Chapter 166: Next (4)

Deneb looked at Xiao Lin with a bewildered expression. “Y-You want to go out?”

Xiao Lin slightly nodded with an expressionless face.

Deneb looked troubled. “

Hmm...

”

Xiao Lin was an eight-star like Ivan, but she had accomplished far more than Ivan could dream of matching.

“Even so, sending out someone who has defeated a nine-star Awakener before...”

Xiao Lin had once defeated a high-ranking Awakener from the twelve Zodiacs in a one-on-one duel. It wasn’t some rookie who had just reached nine stars, but someone who had maintained their rank for a long time. That incident had shaken the world, showcasing the overwhelming power of a North Star Awakener.

“This is the last chance, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yes, but...” Deneb hesitated.

If he suddenly sent out Xiao Lin, the fifth-ranked of his twelve apostles, the other Celestials would definitely criticize him.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I went instead?” A woman lounging lazily beside Xiao Lin suddenly got up.

If Xiao Lin was like a lone flower blooming in a snowfield, this woman radiated the lively energy of a vibrant wildflower in full bloom.

Xiao Lin deeply sighed as she looked at the restless woman who looked ready to jump into the arena. “No, you can’t.”

Xiao Lan was Xiao Lin's older sister and ranked fourth among Deneb’s twelve apostles.

Though their ranks were only one star apart, the gap between Xiao Lin and Xiao Lan was undeniable.

“You’re a nine-star,” Xiao Lin said.

“And? You’ve beaten a nine-star before,” Xiao Lan said.

“That’s only because they weren’t a North Star Awakaner.”

A high-ranking Awakener of the North Star—the weight carried by that title couldn’t be compared to other constellations.

“Honestly, whether you go or I go, I don’t think it’ll make a difference,” Xiao Lan said.

“Even so.”

Regardless of the other Celestials' criticism, sending out Xiao Lan would be crossing the line.

“

Ugh!

But I really want to fight!” Xiao Lan stomped in disappointment.

Xiao Lin rubbed her forehead as if developing a headache from her immature sister.

“Why are you so eager to go out?” Xiao Lin asked.

Xiao Lan sharply glared at Kwon Oh-Jin, who had openly mocked Deneb’s apostles earlier. “Cause I want to smash that cocky bastard’s face!”

Xiao Lin gently placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder. Then, she stepped forward herself. “I’ll take care of that. Just stay put.”

“

Ugh...

”

“Anyway, I’m going out. Is that okay, Lord Deneb?”

Deneb looked at Xiao Lin with a conflicted expression before deeply sighing and nodding. “Alright.”

With only one chance left, it was better to send out someone who would definitely win.

Xiao Lin nodded and stepped onto the railing. Like a swan spreading its wings, she gracefully leapt and landed softly in the arena.

“The next challenger is...

Huh?

S-Snow White Flower?” Spica blinked in disbelief at Xiao Lin.

The Celestials' reactions were far from warm.

“

Hmm.

”

“Isn’t sending Xiao Lin a bit much?”

“Lord Deneb must really hate losing.”

“If he was going to pull something like this, why bother with the proxy battle at all?”

Even if Kwon Oh-Jin’s dominance over Deneb’s apostles had been unexpected, sending out the fifth-ranked apostle was excessive. It was like throwing a national champion into a youth sports competition.

“

Hmm.

An unexpectedly powerful opponent has entered! Deneb’s next Awakener is none other than the Snow White Flower, Xiao Lin! She’s famous for defeating a nine-star Awakener in a one-on-one fight!”

The Celestials watched the arena with cold, disinterested gazes as if to say, ‘Is there even a point in this duel anymore?’ They didn’t even bother clapping.

Xiao Lin ignored their gazes and approached Kwon Oh-Jin. “I’ve seen your impressive skills. I look forward to our match as well.”

She bowed respectfully and placed her hand on the sword hanging at her waist.

Kwon Oh-Jin activated the Stigma of Canes Venatici and examined her energy.

So he’s going all out now, huh?

The energy emanating from her felt so dense and deep that it was hard to believe she was in the same league as Ivan.

A shiver ran down Kwon Oh-Jin’s spine. His heart, which had been calm until now, began pounding as adrenaline surged through his veins.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this.

His lips felt dry, and the back of his neck grew hot. His senses went into overdrive as if on drugs. This electrifying thrill that only came from facing a truly strong opponent made him tremble.

Kwon Oh-Jin flashed a bright smile and adjusted his grip on his spear. “Great. This is more like it.”

He hadn’t felt the nerves while facing Liu Yihao or Ivan because he had already tasted death at the hands of Riarc more than a dozen times. To feel this suffocating pressure again only made the situation more exciting.

“I noticed when you fought Ivan earlier, but it seems like you’re unable to feel fear.”

“What are you saying to a completely normal person?”

I can’t feel fear?

“I’m so scared out of my mind right now that my heart feels like it’s about to burst.”

Xiao Lin looked at him with a puzzled expression. “Then how can you smile like that?”

“Because fear is something you can endure.”

“Pardon?”

“If it’s something you can solve by enduring...”

Then it’s nothing.

Kwon Oh-Jin dashed forward.

Crackle!

Lightning sparked along his footsteps as if drawing a line on the ground. He lightly stepped on the air as he rushed toward Xiao Lin.

“

Hup!

