When the match -up was revealed, many of the students looked concerned, but they quickly rallied in support behind their representative.

"First Princess, you got this!"

"First Princess, you're the best!"

"The Star of Astral Sage!"

On the lot-drawing platform, the First Princess acknowledged her supporters with a gracious smile. Today, she had shed the luxurious outfits, clad in simple, purple robes. Still, her natural attributes were too voluptuous to be hidden even by simple clothing. Her fair complexion was a classic mark of royalty too.

Today, she had tied her hair in a long ponytail, a new style that drew additional attention to her. It was as though she had shed her status as the First Princess and was now just another member of the Astral Sage College.

Even without the gild of royalty on her, the First Princess had raw beauty abound. No wonder all the male students in the Astral Sage College had been enamored... before Jiang Qing'e showed up.

"The First Princess is not only beautiful, she also has charisma." Even Bai Mengmeng was charmed by the First Princess. And of course, she was awed by the curves of her senior.

Li Luo nodded fervently. The First Princess was an exceptional woman indeed. Despite her royal status, she had an approachable feel to her in school. She spoke well, was good-natured, and was different from other girls who wielded their charms aggressively. Her stability and cool nature were also her strengths.

Still, the results of this lottery were not the best.

From the Astral Sage College's perspective, it was best that Gong Shenjun face Zhong Nan. He stood a better chance at breaking through that rock wall, although it was still not a guarantee... In the end, either one might have only secured a draw.

The great aegis of the Blue Abyss Sage College was as strong as they came.

Still, there was great anticipation for this battle. And for Li Luo, he could witness a fight between Heavenly Dipper Generals firsthand. That was a real treat.

The First Princess turned her phoenix eyes to the young man with a grayish cast to his skin. "Senior Zhong Nan, I hope to learn a lot from you."

Zhong Nan simply nodded. "I thank the First Princess for her courtesy," he droned tonelessly, sounding almost bored. "This match concerns the future of my school, the Blue Abyss Sage College, so I will do my best."

"As will I."

Dong!

The chime sounded to signal the start of the battle.

Both Zhong Nan and First Princess leaped down from the stone platform to the mountain range below that would be the battlefield for this match.

One's connection with the world deepened at the Heavenly Dipper General Stage, enough to be able to move through the air at will. This was one of the main differences from the Earth Fiend Stage, where one remained grounded. The two descended into a sea of trees.

The First Princess raised a slim hand, and the worldly natural energy obediently leaped to her command. Thin streams of energy flowed towards her, pooling together in the form of a green Luan that stretched out for a hundred meters behind her.

The Luan continued to grow, until every beat of its wings summoned a fearsome wind that made the forest bend and groan.

This was her opening move?

Li Luo's eyes were almost popping out of their sockets. Was this what the Heavenly Dipper General Stage was like? Capable of summoning catastrophic levels of damage at will—it was truly worlds above the Resonant Master Stage.

"Caw!"

The green Luan keened, then swooped out on its wings of light when the First Princess jabbed her finger forward.

“ROAR!”

The bird started gathering energy as it flew, absorbing it from both sky and ground. It flew out like a sword of heaven, straight and true as it sliced through the treetops, its claws raking deep troughs in the ground.

It looked strong enough to level the entire mountain range.

The spectators' scalps prickled with fear, and they thanked the gods that such power was not aimed at them. In the face of the green destruction bearing down on him, Zhong Nan barely blinked. He was perched on top of a tree, stretching out a hand and bringing his own power to bear.

A gray-white resonant power started to condense in the air, forming a wall of rock as wide as the Luan's wingspan.

Boom!

The green light smashed into the outer face. The first layer of rocks was pulverized immediately. Deeper and deeper it bit into the rock wall. The second layer of rocks was ground down into dust. The third layer was ripped out of the wall easily. On and on the attack traveled, and yet there was always another layer of rock waiting behind. Finally, the attack fizzled out against the last wall of rock.

The First Princess' first attack had been blocked.

She accepted it calmly as well. If Zhong Nan could not even defend against such an attack, his reputation would be a sham.

The battle was just beginning.

The First Princess' slender frame rose into the air, green Luan wings spreading out behind her. Blades of green wind showered down on Zhong Nan in a majestic storm of knives.

Zhong Nan remained immovable. Again his gray resonant power rose, this time rising through the air like smoke until it covered half the sky. It solidified in an instant, an impregnable rock wall that sheltered him from the rain of knives.

All around his umbrella of rock, trees fell to the rain of devastation.

The destructive power was incredible.

Seeing that her attack was having no effect on Zhong Nan, the First Princess desisted. Closing her eyes, she began to gather her resonant power again.

This time she was transforming her resonant power within her, fashioning it into tangible shapes.

Little orbs of light started to appear behind her.

Each of these orbs held a green jewel of light within them, condensed resonant power in deadly amounts.

A total of seven orbs began a lazy circle around the First Princess.

On the viewing platform, even the Dukes' eyes were wide open in admiration at this mastery and power.

The First Princess had produced seven heavenly pearls. This was quite a feat, and not an attack to be underestimated.