Divine Emperor of Death

With Honorable Elder Julian Kruse's words, battle intent radiated out of Giselle Orcha, her eyes becoming fueled with bitter rage, but despite her anger, serene undulations grew around her, turning into waves of deep blue water. They exuded an immense might and a kind of heaviness that suffocated one's will.

However, Natalya merely stood there, not even raising her guard.

A vein almost erupted on Giselle Orcha's head as she knew that Natalya was mocking her. She had already entered a defensive state, but the other party stayed there, looking at her as though she was a clown. Unable to endure, she opened her mouth and screamed.

"Don't underestimate my Water Dragon's might! If I were the same level as you, I would be able to easily defeat you."

"I heard that you were not stronger than the other Dragon Queens, though?" Natalya raised her brows.

"That's…! That's because my bloodline purity isn't high." Giselle Orcha's voice possessed a hint of fury and shame, "Moreover, I'm not the same old Water Dragon Queen. I have become powerful in my own right!"

'This woman… the amount of envy echoing in her voice is truly frightening.'

Natalya now understood why Zestria and Bylai would have such an opinion about Giselle Orcha.

However, she could vaguely sympathize with her. Back then, Fiora was also stronger and more talented than her, making her feel inferior. However, she didn't lash out or act on that jealousy like Giselle Orcha, so she also couldn't help but look down on her.

Originally, Giselle Orcha was truly happy that Bylai lost. Now even if she lost in this round, she could still say that she was stronger, but being investigated like this, her old wounds were popping into her heart, disallowing her to remain calm.

Abruptly, she took a step forward, rushing through kilometers of space in a second.

She entered Giselle Orcha's Water Dragon Water Barrier as though she was barefooted because she still didn't have her defenses up. Witnessing this scene, Giselle Orcha couldn't help but sneer as her essence energy and martial energy surged with full force.

"Fool! My Water Dragon's defense isn't easily breakable, much less when you have no ener-"

*Paah!~*

The resounding sound of a slap echoed, causing Giselle Orcha to fly like the Vast Sky Emperor, almost making people think that she was imitating him for some reason before they became stupefied.

Despite practicing Water Laws, the Water Dragon Queen somehow failed to consider the power of gentle and soothing yin. For Natalya to traverse in her water was like a fish released into the ocean. She easily maneuvered inside the heavy deep blue water, endured the pressure with yin energy, and struck Giselle Orcha's face with a resounding slap, causing everyone to be shocked while the Orcha Family's faces went ugly.

How could Giselle Orcha make a novice mistake like this?

"You!"

Giselle Orcha's veil came off at this moment as she regained her balance, revealing her seductive beauty but her face that was twisted with rage and the imprint of a slap ruined that attractive face of hers. She pointed her hand at Natalya, wanting to say something, but no matter how she tried, her voice wouldn't come out as though there was an invisible pressure of death weighing on her, making her instinctively know that she might be killed if she were to curse.

"I have no personal enmity against you, so you only have your mouth to blame. Also, Zestria and Bylai sent their regards."

Natalya's voice echoed like the calm wind as she tapped her cheek.

Giselle Orcha almost flew into a rage again, feeling that Natalya was humiliating her by indicating that slap. However, she suddenly noticed something strange through the corner of her eyes.

She glanced at the icy-blue lotus that appeared on her cheek, and her blood chilled, metaphorically and literally. Frost appeared from her head to toe, encasing her in ice. Even the water she summoned out for defense, filled with Water Dragon's aura, was unable to do anything against the icy-blue lotus, freezing as it became completely encased her in ice.

Giselle Orcha's gaze became full of fear, feeling that she was going to die as she felt powerless.

However, before it could completely swallow her, Natalya snapped her fingers, causing the ice to shatter, but it sent Giselle Orcha flying once again as she spat a mouthful of blood in the air. Her eyes that were seemingly trying to stay awake rolled back as she hit the ground.

The slap wasn't injurious but painful and humiliating. However, this attack caused her to faint directly.

"…"

People were not particularly shocked, but to give the beautiful Water Dragon Queen such a blow, they felt mortified in her stead, especially the women with rude mouths.

"Sweet, that was refreshing!" Zestria cheered while standing together with Davis and the others.

They knew that she was used Forsaken Draining Lotus on Giselle Orcha to give the dealing blow.

On the other hand, Bylai shook her head, thinking that Natalya wouldn't have one-shot Giselle Orcha if she had kept her mouth shut. Giselle Orcha would always be the one to provoke others and mock if they weren't up to par, but she just had to call Natalya foolish, making her receive a slap to her face instead of just an icy-blue lotus.

"The winner of this battle, Natalya Alstreim!"

Honorable Elder Julian Kruse announced as the barrier came down. At that moment, Giselle Orcha's ranking became sixteenth, the last in the third round. Many felt that she wouldn't even compare to the Golden Dragon Queen at the eighteenth, much less Ivy Aries, who was at the seventeenth rank.

But according to the Heaving Gazing Sect and Heaven Mandate Temple, this was according to their own karmic luck. So they could only shake their heads.

Giselle Orcha's husband appeared to take her away from the battle stage while Natalya also left.

Natalya arrived before them with splendor, possessing a bright smile on her face. Zestria ran towards her and grasped her hands.

"Second sister, well done. That slap was truly excellent."

Zestria was truly delighted. After all, the chance for her number to appear was very less. Since Natalya picked out Giselle Orcha from the much stronger participants she could battle and increase her experience, she naturally assumed that Natalya did it for her.

This favor, she wouldn't forget.

However, Natalya's brows twitched even though she smiled. Why did it sound like Zestria was the big sister?

She raised her hand and patted Zestria's head, "There, there. Your big sister Natalya will take care of you."

Zestria became dumbfounded for a moment before she felt strange. Age-wise, there was a vast difference between them, but she came low in terms of seniority and prowess. Pursing her lips, she deflated.

"Yes~"

"Hehe~ As long as you become stronger than me, I'll call you Fire Dragon Queen, little sister."

"I'm in!"

Zestria's crimson eyes almost burst with flames, thinking that she must regain the respect she once enjoyed.

'So easy to read…'

Zestria practically had her emotions on her face, making the others silently laugh.

Natalya was just about to move when Honorable Elder Julian Kruse's voice echoed out.

"Next, number ten."

He displayed the lot's number, causing countless people to search for number ten. Who was it? Some participants didn't bother to display their numbers to others, thinking that it would disadvantage them.

"Adlet Rayburn, I challenge you to a battle."

Suddenly, a melodious yet cold voice echoed amidst the silent New Era Battle Arena, attracting many people's attention.

Davis blinked before turning to his side, looking at Schleya, pointing her finger towards a man with golden hair to the opposite side, accompanied by two women.

"…!"

The people became shocked to witness Schleya challenge the dark horse. Was she truly number ten?