Silence reigned over the audience. No one said a word. Even Húndàn Wang was stunned into silence.

Mei Xilan’s face was revealed in all its unblemished jade-like glory. Her soft features greatly contrasted with her cold expression. It was easy to tell that she was young. Her cheeks retained their youthful baby fat. The almond shape of her eyes complimented her small, pert nose. Below were a pair of beautiful pink lips shaped like a bow. Even the rounded shape of her chin and jaw helped lend her the appearance of a young fairy.

“Oh…”

Húndàn Wang’s softly spoken word caused Mei Xilan to raise a hand to her face. She pursed her lips just slightly upon realizing her veil was gone. After hesitating for a moment, she lowered her hand to her side and stared at her opponent.

“That was a very powerful attack. I must congratulate you on breaking through my Ice Lotus Shield. Your title as the Saintly Sword Sect’s strongest youth is well-deserved. Now, I hope you will be willing to receive my strongest attack.”

Húndàn Wang shook himself out of his stupor. He spoke, but he was still blushing bright red. “It would be an honor to receive your attack. However, in return, I would like to ask for a favor.”

“I will not become yours, if that is what you are going to ask.”

“…”

“Will you not receive my attack unless I agree?”

“No. Of course, I will. You received mine without complaint, so to do any less would dishonor my family and my sect.” Húndàn Wang shifted into a guard stance with his sword held out in front of him. “Please, go ahead.”

“Very well. See if you can defend against my technique, though standing guard like that won’t do you any good.”

“Eh?”

“Ice Phoenix Domain.”

The very air shifted the moment those words left her lips. A cold wind quickly spread throughout the arena, though it was all concentrated on the battlefield. An ice blue dome formed around them. Immediately after, an immensely powerful cold aura engulfed the entire arena floor.

Húndàn Wang, who was stuck in the middle of this cold aura with Mei Xilan, fell onto his knees as all of the strength in his body left him. He shivered as frost formed on his skin, tried to gather his strength and stand up, but then fell back down.

He now understood why she said guarding himself would do no good. This was not an attack that could be guarded against--at least, not with his current level of strength. It was a technique that attacked from all sides, seeped into his very skin, and froze the blood in his veins. Húndàn Wang couldn’t even circulate his chi properly. It felt sluggish like sludge. What’s more, the chi he was using to enhance his body was being sucked from him.

“I wouldn’t move if I were you,” said Mei Xilan. The woman was no longer on the ground but floating in the air. She was only hovering a little bit off the ground. Even so, this was a feat that should not have been possible for someone at the Human Limit Realm. “The Ice Phoenix’s Domain not only saps your physical strength, it depletes your chi as well. As of right now, you only have enough chi to keep yourself from freezing to death. I therefore recommend that you do not move.”

Húndàn Wang felt many mixed emotions as he realized how soundly he’d been beaten. Mei Xilan had not used this technique at the start of the match, but she could have. He would have lost within sixty seconds if she had used this domain from the beginning.

And yet, he was also stunned that she could use a domain with her cultivation. How was it even possible for someone at the Human Limit Realm to use something that should have been accessible only to Deva Realm experts? She must have been a genius among geniuses. Nobody else he knew could do anything like this.

I was never her match right from the beginning.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it didn’t feel so bad losing to someone like her.

“I… forfeit,” he stuttered.

“Very well.”

Mei Xilan’s chi suddenly vanished, and the icy cold aura that had been sapping his strength did as well. The woman who had created such a strong phenomena landed back on the ground. She paused, then summoned another veil from her storage ring and place it on her face. It was already too late to hide her features. However, it seemed as if she didn’t want people staring at her too much.

“The… winner of this round is Mei Xilan,” the elder said, raising his hand into the air.

No one clapped or cheered for Mei Xilan. Everyone was too stunned for that. The victor of this match looked at the stands with her cold gaze, then slowly left the stage. Húndàn Wang watched her as she walked away.

He didn’t doubt that this woman was the strongest contender in the entire tournament. She would certainly claim victory over everyone else.

***

To think someone at such a young age and with such a low cultivation could create their own domain. That young girl’s strength is terrifying.

Staring at the young girl as she walked off the arena was Húndàn Qie, who could not help but be amazed by the power that had been put on display here.