”

Twisting himself in midair, he swung his spear down. This three-dimensional strike used Lightning Steps to attack from above. Like a general on horseback, he aimed straight for Xiao Lin’s crown.

“At the very least, calling yourself a normal person seems incorrect.”

Xiao Lin calmly looked up at the descending spear and unsheathed her sword.

Whoosh!

The moment she took out her sword, a bone-chilling cold swept through the air as if Kwon Oh-Jin had stepped outside in his underwear in the dead of winter.

No deafening roar or earth-shaking impact occurred. With a clear resonant chime, his spear had been violently deflected.

Clang!

“

Urgh!

”

A terrifying, cold energy spread through the spear shaft. Even though their blades clashed just once, his entire spear turned white as if coated in frost.

“Even if you can move freely in three dimensions...”

Xiao Lin slowly swung her sword. Her strike moved sluggishly as if she had activated the Stigma of Hourglass. As graceful as a swan’s wings, her sword left traces of white energy in the air.

“It won’t matter if the final destination of the attack has already been determined.”

His attacks ultimately aimed for her, whether he could step through the air or fly freely. Blocking wasn’t difficult as long as she could track the spear’s aim.

“And on top of that, it becomes even simpler once you’re frozen.”

A chilling wind blew as if he were standing at the very top of a snowy mountain.

Whoosh!

Following the traces of white energy in the air, a piercing cold spread like venom.

“

Haa... Haa...

”

White breaths escaped from Kwon Oh-Jin’s mouth.

The frost coating his spear now enveloped him completely. His movements slowed dramatically, and even taking a single step felt like being pricked by countless needles.

“

Ah!

Awakener Kwon Oh-Jin is completely frozen over! Is he really not able to display the same might as before?!” Spica shouted with heightened excitement, trying to reignite the uninterested atmosphere.

Perhaps her efforts paid off as the disinterested Celestials began to focus on the match again.

Kwon Oh-Jin exhaled a frosty breath and placed his hand over the left side of his chest.

“

Haaa.

”

A blue flame ignited from his palm.

Whoosh!

The Lightning Flames that had previously only been used on his weapon now spread throughout his body. The blue flame engulfed him, melting the frost that had settled on his skin.

“I see. You won’t go down that easily.” Xiao Lin nodded coldly, tightening her grip on her sword.

She never expected to defeat him in a single strike anyway. If he had been that easy, Liu Yihao and Ivan wouldn’t have fallen so helplessly.

“But even so, the result won’t change.” Xiao Lin lightly kicked off the ground.

Her martial uniform fluttered as she glided forward and gracefully slashed at Kwon Oh-Jin. He raised his spear to block her strikes.

Clang! Clang!

Each time he blocked, a biting chill flowed through the spear.

I can’t hold out like this for very long.

The longer the exchange went on, the more his hands became numb.

In that case...

His eyes sharpened as he endured the onslaught of cold sword strikes.

Now!

He drew his spear back.

As if waiting for that moment, Xiao Lin aimed for the opening.

Kwon Oh-Jin stretched out his left arm to block her strike. The gauntlet on his arm absorbed her sword’s mana and heated up instantly, glowing red.

Kwon Oh-Jin aimed the gauntlet at Xiao Lin, and the absorbed mana exploded toward her.

Boom!

“

Hmm.

”

Xiao Lin furrowed her brow slightly and retreated to avoid the explosion.

Kwon Oh-Jin quickly followed as she slid back effortlessly, thrusting his spear straight at her.

Azure Lightning.

Crackle!

Blue lightning spread widely, targeting Xiao Lin.

“It’s useless.” Xiao Lin swung her sword like drawing a line on the ground.

A massive wall of ice rose.

Crack, crack, crack!

The blue lightning crashed like a wave and scattered as it struck the ice wall. At that moment, the ice wall exploded with sharp shards hurtling toward Kwon Oh-Jin.

“Damn it!”

Kwon Oh-Jin’s face twisted in shock as he staggered back.

Not wanting to miss this opportunity, Xiao Lin lunged toward him. Amid the chaotic barrage of ice shards, her sword made a graceful arc and stabbed Kwon Oh-Jin in the stomach.

“

Argh!

”

Though he barely avoided the vital spots, the chilling energy from the blade seeped through the wound and caused the flesh around it to quickly necrotize.

Kwon Oh-Jin’s lips turned deathly pale, and his legs wobbled dangerously. His vision began to blur like a man stranded in a snowy wasteland succumbing to the cold.

“Awakener Kwon Oh-Jin is in danger! He’s in real danger now! It looks like he can barely move!” Spica shouted excitedly.

The Celestials watching the match gasped and shook their heads. Murmurs echoed throughout the crowd.

“So, it’s as expected after all.”

“Still, he’s proved himself more than enough.”

“This is the end.” Xiao Lin infused mana into her sword, which was still embedded in Kwon Oh-Jin’s stomach.

“M-My child!”

Kwon Oh-Jin could hear Vega’s urgent cry. At the same time, the corner of his pale lips curled into a smirk.

“It’s the end?”

He gripped the sword lodged in his stomach.

Xiao Lin’s eyes widened in shock. She tried to pull her sword out, but he pushed it in even deeper and grabbed hold of her arm.

“Who said it’s over?” he asked.

Blue lightning crackled and surged straight into Xiao Lin.

She let out a high-pitched scream, “

Kyahhh!

”