Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 326: The Tri-Academy Exchange Arc (Part-18)

Excited murmurs rippled through the crowd. The clash of emotions on the stage was palpable, sharp enough to cut the air.

"This is getting interesting."

"Zora is too bold. Provoking the Third Princess like this, she won’t end well."

From his seat, Ragnor Blackstar wore a confident smile. He knew his sister’s temperament all too well. From the moment Zora was dragged into this mess involving Harold, her fate in Cecily Blackstar’s eyes had already been sealed.

On the stage, the battle finally erupted.

A powerful aura surged from Cecily Blackstar’s body, her cultivation fully unleashed without restraint. The terrifying pressure rolled outward like a wave.

Second level of the Scarlet Realm.

The crowd gasped almost in unison.

"Second-level Scarlet Realm?"

"The Third Princess has already broken through to the second level!"

"This talent... It’s terrifying."

"With this level of strength, how could Zora possibly stand a chance?"

Exclamations and shocked whispers spread rapidly through the stands.

When Cecily Blackstar’s aura burst forth, nearly everyone present reached the same conclusion without hesitation. This match was already decided.

A breakthrough to the second level of the Scarlet Realm was more than enough to crush most Spirit Warriors of the same age. Cecily Blackstar’s talent was dazzling, even by royal standards. Coupled with the fact that Zora was rumored to be slightly younger than her, the gap in cultivation seemed obvious. In the eyes of the crowd, Zora simply could not be her opponent.

On the high platform, Cindral’s expression brightened noticeably. Not long ago, Cecily Blackstar had still been at the first level of the Scarlet Realm. To think that she had broken through again in such a short time was a pleasant surprise. With this kind of strength, defeating Zora would be effortless. Once that happened, Imperial Academy’s momentum would be cut off completely, and their hopes in this exchange would collapse at the roots.

In stark contrast, the Spirit Warriors of Imperial Academy remained strangely calm.

"They really haven’t seen the world," Reesa muttered with a snort, her eyes gleaming with excitement rather than worry. "Just because she’s at the second level of the Scarlet Realm, they think she’s guaranteed to win? Our Zora is a walking anomaly."

She knew very well that Zora had already reached the same level of cultivation.

Cecily Blackstar’s talent was indeed outstanding, but Zora’s was even more terrifying.

"Just wait," Tiffany said quietly, his gaze steady and confident. "Zora will definitely win."

From beginning to end, none of them had truly doubted her.

Ragnor Blackstar had been watching closely, expecting to see panic or unease on the faces of the Imperial Academy Spirit Warriors. Instead, he found nothing but composure and confidence. A flicker of doubt crept into his eyes.

"Do they really think Zora still has a chance?" he wondered inwardly.

In his view, Cecily’s talent was enough to overwhelm almost any Spirit Warrior of her generation. Zora was even younger. How could she possibly compete?

Hearing his brother’s muttered thoughts, Dravenor Blackstar immediately shook his head, dismissing the idea. "Second Brother, don’t joke. That’s impossible."

"I heard Zora obtained an inheritance in the ruins. Maybe—"

"Second Brother, you’re worrying too much," Dravenor Blackstar interrupted with a confident smile. "Those people from Imperial Academy are just putting on a brave face. Cecily’s pressure is probably so overwhelming that they haven’t even reacted yet."

To him, the outcome was obvious. The principal himself had once praised Cecily as a once-in-a-generation genius. For a declining academy like Canglan to produce someone stronger than her was simply unrealistic. In this second round, their journey would end here.

Thinking of it, he almost felt a trace of pity.

Malrick also cast a sidelong glance at Gerrad. In his eyes, Zora’s choice was nothing short of foolish. If she had refused Cecily Blackstar’s challenge, Thunderclap Academy would have had no grounds to force her onto the stage. She could have preserved her strength and advanced further.

Instead, she chose this path of self-destruction.

Yet when Malrick looked more closely, he found Gerrad’s expression unchanged, calm to the point of indifference, as if the scene before him held no surprises at all.

Malrick sneered inwardly. ’Still pretending to be calm?’ He thought. Let’s see how long you can keep that composure once the result is announced.

And then, in the very next instant, Zora’s aura unfolded.

