1440 LYY looks defiantly at SL, since DFX’s return is a boon for her. DFX calls ZiY over. Despite fearing him, she refuses, preferring to be on NL’s side. NL tells DFX to leave for his own good, secretly thinking of CZ and YH’s relationship. DFX is angered, but RY uses his wind element to push him back as a reminder to proceed with the Tournament. SL admits DFX is strong, but it’s not impossible to kill him within 3 years.
1441 The woman in black sneers at SL’s statement and SL identifies her as Su Qing. SQ removes her veil and the crowd remarks on their past duel, how she was 5th ranked and severely injured 2 years ago, when her master rescued her. They also recall how SL had stolen NL from her and start cheering for SQ.
1442 LX draws LAC, BY draws the 9th ranked Mo Xiao Xun, while AYM draws LHM. ZiY’s opponent is Western Jin’s Ōu Yáng Míng Rì (欧阳明日), while SL and NL have yet to draw.
1443-1444 SQ doesn’t care about rankings but wants to personally kill SL, having suffered a humiliating defeat and sacrificed a lot to advance to her current strength. SL tells NL that she wants to face SQ, and NL draws a card, only to burn it, telling the referee the remaining card is SL’s. Both of the cards had SQ’s letter, since they wanted SL to face An Ye Xin. SL contemplated this, but SQ is thrilled to fight SL. SZ calls out for SQ at the stands, telling her the family’s fallen state. He pins the blame on SL and leads her home.
1445 The matches are held once every 10 days, with SL and SQ’s going first. Meanwhile SQ rages over SJY and MS’s state and how SL heartlessly refuses to cure them. SQ vows to kill SL, telling SZ her master’s strength isn’t below RY. SFA demands to know who it is, wanting their backing, since only an expert could help SQ advance so fast, but SQ refuses to tell them.
1446-1147 SFA had spent 10 years to advance from 6th to 8th ranked, and is bitter both SL and SQ surpassed him so easily, telling SQ to get SL’s blood. SZ is delighted his daughter is 9th ranked and better than SL. SL is cultivating in her space, and can form 4 flame leopards after 50 days. She’s also at the peak of 8th ranked, while her foundation is better than SQ’s since she didn’t rely on pills. BY reminds SL to kill SQ on the spot this time. since the odds are 10:1. SL enters the arena and spies SZ enthusiastically cheering on the side, letting slip that SQ’s backing is as strong as hers.
1448 SQ directly attacks SL with an ice blade, which SL deflects with 4 small flames rotating against the blade. The crowd remark that SL should be at least 8th ranked to survive it, but SQ was only testing her. SQ then forms an ice cage, which rotates around SL, slowly lowering her temperature and wearing away her flames. SQ laughs, remembering the bitter experiences SL had caused her.
1449 SL suddenly drops her guard and shoves a handful of ERPs into her mouth, before a releasing a burst of energy to melt the ice cage. SL laments that with 15 more minutes she would’ve advanced to 9th rank, while SQ is furious since she used 90% of her energy but SL is still alive. SQ summons two snow leopards, while SL sneers and summons a pair of fire leopards, causing the crowd to react in shock since only 9th ranked experts can learn the EFM.
1450 The crowd is amazed at the battle and feel as though they’ve wronged SL, while SQ is irritated since SL is clearly weaker than her. SQ injects more spiritual energy into her leopards, causing them to double in size and strength. They attack SL’s flame leopards, smashing them apart in the collision. During this time, SL manages to advance to 9th rank and puts the jade token away, stunning the crowd with her strength.