In the competition arena, the green energy spreading in every direction had now become even denser. Thick vines were emerging from the ground again and again, trying to bind Lily. The air was heavy… even breathing felt difficult. Fear was clearly visible on the faces of the spectators.
Shon Yakshini was floating in the air — there was twisted satisfaction on her face. The burn marks on her skin were slowly healing.
"Can you see…?" she said in a slow but terrifying voice.
"This is my domain… here even your fire won't be able to save you…"
Suddenly — Booooom!!!
A thick vine came at lightning speed and struck Lily's shoulder with tremendous force. Lily slid backward. A faint groan escaped her lips.
Up in the spectator stands, Snehwal's eyes widened.
"Lily…!"
His heart began to beat rapidly. He could feel it — this fight was no longer ordinary.
Below — Lily was on her knees. Vines were circling around her… like snakes forming a ring before constricting their prey.
Shon smiled.
"Finished…"
But at that very moment — a spark appeared in Lily's eyes.
She suddenly remembered Snehwal's voice — "If you ever feel like you're going to lose… then awaken the power of those spiritual stones I gave you… you possess the pure and immense power of thousands of spiritual stones…"
Lily's fist tightened.
The small shining seeds tied near her waist suddenly began to glow faintly.
First dim… then brighter… then — intense!!!
Booooooom!!!
A red-golden flame exploded outward. The green vines instantly retreated — as if afraid of the fire. Shon's eyes widened.
"What… is this…?"
Lily slowly stood up. Fire was swirling around her. The power of the spiritual stones had already begun flowing through her body.
Her hair was fluttering in the air… her eyes burned with blazing light.
"A domain… doesn't belong only to you…" she raised her sword.
"Burn…"
The very next moment — Maaassssive fire explosion!!!
The entire green domain was engulfed in flames. The vines began burning. The roots turned into ash. Screaming-like sounds echoed in the air — as if the whole domain was feeling pain.
Shon screamed — "No!!!"
But it was too late.
Within just a few seconds — her Green Death Domain collapsed. The green light extinguished. "How is this possible? You are not in the seventh stage." Shon said while grinding her teeth.
The arena returned to normal… but burnt ash was scattered across the ground.
Shon fell to her knees. Her body was trembling. Her life force had truly been burned away.
And at that very moment — clang!!!
Lily's sword was at her neck. The entire arena fell silent.
Lily looked at her with cold eyes.
"You burned… your life force… just to kill me…"
There was disdain in her voice.
"How shameful…"
Tears began flowing from Shon's eyes.
She started hitting her head like a madwoman.
"No… no… I can't lose… I can't lose…!!!"
She began writhing on the ground… crying… screaming.
Up in the spectator stands — Humbha Yakshini's face filled with anger. Her fists clenched. Veins bulged.
There was irritation in her eyes — the plan had failed.
Master Jins also smiled and said, "For a few moments both of them touched the seventh stage, but Lily suffered no damage. Instead, Shon will soon grow old. Or she will have to kill even more men to increase her power."
Hearing this, Snehwal and Liora nodded in agreement with faint happy expressions.
Just then — King Omas stood up. His voice echoed throughout the arena — "Winner — Lily!!!"
Noise spread through the crowd. But the king raised his hand and silenced everyone with spiritual pressure.
"The next match…"
He deliberately paused and looked toward Humbha. "Will happen tomorrow…"
"Between Lily… and Humbha…" The entire arena was stunned.
Humbha slowly stood up. Her eyes were fixed directly on Lily.
She smiled — but that smile was dangerous. "Tomorrow…" she said in a slow but clear voice.
"I will break your bones…"
Lily looked back at her without fear. There was challenge in her eyes too. The tension filled the arena once again.
And everyone could feel it. The real battle… was still remaining.
Lily kicked Shon's skull. Shon's hair turned completely white, and upon seeing it she began behaving like a madwoman.
Then Lily came to Snehwal, and Snehwal asked, "Are you okay?"
Lily lightly nodded her head in yes, but inside her spiritual energy was fluctuating up and down. Therefore, she said to leave from there. Everyone started leaving. But Snehwal was still unaware of this—thinking it was just the exhaustion from the fight, he held Lily's hand to support her and was saying, "That was really amazing, Lily. Watching your fight was so enjoyable. You taught her a good lesson."
Meanwhile, Master Jins and Liora had already understood.