"After two thrilling rounds, I'm sure the audience can't wait for the final match, can they?"
"The rules for the last battle are simple: the one left standing will be the victor!"
"Let's look forward to it together!"
By now, only three contestants remained in the arena. But each of them carried great renown:
The Lindvolus champion—Elise.
The world's diva—Sylvia.
The Banyuu Tenra—Fan Xinglou.
These three were all famous worldwide.
Judging by the roar of the audience, the crowd eagerly anticipated the outcome of this showdown.
"Hmhm! Don't you dare hold back—I expect everything from you! Don't disappoint me!"
"Do you really expect so much, Xinglou?" Sylvia sounded less than enthusiastic. Though she was strong by ordinary standards, facing someone of Xinglou's level—serious and unrestrained—was beyond hopeless.
Not that she couldn't fight—just that she wasn't even in the same league!
But Elise… perhaps Elise had a chance.
"The Diva is still a little lacking. But the Saintess… she's enough."
"You really think that highly of me…" Elise groaned, rubbing her forehead.
"Then may I forfeit?" Sylvia had long since wanted to withdraw. The only reason she hadn't was because Xinglou's presence had pressured her into staying.
But before Xinglou could reply, Elise quickly grabbed Sylvia's hand.
"Eh? Sylvia, you wouldn't abandon me, would you? I don't want to face her alone!"
"I'd love to help you, but realistically, I'd only drag you down."
"It's fine. If it comes to it and we're outmatched, I still have a trump card!" Elise patted her pocket with a confident smile.
"…Since you put it that way, Ely, I'll stay."
"Oi, little girls, enough chatting." Xinglou cut them off—the match was about to begin!
...
"Without further delay!"
"The Apex Arena's third round! Three-way free-for-all! Begins now!"
In an instant, Elise's body shone with holy light. Sylvia began to sing. But to their surprise—Fan Xinglou didn't move. She just stood there.
What was going on?
"Looking for me?"
A childish loli voice whispered from behind. Elise's eyes widened. The Xinglou standing still before them had vanished—only an afterimage!
A crushing sense of danger surged from behind. In her Ultra Instinct state, Elise's body should have dodged instinctively. But—this time was different.
"Ahhh—!"
Pain shot through her back. Elise had been struck!
At the same time, Sylvia too was hit by the exact same attack!
"How… how is this possible?" Elise wiped the blood from her lips, staring in disbelief at Fan Xinglou floating in the air, a delighted smile on her face.
Her Ultra Instinct had been broken?
That was supposed to be one of the strongest abilities from Dragon Ball!
"Hmhm. Your reflexive dodges are indeed fast—I'll admit that much," Xinglou explained. "But the body itself has limits. Your flesh restricts the speed at which you can move."
"Your ability is powerful, but your physical strength constrains its true potential."
"And you have one more fatal weakness, Lady Saintess!"
Her lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Sacred Speech!
"Hypnosis!"
Targeting Xinglou directly, Elise poured her immense faith into the command, amplifying its power. Yet… Xinglou seemed barely affected.
Elise narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing closely.
Just now—did Fan Xinglou's eyelid twitch?
"No way…" Elise was shaken by Xinglou's overwhelming strength.
In the original novel, Xinglou's full power had never been shown. Rarely had she even fought seriously.
All Elise knew was that Xinglou was the single strongest existence in this city of academies.
The strongest—without exception.
But to be this strong…?
"Go!" Sylvia cried. Countless beams of light surged toward Xinglou in the air, smoke instantly engulfing the stage.
"…." Sylvia hadn't raised any flags—she knew well that such an attack couldn't possibly harm Xinglou.
Sacred Speech!
"Black Hole!"
Chaotic darkness swirled into existence at the center of the stage, swallowing every trace of the smoke.
But Xinglou's presence was already gone.
"Over here!"
Her voice whispered into Elise's left ear. Elise jerked her head—
Sacred Speech!
"Turn—mmph!"
Her words were cut short as Xinglou's fungers shoved into her mouth, pinching down on her delicate tongue.
"???"
Both Sylvia and Elise froze in shock. Elise's movements slowed instantly.
"This is your second weakness, Lady Saintess!" Xinglou grinned in delight, giving Elise's tongue a squeeze.
Sacred Speech.
A word-born power. Incredibly strong—but reliant on one thing.
Speech.
If she couldn't speak, she couldn't cast.
"And so soft, too. No wonder you're called a peerless beauty—I might just fall for you myself, hehe!" Xinglou teased gleefully even as she held Elise captive.
Whether from being held down or from Xinglou's words, Elise's face flushed scarlet.
This wretched loli…!
"Next, I'll stop holding back. Be careful—if you die here, don't blame me!"
From Xinglou's sleeve burst countless talismans, spreading across the entire battlefield.
Watching from the stands, Zhao Hufeng was stunned.
Even as a member of Jie Long's student council, partnered with Cecily—an expert of Seisenjutsu—he had never seen techniques on this level.
Even his senior sister couldn't reach such heights. Perhaps not even their legendary eldest brother, Wu Xiaohui, could do what Xinglou was displaying now.
"Ely, are you okay?"
Sylvia landed lightly beside Elise. Xinglou's tongue-grab had been brutal.
I'm fine! Elise tried to say. But when she opened her mouth—no sound came out.
What…?
Her hand rose to her throat. She tried again, forcing out any noise she could—but nothing.
Slowly, she lifted her head toward the glittering light above.
And what met her eyes—was Xinglou's wicked smile.