“Waaah!” Even though the spectators were standing at a fair distance, the rapidly spreading shockwave still sent many of them staggering, tumbling left and right, screams breaking out all around.

But their ordeal was far from over. A thunderous boom resounded again as a second shockwave erupted. The ground cracked apart with a deafening roar, countless fragments shooting outward in all directions.

It was like being swept by a machine gun barrage! A single strike from those shards would not only maim but could easily kill. In an instant, raw terror surged up from the depths of the crowd’s hearts, spreading across their faces in waves of dread.

Just as despair was about to take hold, the Grandmasters and S-class transcendents at the front finally made their move. Their surging auras instantly solidified into barriers, blocking every fragment that came hurtling toward the crowd.

Yet the assault did not end there. A deafening rumble followed. The center of the square split apart, jagged fissures tearing open across the stone. Moments later, two figures were blasted from the cloud of dust, sent flying backward as the fiercest shockwave yet ripped outward.

Debris exploded into the air, sand and dust engulfing the sky.

The gathered powerhouses had no choice but to get serious, bracing themselves against the third impact. Seeing this, Pixie also stepped in to defend. Mylene tried to join her, but was quickly stopped.

“Right now, many factions still don’t know you exist. There’s no need to reveal yourself.”

Hearing this, Mylene nodded and decisively withdrew to the side.

This new shockwave came raging in, carrying the weight of ten thousand tons. Had it struck the weaker ones in the crowd, the result would have been nothing short of a human catastrophe.

Such was the destructive power of Grandmaster-level combat, terrifying beyond belief.

Thanks to the shielding of the experts, the audience behind them narrowly escaped disaster. Most only suffered scrapes or bruises from being knocked about. Yet the survivors felt as though they had just clawed their way back from the gates of death, their hearts pounding wildly in their chests.

It was thrilling, yet utterly terrifying. Those watching the live broadcast felt their scalps tingle, their bodies trembling with excitement. Some even screamed aloud, nearly fainting on the spot.

A battle that surpassed human limits, it made blood surge through the veins, igniting exhilaration beyond control!

A gust of sea breeze swept through, blowing away the lingering dust and revealing two figures. On the left stood a maiden like an immortal descended from the ninth heaven. On the right stood a middle-aged man, his face slightly pale.

Both stood tall and unyielding, their bodies radiating an oppressive aura that sent shivers down spines. The watching elites couldn’t conceal their astonishment as they looked upon the standoff.

That man, Lucky, was even stronger than they had imagined! But what shocked them even more was Yae-hime. A Primary Grandmaster, yet she was actually holding her ground against an Intermediate Grandmaster.

‘I knew I wasn’t mistaken last time… Princess truly is stronger than me.’ Pixie herself was shaken. At best, her strength could allow her to fight Lucky to a draw. On the surface, the two combatants had seemed evenly matched. But Pixie could clearly see the difference in their auras.

Lucky was already beginning to falter. Meanwhile, Princess’ aura only grew more intense with every passing moment. And to think, she had entered this fight already wounded!

Returning to her place, Pixie glanced at Mylene and softly asked, “Just what realm is your sister at now?”

Mylene shook her head. The shock she felt was no less than Pixie’s. Her sister’s strength was like an unfathomable abyss, there was no finding the bottom.

Watching the live broadcast, Ronald sat utterly stunned. Lucky’s power alone was enough to leave him deeply shaken. This man, whom Ronald had nearly erased from memory, had in the end surpassed him.

Yet even that shock was nothing compared to the awe Princess inspired. And to what extent? As though she towered above them like a figure three or four stories high.

“What kind of monster is this…” Suddenly, Ronald recalled that mysterious Kun Ruins. Only those prodigies who came from there could shine with such brilliance!

***

In Yanjing, at the Ye family estate. Donald was also watching the broadcast, his face showing a trace of shock, though not excessively. “So this is the strength of a genius from Kun Ruins… truly terrifying!”

At the same time, inside the Mo family tower. Lisa said nothing, though her eyes gleamed with admiration. ‘If I remember correctly, Princess had only just stepped into the Grandmaster Realm not long ago.’

“To clash head-on with an Intermediate level Grandmaster as a mere Primary, and even gain the upper hand. That kind of talent is only slightly beneath mine.” Lisa let out a calm smile, feeling her decision to win her over from the very beginning had been absolutely correct.

Back at the plaza. Lucky’s eyes locked on Yae-hime, his clenched fists creaking audibly. It was as if he wanted to crush the shock and dread within his heart to pieces.

‘Why is this woman growing stronger with every exchange!?’ At the start, he had managed to press a slight advantage. But with that last punch, Lucky realized something was wrong. Her strike had actually been stronger than his own!

‘For someone so young to already wield such strength… her future is unimaginable. No! I must kill her as soon as possible!’ At that moment, the killing intent in Lucky’s heart surged higher than ever, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Across from him, Yae-hime exhaled softly, a serene look appearing on her face. After such an intense clash, it was hardly surprising that her strength had not weakened but increased.

By using the Green Emperor’s Longevity Art in combat, her mana consumption naturally increased. Still, the faster her body healed, the sooner her strength returned. Her true power had always been far above Lucky’s.

Now, it was merely returning to its natural state.

“You have fifteen seconds left to pray to your god.” She pointed at Lucky, her voice calm and indifferent. The words sounded like a proclamation of victory. To others, it came across as unbearably arrogant. Yet Yae-hime had only spoken the truth.

“Fifteen seconds?” Grandmaster Kim of Korea allowed a faint smirk to curl at his lips, his expression mocking. In his view, Yae-hime was indeed powerful, but like many of the young, she was far too conceited.

Such arrogance, that dismissive contempt for all others, was not a virtue. One must remember, the foundation of veteran Grandmasters ran deep indeed!

“Still too young.” Grandmaster Ota shook his head lightly. Just moments ago, he had held a favorable opinion of Yae-hime, but with those words, his impression of her dropped by half.

She had fallen into the very mistake that most young people inevitably made. That arrogance would eventually lead her straight to the underworld.

The experts present were all seasoned veterans, having seen far more of the world and eaten more salt than Yae-hime had eaten rice. At this moment, every one of them lost faith in her.

“Hahahahaha!” Suddenly, a wild burst of laughter rang out.

All turned toward the sound, only to see Lucky throwing his head back, laughing as though he had just heard the most ridiculous joke of his life, one so absurd it could split his sides.

Yet the laughter ended abruptly, cut off in an instant. Lucky closed his mouth and fixed his gaze on Yae-hime, his expression as frigid as winter. The killing intent within him had soared to its peak.

No—what also surged was a fury like a volcano on the verge of eruption. He felt that this insolent woman before him had gravely offended him. She had to die. Immediately.

“You have ten seconds left.” In response, Yae-hime remained utterly composed, as if she had never placed him in her eyes at all.

That unshaken demeanor sent Lucky’s rage and bloodlust bursting forth completely, spilling from his mouth. “Kill!”