What Hong Yu didn't realize was that Phoenix was watching over her each and every move.

In the Sufei Hotel, Phoenix's face was a study in madness. He had just learned that Hong Yu had headed to Zhang Lie's rooms, and that the two of them had been alone for about five minutes before she had stepped out unwillingly.

"No wonder she's been trying to persuade me not to start a conflict with Zhang Lie—he's her gigolo, there's no doubt about it!" Phoenix couldn't think of any other reason for their encounter.

If Hong Yu were to know about Phoenix's thoughts, she would likely have gotten so angry as to spit out blood.

After commanding his subordinates to continue spying on Hong Yu, Phoenix swore that he would crush Zhang Lie under his foot tomorrow, telling Hong Yu and the other lifeforms of the Milky Way who the true king of this Void Cup was.

For that purpose, he had requested the most precious spiritual pills that the winged possessed, along with several restricted potions. No matter what, he would crush Zhang Lie tomorrow at any cost.

The next day, the skies were dull and dreary, as though they were barely holding back the rain. The bad weather didn't dampen the crowd's mood; the spectators were all very excited for the day's competitions, particularly the first. Zhang Lie VS Phoenix!

In truth, many spectators believed that this match should have been the finals of the Void Cup.

"Who do you think will win, Zhang Lie or Phoenix?"

"Isn't that obvious? Phoenix, of course—he's the young leader of the winged!"

"So? Zhang Lie easily beat Pu Kui of the nightdemons. He wounded her with just one fist—and you're still backing the winged? Ridiculous!"

"He's not wrong. At the very least, my money's on Zhang Lie!"

"His victory is almost certain, in my opinion."

"What?! Can you compare the humans' racial affinity to the winged's? The humans are a weak race, there's nothing to it! Then look at the winged— they're one of the top three races when it comes to starting advantage! Do you know what this means? The winged are the elephants to the humans' ants! Pu Kui was simply careless during that first free-for-all, and I heard rumors that Zhang Lie had consumed some restricted potion that day!"

"Some potion? That doesn't explain how strong the members of Team Zenith are, and how about his match with Yao Yue?"

"Well, if their team leader can consume a potion, why not the other members of the team as well? I bet that all the humans discovered was just some potent potion! As for Yao Yue—she was clearly just doing Zhang Lie a favor!"

Such conversations were scattered throughout the stands, with neither party able to convince the other. After all, both Phoenix and Zhang Lie had a shocking number of fans, and they naturally hoped for their idol to win, to shoot for the stars, and to end up in possession of the Void Throne. As a result, even before the match had begun, there was already a sense of anticipation in the air.

There was half an hour left for final preparations before the start of the match. In the humans' waiting room, everyone, including Yan Long, Su Feng, Yun Bing, and the recovering Chu Feng were all in attendance. With the expert supervision of the medical team here on Ural, Chu Feng was recovering relatively quickly. The reason he was here today was to watch Zhang Lie's match for himself. Zhang Lie had promised to let him watch Phoenix's downfall .

"Zhang Lie, the martial sage has sent word," Yan Long informed him seriously. "You're free to act as you please."

"That being said, Zhang Lie, I hope you'll spare your opponent's life. The winged are far too strong; if you really kill him, even China's might may not be able to protect you. Do you understand?" Su Feng added.

The other members of Team Zenith didn't say anything. What Zhang Lie decided, they would follow. Yun Bing seemed to want to dissuade him as well, but she visibly hesitated and swallowed her words each time. Chu Feng still couldn't speak, but he smiled at Zhang Lie, as if trying to convey to him that there was no need to invite trouble on his behalf.

Zhang Lie only smiled. "I know what I'm doing, and I've decided to kill him. I think all of you are still underestimating Martial Sage Hong Tianqi's prowess, and even my own. After today, the winged will hardly have the time to cause trouble for me; no, they might even have to seek me out for help!"

Zhang Lie's words stunned Yan Long and Su Feng. The two of them tried to press him for more information, but Zhang Lie was as tight-lipped as ever. Instead, they turned to the other competitors and began instructing them on what to do.

As the preparation period passed, the artificial intelligence announced the start of the match.

Two figures appeared in the Void Cup's main arena, which would be used for the remainder of the competition. As the two competitors stood facing each other, each half of the arena began to morph into the terrain most advantageous for each competitor.

Zhang Lie stood in the middle of a vast, blue ocean, whereas Phoenix was surrounded by wind. The sun, ocean, and gentle breeze would otherwise have combined into a rather relaxing whole if not for the imminent battle.

Most among the winged possessed a wind-attuned framework, but Phoenix was the notable exception. His framework was from the most prized tome that the winged had to offer, [Deity of Wing and Sun], a light- and wind-attuned framework.

The environment was perfectly suited for both competitors. Phoenix was certain that it had boosted his strength by half again his maximum. Meanwhile, beneath his feet, Zhang Lie felt the inexhaustible genetic energy saturating the entire ocean, as though he were nothing more than an ink drop on its surface. Even he was anticipating just how strong he could be with the force and majesty of the entire ocean in his wake.

Zhang Lie was dressed in a simple black robe, whereas Phoenix wore lavish gold-lined white silk brocade. Even in attire, they seemed to be direct opposites of each other.

The audience went crazy.

"Zhang Lie!"

"Phoenix!"

"Dragonwolf Zhang Lie, Team Zenith!"

"Phoenix, Prince of the Winged, King of the Skies!"

"Dragonwolf Zhang Lie, Team Zenith!"

"Phoenix, Prince of the Winged, King of the Skies!"

Even before the match officially began, the audience's shouts had reached a crescendo.