"Rose Domain. A rather domineering name."

Hearing the voice from the large green cocoon, Mu Chen smiled faintly. ’This Combat Skill is bizarre, but it’s not enough to be called a Domain. So, what is a true Domain? It’s a region where you are the absolute master. Anyone who enters will find their power diminished, and it can’t be easily broken through.’

’But as for Qin Chuan’s "Rose Domain," I have countless ways to shatter it. I was just dragging this out to see how effective this Pseudo-Domain could be. It seems this technique would certainly be troublesome for an ordinary Martial Artist, but it’s not enough to stop me.’

"Since it’s a Wood Attribute, how about you try this on for size."

With that, Mu Chen tossed the Profound Ice Giant Fan in his hand into the air with a SWISH. He suddenly clenched his fist, and the Profound Ice Giant Fan shattered with a CRACK, breaking into countless fine ice crystals. This dust gradually spread until, in moments, it covered the entire dueling ring.

From a distance, the entire ring looked as if it were shrouded in a mist of ice, giving it an ethereal, mystical quality. The ambient temperature plummeted. The snake-like Rose Vines were all coated in Ice Crystals, as if covered in a layer of frost. Their movements became extremely restricted; they no longer even had the strength to surge into the sky in pursuit.

Seeing this from the air, Mu Chen’s smile widened. ’It seems even the Wood Attribute can’t resist the freezing power of my Extreme Ice Attribute. In that case... Freeze!’

Following his low shout, a blue light flashed deep within Mu Chen’s closed eyes. He spread his fingers, symbolically covering the entire ring with his palm, and then violently clenched his fist. The space around the ring seemed to halt, as if everything had been frozen in time. A blue, frozen realm took shape.

The tables had turned too swiftly. Before anyone could even react, the entire ring was encased in ice. One of the Holy Hall Students was the first to swallow hard, snapping back to reality. The others all stared wide-eyed at the ring. Qin Chuan and his Blood Rose were both frozen solid within a massive Ice Mountain. Mu Chen descended slowly, landing on its peak, looking proud and solitary.

He Long’s gaze burned as he stared at the proud figure of Mu Chen standing atop the Ice Mountain. A dark feeling slowly stirred in his heart. ’To wield the power of Elemental Power Materialization with such skill and purity... I never imagined the Xuanling Empire was quietly cultivating a youth with this kind of potential. A fourteen-year-old Five-Ring Martial Spirit who can skillfully use Elemental Power Materialization—a Combat Skill supposedly exclusive to the Martial Emperor realm! If he’s allowed to keep growing, the Celestial Eagle Empire might one day be threatened. This Mu Chen... cannot be allowed to live!’

The Outer Circle Students erupted in cheers. Mu Chen really was the strongest in the academy! And the strongest person in the academy came from the Outer Circle—their Outer Circle!

Hearing the surrounding cheers, Mu Chen remained impassive. He simply said calmly, "Dean Qin Garden, does this battle need to continue? Qin Chuan appears to have lost the ability to fight. If this goes on any longer, the Holy Hall will suffer a significant loss."

Of course, Qin Garden understood Mu Chen’s meaning. Though she was incredibly reluctant, she knew he was right. This Profound Ice Seal would be nothing to a Fire Attribute Martial Artist or another with high Attack Power. Breaking it would be entirely possible for them. However, Qin Chuan was a Wood Attribute Martial Artist, whose Attack Power was only marginally higher than a Water Attribute Martial Artist’s. Escaping this solid Profound Ice was nearly impossible for him. If he remained frozen any longer, his life would be in danger.

"In this battle, Mu Chen of the Outer Circle is the victor," Qin Garden said, her voice low and her face livid.

Mu Chen smiled faintly but said nothing. With a single thought, the entire mountain formed by the Profound Ice Seal shattered, dissolving into a fine ice mist that vanished into the air. The sea of vines that was the Blood Rose shattered and dissipated along with it.

Now, only Qin Chuan remained on the ring, standing in the center with a vacant stare. He muttered to himself, "I lost... I actually lost... I lost to a student from the Outer Circle..."

Looking at Qin Chuan in the center of the ring, Mu Chen couldn’t help but sigh. ’This Qin Chuan must have been an arrogant Holy Hall Student, his strength second only to Amoluo’s, so he was naturally fawned over. But to be defeated by my hand today... it will surely leave a mental scar. If he isn’t resilient enough to overcome this, his martial cultivation will stall at the Martial Spirit Realm, and he’ll never be able to step into the King Realm. But if he can emerge from this shadow, his future accomplishments will be even greater.’

As the Dean of the Holy Hall, Qin Garden could naturally see Qin Chuan’s current Mental Realm. She didn’t lecture him, but instead said gently, "Qin Chuan, come back. You were just careless. Besides, you’re a Wood Attribute Martial Artist without much Attack Power, so there’s no shame in losing. From now on, I will guide your training personally."

Qin Chuan, who had been lost in his own world, was jolted back to his senses by Qin Garden’s words. He looked up at the hovering Mu Chen with a complex expression, like a weakling gazing up at the strong. Against the setting sun, Mu Chen’s slender figure seemed impossibly immense in his eyes, as insurmountable as a towering city wall.

