After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 13

The atmosphere in the training grounds grew increasingly heated and tense as the competition entered its final stage.

Ye Li, like a dark horse that had suddenly emerged, dominated her way through the rounds with absolute strength, securing a spot in the final four without a doubt. Every time she appeared, she drew the attention of everyone in the audience, sparking discussions that sounded like a surging tide.

At this moment, the other three finalists had also been determined.

Without exception, they were all top-tier geniuses from the direct lineage. The lowest cultivation among them was already at the High Stage of the Spirit Opening Realm, making them the true pillars of the Ye family’s younger generation, enjoying the best resources and training.

The drawing of lots ceremony was held once more. The air seemed to solidify as everyone held their breath, waiting for the moment that would determine the final duels.

When the steward called out the name “Ye Li” and drew her opponent from the fate-determining tube, the entire training ground fell silent for a moment, followed by an unprecedented surge of noise!

“Ye Li, against—Ye Feng!”

Ye Feng!

This name seemed to carry a magical power, instantly causing the entire venue to erupt!

“It’s Young Master Ye Feng!” “The Family Head’s son! The number one person in our Ye family’s younger generation!” “Half-step Coagulation Meridian! It’s said he’s only a threshold away from truly entering the Coagulation Meridian Realm!” “It’s over, Ye Li’s good luck has run out!” “This is the true clash of dragons and tigers! What a pity, Ye Li probably doesn’t even qualify to be a real opponent…”

Exclamations, sighs, and expressions of regret intertwined. Almost no one believed Ye Li had a chance of winning. Ye Feng’s power was validated countless times, deeply ingrained in the hearts of all Ye family disciples. He was an insurmountable mountain!

On the high platform, Family Head Ye Tian’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, before quickly returning to a state of calm, preventing anyone from knowing his inner thoughts.

However, the corners of the Third Elder Ye Lang’s mouth curled into a cold and smug arc. He picked up his teacup, and under the cover of his sleeve, briefly exchanged glances with Ye Lang (a different person, possibly a relative or subordinate, distinct from the Third Elder) in the crowd below. A flash of sternness and suggestion crossed his eyes.

Ye Lang (the subordinate) received the signal, and a look of wild joy mixed with cruelty immediately appeared on his face. Taking advantage of the distraction, he quietly slipped near the waiting area and whispered a few hurried words to Ye Feng, who was sitting in meditation, his aura as steady as a mountain.

Ye Feng slowly opened his eyes. His features were handsome, his build tall and straight, and his demeanor carried a natural air of arrogance and confidence. Hearing Ye Lang’s words, his gaze sharply swept over Ye Li, who was not far away. A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes before he nodded slightly to Ye Lang, saying in a low voice, “I understand. Father and the Elders have their considerations. A suddenly emerging collateral disciple, even with some luck, is still a collateral disciple. What they shouldn’t possess, they shouldn’t dream of.”

His words were flat, yet carried a judgmental tone from a position of superiority. Clearly, he had also received some kind of instruction.

Ye Lang (the subordinate) retreated with satisfaction, looking at Ye Li as if he were looking at a dead person.

Even before the match began, an invisible killing intent permeated the air.

Ye Li clearly sensed the eyes from all directions—a mix of anticipation, schadenfreude, and icy malice. She also saw the brief exchange between Ye Lang (the subordinate) and Ye Feng, and the profound expression of the Third Elder on the high platform.

“Finally… resorting to underhanded tactics?” A cold sneer played in her heart, but her eyes grew even icier.

The gap in theoretical strength was indeed enormous. Mid-Stage Spirit Opening Realm (she deliberately suppressed her cultivation, which was closer to High Stage) against Half-step Coagulation Meridian—there was almost an entire major realm separating them! Spirit energy reserves, physical fitness, reaction speed… she was comprehensively behind. Under normal circumstances, her chances of winning were extremely low.

Furthermore, her opponent likely had hidden “gifts” bestowed by the elders.

This was no longer just a competition; it was an encirclement aimed at her, the “variable”! The dark side of the family’s interior was revealed at this moment.

But she, Ye Li, had never feared a challenge!

Pressure only made her more excited!

Soon, the first two semi-final matches concluded. Ye Feng won easily and without suspense, showcasing overwhelming strength. The other direct lineage genius, after a hard fight, also secured a spot in the final.

