NOVEL WEB Chapter 55: Finals begin
The atmosphere in the arena was charged, almost suffocating. The finals weren't just a competition; they were a spectacle. People weren't here for a fight they were here for a war.
The announcer's voice boomed across the stadium, introducing the combatants with theatrical flair. "On one side, the undefeated shadow prodigy, Ying Yue! And on the other, the storm incarnate, Zhao Wei!"
The crowd roared, their cheers splitting into factions. Some shouted Ying Yue's name with unwavering devotion, while others rallied behind Zhao Wei.
From the stands, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between them. Ying Yue stood silent, her calm demeanor as unyielding as steel. Zhao Wei, on the other hand, fed off the crowd's energy, raising a hand to acknowledge their cheers. He was a performer, and this was his stage.
"Zhao Wei's no pushover," Hurky muttered from beside me, his eyes glued to the arena.
"Yeah, yeah, lightning and wind, big deal," I replied, waving a hand dismissively.
Hurky gave me a look. "You should take this seriously. He's not just talented he's strategic. His wind attacks are just distractions, setting up for his lightning strikes. It's why no one's been able to counter him."
I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at the arena. "Well, let's see if the so-called 'storm incarnate' can handle the Shadow Lotus."
The judge stepped forward, raising a hand to signal the start. The moment his hand dropped, the arena exploded into chaos.
Zhao Wei moved first, his speed blinding. A gust of wind surged toward Ying Yue, followed by a volley of sharp air blades. She sidestepped the initial attack with her usual grace, but Zhao Wei was relentless, closing the distance with a burst of electricity crackling around his fists.
The crowd gasped as the first clash of their powers lit up the arena. Shadows met lightning, the impact shaking the ground beneath them. Zhao Wei smirked, pressing the attack.
"Impressive," I murmured, watching as he forced Ying Yue onto the defensive a rare sight.
"She's testing him," Hurky said confidently. "She hasn't even used her full power yet."
Still, there was something about Zhao Wei's movements that caught my attention. Every strike, every feint, every step it was all calculated, as if he was one step ahead.
For the next few minutes, the battle was a dance of power and precision. Zhao Wei's wind attacks kept Ying Yue moving, while his lightning strikes came dangerously close to landing. But Ying Yue's shadows were just as relentless, darting and weaving around him like vipers.
As the fight dragged on, something shifted. Zhao Wei began to adapt, countering her shadows with bursts of wind that disrupted their movements. It was clear he had studied her previous matches, analyzing her techniques and looking for weaknesses.
The crowd sensed it too, their cheers growing louder as Zhao Wei started to gain the upper hand.
"This guy's better than I thought," I admitted, crossing my arms.
Hurky glanced at me, his expression serious. "That's why he's here. He's not just strong he's smart. Ying Yue might actually have to try this time."
I smirked. "Good. Let's see what she's really made of."