Chapter 164: Lingxiao Tear versus Water Magician

Stepping onto the stage, Ling Xiaolei immediately assumed a combat stance, maintaining absolute focus. A ring of purple light flared beneath her feet; her right hand gripped a wooden magic staff, while her left hand cradled an open spellbook.

Streams of rune trajectories and esoteric incantations swirled around her before flowing into her body. Simultaneously, she cast her sensory web, ready to deploy binding chains to restrict her opponent's movements the moment they entered her attack range.

The announcer declared, "The match—begin!"

Both competitors moved simultaneously, tracing arc-like trajectories around the arena as they steadily closed the distance between each other.

"Water Ball!"

The water-attribute mage launched his first skill. A sphere of water condensed with magical power burst from his hand, hurtling toward Ling Xiaolei. After she dodged it, the projectile curved back into his grasp.

His range was clearly beyond the reach of her sensory web, yet Ling Xiaolei showed no sign of weakness. She thought to herself, "It's best if he doesn't know my attack range. I'll quietly close the distance and finish him in one blow."

With that thought, she continued to sprint around the perimeter of the stage, sparring with the water mage while dodging his water ball attacks and gradually shortening the distance between them.

"Beads of Mist and Water!"

Standing at the center of the arena, the water mage raised both hands. Chaotic, blurred mist began to materialize beneath his feet, spreading outward along the stage floor. A second glance revealed that the platform had transformed into a clear, flat sheet of water that reflected his figure.

Meanwhile, behind and around Ling Xiaolei, a curtain of water materialized. Countless droplets suspended in the air completely obstructed her vision before suddenly shooting toward her like bullets.

Having long anticipated danger, Ling Xiaolei immediately erected four barriers around herself and shouted, "Dark Barrier!"

Simultaneously, the four barriers expanded violently outward, shattering the countless moving and stationary droplets in the air as water mist splashed in all directions. Just as the water mage was preparing to recall his skill and regroup, Ling Xiaolei leaped right before him.

"Binding Chains!"

A volley of chains slammed down toward his face. At the same time, around the water mage's feet, clusters of purple chains burst upward, kicking up splashes of water as they coiled into a braided cage that trapped him inside. Just as Ling Xiaolei thought she had secured victory and moved to tighten the chains, the water mage's figure abruptly dissolved into a pool of water, splashing onto the surface and vanishing without a trace.

"It seems to be the water mage's illusion."

Ling Xiaolei dropped back to the ground, searching left and right. Although water-attribute magic possessed relatively low offensive power, its hallmark was extreme flexibility and versatility—formless yet tangible, continuous and unending.

Suddenly, his figure emerged once more from another patch of water, rapidly hurling splashed droplets toward Ling Xiaolei.

"Dark Barrier!"

Ling Xiaolei raised a barrier to block the barrage of water droplets.

Time and again, whenever she attempted to capture her opponent with binding chains, he would dissolve into water mist and vanish into thin air.

Upon reappearing, he would launch sudden assaults from unpredictable angles, invariably outside the range of Ling Xiaolei's sensory web, catching her completely off guard.

Her entire body grew damp from the splashing spray. Even the few times the water mage suddenly erupted from the ground directly beneath her feet, she failed to anticipate it in advance; the water surface seemed enchanted, completely masking his presence.

When calm, it could reflect any attack like a mirror. She could only pinpoint his location the split second he poked his head out, forcing her into rapid evasion.

Through a prolonged and arduous battle, the water mage had played with Ling Xiaolei in the palm of his hand, steadily draining both her willpower and her mana.

Realizing the time was right, the water mage unleashed his ultimate finishing move:

"Raging Tides!"

The water beneath Ling Xiaolei's feet suddenly churned violently, and towering waves surged up around her, rising above her head and abruptly boxing her in. Two torrents of water spun around each other like twin silver dragons, churning up the waves and swirling into a monstrous vortex that bore down upon Ling Xiaolei layer by layer.

"Dark Barrier!"

Bracing her hands against the crashing waves, Ling Xiaolei erected a square barrier, locking herself inside as the space within the barrier was relentlessly compressed and reduced by the surging water.

The water mage intensified the mana within the giant waves, and two colossal water spouts surged into the sky, alternately battering Ling Xiaolei's sturdy dark barrier.

Inside the barrier, all four directions had been swallowed by the roaring currents, rendering the outside world completely invisible.

Her teammates from the Holy City watching from the stands grew extremely tense, terrified that Ling Xiaolei might suffer defeat.

Yet Ling Xiaolei remained utterly unpanicked. A barrier capable of withstanding attacks from Divine Slayer Guo could be considered exceptionally durable, and sturdy runes taught to her by Teacher Heyin flickered within the defense.

Within the confined space, she cupped her spellbook in both hands, and the pages automatically flipped to the final chapter. The purple radiance reflected upon her face. Undisturbed by her surroundings, her incantation flowed from her lips in streams of purple characters—exceedingly fluid and crystal clear.

"Twilight Chant—Prayer of the Departed Souls. When the barren earth falls silent once more, and the glory of the past is no more, descend, O Lord. Your devoted followers pray in the name of the True God, that day and night may return to this land once again..."

As she uttered these words, the roaring waves surrounding her abruptly subsided. Purple radiance burst forth, and a melodious, chanting tune drifted from near and far, echoing across the entire arena and plunging all listeners into a dreamlike trance.

The water mage immediately clamped his hands over his ears, yet the voice seemed to pierce directly into his mind, remaining distinct and clear.

The chanting melody drifted like ethereal mist, endlessly and gently washing over the audience seating. Spectators in the front rows slumped forward into deep slumber one after another, and like a contagion, those in the rows behind them toppled over in succession.

The water receded, exposing the dry ground at the center, and the entire platform glowed with purple light.

Ling Xiaolei's black magical robes fluttered, her long hair drifted in the air, and her brown eyes grew infinitely deep as if flashing with scenes of history.

Stupefied, the water mage stood frozen within the encirclement of purple light, completely paralyzed and unable to move. To his left and right, the patterns of a moon and a star respectively manifested.

Ling Xiaolei spoke once more as the incantation neared its conclusion. Her voice seemed to belong to another person entirely, drifting as if it had traversed vast expanses of time and space:

"O Lord, when you descend once more, all creation shall bathe in your grace, and the living souls of this earth shall be your believers. Descend, ignite the flame in the high heavens, grasp the sword of destiny, and the radiance of the stars and moon shall forever follow by your side!..."

The emblems of the moon and stars suddenly erupted with dazzling brilliance, instantly forming a flower-shaped magic array between them. A flash of purple light swept across the stage, the lingering echoes of the chant ceased, and the water mage collapsed onto the platform.

The announcer declared:

"The final duel—the Dark Elf Mage wins!"

Only then did the people in the audience gradually awaken from their stupor. Looking around in bewilderment, completely unaware of what had just transpired, they stared blankly at the bronze-skinned girl standing upon the stage, marveling at the wondrous magic.