[v]Laugh at me for being a loser? You'll all kneel down after you awaken your talent!

“Phoenix, they are targeting my son!” Gu Nianci couldn’t help but stand up and speak out.

"Mrs. Gu, isn't your statement rather biased?"

Shangguan Ling'er's mother smiled calmly, "In a competition, it's natural to use some methods. Isn't that obvious?"

Madam Bai gave Gu Nianci a cold glance. "If you can't handle losing, then don't come and join the fun."

The atmosphere among the three parties immediately became tense, like a battleground.

The head of the Hua family smiled on the surface, but inwardly he was cursing his good-for-nothing son.

Not showing up for an occasion like this is a huge disgrace to the Hua family!

"Please, everyone, do not be impatient," Phoenix said calmly. "Madam Bai and Madam Shangguan are right. This competition is not a one-on-one battle; naturally, strategy is required."

She knew in her heart that this was indeed somewhat unfair to Bai Huang.

But recalling Bai Huang's previous reluctance to become a prince's consort, he felt somewhat displeased and naturally did not want to favor the Gu family at this moment.

Gu Nianci gritted her teeth and sat down silently. She prayed inwardly that Bai Huang would be safe and sound.

Otherwise, she would not have let the Bai and Shangguan families off easily.

"How do you think Bai Huang will respond?" The crowd discussed animatedly, their faces full of curiosity.

"Look, she's walking up the mountain."

"Could it be that you intend to go directly to retrieve that banner?"

Phoenix nodded slightly, thinking to herself that this girl wasn't stupid after all.

When outnumbered, getting the banner back as quickly as possible is a viable strategy.

But... the path to the top is never that easy.

At this moment, Bai Huang was standing halfway up the mountain, staring intently at a large purple snake in front of her.

This is a first-tier demonic beast named Purple Flame Serpent.

It was clearly an obstacle deliberately arranged by the Phoenix.

"This little monster is too arrogant!" Pu Pu couldn't stand the Purple Flame Serpent's menacing appearance and couldn't help but want to jump out and help Bai Huang deal with it.

"You better behave yourself!"

Bai Huang infused her Xuan power into the long whip, using ice-type Xuan power.

Instantly, a chilling aura emanated from the long whip.

"Although I haven't fully mastered the profound techniques yet," she secretly incorporated a bit of lightning-based profound energy into it, and instantly a hint of rage mingled with the cold light.

"But dealing with someone like you is more than enough!" Before she finished speaking, the long whip in her hand lashed out fiercely at the Purple Flame Serpent like a beast unleashed from its cage.

Wherever the whip passed, even the tips of the surrounding grass were covered with a thin layer of frost.

"Roar!" The Purple Flame Serpent opened its blood-red maw, its fangs filled with deadly venom, and spewed a burst of flames at Bai Huang!

Beyond the water mirror, some people couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh.

"That was too reckless. How could they possibly fight a demonic beast head-on like that..."

Before he finished speaking, everyone's faces showed disbelief.

The long whip, gleaming with cold light, gradually extinguished the oncoming flames before striking the Purple Flame Serpent hard, tearing its skin and flesh apart.

"roll!"

Bai Huang lashed its head with the whip again.

The Purple Flame Serpent was sent flying backward by this attack.

"Roar!" it growled in fear and turned to flee.

"Wait!" Bai Huang coldly interrupted, her eyes filled with icy intent. "Go tell your cronies on this mountain that if they don't want to die, they shouldn't come looking for trouble with me. Do you understand?"

The Purple Flame Serpent frantically tapped its enormous head.

"If any more foolish intruders dare to attack, I will tear them to pieces!"

The Purple Flame Serpent was already lying prostrate on the ground, wagging its tail ingratiatingly.

Everyone watching from outside the water mirror was stunned. This adopted daughter of the Gu family was far too ruthless!

Whether it was because her threat worked or not, no monsters came to stop her as she climbed the mountain.

Phoenix frowned slightly; all the creatures she had placed were first-tier demonic beasts.

Who would have thought that these demonic beasts would be so obedient to Bai Huang?

It seems that we will need to test her affinity with spirit beasts in the future.