The moment her cultivation pressure surged outward, the entire venue seemed to freeze. Conversations died mid-sentence, smiles stiffened, and countless faces were overtaken by shock.

The atmosphere shifted completely.

What they felt was unmistakable.

Another second-level Scarlet Realm.

A surge of power no weaker than Cecily Blackstar’s burst forth from Zora’s body. The instant her aura spread, the crowd felt as if the air itself had been seized by an invisible hand. Some even experienced a strange illusion, as though Zora’s presence was faintly suppressing Cecily Blackstar’s.

How could this be?

A sharp intake of breath rippled through the audience. Cecily Blackstar was a recognized prodigy, someone who had broken through to the second level of the Scarlet Realm at a shockingly young age. Yet now, Zora stood before them, having achieved the very same realm.

Even more unsettling was the fact that Zora was slightly younger.

Did that not mean her cultivation talent surpassed Cecily Blackstar’s?

The realization struck like a thunderbolt. People exchanged stunned glances, words dying on their lips. No one knew what to say anymore.

Cecily Blackstar stared at Zora in disbelief. She had only broken through to this realm a few days ago, and she had been proud of that achievement. Now, standing face-to-face with someone of the same cultivation, that pride cracked audibly.

If Zora had reached this level at an even younger age, then in terms of talent alone, she might already be superior.

The thought was unbearable.

In contrast, Zora’s expression remained calm and detached, as though reaching the second level of the Scarlet Realm was nothing worth mentioning. She stood there with an air of indifference, as if she had merely revealed an ordinary fact.

That attitude irritated Cecily Blackstar far more than open provocation ever could.

"Even if you’ve reached the second level of the Scarlet Realm," Cecily Blackstar snapped, forcing confidence back into her voice, "you’re still no match for me!"

This was the pride of royalty speaking. The resources, techniques, and heritage of the royal family were not something ordinary Spirit Warriors could contend with. In her heart, Cecily Blackstar firmly believed that no matter how talented Zora was, she could never compare to someone born into the imperial lineage.

Zora looked at her coolly. "Are you all bark or do you have any bite in those teeth of yours?"

That single provocative sentence poured oil onto the fire.

"You..."

Cecily Blackstar’s face twisted with fury. She had never been spoken to like this before, not by anyone of Zora’s background. The humiliation burned hot in her chest.

"Since you’re courting death," she snarled, "I’ll grant your wish!"

Her body shot forward in an instant. Majestic mana gathered around her fists, blazing with force as she struck without hesitation, aiming straight at Zora.

Zora did not retreat.

She stepped forward instead, meeting Cecily Blackstar head-on, her fists rising to intercept the attack with fearless precision.

Bang!

Fists collided, and a violent shockwave tore through the air. Cecily Blackstar’s strikes were ruthless and aggressive, every move targeting vital points with deadly intent. She fought as if she wanted nothing less than to crush her opponent completely.

Zora’s dark eyes narrowed, cold light flashing within them. Her movements were sharp and decisive, each response calculated and clean, leaving no wasted motion.

Boom!

Another heavy collision followed. Cecily Blackstar felt a searing pain shoot through her arms, as though she had just struck solid steel. Her hands throbbed violently. Meanwhile, Zora stood firm, her posture steady, showing no sign of being shaken.

Damn it!

How could this woman’s physical strength be so terrifying?

Cecily Blackstar’s heart sank, though she refused to show it. Gritting her teeth, she forced out a sneer. "You really are rough and savage!"

"Not as savage as you," Zora replied coolly, her tone flat and cutting.

The words landed cleanly, and Cecily Blackstar’s expression darkened further. Rage surged through her veins, but before she could regroup, Zora pressed the attack.

She gave Cecily Blackstar no room to breathe.

A relentless barrage followed, each strike fierce and unyielding. Under Zora’s overwhelming offense, Cecily Blackstar was forced backward, step by step. She tried to counter, to stabilize, but the pressure was suffocating.

She couldn’t hold her ground.

Seeing this reversal, the expressions of the onlookers shifted dramatically. Shock spread across their faces as they watched Cecily Blackstar, who had seemed destined for victory moments earlier, fall into a clear disadvantage.

No one had expected this.

Step... step... step!