The battle between Ouyang Feng and Gamel had finally reached its final stage.

After the initial meaningless probing, both decided to unleash their full power. Though she claimed not to take him seriously, Ouyang Feng treated her opponent with utmost caution. This was the last step toward glory—failure now would mean...

"Father and Mother would be so disappointed. I can't lose. I won't lose to that wretch..."

"........"

Ouyang Feng muttered under her breath. Gamel saw it, but his expression remained as impassive as ever, focused solely on channeling his magic.

As seconds ticked by, the dense clusters of white fireballs filling the arena showed no sign of thinning—in fact, their numbers grew. Meanwhile, the violet glow surrounding Gamel began to contract, sinking entirely into his body.

"You've stood still long enough. Keeping a lady waiting is a capital offense, you know?"

Watching her prepared opponent, Ouyang Feng shot Gamel a disdainful glance—he remained utterly unmoved.

"Fine. Silent treatment? Soon you won't even be able to move your mouth!"

"A flash—"

A whisper like a mosquito's buzz. Gamel vanished from Ouyang Feng's sight!

"What?!"

"Your head... I'll take it."

An icy voice pierced the air behind her. Ouyang Feng seemed caught off guard—but not really.

The cloth-wrapped hilt thrust violently toward her neck. Gamel, intending to knock her out in one strike, was forced to abort his attack and leap aside by an unexpected counter.

"You—"

"Hmph! Did you think I'd leave my back undefended?!"

Ouyang Feng spun around, triumph blazing across her face. Gamel had used impossible speed to vanish, slipping through gaps in the blazing fireballs to strike from behind. His sure-kill blow had been blocked—not by her defense, but by an attack targeting *his own* back. A lethal strike that would have ended him instantly.

"That was..."

"Hmph. I've seen through your little trick! Want to ambush me? Try sucking every speck of air around me away first. As long as objects touch me, you'll never land a hit!"

Laughing proudly, Ouyang Feng strode toward Gamel. White fire pillars erupted around her body. To reach her, one would have to breach walls of flame burning at nine thousand degrees—impossible for mere human flesh.

Step by step, Ouyang Feng advanced. Gamel retreated with each step, until his heels touched the arena's edge—one more step meant defeat.

"Come on! Attack me! Why start dodging now?"

Halting two meters before him, Ouyang Feng glared down arrogantly.

"I surrender."

Gamel lowered his weapon, raising both hands in surrender.

[Battle Concluded! Victor: Ouyang Feng!!!]

"Yay!!"

The fire pillars encircling Gamel vanished instantly. Childlike excitement flooded Ouyang Feng's face as she dashed off the stage and threw herself into Ouyang Lijia's arms.

"Mom! Dad! I won! I won!" she declared proudly, nuzzling into her mother's embrace.

"Yes, yes~ Little Feng is the strongest!" Ouyang Lijia praised without hesitation, genuinely happy her daughter had earned this honor.

"Hmm. Little Feng's all grown up now... doesn't rush into her father's arms anymore..."

Ouyang Long stood nearby, his voice dripping with playful jealousy—utterly unlike that despicable other Ouyang Long.

"Hehe! I love Dad too!"

Releasing her mother, Ouyang Feng bounded into her father's arms. Seeing his daughter come, Ouyang Long's face broke into a warm, genuine smile.

"But Master, why hasn't the signal for the exhibition match's end been given? Must it drag on this long?"

"Good point. Why the delay? Is something wrong?"

Ouyang Long, stroking his daughter's hair, frowned at the now-empty stage.

........

......

Backstage, Zokilia and Ouyang Shi had silently watched the entire battle.

"Hmm... Miss Ouyang Shi, do you know the nature of that swordsman's magic?"

"........." Ouyang Shi glanced at him, her expression as calm as still water. "No interest."

"Tsk tsk tsk. That won't do."

Zokilia shook his head, troubled by her indifference.

"That man, Gamel... his magic likely allows his body to break the sound barrier instantaneously—without the sonic boom. Hmm... perhaps an ability to displace air in an instant? No, it might be..."

Chin in hand, Zokilia sank into deep thought—the very picture of a mad researcher obsessed with unraveling mysteries.

"Boring...."

Ouyang Shi observed his shift but felt nothing. Finish today's business quickly. Then she could return—to Ouyang Ge. To her little brother.

"Teacher."

The Heavenly Ruler arrived, dressed in plain civilian robes. Guards snapped to attention at his appearance. He waved a hand, signaling them to stand at ease.

"Eh? Why is the Heavenly Ruler here?"

"......"

Jolted from his thoughts, Zokilia stared in surprise at the arriving Heavenly Ruler—and beside him, Ouyang Shi.

"My companion has fully recovered. Thank you again for your aid, Teacher." The Heavenly Ruler bowed deeply, sincere gratitude in his voice. "And the promise I made to you... it's time to fulfill it."

"Oh? That's excellent news..."

"Leave the rest to me." The Heavenly Ruler nodded with a smile and departed backstage.

"Alright, Miss Ouyang Shi. Prepare to take the stage. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

What came next would be a grand spectacle, yet Ouyang Shi felt no tension. She simply held no interest in the current situation—no emotional ripples stirred within her.

Outside, a massive wave of cheers erupted.

"Oh? The Heavenly Ruler has taken the stage. Seems he remains quite popular!"

A satisfied curve lifted Zokilia's lips. Perhaps a teacher truly did take pride in a student's acclaim?

"Everyone! I am Li Zhao, the Heavenly Ruler of the Unified Kingdom!"

The murmuring crowd instantly fell silent, all eyes fixed on the young man in the golden dragon-embroidered robe.

"Just now, the final match of this Magic Exchange Conference concluded. The victor belongs to the Ouyang Clan—Miss Ouyang Feng!" Li Zhao raised his hand, index finger pointing to the black twin-tailed girl below. Every gaze followed, making Ouyang Feng shrink back shyly.

"Here, I express my profound pride in Miss Ouyang Feng's outstanding performance. She is one of our kingdom's most precious talents, a cornerstone of our future. Let us first give her our warmest applause!"

The Heavenly Ruler began clapping. The crowd quickly followed suit—whether genuine or not.

After mere seconds, Li Zhao lowered his hands. The hall quieted once more.

"But now... I must announce something. This exhibition match of the Magic Exchange Conference... is not yet over!"

The Heavenly Ruler's unexpected words stunned the audience into momentary silence before erupting into chaotic uproar.

"Earlier, I stated the ultimate winner of this tournament would receive a wish granted by me—within my power, a personal pledge, not the Royal Family's. After careful consideration... I've decided to extend this opportunity to someone within the palace as well."

Again, Li Zhao pointed at Ouyang Feng.

"A representative chosen by the Royal Family will face this tournament's champion. The winner—whichever side triumphs—will receive my promise!"

"What a convenient excuse. The Heavenly Ruler has truly matured. Now then... your turn, Miss Ouyang Shi."

"Yes."

With a quiet reply, Ouyang Shi stepped forward, emerging from the backstage shadows...

"And our chosen representative... is this person!"

Li Zhao swept his arm toward the side.

First appeared Ouyang Shi's ice-blue hair. Then her upper body, lower body, shoes... She stepped onto the center of the stage, expressionless and utterly calm.

—The entire audience fell deathly silent.

"Miss Ouyang Shi will represent the Royal Family in this final, ultimate match."

Li Zhao fixed Ouyang Long with an inscrutable smile.

His eyes delivered a silent warning: *Stay in line.*