He did not blame his son for losing this match. No one at the Human Limit Realm was capable of dealing with a Domain. It was one of the defining features that distinguished those at the Deva Realm from the lower realms of cultivation.

That said, Mei Xilan was clearly at the Human Limit Realm. He didn’t know how she was able to form a domain despite her cultivation, but there were some gaps that could be exploited if someone knew how. His son did not. That was why he lost. Húndàn Qie would have to teach him about how to counter domains now that he knew there were people like Mei Xilan in existence.

“That girl was very impressive,” said his head elder.

He nodded. “That she is. I imagine she will emerge victorious in this tournament.” He sighed. “Though it is disheartening that my son lost so soon. He is no longer eligible to enter the Sacred Grounds.”

Only the top five winners could enter. Had Húndàn Wang lost to Mei Xilan in the semi-finals, he would have still been eligible, but not anymore. It was unfortunate, but such was life. Even the most fortunate of souls could not attain every opportunity open to them.

***

“What was that?” asked Wu Jian.

“That… was a domain,” Hou Jingshu said with a shaky breath.

“I think I’ve heard about that a long time ago.” Wu Jian paused. “It’s an area of effect technique that surrounds the user. Everything within the domain transforms into an element that is beneficial to the one who activates it. The type of domain a person creates is often dependent on their dao. Mei Xilan’s cultivation method uses the ice element, so her domain is one that turns everything into ice.”

“Yes… but I’m shocked. Domains shouldn’t be formed until someone reaches the Deva Realm. That she can form a domain with her cultivation is…”

“Unfathomable?” Wu Jian finished for her.

“Un,” Hou Jingshu nodded.

Mei Xilan entered the waiting room at that moment. Everyone stared at the woman as she walked over to Xian Fei. The eldest among the Three Ice Fairies greeted her companion with a smile.

“Hmmm.”

Wu Jian thought for a moment, came to a decision, and began walking to Mei Xilan. Hou Jingshu looked startled, but she quickly followed after him.

Mei Xilan and Xian Fei noticed his approach. While the oldest looked wary, the youngest merely stared at him with her ice blue eyes that reminded him of polar ice caps.

“Excuse me, do you mind if I ask a question?” asked Wu Jian.

“You just did,” said Mei Xilan.

Wu Jian paused. “Then do you mind if I ask a question specifically about your domain?”

“You may ask, but I can’t guarantee I’ll answer.”

“Good enough.” Composing his thoughts took a moment, but once he was ready, he asked the question that had been burning in his mind. “How is it that you can form a domain when you haven’t reached the Deva Realm?”

Mei Xilan did not speak at first, and the silence stretched on long enough that Wu Jian wondered if she would answer him. Hou Jingshu and Xian Fei both looked between the two. Finally…

“I apologize, but that is not a question I am willing to answer right now.”

“Right now? Meaning you might answer it in the future?” Wu Jian raised an eyebrow at the curious turn of phrase.

“Correct.”

“What can I do to convince you to answer me?”

“Beat me in the tournament. If you beat me, I’ll answer you. However, if you lose, then I’ll demand something from you in turn,” said Mei Xilan.

“So if I win, you’ll answer my question, and if you win, I’ll owe you a favor?”

“Correct.”

Wu Jian thought for a moment. He did want to know why this young girl could form a domain, but he also didn’t know what favor she wanted from him. What if the favor she asked for was unreasonable?

“Can I add a stipulation to this?” he asked.

Mei Xilan nodded. “Go ahead.”

“You cannot ask me to do something that I am physically incapable of doing, nor can it be something that goes against my principles. Anything else is fine.”

“… That is acceptable.”

“All right. Then I look forward to fighting you in the tournament.”

“Me as well. By the way, Your Highness, it looks like you’re up?”

“Huh?”

Hou Jingshu and Wu Jian glanced up to see that, indeed, she and Xian Fei were battling next.

“It appears you’re battling me, Your Highness. Let’s have a good match,” said Xian Fei.

Hou Jingshu smiled. “Yes, let’s.”

As the two left the waiting room, Wu Jian turned to Mei Xilan. “Why don’t we watch the battle from over there?”

Mei Xilan looked at the viewing window, then nodded. “Very well.”

They made it to the viewing window just as Hou Jingshu and Xian Fei leapt onto the platform. The two young woman stood on opposite sides of the arena. Hou Jingshu summoned her spear, while Xian Fei summoned a pair of ice swords.

