Evan Chu’s words were like a thunderbolt from the blue—Macy, the Violet Thunder Fox, was utterly floored. Star Crystals? Those were legendary treasures spoken of in awe by every cultivator, rarer than phoenix feathers or qilin horns! How could Evan possibly have one on him? Macy’s mind spun in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock. Was this for real, or was her big brother just pulling her leg?
Jenny Sima was completely clueless about the value of a Star Crystal. Seeing Macy’s jaw practically hit the floor, Jenny couldn’t help blurting out, “Xiaoxiao, is a Star Crystal really that rare? Or is Evan just showing off again?” Her voice was full of curiosity—and a hint of disbelief.
Honestly, Evan Chu himself was only half sure what these Star Crystals from the Ice Dragon really meant. He hadn’t even had time to study them properly! Just like Jenny, he was dying to hear Macy’s explanation, his heart pounding with anticipation. If even the Violet Thunder Fox was this shaken, then maybe these things were even more extraordinary than he’d guessed.
“Star Crystal? That’s the king of all Starstones—packed with more stellar power than anything else under heaven! It’s just as precious as the Iceflame Crystal you got, Evan. I’d bet my tail that not a single person in the entire Heavenly Dragon Kingdom has one. Big brother, you’re not messing with me, right?” Macy’s voice trembled between laughter and disbelief, her eyes shining with awe and suspicion.
Evan grinned and shook his head. “No tricks. The Ice Dragon handed me two Star Crystals—just two! If using them means you’ll be safe, Macy, I’d spend both without a second thought. What’s the point of treasures if I can’t protect my own people?” His words rang with fierce sincerity, the kind that could move mountains.
“Thank you, big brother!” Macy choked out, her voice thick with emotion. Tears sparkled in her eyes, overflowing with gratitude and trust. In the next instant, a surge of violet lightning erupted from her body, and a dazzling six-pointed star pattern lit up her fur. She was putting her life in his hands, no reservations left.
Moments later, a violet beast egg—quiet, mysterious, and brimming with power—appeared in the snow. Evan didn’t hesitate: he grabbed a spare storage belt, tucked Macy’s egg inside, and, with a solemn gesture, placed the strongest Star Crystal from his ring next to her. This was a promise, sealed in star power.
“Jenny, it’s just us now! Let’s get moving—no way I’m letting anything else slow us down!” Evan barked, his voice urgent and full of restless energy.
……
(Scene break)
At that very moment, Heavenly Dragon Academy was a boiling sea of excitement. The Martial Testing Ground overflowed with people—students packed shoulder to shoulder, every eye ablaze with the heat of battle. Heavenly Dragon and Sea Dragon Academies were locked in a showdown, and the tension was thick enough to slice with a sword.
Eleven fighting platforms rose from the field, with the biggest arena towering in the center. Sea Dragon Academy’s students lined up on the left like a wall of blue, Heavenly Dragon’s on the right—a clash of pride and rivalry that could set the sky on fire.
Up front, rows of bamboo chairs were set for the instructors of both academies. The mentors sat like generals surveying their armies, eyes sharp and hearts full of schemes. Every match was a battlefield, and every student a soldier.
This year’s tournament was still a ruthless elimination—three divisions: remedial, common, and elite. Each academy sent their hundred best, handpicked for glory or humiliation. The air crackled with anticipation and the promise of face-slapping upsets.
The opening rounds belonged to the remedial division, scattered across ten platforms. Only the top dog from each platform earned a shot at the central arena, where the real fighting began—one-on-one draws, no mercy, no room for losers.
After five more were eliminated, another round of draws followed—one lucky soul might get a bye, but the final three would clash in a brutal mixed match. Whoever was left standing would seize the crown. No second chances.
The common and elite divisions followed the same savage rules. Now, with the semifinals raging, every match was a test of blood, guts, and reputation.
Heavenly Dragon Academy only had six students in the remedial semifinals, four in the common, and four in the elite—far fewer than anyone dared hope. Dean Xavier sat grim-faced, disappointment etched deep into every wrinkle.
Marcus Gongsun hovered above, sighing in defeat. “Evan Chu’s been lost in Monster Beast Forest for half a year. Maybe he really kicked the bucket in there. We’re doomed to lose again—no point denying it.” His words dripped with bitterness and gloom.
