"Gao Han is the winner!"
At You Canghai's proclamation, thunderous cheers erupted from the stands. The crowd had waited for this outcome for well over a day, even staying to watch the two warriors duel into the night.
At last, the tournament champion had been decided: Gao Han, the dark horse of the contest.
"Gao Han is truly formidable! He fought his way to the top at the first layer of True Essence and claimed the championship!"
"Not only that—he broke through mid-battle. His talent is enviable!"
"A genius like him is one in a million. Don't even dream of comparing yourself to him."
No sooner had You Canghai announced the victory than Zheng Kong and his companions rushed onto the arena, lifting Gao Han from the ice to check his wounds.
Though his cultivation had advanced, his injuries had not healed. Gao Han's body was still covered in blood, his white robe stained crimson. Yet Zheng Kong and the others embraced him without hesitation.
"Brother Han! You're incredible—winning streak after streak, and now the champion!" Zheng Kong punched him lightly on the shoulder, making Gao Han wince in pain. The two then burst into laughter.
Situ Yan shot Zheng Kong a furious glare and stamped hard on his foot. Zheng Kong yelped in pain and stumbled backward, accidentally sitting on the ice Gao Han had formed. His cry of agony grew even louder.
Zheng Kong struggled frantically to break free, but could not move an inch. His clothing had frozen fast to the ice, and a piercing chill seeped into his body, freezing the true essence in his meridians. The frosty energy even began creeping toward his sea of consciousness.
His shrill yell startled everyone. Gao Han turned at once, his face hardening when he saw Zheng Kong trapped on his ice. He quickly pressed a palm against Zheng Kong's body, absorbing all the cold energy within him, then tugged him free from the frozen block.
Shivering violently, Zheng Kong rubbed his arms furiously to warm himself, his movements absurdly flamboyant.
"What do you make of that?" Situ Jian asked Zheng Ling, gesturing toward Zheng Kong.
"Ugh… I feel an overwhelming urge to punch him," Zheng Ling sighed, his brow furrowed in mock seriousness.
The crowd gasped in astonishment, stunned by the fearsome power of Gao Han's ice. Zheng Kong, a first-layer True Essence cultivator, had been injured merely by sitting on it. It seemed Gao Han could defeat him with nothing more than a single block of ice.
After absorbing the chill from Zheng Kong's body, Gao Han placed his hand upon the frozen slab. The ice dissolved into wispy white streams of cold energy, which flowed back into his palm.
His strength recovered slightly from absorbing the frost—enough to stand on his own at least. The prolonged battle had drained a portion of his soul power, leaving him lightheaded. Soul power usually required long rest to restore, though certain rare spirit herbs could accelerate the process.
Yet Gao Han's soul was unusual. He discovered that frost energy could also replenish his soul power, integrating perfectly into his spiritual core.
Once the last of the ice had been absorbed, his strength had returned to twenty percent. He stood quietly and exhaled a long breath of frigid air.
The bitter chill dropped the surrounding temperature by several degrees. The arena had already grown cold during their fight, and this breath of frost lowered it further still.
The pools of blood upon the ground had frozen solid, forming crimson shards of ice.
In the stands, Li Changtian roared with laughter. "Incredible! The Misty Sect has claimed victory! Gao Han is truly the genius I saw in him!"
Jian Wuxiang's face darkened with frustration. He could scarcely believe Jian Qingtian had lost—even after unleashing his trump card of three-tenths sword momentum. The clan's Elixir of Gathering Essence had been wasted, all for Gao Han's benefit.
Duan Muhua, Lu Shuang, Hu Zi, Zheng Xiao, Xiang Wentian, and Ding Nu all wore grim expressions as well.
Gao Han had crippled two young masters of the Duan clan; Duan Muhua could hardly be pleased. Lu Shuang, Hu Zi, and Zheng Xiao worried that if such powerful young talents continued to emerge, their own clans would face dire prospects in the future.
