Chapter 489 - Qin Shuang’s Predicament

The students had just completed a major class with great rewards. Of these, Elina received the best benefits. As the daughter of the God King of Light, she was showered with resources that others could hardly fathom since birth.

Her exceptional talent, rapid improvement, and powerful core race enabled her to grow stronger at an astonishing rate. After the major class, she pooled most of her awarded resources into a single unit and nurtured it to an unprecedented grade.

It had turned into the Earthsunder life form, Radiant Minister. With an Earthsunder life form, Elina was firmly one step above her peers. This also gave her the qualifications to contest for the valedictorian of the second year.

Elina was pissed the moment she heard the term valedictorian. As the proud daughter of Light, she had tried many times to recruit Han Wu into her father’s faction, only to be rejected every time.

Even though Han Wu had remained missing for so long, Xu Hai still safeguarded his position as valedictorian. There was little they could do about it.

Not one to give in so easily, Elina repeatedly brought her and her father’s dissatisfaction to the higher-ups of the Imperial College. In the end, the college decided that Han Wu’s extended absence meant he would be stripped of his position as valedictorian, and a duel would be held to determine the next one.

The last man standing would become the new second-year valedictorian.

Elina used the authority of her father’s faction to remain undefeated in the duels. Although the college was aware of her actions, they turned a blind eye. A student’s background was also part of their strength. If no one defeated her, she would effortlessly become the second-year valedictorian.

When Qin Shuang heard the news, she was naturally pissed. So, she challenged Elina.

Qin Shuang didn’t want to be valedictorian; she merely wanted to help Han Wu retain his position.

The sight of Qin Shuang infuriated Elina.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

She viewed Qin Shuang as being partially to blame for Han Wu not joining her faction. Thus, she decided to use her full strength to deal with Qin Shuang this time.

The duel took place in an arena prepared by the college.

Qin Shuang’s core race, the Thunder Sparrows, had the treants backing them up. Meanwhile, Elina’s core race, the Holy Knights, had her new Earthsunder life form, Radiant Minister.

Its presence alone made Elina’s army appear more menacing.

The battle was fierce.

Qin Shuang expertly commanded her Thunder Sparrows, which had grown significantly stronger after being trained in a lightning purgatory.

Though the two fought viciously, the first half of the battle remained in a firm stalemate.

Unfortunately, unlike Qin Shuang, Elina had a huge number of Holy Knights and possessed the Earthsunder life form, Radiant Minister.

At her order, Radiant Minister unleashed amplification magic, strengthening her Holy Knights several times over. Qin Shuang’s forces were soon obliterated despite her vast experience on the battlefield.

She had been thoroughly defeated.

Elina, however, wasn’t about to let her go so easily.

Under her command, Radiant Minister used magic to immobilize and silence Qin Shuang, preventing her from surrendering. She then invaded Qin Shuang’s divine realm with a huge army of Holy Knights.

Qin Shuang watched helplessly as they destroyed the divine realm that she had painstakingly nurtured.

Though anguished at the sight, there was nothing she could do. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall where Elina could see.

Qin Shuang’s friends cried foul, but seniors belonging to the faction of Light blocked them. Only Sun Qingnian managed to break through the encirclement and protest to the judge, not realizing that he was also part of the faction of Light.

The judge merely brushed Sun Qingnian off. According to him, Qin Shuang had yet to surrender, so there was no reason for him to act rashly.

Sun Qingnian was even scolded for being a busybody and threatened with punishment if he did anything else. Furious beyond belief, Sun Qingnian tried to enter the field and stop the match.

The judge, having predicted this, simply sent two deputy judges to bind him with their Divine Skills. There was nothing Sun Qingnian could do to help Qin Shuang. He could only watch in panicked dismay.

Elina invaded Qin Shuang’s divine realm with ease, destroying everything in sight and turning her hard work to ashes.

Qin Shuang could no longer hold back her tears. When they finally fell, they were blood red. The massacre of her core race wrought an indescribable pain in her heart. She was meant to be their God.

Once Elina grew bored of wreaking havoc, she aimed for Qin Shuang’s Core.

“Blame yourself for trying to block my way when you’re so weak.” Elina sneered before commanding Radiant Minister to deal the final blow to Qin Shuang’s Core.

Light converged to form a sacred hammer in Radiant Minister’s hand. If it struck, Qin Shuang would lose her divine realm, becoming a fallen God without a core race.

Those spectating the duel were alarmed. The radiant hammer swung down. Qin Shuang struggled to free herself from her shackles to no avail.

“Receive your judgment.”

There was not even a trace of remorse in Elina’s beautiful eyes. Destroying a genius was as easy as drinking water for her.

Just as the hammer was about to strike Qin Shuang’s Core, a figure suddenly appeared to effortlessly block its descent with a hundred God greatswords.

A huge gust blew around the dueling grounds as somebody landed beside Qin Shuang.

“Thank goodness I got back in time. I’m so glad I wasn’t late,” Han Wu mumbled.

Placing a hand on Qin Shuang’s shoulder, he used his powerful Divine Authority to break her shackles.

Qin Shuang could finally speak, but when she stared at her ravaged divine realm, no words escaped her. Only 20% of her most powerful Thunder Sparrows were still alive, and even they were severely injured.

It was a devastating blow.

Han Wu was about to comfort her when the judge appeared to chase him away.

“Who are you? How dare you interfere with the duel? Are you trying to die? I’ll give you a chance to get out now, or you’ll face the consequences,” the judge threatened.

Although the judge put on a stern face, it was obvious he was afraid of Steely. Aside from a vague threat of consequences, he didn’t even mention punishing Han Wu and clearly only wanted him to leave.

Despite knowing the answer, Han Wu asked, “Didn’t you see that they restricted her movement and voice to prevent her from surrendering?”

The judge’s face turned red as he tried to make excuses. “This duel is fair. Don’t try to mislead me. Leave now or else.”

Han Wu scoffed. Sensing his orders, Steely beat up the judge until he passed out.

“How could you turn something wrong into something right as a judge?” he asked, clicking his tongue at the unconscious man. “This is the price you need to pay.”

He then patted Qin Shuang’s head.

“Don’t cry. I will avenge you.”