’So this is that terrifying Tier Jumping Ability? All this time, I’ve just been a frog at the bottom of a well.’

Shaking his head with a sigh, Qin Chuan walked slowly off the ring with his head bowed. In a flicker, his figure vanished into a nearby grove of trees. He needed to be alone.

At this, Mu Chen began to understand a few things. Although the Holy Hall was gradually going off the rails and separating from the Xuanling Imperial Academy under Qin Garden’s leadership, its students were merely spoiled and coddled youths. Confrontation was ultimately not the right method. The best and most complete solution was to find a way to break down this hostile relationship and reintegrate them.

Qin Garden looked at the surrounding Holy Hall Students and sighed to herself. ’The Holy Hall was once so glorious, and its students always trampled the people from the Outer Circle like slaves. But I never imagined that one day, the weak would rise up. The weak have their own kind of perseverance. It seems my teaching methods have been flawed. The appearance of a Mu Chen might be for the best. Let it serve as a warning to the Holy Hall after all these years of comfort and privilege.’

"Mu Chen, I admit it. Right now, no student in the Holy Hall can defeat you. Therefore, we surrender." ’I hate to do this, but as the Dean, I must keep my word. When your skills are inferior, you must at least be a person of your word.’

"State your demand. As long as it doesn’t violate moral principles or isn’t excessively brutal, I will agree to it."

Mu Chen clenched his fists, trying to suppress his surging emotions. His gaze fell upon the stunning beauty in the black dress, and he declared with a resolute expression, "I want Mu Bingling to leave the Holy Hall! She will become a student of the Outer Circle!"

’Bing’Er, I’m late in fulfilling our three-year promise. From now on, we will never be apart again!’

Mu Chen could hear his own heart pounding, filled with a deep, abiding affection for Mu Bingling...

Qin Garden’s brow furrowed, but then she seemed to recall something and said with a sigh of resignation, "So, you did all this for her. I’ve heard a little about your story. I just never expected you to take her back in this fashion. Since your request doesn’t violate moral principles and isn’t excessively brutal, I hereby declare that Mu Bingling is no longer a student of the Holy Hall and is permanently exp—"

"Wait a minute!"

An arrogant voice suddenly cut through the silence of the Holy Hall Students. Everyone turned toward the source and saw that it was none other than the Heavenly Eagle Prince, He Long, dressed in magnificent golden robes.

Qin Garden asked, "Student He Long, do you object?"

’Object? Of course I object! If this didn’t involve Mu Bingling, I’d rather be sleeping than meddle in such a boring affair. But now it’s different. I was in a prime position to win her over, yet some punk from the Outer Circle is stealing her away. As a man, how could I possibly tolerate this?’

"I certainly do object, Dean Qin Garden. As you yourself said, as an exchange student, my status in the Celestial Eagle Empire is irrelevant here. At the Xuanling Imperial Academy, I am just an ordinary student. And since I am a member of the Holy Hall, I can naturally voice my opinion on Holy Hall matters. So, I must ask, am I not qualified to challenge this student from the Outer Circle?"

Qin Garden looked at He Long in surprise, but then she followed his gaze and saw it was fixed entirely on Mu Bingling with a look of pure infatuation. In that instant, she understood everything.

"You are a member of the Holy Hall, so you are indeed qualified to challenge Mu Chen. But are you sure you want to?" Qin Garden said indifferently. Although she was trying to establish the Holy Hall as her own separate power, she was still a citizen of the Xuanling Empire and held to her own principles. She remembered He Long’s earlier declaration clearly, and it gave her a low opinion of him. And yet, she was unwilling to accept this humiliation. If she could use He Long to restore the honor the Holy Hall had just lost, why wouldn’t she?

"Of course I do!" He Long said, then turned to Mu Chen with a broad smile. "You’re Mu Chen, right? You’re quite a talent, I’ll give you that. Unfortunately for you, I, He Long, will be getting involved in today’s matter."

He was surprised that Mu Chen could use Elemental Power Materialization, a Combat Skill exclusive to the Martial Emperor realm, but as a wielder of the Thunder Attribute, he had no fear of an Ice Attribute Martial Artist. He was confident he could shatter a seal like the one from before without any issue.

Di Cang sighed and said to Lingyun, "What we feared has finally come to pass. Mu Bingling’s beauty is simply too difficult for men to resist. It’s a good thing the Ninth Princess is just standing in the crowd today; otherwise, I suspect she would have been caught up in this as well. Let’s just hope this He Long doesn’t go too far. Otherwise, I’m truly afraid that boy Mu Chen will do something he can’t take back."

Lingyun shook her head. "He won’t. Mu Chen is always exceptionally rational. He handles everything with a calm and cool head."

Di Cang sighed. "That’s exactly why I’m worried. If a person like that finally erupts, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Lingyun froze. ’He’s right. When a calm and composed person suddenly loses their mind, the resulting chaos is impossible to stop. Unless... he dies!’