"Look, she's reached the top of the mountain!"

Bai Huang's figure became the focus of everyone's attention; she was already standing on the mountaintop.

The golden banner fluttered violently in the mountain wind, making a snapping sound.

Phoenix raised an eyebrow, secretly surprised.

Keep in mind that the Shangguan and Bai families are still battling the monsters halfway up the mountain.

It seems that Bai Huang is quite capable; the situation may be turning around.

"Huh? Why did this girl sit down? Shouldn't she leave quickly?" someone in the crowd muttered in confusion.

Phoenix felt a pang of anxiety and looked closely. Sure enough, it saw that White Phoenix was already sitting cross-legged beside the flag.

She took a deep breath, and suddenly her entire body erupted with a dazzling icy blue mystic energy that shot straight into the sky.

She channeled her inner strength, her voice booming like thunder, echoing throughout the entire mountain range:

"You little chickens from the Bai and Shangguan families!" she laughed loudly, but her eyes flashed with cold light. "Your Sister Huang has already reached the top! The banner is in my hands; if you have the guts, come and take it yourself!"

leave?

What a big joke!

She'll just sit here and wait for those shameless bastards to walk right into her trap!

On the mountainside, Bai Zhu and her group clearly heard those arrogant words.

Everyone was instantly enraged, their faces turning ashen.

"This girl is so arrogant!" Shangguan Ling'er's gentle face almost twisted in pain as she gritted her teeth and said, "Sister Baizhu, let's quickly deal with this beast and snatch that banner!"

Provoked by these words, Bai Zhu's anger flared even more, and her attacks became even more ferocious.

She wanted nothing more than to tear Bai Huang's arrogant face to shreds.

The group was furious and soon dealt with the monster blocking their way.

When they finally reached the top of the mountain, panting, they saw Bai Huang sitting cross-legged leisurely under the golden brocade banner.

The mountain wind howled, making her black hair dance in the wind, but it didn't look messy; instead, it added a touch of free and unrestrained spirit.

In contrast, this group of people fought fiercely all the way, and they were all in a sorry state, their faces red and swollen.

Bai Huang slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with disdain.

"Oh, even slower than I expected." She stood up, gripped the flagpole with one hand, and sneered, "You think having more people means you can get an advantage?"

She held up one finger and wagged it triumphantly: "Today I'll show you that no matter how many ants there are, they're still just a bunch of insects."

"Bai Huang, your words are far too arrogant!" Shangguan Ling'er frowned and rebuked, "Don't think that just because you're a one-star Xuan Master, you can look down on everyone."

Bai Zhu sneered, "Sister Ling'er, why waste words with her? Just snatch the flag and let her taste the bitterness of bringing shame upon herself!"

The group quickly formed a battle formation, their anger burning at Bai Huang's arrogant and disdainful demeanor.

The Shangguan family excels in wood-based Xuan power, and Shangguan Ling'er has mastered the Yellow-rank low-grade Xuan technique—Red Wood Thorn.

Although Bai Zhu has not yet mastered the Xuan power in the short term, she is not afraid at all.

Although fire-type profound energy is quite powerful, Bai Huang is now able to control the basic fireball technique.

In an instant, a barrage of fireballs, mixed with wood-elemental mystic energy, hurtled towards her.

Shangguan Ling'er was even more imposing, with azure Xuan power surrounding her, making her appear like a celestial being descended to earth, pure and flawless.

She parted her lips slightly and uttered three words of truth.

"Akagi Thorn!"

In an instant, the ground cracked open, and fist-sized spikes burst forth from the soil, heading straight for Bai Huang's face.

Bai Huang remained unfazed and actually put away the long whip in her hand.

"She actually abandoned the spiritual treasure!" Outside the water, everyone's hearts tightened.

"She's courting death!" Madam Shangguan sneered repeatedly. This ignorant wild girl dared to underestimate my Ling'er.

Little did they know their own limitations!

"Good heavens!" Gu Nianci wished she could rush forward and take the blow for her.

Is Bai Huang going to admit defeat?

Obviously not.

She has just adjusted herself to her best condition.

Today, she's going to gamble everything!