Neither Shui Bing'er nor Binglan had expected the Battle Arena to place such great emphasis on their match against the Blazing Flame Duo that evening.
On the massive screen, previews of tonight's featured battle scrolled continuously—the duel between Ice and Flame was being promoted as the highlight of the night.
Reserved and composed by nature, Shui Bing'er didn't enjoy standing under the spotlight. The feeling of countless eyes fixed on her made her slightly uncomfortable.
Still, she understood that as a Battle Spirit Master, standing on the stage meant she had to face the gaze of the public.
Binglan, on the other hand, was much more at ease. She knew Shui Bing'er's temperament well, so she gently squeezed her hand and said with a reassuring smile:
"Bing'er, just stay calm. They're already here—let's go too."
"Mm."
Shui Bing'er and Binglan walked over to where Yan and Huowu were standing.
Huowu greeted them enthusiastically:
"You're here! Looks like the Battle Arena's really hyping up our match tonight. We've already registered, so we'll head to the waiting area first."
"Alright, we'll be there soon."
Yan didn't say a word—he simply nodded politely to Shui Bing'er and Binglan, then left with Huowu.
In the waiting area, they could see the entire stage through the large floor-to-ceiling windows.
Even though the match hadn't begun yet, the spectator stands were already packed.
The long-awaited clash between ice and fire was about to begin.
Such battles between opposing elemental extremes always stirred people's blood—
the calm of ice versus the fury of flame.
Everyone was eager to see what kind of sparks would fly when the two met on this night.
Yan's gaze swept across the audience and soon found Yue Guan seated in a discreet corner, just as always.
Unlike previous times when they had to wait to be called on stage, tonight Yan already knew their match order—they were the tenth and final group, the main event.
Though this meant they would be the center of attention, it also gave them more time to prepare.
Before long, Shui Bing'er and Binglan entered the waiting area as well.
They nodded slightly toward Yan and Huowu, then chose a nearby seat without coming over to talk.
"Brother Yan, it's still early. Let's rest for a bit," Huowu said.
"Mm."
Huowu sat down and began regulating her breathing, adjusting her soul power to its optimal state.
Yan sat quietly beside her, eyes closed in calm meditation.
Time passed, minute by minute.
The first nine matches concluded one after another, until finally, only Yan, Huowu, Shui Bing'er, and Binglan remained in the resting area.
The atmosphere grew somewhat strange—quiet, but charged.
Then, through the loudspeakers, the host's voice broke the silence:
"Next up is tonight's final match! The Blazing Flame Duo versus the Frozen Ice Duo! Contestants, please prepare—you will enter the stage in one minute!"
"Bing'er, let's go."
"Mm."
Shui Bing'er glanced back once at Yan and Huowu before following Binglan toward the Soul Master passage.
"Huowu, let's go too."
"Right."
As they prepared to step onto the stage, Yan could feel Huowu's tension—her breathing had grown quick and shallow.
"Weren't you always eager to fight Shui Bing'er? What's got you nervous now?"
"I… don't really know."
"Relax. Winning would be great, but even if we lose, it's fine. The Continental Soul Master Tournament is still nearly two years away."
"…Mm, I got it."
Yan's calm, unhurried tone helped ease her nerves considerably.
Under the dazzling lights, the four figures—Binglan, Shui Bing'er, Huowu, and Yan—appeared one after another.
The audience erupted in excitement, their eyes filled with anticipation and thrill.
With three beautiful women among the four contestants, the visual appeal of the match was undeniable.
Binglan's icy composure, Shui Bing'er's gentle elegance, and Huowu's fiery allure—together, they stirred the crowd's emotions.
As the only male among them, Yan's unique aura and steady presence added yet another layer of fascination, earning him loud cheers and even a few excited screams from the audience.
Cries of "Frozen Ice, victory!" and "Blazing Flame, victory!" echoed through the arena,
two surging waves of sound clashing in midair.
Everyone yearned to see the team they supported emerge victorious in this elemental duel.
The host raised his hand, motioning for quiet, then announced passionately:
"First, let's welcome the Frozen Ice Duo—Level 49 Soul Sect Binglan and Level 36 Soul Elder Shui Bing'er!
This pair has achieved an impressive four consecutive victories, remaining undefeated. If they win tonight, they will qualify for matches in the Main Battle Arena and earn even greater rewards!"
Binglan and Shui Bing'er waved gracefully to the crowd in greeting.
The spectators roared with excitement, chanting their names again and again.
"Frozen Ice, victory!"
The noise was deafening.
The host continued:
"Next, we have the Blazing Flame Duo—Level 44 Soul Sect Yama/Yan and Level 36 Soul Elder Huowu!
Though this pair only registered last night, they made a stunning debut by defeating the Iron Hammer Brothers—who had already achieved three consecutive wins and possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Technique. Their strength is not to be underestimated.
Since entering the Tokes Battle Arena, neither of these two has suffered a single defeat!"
The crowd burst into another wave of cheers and applause.
"Now, we leave the stage to tonight's four stars.
Who will have the last laugh in this clash of elements?
Let's find out!
Contestants, please release your Martial Souls and spirit rings—the match begins now!"
The host exited the stage, and the audience's enthusiasm exploded once more, the cheers thunderous and unending.
The four contestants moved instinctively into position.
Huowu faced Shui Bing'er.
Yan faced Binglan.
What was originally a two-on-two battle suddenly felt like two separate one-on-one duels.
"Please guide me."
"Likewise."
Everyone already knew each other's names and levels, so there was no need for excess words.
They simply exchanged polite salutes—then, in unison, released their Martial Souls and spirit rings.
From behind Huowu rose a blazing flame avatar identical to herself, radiating an intense red light.
Behind Shui Bing'er unfolded the wings of an Ice Phoenix, exuding an icy chill that made the air itself tremble.
On the other side, behind Binglan appeared a sleek Ice Sparrow, its freezing aura so sharp it seemed ready to tear the very air apart.
Behind Yan materialized his Six-Horned Flame Beast—not a phantom, but a solid creature of molten fire, like a monster walking straight out of an inferno.
All four possessed ideal spirit ring configurations—eight yellow, six purple, fourteen rings in total, dazzling and radiant.
The stage seemed split cleanly in two—two elements colliding in fierce opposition.
One half blazed with raging flames, radiating scorching heat.
The other half was a world of ice—biting cold and filled with drifting frost, like a fragment of a glacier.
The battle of Flame versus Ice was about to begin.