Xiang Wentian and Ding Nu looked displeased too, though less so. They felt merely envy that the Misty Sect had nurtured such a prodigy.
Geniuses were rare, but every great sect boasted a few talented disciples. In their eyes, this was nothing extraordinary.
Besides, Gao Han might well grow arrogant after claiming first place, fading into obscurity, becoming nothing more than a legend or a forgotten name in history. Many geniuses had fallen to pride, their martial paths stagnating, lost to the river of time.
Beneath the arena, Jian Wuxiang helped Jian Qingtian to his feet. The young swordsman stepped solemnly toward Gao Han. "Gao Han, I admit defeat this day. But mark my words—I shall surpass you and defeat you one day."
Gao Han smiled faintly. "Very well. I shall await your challenge. Try not to be too discouraged when the time comes."
He did not take the threat to heart. He could not fathom Jian Qingtian surpassing him. With two forms of momentum, an ice constitution, and ongoing soul tempering, plus the Elixir of Gathering Essence and Elixir of Solid Foundation he would win from the tournament, he would be utterly humiliated if anyone managed to overtake him.
Once the crowd's euphoria faded, everyone began streaming toward the exit. The tournament had dragged on far too long—the final three contestants had fought for an entire day, continuing late into the night. Now that it was over, their tension melted away, replaced by overwhelming weariness.
Gao Han and his companions headed joyfully toward the Zheng residence, where a victory banquet would be held in his honor. Though Gao Han repeatedly insisted it was unnecessary, the enthusiasm of his friends and family won him over.
Upon returning to Zheng Kong's chambers, Gao Han took a medicinal bath, bandaged his wounds, and changed into a clean white robe. He left his sword behind; in his injured state, he could not fight even if enemies appeared, and any foe the Zheng residence could not handle was beyond his ability to confront as well.
That evening, the Zheng manor was filled with celebration. Four banquets were laid out for the Gao family, the Misty Sect, and the Situ clan. Li Changtian, Situ Wei, and Zheng Mufeng were also in attendance.
Naturally, the venerable elders did not sit with the younger generation. Their table held the three Spirit Fusion experts, two clan leaders, and the mistresses and top warriors of the families.
Gao Jianfeng was also seated there. Though his cultivation was only the sixth layer of True Essence, insufficient rank to join them, he was invited as Gao Han's father.
Gao Han noticed Zheng Kong's second uncle, Zheng Yuntian, was absent. He immediately understood: Zheng Yuntian was the Zheng clan's hidden powerhouse, whose cultivation level they wished to keep secret from outsiders.
The banquet was lively nonetheless. Situ Qing, the Situ clan leader and Situ Jian's father, attended, as did Zheng Kong's aunt, Zheng Yunying.
Zheng Yunying's gaze lingered constantly on Gao Han, making him uneasy. He thought to himself: I have not offended her. Why does she stare at me so intently?
Situ Jian sighed inwardly. He knew exactly why. He had told his grandparents and parents everything about his sister and Gao Han. His mother was sizing up her future son-in-law.
After studying Gao Han for a long while, Zheng Yunying turned to Gao Jianfeng. "Master Gao, your son is a true hero of youth! To overcome countless obstacles and claim the championship at the first layer of True Essence is extraordinary. I offer my sincerest congratulations."
With that, she raised her wine cup and drained it in one smooth motion, her bearing bold and heroic.
Zheng Yunqing and Situ Qing smiled wryly. Raised in a marshal's residence, Zheng Yunying had inherited the forthright manner of a soldier. Even as a mother, her bold nature remained unchanged.
Gao Jianfeng laughed heartily. "You honor me, Lady Situ. I must thank Elder Zheng for his guidance and cultivation." Gao Han had told his father of the sword manual he had borrowed from the Zheng clan, and Gao Jianfeng held the family in deep admiration and gratitude.
Without pretense, he raised his cup and drank deeply.