Dean Xavier’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t write him off yet. That kid doesn’t have the face of a short-lived loser. I’m betting he’ll show up! If he doesn’t, all our sweat and blood will have been for nothing.” His voice was stubborn, fighting back against despair.
Just then, a black-robed man swept over with a sneer—Flynn Yun, Dean of Sea Dragon Academy. “Looks like your Heavenly Dragon Academy’s going to flop again! What, are you fresh out of talent? Maybe you should just close up shop and send your students to me at Sea Dragon Academy. Wouldn’t that save everyone the embarrassment?”
Flynn Yun grinned, voice dripping with arrogance. “Dean Xavier, I wouldn’t treat you badly. How about I make you my Vice-Dean? You’d get a real taste of victory for once! Hahaha!”
Marcus Gongsun shot back, eyes blazing. “Flynn Yun, you’d die if you stopped bragging! The tournament isn’t over yet, so don’t count your chickens. The winner’s not decided till the last punch is thrown!”
Flynn Yun just laughed, waving a hand. “I’m just here to watch you lose. Oh, did I forget to mention? My top elite student already broke through to the Eighth Layer of the Earth Martial Realm! Hahahaha!” With that, he soared off, leaving Marcus fuming.
Marcus Gongsun’s face turned ashen. “Eighth Layer of the Earth Martial Realm? We’re finished. There’s no way we can win now.” Despair hung over him like a shadow.
Dean Xavier refused to back down. “Don’t be so quick to give up, Marcus. I won’t believe it’s over until the last breath is drawn. Miracles happen—I’m waiting for ours!” His words cut through the gloom like a blade.
Marcus snorted. “Miracles? You mean Evan Chu? I bet the beasts made a meal of him long ago. If he was coming back, he’d be here already.” His voice was sharp, but underneath it, a flicker of hope refused to die.
Dean Xavier leaned in, voice low and intense. “Don’t forget what Zack Zhao and the others said—Evan’s got an eighth-rank flying beast at his side. That’s Goldwing! And a Violet Thunder Fox, eighth-rank too, following him willingly. Think about it, Marcus—why would monsters that powerful choose him?”
Marcus hesitated. “You’re saying Evan can beat eighth-rank beasts? That’s nuts! Eighth-rank monsters have the power of a Ninth Layer Earth Martial Realm expert. I just don’t buy it.”
Dean Xavier’s eyes gleamed with stubborn faith. “I believe it. And don’t forget—Jenny Sima’s in there too. Even if Evan doesn’t know the tournament schedule, she does. Mark my words, he’ll show up!”
High above, the two deans hovered in worry. But down on the platforms, the battles were just heating up—every clash a storm of pride and desperation.
The remedial division’s matches had ended, and against all odds, Heavenly Dragon Academy snatched first place—their first taste of victory in years. For a moment, hope flickered.
But no one was truly celebrating. The remedial division was just window dressing—any finalist from the common division could crush them with a single blow. Still, the win gave Heavenly Dragon Academy a scrap of face, and scraps were all they had left.
Everyone’s eyes were locked on the common and elite divisions—especially the elites. That was where true strength was measured, and where reputations lived or died.
Right now, on the common division’s platform, Roxanne Lin faced off against a Sea Dragon Academy student. Her beauty was still dazzling, but her face had grown pale and thin—half a year of waiting for Evan Chu had worn her down, body and soul.
Roxanne’s sword danced, sending out streams of razor-sharp sword-qi, each strike fierce enough to split stone. But her opponent blocked every attack with casual ease, his face full of smug contempt.
“Hey, beauty, not only are you a knockout, you’ve got some serious skills! I like you. How about we be friends?” The Sea Dragon student flashed a grin after blocking Roxanne’s attack, his words dripping with mockery.
“Friend my ass! You think you’re worthy?!” Roxanne snapped, her words shocking everyone. She’d made up her mind: if Evan didn’t come back in three years, she’d end her own life and follow him to the underworld. Her pain had twisted into steel-hard resolve.
Her mood had been heavy for months. Now, this guy’s taunting was the last straw. Roxanne’s pent-up pain exploded, her aura surging higher and higher.
Her power actually soared to the Fifth Layer of the Earth Martial Realm. She roared, “Ocean of Blossoms!” Countless petal-shaped sword-qi burst forth, sweeping toward her opponent. In that moment, Roxanne had only one thought—cut him down.