a bright moon slowly rose.

One ice and one water, one firm and one gentle. Two vastly different domain powers instantly collided and squeezed in the center of the arena, emitting a grating, sizzling sound, and the space itself slightly warped!

“Please!”

“Please!”

Two clear shouts rang out simultaneously!

In the next instant, both figures vanished from their original spots!

Ye Li executed the Cosmic Trace-less Step, her figure transforming into a hard-to-catch shadow, moving at extreme speed. The Profound Ice Sword suddenly left its sheath, and a profoundly condensed ice-blue sword aura, like a cold star tearing through the night sky, stabbed directly at Qin Yixuan’s face! Before the sword aura even arrived, the sharp sword intent already made one’s skin crawl!

Qin Yixuan neither dodged nor retreated. The long sword in her hand drew a perfect arc like flowing water. “Profound Water Sword Art—Water Screen Heavenly Splendor!” A seemingly delicate but extremely resilient azure water curtain appeared out of thin air. The sword aura plunged into the curtain, as if sinking into a swamp, its speed sharply decreased, and its power was weakened layer by layer.

But how could Ye Li’s attack be so simple? As her sword tip slightly trembled, the sluggish sword aura suddenly burst open, turning into countless needle-thin ice shards that showered down towards Qin Yixuan like a torrential rain! This was precisely the “Profound Ice Storm” from the Ice Emperor’s Heaven Sealing Art!

Qin Yixuan’s beautiful eyes narrowed. The Sea Moon Pearl spun rapidly, casting down a thicker moonlight. “Bright Moon Body Protection!” The moonlight condensed into a crystalline shield, blocking all the countless ice needles, producing a series of crisp clinking sounds.

The first round of exchange, lightning fast, seemed evenly matched, but it already showcased the two’s exquisite control over their power.

“Be careful!” Ye Li softly shouted. Her figure blurred again. The Cosmic Trace-less Step, combined with the newly grasped “Frost Condensation Finger” intent, allowed her to point her finger at Qin Yixuan’s vital spots with every flash. The extreme cold sealing power continuously eroded the opponent’s Profound Water body protection.

Qin Yixuan, on the other hand, brought the resilience of the Nine Heavens Profound Water Sutra to its maximum. Her movement technique was as agile as a fish in water, narrowly avoiding the finger winds at the last moment. At the same time, her long sword scattered, and streaks of Profound Water sword intent, like continuous, unending waves, conversely wrapped around and wore down Ye Li’s extreme cold domain.

The two fought quickly, their figures continuously interweaving and colliding on the arena. Sword light and palm shadows flew everywhere, and ice crystals and water droplets splattered. Ye Li’s offensive was sharp and dominant, carrying a fearless resolve; Qin Yixuan’s defense was dense and tenacious, embodying the profound principle of using gentleness to overcome hardness.

On the arena, it sometimes transformed into a frozen kingdom where all things solidified, and sometimes turned into a vast ocean where waves surged. The two distinct artistic conceptions constantly shifted with their exchange, leaving the audience below dazzled, with gasps and cheers rising and falling.

“Too powerful! This is a true prodigy showdown!”

“Ye Li’s Ice-system divine ability is simply masterful!”

“Saintess Qin’s Profound Water Dao is also unfathomable; her defense is completely impenetrable!”

On the high platform, the various giant figures also showed keen interest, nodding frequently. Whether it was Ye Li’s combat system, which integrated multiple inheritances and formed its own style, or Qin Yixuan’s profound and unique understanding of the Dao of Water, they saw the limitless potential for the Northern Region’s future.

The fierce battle lasted for almost half an hour, yet neither side could gain the upper hand. However, both their auras began to show signs of instability, and their spiritual energy consumption was immense.

A determined look flashed in Ye Li’s eyes. She knew that conventional methods would likely not secure a victory. She took a deep breath. The Nascent Core within her spun madly, and a fragment of the Samsara Mirror vibrated slightly. A deeper, colder aura began to condense.

Qin Yixuan also felt the pressure. She let out a clear shout, pushing the Nine Heavens Profound Water Sutra to its limit. The bright moon phantom behind her became increasingly solid, as if it truly intended to descend into the world!

“Star Annihilation—Ice Emperor Descends!”