The elder had them bow to their ancestors, him, then each other, and then the battle started. Hou Jingshu quickly closed the distance between them and attacked, but Xian Fei skated away. The floor beneath her feet turned to ice. This let her move a lot faster than if she ran.

“She uses the same techniques as you,” Wu Jian said.

“We are from the same sect,” Mei Xilan shrugged.

“But she’s a close-range fighter, unlike you,” Wu Jian added.

“Her teacher is Cui Hui. She is an elder in the Ice Phoenix Sect who specializes in dual wielding daos.”

“That explains it.”

Xian Fei slipped behind Hou Jingsh, crossed her swords, and sliced them out in an X-pattern. She was blocked. Hou Jingshu maneuvered her spear behind her and blocked without turning around. Once the ice daos were parried, she lashed out. Her foot solidly connected with Xian Fei’s stomach. The woman staggered backward, but she had the sense of mind to launch several ice spears at Hou Jingshu, though all of them were blocked as well.

It looked like the two were about even. Hou Jingshu was physically more capable, but Xian Fei was a technique fighter and therefore able to parry many of the princess’s attacks. Yet as the battle wore on, Xian Fei began to tire. That was not the case for Hou Jingshu. She only seemed to get stronger the longer the battle went on.

“Her Highness’s cultivation method is very impressive. I’ve never seen a method that allows someone to grow more powerful the longer they battle,” Mei Xilan muttered.

“Jingshu really is amazing,” Wu Jian said with pride.

The battle eventually ended when Xian Fei ran out of energy. A winner was announced, the pair walked off the platform, and two new names appeared.

Jian Wu vs. Hou Gun.

So he was going to fight Hou Jingshu’s oldest brother in the semi-finals? He had been hoping to fight Mei Xilan, but this sounded fun too. He didn’t really like Hou Gun. They hadn’t interacted much, but something about him rubbed Wu Jian the wrong way. He felt slimy.

Hou Gun glanced at him, then quickly walked out of the waiting room. Wu Jian followed after the other man just as Hou Jingshu and Xian Fei entered. He raised his hand. Hou Jingshu, realizing what he wanted, raised her hand and clapped it against his as he walked outside and stepped onto the arena platform, where Hou Gun was already waiting.

“Are you both ready?” asked the elder. The two nodded. “Then bow to your ancestors, bow to me, now bow to each other. Very good. The battle may begin on the count of three, two, one… fight!”

Even though the battle had begun, neither Wu Jian nor Hou Gun started fighting. Wu Jian had noticed it already. His opponent had not brought out his sword. His stance wasn’t even battle ready. This threw Wu Jian off. What was going on?

“Are you not going to unsheathe your weapon?” asked Wu Jian.

Hou Gun smiled and shook his head. “There’s no need. I already know I’m not your match. That is why I’m forfeiting.”

“What?” Wu Jian was stunned.

“You shouldn’t be so surprised. A good leader is someone who knows when to stand tall and when to retreat. I know that as I am, I cannot defeat you. Retreating is the better option here,” Hou Gun said.

What Hou Gun said might have sounded logical, but there was something about it that really rubbed Wu Jian the wrong way.

“Perhaps if you were at war and the opposing side had much greater strength, retreating would be a viable option to conserve your forces… but this is a tournament. It is meant only to showcase the strength of the people participating. There is nothing to lose by showing what you have. Even if you did lose, you can claim it was simply because I am stronger. Forfeiting before you even try to fight is an act of cowardice,” said Wu Jian.

Hou Gun clenched his hands into fists. Had Wu Jian’s words gotten to him? They must have. His face was turning slightly red, especially near the ears.

Wu Jian thought maybe Hou Gun would allow himself to get angry and act rashly, but after taking several deep breaths, the eldest prince of the Shang Kingdom regained his bearings.

“You may think whatever you want, but knowing your strengths and weaknesses is key to being a good ruler.”

“But not a good cultivator,” Wu Jian pointed out.

Hou Gun shrugged. “Being a good cultivator and being a good ruler are two different things. And I’ll not trade wits with you. Elder, I forfeit. Please give the victory to Jian Wu.”

“Are you sure about this?” asked the elder.

“I am.”

The elder sighed. “Very well. The winner of this match goes to Jian Wu!”