"Not enough. Again."

Lucy wiped the blood off her sleeves before expressionlessly repeating the same words. The sixth youngsters were heavily injured and barely able to stand up. They were beaten back and blue by Lucy, who attacked without notice and inflicted almost fatal wounds.

She didn't use any magic and relied solely on her physical body, which is equal to her husband's. The couple's stats had long since surpassed the limiter and, if she wished for it, Lucy can even break down Mysterious artifacts with her bare hands.

"T-teacher can't we rest for a bit?"

Bora, who had enough of being beaten half-dead, hesitated once before voicing his true thoughts. Though the rest didn't say anything, the look on their faces clearly showed that they shared the same thoughts.

"No rest. Again."

Their energies were depleted and both Shu Ru and Ardor had their right and left arms, respectively, broken.

Actually, a while earlier, Cristina's spear snapped in half when it struck Lucy's palm. This made the girl fly into a rage, relentlessly leaping at the unresponsive Lucy.

She only calmed down when the White Specter reassured her that Arthur will be able to repair in an instant. Nevertheless, the pain from seeing her beloved weapon snap made Cristina dislike and fear Lucy even more.

Even Ardor refrained from using his sword and swapped it with a sword made from his own Sword Essence.

All of this happened in just two hours, which made the disciples despair. Lucy refused to speak and just attacked.

…

Three hours in, five of the six disciples fell unconscious. The last person managed to stand with a lot of difficulty, his body on the verge of breaking, blood coming out of his nose and mouth.

The youth, who's red hair matched the crimson liquid covering his clothes, clenched his shaking teeth and slowly raised his hand, unleashing several fireballs at Lucy, which were dispersed the moment they touched her clothes.

"Arthur did not lie when he said you're exceptional."

For the first time since her appearance, Lucy softly smiled and used her magic. Golden flames burst out from her hand and rose into the sky, appearing more blinding than the shining sun.

This sight seemed to mesmerize the half-conscious youth, his eyes reflecting the golden radiance of the flames.

"In the past, you were Arthur's enemy, right?"

Ho Qing didn't reply, his body shaking more intensely, the flames that were coming out of his hand now vanishing, completely overpowered by the Golden Crow fire.

"I can't have someone like you alive. Die."

After saying that, the golden flames cascaded on the defenseless youth, enveloping him within seconds. Ho Qing didn't even let out a sound as the fire burned his clothes and invaded his body, making him unable to naught but at the sky.

After a few minutes, a screech reverberated across the training arounds, followed by a divine pressure, emanating from none other than the red-haired youth.

Noticing this, Lucy increased the intensity of her flames but that only made the pressure increase by several folds.

"The end."

Lucy spoke the two words then clutched her open hand, making the blood turn Ho Qing into naught but ash.

However, not even ten seconds after his miserable death, an orange spark rose from the spark and a thick pillar of orange clear flames rose to the sky.

"Interesting. This is the first time I'm seeing a Phoenix's Nirvana."

Lucy crossed her arms and retracted her flames, enjoying the spectacular sight.

Ho Qing naked body appeared within the pillar of flames, his eyes releasing a crimson gleam. An illusory phoenix, which was backed by a pressure strong enough to threaten Lucy, hovered above the youth.

A couple of minutes later, everything calmed down and Ho Qing stood a dozen meters away from the silver-haired woman.

He looked at his unscathed body then casually wore a robe that he retrieved from his storage ring, which was affected by Lucy's fire.

Then, the youth bent his body ninety degrees toward Lucy and sincerely said,

"Thank you."

In response, Lucy shook her head and retorted,

"I don't need your gratitude. I was seriously trying to kill you."

Ho Qing remained expressionless and was about to speak again only for the woman to vanish. Knowing that he'll be hit, he unleashed a burst of flames much stronger than his previous ones, nevertheless, he still got blown away.

"Don't move for now."

As Lucy said that, she waved her hand, sending five pills flying into the disciples' mouths. A minute later, all their wounds were healed and their energies were restored.

They simultaneously woke up when a chilling energy crawled into their bodies. They appeared momentarily dazed before they spotted Lucy standing close to them.

They instinctively backed away then, after glancing at each other, they jumped at the White Specter…

****

A day later, it was finally the time for the competition. The city was filled to the brim with people from all over the Cloud Sea Universe. Even people from the Holy Dominion and Divine Planet were participating, which showcased how grand this tournament was going to be.

It was happening in the desolate land of Green-Leaf, a place that some never thought of visiting but, here they are, excited and eager to witness geniuses compete against each other.

Everyone, including King Isadore, his two protectors, and the MoonStar leaders, were present at an artificial yet massive plateau made from reinforced black steel.

The whole area of the tournament was created by none other than the parasite, who stood at the very top with Lucy right next to him.

Dozens of sect and clan masters, powerful cultivators, and countless spectators, were gazing at the couple, some envying them and others looking up to them.

"Today marks the beginning of a tournament made by the MoonStar Sect and the ruling kingdom of Green-Leaf. I won't waste time on useless stuff and just say that no one is allowed to interfere or lend a hand. Anyone who tries to misbehave will be personally handled by me. I hope I made myself clear."

After saying his piece, Arthur and Lucy sat down next to Isadore, who had a disgusting grin plastered on his young face. He seemed to be in a very good mood and could not wait until the tournament began.

"Considering that the enemy is right at our door's step, you seem to be enjoying this, Your majesty."

Hearing Arthur, Isadore chuckled and replied,

"Their presence matters not to me. So… do you want to make a bet?"

"A bet?"

"Yes. Who'll emerge victorious? Which team will surprise the world?"

Arthur turned his gaze toward a well-protected part of the plateau, right where the teams were standing.