Ye Li finally unleashed her strongest combined killing move! She raised the Profound Ice Sword high. Endless extreme cold spiritual energy and a trace of the Samsara Mirror’s fundamental power gathered. Behind her, a blurry Ice Emperor phantom, radiating supreme majesty, slowly appeared! The phantom raised its hand, and an ice-blue giant sword, carrying the will to destroy everything and seemingly able to freeze time and annihilate all things, slashed down towards Qin Yixuan! The power of this single sword had already surpassed the scope of the Spirit Mansion realm!

Facing this terrifying strike, Qin Yixuan’s expression was incredibly serious, but she did not retreat. She held her long sword vertically across her chest. The Sea Moon Pearl’s light exploded to its maximum, resonating with the trace of divine essence within her body!

“Nine Heavens Profound Water—The Bright Moon Rises Over the Sea!”

The ocean behind her instantly boiled. The bright moon phantom suddenly rose high, becoming incredibly massive and clear! The moonlight was no longer gentle but carried a sacred aura of purification and judgment! The bright moon and the giant sword, one above and one below, fiercely collided!

Rumble!!!

A gigantic roar, beyond description, shook the entire Dao Discussion Peak! The blinding light swallowed everything! A violent energy storm swept out, crashing against the defensive light barrier around the arena, causing fierce ripples. The barrier let out a heavy humming sound, as if it would shatter at any moment!

Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the center of the light.

After a long while, the light gradually dissipated.

On the arena, it was a mess. Ye Li knelt on one knee, supporting herself with her sword. A streak of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth. Her face was pale, and her aura was chaotic, clearly heavily exhausted and having sustained some internal injuries.

Qin Yixuan was equally in distress. Her white robe was stained with spots of blood. The Sea Moon Pearl’s light was dim. She had to lean on her long sword to stand firm, breathing rapidly, obviously also at her limit.

Both the Ice Emperor phantom and the bright moon had vanished.

A draw!

It was actually a draw!

The entire audience was silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous cheers and applause! This spectacular, evenly matched, peak showdown was worthy of being recorded in the annals of the Northern Region Youth Grand Competition!

Ye Li lifted her head and looked at Qin Yixuan across from her, just as Qin Yixuan was looking back. Their eyes met, and they both saw the exhaustion in the other’s gaze, but more importantly, a sense of relief after a fierce battle and an unspeakable, mutually admiring sentiment of fellow heroes.

There was no obsession with victory or defeat, only the highest recognition of each other’s strength.

Ye Li struggled to stand up, walked up to Qin Yixuan, and extended her hand.

Qin Yixuan looked at the hand offered to her, slightly stunned, then broke into a smile. That smile was like the first thaw of ice and snow, the blooming of spring flowers, stunningly beautiful. She gently placed her hand in Ye Li’s palm.

Ye Li exerted a slight force, pulling her up.

The two stood side by side on the broken arena, enduring the gaze of hundreds of thousands of spectators.

“Are you alright?” Ye Li asked in a low voice, with a trace of subtle concern in her tone.

“I’m fine.” Qin Yixuan gently shook her head. Seeing the bloodstain at the corner of Ye Li’s mouth, she couldn’t help but ask, “Your injury…”

“A minor injury,” Ye Li said faintly.

No further words were necessary. A profound bond, transcending competition and sectarian boundaries, was elevated in this all-out confrontation. They were each other’s strongest opponents and also the most understanding confidantes.

On the high platform, Grandmaster Xuan Chengzi and Pavilion Master Shui Jing exchanged glances, seeing both gratification and complexity in each other’s eyes. Perhaps the future of the Mysterious Cloud Sect and the Azure Water Pavilion would truly be different because of these two children.

Finally, after deliberation by the giant figures of the Northern Region Alliance, the final round of this Northern Region Youth Grand Competition was ruled a draw. Ye Li and Qin Yixuan were declared joint champions!

When the result was announced, the entire venue erupted again. Joint champions—this was extremely rare in the history of the Northern Region Youth Grand Competition.

The names of Ye Li and Qin Yixuan, along with this legendary showdown, completely resonated throughout the entire Northern Region, becoming a legend revered by countless young cultivators.

On the award platform, the two stood side by side again, accepting the glory that belonged to them. The champion tokens made of moonstone and the generous rewards were handed to them, but their eyes lingered more on each other.

The peak showdown concluded in a draw. But the brilliance displayed in this confrontation, and the rapidly warming, mutual admiration that emerged, were far more precious than any reward. The road ahead might still be full of thorns, but with such an opponent and confidante accompanying them, they would no longer be alone.