Plate Thirty-Two: The Counterattack

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"Contestant Sang Hongye's current valid score stands at three hundred and thirty-five points. She has just unleashed four skills she's never used before, one of which has reached the level of mastery, earning her two additional points. Judging by her expression, this is still not her limit. Let's see if she can become the ultimate dark horse and seize the championship in one fell swoop. According to her registration information, Sang Hongye possesses a soul-based control talent, which she has yet to employ. But here's a question—has anyone told her that as long as she doesn't use telekinesis, she can use her soul talent in the test?"

Of course, Sang Sang was fully aware that her talent was unrestricted. She simply hadn't used it because she still had bonus skills left unused; the moment to reveal her talent had not yet come. The testing rules specified that both allied and enemy units were at her level, differing only in combat awareness and such. Therefore, as long as she didn't get surrounded, she could assassinate enemy units at will.

However, once only a hundred enemies remained, each kill caused the strength of the remaining foes to double. Though their level did not change, their power increased dramatically, and they gained the ability to mimic her skills. Gradually, even sneak attacks became impossible, and her allies suffered heavy casualties as the enemies grew stronger. The advantage Sang Sang had painstakingly built through assassination was on the verge of crumbling away.

Calming herself, Sang Sang slowly retreated to the rear, taking on the role of a competent healer. She began casting mass support spells on her allies, sending distant spells to disrupt the enemy's assault. Her internal energy scattered across the battlefield with each attack, lingering everywhere, assimilating into corresponding attributes based on the aura of nearby people. As others circulated their energy, it was drawn into their bodies, while the color of Sang Sang's eyes deepened, now dark as ink.

It was enough. Time for the final battle!

"Retreat!"

A young, still-childish voice rang out. Her allies withdrew swiftly. As the enemy prepared to give chase, their internal energy suddenly ran amok, and explosive attack skills erupted indiscriminately among friend and foe. Caught completely off-guard, the enemies fell into mortal peril.

"Attack!"

With another command from Sang Sang, her allies surged forward, slaughtering the wounded and maimed among the enemy ranks.

At this point, Sang Sang was the sole contestant still undergoing the test in the martial arena. Every spectator's gaze was fixed on her testing space. Her tactics left countless onlookers dumbstruck.

Was this truly just a child?

Little Jin clenched his fists, tilting his head proudly, his eyes gleaming with an excited gold-red light.

Hmph, that must have been a slap in the face! Sang Sang is the best! Yes, Sang Sang and the Celestial Emperor are the best!

Yaslan's face, hidden beneath his battle helm, wore a faint smile. He always knew this child would one day astound the world, but never expected that day would come so soon.

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So be it—maintain this momentum, and one day the entire universe will be shaken.

Sena's smile was far more exuberant, though still within the bounds of warmth. Yet his eyes shone brilliantly, full of admiration, praise, and satisfaction.

Below the martial stage, the boys and girls who had finished their tests and were waiting for the upcoming blessing ceremony now sat in the best seats at the front, most of them wearing complicated expressions as they looked at the only remaining test space, whispering among themselves.

Bronwyn bit her lower lip, her eyes full of disbelief.

When she finished her test and saw her results, she had been brimming with pride. Even if no one praised her directly, she knew plenty of people had called her a pretender among the seeded contestants. But her eighth-place result in the physical trial had silenced them all. She was satisfied with her performance, feeling it justified her recent hard work. No way that Sang Hongye could possibly catch up, even on a star beast.

But now, she had become a joke, her pride shattered and her efforts denied. The stares she felt were laden with undisguised ridicule.

"...She’s already surpassed third place, and when the scores for soul talent and perception are added afterward, who knows if she’ll surpass Princess Baishu?"

"Baishu said she wouldn’t use her seeded contestant status and wanted to become champion on her own merit. If she gets pushed off the top spot here, will she regret refusing the seed position?"

"My teacher was right: there’s always someone stronger, and every mountain has its peak. Above every genius, there is someone even more extraordinary."

Baishu, sitting upright in the very center of the front row, kept an icy expression. Once, her coldness had been haughty; now, it was chilling and grim. Her fists were clenched, her green hair fluttered slightly, and her emerald eyes gradually crystallized with frost. Suddenly, she swept a glare across the room, her piercing gaze forcing everyone it touched to lower their heads.

"Mind your manners—we represent not ourselves, but our people, our temple. Don’t disgrace the entire interstellar community."

At these words, even those who disliked Baishu found themselves straightening up, their bearing growing elegant and composed. Any objections were kept firmly to themselves.

The chatter died away. Baishu glanced at Bronwyn beside her, who breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her with gratitude and longing. Baishu nodded slightly, then turned her attention back to the testing space on stage.

Sang Hongye? Very good. At last, a rival worthy of me.

For Baishu, only an opponent with the greatest talent, perception, and the most indomitable soul could bring out her brilliance. To defeat such a person would be a true testament to her excellence.

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Meanwhile, on a special concealed viewing platform above the martial arena, several high-ranking members of the temple sat, among them a gathering of current Saints and Saintesses. Each was strikingly unique—some human, some beast, fish, bird, insect, or wood. Though all now assumed human form, certain features still hinted at their origins. If anyone could have heard their conversation, they’d realize that behind those dignified, ethereal exteriors was a group of proud youths with a penchant for gossip.

"The quality of this year’s candidates is really lacking. Weren’t there supposed to be many peerless geniuses? Yet now, a native from a low-level civilization is rising to the top."

"Peerless genius here, peerless genius there—if every claim were true, how many pieces would this world be split into?"

"They must be talking about minor worlds or secondary realms."

"Honestly, you should all be more objective and merciful to the juniors. Baishu is still quite impressive, and that human girl who’s lasted this long is even more so. Her name is Sang Hongye—not a native."

"Hmph."

"Baihua, do you have a problem? Don’t think that just because you’re involved with Saint Jian Kong, people have forgotten your past. You even sent someone to the Forest of Myriad Trees to suppress the juniors. Too bad—real talent will shine anywhere, your suppression is useless."

"As a human who joined the Aquatic Clan, shouldn’t someone like that be suppressed?"

"Enough! If a human relying on the Aquatic Clan is a traitor, does that mean a beast relying on humans is a… beast traitor? Don’t forget, we all belong to the temple. Your words border on sowing division. Say one more thing and I’ll report you to the tribunal immediately."

"Fine, it was a slip of the tongue. But do you really want a native from a low-level civilization to become our equal?"

"Strength has nothing to do with status. Only those who rely on outside help to rise fear competition."

"What she fears even more is that her ex-lover might make a comeback, tarnishing her reputation with Saint Jian Kong."

"The last contestant has left. I’m going to prepare the blessing. Take your seats and get ready. Cultivating followers is our true pursuit." The vice Saint stood, speaking for the first time that day. Also human and with a flock of followers overlapping half with Saintess Baihua’s, his status was clearly higher than hers. Raising his staff, under the holy light, the silver runes on his green battle robe shimmered and flowed.