No sooner had he swallowed the wine than Zheng Yunying spoke again. "Gao Han is not yet betrothed, I take it? Nor is my daughter Yan. I wish to marry her to Gao Han. What say you?"
Everyone at the table stared at her in stunned silence. Situ Qing thought to himself: She is marrying our daughter off without even consulting me?
Pfft! Gao Jianfeng spat out his wine in a violent coughing fit. Directly opposite him sat Li Changtian, who received the full spray across his face.
Li Changtian wanted to snap in anger, but Gao Jianfeng had not acted intentionally. Besides, Gao Han was his prized disciple and clearly destined for greatness. He forced himself to remain calm.
At the younger generation's table, Gao Han choked on a piece of fruit he had just eaten. He had turned to listen to Zheng Yunying speaking to his father, and the fruit sprayed from his mouth.
Zheng Kong, sitting beside him, had turned toward Gao Han, assuming he wished to speak. He opened his mouth to laugh—
Blleh!
Zheng Kong scrambled away in revulsion. The fruit had landed directly in his open mouth, not a scrap wasted.
Zheng Ling and Situ Jian, sitting across from them, witnessed the whole scene and felt their stomachs lurch. The food they had just eaten threatened to come back up.
But at the fierce look from Situ Yan, they forced themselves to stay composed, pretending nothing had happened. They refused to take another bite or even open their mouths.
Situ Yan, mortified by her mother's words, let out a cry of embarrassment. "Mother!" She fled the banquet hall in a flurry of crimson cheeks.
Zheng Yunying thought her daughter opposed the match. Did I misjudge the situation? Is my information wrong?
She shot a sharp glare at Situ Jian, who shrank back in terror. He wailed inwardly: I'm doomed! She clearly likes Gao Han—has she changed her mind? Either way, I'm going to get a beating when we get home.
The entire Situ and Zheng clans doted on Situ Yan. He would surely be punished severely.
Zheng Ling wisely distanced himself from Situ Jian to avoid being caught in the storm. He knew his aunt's fearsome reputation all too well—her eighth-layer True Essence cultivation could easily beat him within an inch of his life.
"Hmph! We shall discuss this later!" Zheng Yunying huffed and hurried after her daughter, leaving the guests bewildered. Gao Jianfeng stood frozen with his wine cup in hand, unsure how to react.
He wished to agree, but the girl in question had run off. Furthermore, he could not make such a decision for Gao Han. The matter rested entirely with his son.
Gao Han himself was flustered. He had never faced such a situation and had no idea how to respond. Situ Yan's sudden escape, however, gave him an out.
"Honored elders, I know my junior status makes it improper to excuse myself at such a time. But the hour grows late, and my wounds have not healed. I beg leave to retire." Gao Han stood, bowed deeply, and spoke with perfect composure.
Gao Jianfeng quickly followed suit. "Yes! Gao Han is badly injured. We shall take our leave."
With the guest of honor gone, Li Changtian and the others saw no reason to stay. Besides, Gao Han was a disciple of the Misty Sect and would be staying with them. They rose and took their leave as well.
The banquet ended in chaotic farce, though fortunately everyone had already eaten their fill.
Zheng Yunying found Situ Yan in her chambers. After questioning her and observing her demeanor, she realized her daughter truly had fallen for Gao Han.
She sighed helplessly. "Foolish girl. If you love him, why run away? Now Gao Han will think you do not care for him. And after that scene, we have embarrassed your father and Gao Han. How shall you proceed?"
For all her boldness, Zheng Yunying was no fool. She knew their outburst had humiliated the Gao family, making future arrangements far more difficult.
Situ Yan panicked at the severity of the situation. "What shall I do? Will he hate me? Will he never want me again?"
Zheng Yunying's eyes lit up with an idea. "Very well. Tomorrow, after he collects his champion's rewards, we shall hold another banquet to apologize to Gao Han and his family—and formalize your betrothal. How does that sound?"
Situ Yan had no other choice but to agree, and she buried her face in her hands and wept softly.