In the final round, the battle for the third place and the battle for the championship would take place successively.

The first match was the third-place battle between Ye Li and the other defeated direct lineage genius.

Although that genius lost to Ye Feng, his strength was still formidable, and his High Stage Spirit Opening Realm cultivation was not to be underestimated. However, facing Ye Li, his heart was filled with apprehension. Ye Li’s previous ghost-like movement technique and deadly single-strike finger technique left a huge psychological shadow on him.

The result was no surprise. In just five moves, Ye Li found a flaw and knocked him off the stage with a single finger, winning the third place cleanly and decisively!

But at this moment, the third-place win couldn’t draw much cheer. Everyone’s hearts had already flown to the impending ultimate showdown—the battle for the championship!

Ye Li VS Ye Feng!

A true clash of powers! The duel between the newly risen dark horse and the established king!

However, in the eyes of the vast majority, this was more like a one-sided annihilation with no suspense.

A short rest period.

Ye Li returned to her corner, consuming the several Qi-restoring Pills she had just received as a third-place prize, quickly recovering her spent Spirit Energy. She knew that the next battle was the true test.

Ye Feng, on the other hand, was surrounded by several direct lineage disciples and elders, seemingly receiving final instructions. A trusted steward quietly handed him something, which he covertly slipped into his sleeve. His gaze toward Ye Li carried absolute confidence and a hint of a cat-playing-with-a-mouse amusement.

On the high platform, the atmosphere was subtle.

“Feng’er’s cultivation is solid; victory is certain,” Third Elder Ye Lang stroked his beard, seemingly saying with satisfaction, yet his eyes glanced at Ye Tian.

First Elder Ye Xiao remained silent, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Ye Li and Ye Feng, his brow slightly furrowed.

Fourth Elder Ye Yun softly said, “I only hope it will be an honorable match.”

Family Head Ye Tian finally spoke, his voice utterly devoid of emotion: “Begin.”

The final match bell rang!

“The Finals! Ye Feng versus Ye Li! Both contestants, please take the stage!”

The entire venue instantly fell quiet, silent enough to hear a pin drop. Everyone’s hearts were in their throats.

Ye Feng leaped onto the center of the stage, his posture elegant and composed. His Half-step Coagulation Meridian aura was released without reservation, forming a powerful oppressive force that drew gasps from the audience below.

Ye Li still walked onto the stage one step at a time, her steps steady. Her aura was restrained, a sharp contrast to Ye Feng’s flamboyance.

The two stood opposite each other.

“It was sheer luck that you made it this far,” Ye Feng began, his voice carrying a slight arrogance. “However, this is where it ends. Surrender now, and you can leave with your dignity. Otherwise, fists and feet have no eyes. It would be a pity to cripple this hard-won cultivation of yours.”

His words sounded like advice but were actually full of threat and humiliation.

Ye Li raised her eyes, looking at him calmly, and only said two words: “Nonsense.”

Ye Feng’s face darkened, and a cold light flashed in his eyes: “Since you are courting death, I will grant your wish!”

The referee steward sensed the tense, confrontational atmosphere between the two and did not dare to delay. He took a deep breath and raised his arm high:

“The Finals—Begin!”

The moment the sound fell!

Ye Feng moved! The power of the Half-step Coagulation Meridian exploded, and his speed was more than double that of the previous Ye Hua! He did not underestimate her, launching immediately with a Ye family direct lineage Human-rank High-grade martial technique—Mountain Splitting Fist!

The punch shot out like a dragon, wrapped in violent, earthy yellow Spirit Energy, seemingly capable of truly splitting mountains and cracking stones with a single blow. The momentum was terrifying, instantly enveloping all escape routes around Ye Li!

He intended to crush Ye Li with absolute power!

The greatest challenge had arrived!

Ye Li’s pupils contracted slightly. The Unyielding Emperor Sutra within her circulated at full power, and the Ghost Shadow Steps were instantly executed to their limit. Her figure drifted backward like a phantom, barely managing to evade this incomparably fierce punch!

The rushing wind stung her face!

The battle instantly entered a white-hot phase!

Everyone held their breath, knowing that the true clash of dragons and tigers was only now truly beginning! And how would Ye Li respond to this enormous gap in strength and the threat of potential underhanded tactics?

The suspense is fully drawn!