My SSS-Rank Innate skill: Infinite Adaptation core

Leonis, who was still standing near the higher seats, quickly seized the opportunity. Chances to speak directly with Emperor-level figures were rare, and he had no intention of wasting one.

”She is the daughter of Duke Theodore Frost of my kingdom,” he answered respectfully.

”Did you say Frost?” Vaorak muttered, his eyes narrowing as he continued to observe the dense aura radiating from Asia. ”Is she the granddaughter of that crazy man?”

Leonis and the others immediately understood who he was referring to.

Although ordinary people knew very little about that man — and even Theodore himself had only limited knowledge of his father before he disappeared — those at the highest levels of the continent were well aware of what he had truly been like.

To this day, many of them still refused to fully believe that he was dead.

”The last report I heard said he was seen near the Desolate Land,” Draeven murmured.

Lyra’s eyes remained fixed on Asia, clear astonishment in her voice.

”No wonder her icy aura is this powerful even at such a low level... she has clearly surpassed her grandfather by a large margin.”

Of course, none of them could tell that Asia had already awakened a Divine-rank bloodline. From their perspective, they could only judge by what their senses perceived — an ice affinity whose intensity far exceeded what should be possible at her level.

High comprehension alone was rarely enough to produce such a dense aura. Unless one possessed a special bloodline or some form of external blessing, it was almost unheard of for someone so young.

Even Aurora, who had been reluctant to attend the tournament in the first place, now felt that her decision had been worthwhile. In such a short time, she had already witnessed two remarkable talents... and the competition had only just begun.

On Platform 1...

Asia calmly stepped forward toward the three remaining women. Their bodies trembled under the oppressive cold that continuously pressed against them.

”D-Don’t come any closer or y—!”

She never finished her sentence.

An ice blade formed in Asia’s hand as she appeared directly in front of the woman and cleanly severed her head.

”Sorry... I didn’t realize you were still speaking,” Asia said lightly before turning her gaze toward the remaining two, both of whom were now completely terrified.

The audience watching from the stands was stunned. Few could believe that such a delicate-looking beauty could be so strong — and so ruthless.

In the noble section, Duke Theodore watched with a proud smile. He had expected her to perform well, but seeing her current strength still filled him with pride.

In the VIP seats, Jenna and Edward were equally surprised by the change in Asia’s personality and the decisiveness she now displayed.

Velena, however, looked thoroughly satisfied. It seemed her guidance had truly taken effect.

On the other side, Maria also watched with mild surprise. A small smile curved her lips as she thought to herself that Asia had grown remarkably strong in such a short time. She wasn’t the only one who had experienced explosive growth recently.

Beside her, Darius Veyl remained completely expressionless, simply observing the youths below with cold indifference.

Back on the platform, one of the remaining women — the slightly prettier one — spoke with a trembling voice.

”Y-You... do you know who my father is?”

The other flat-chested woman beside her quickly added,

”Y-Yes! Don’t come any closer, or it won’t end well for you once we get out of here!”

Asia let out a quiet sigh.

”Sigh... what exactly did you think you were walking into when you entered this tournament? Listening to the two of you is already making me feel ashamed for wasting my breath.”

With two swift motions, she severed both of their heads.

In total, she had eliminated ten contestants — twice the required amount.

The surrounding contestants who had been watching the scene exchanged uneasy glances. It was clear that approaching this woman would be nothing short of suicide if they wished to survive.

It wasn’t only Rieka and Asia who were drawing attention.

A few other individuals across the platforms were also eliminating opponents with similar ease, catching the eyes of the higher-level figures above.

However, most of those contestants were already between levels 1600 and 1700, and all of them were over the age of twenty-five.

Rieka was only twenty-three.

Asia was only eighteen.

That alone was enough to make the two of them stand out sharply among the rest.

By now, more than half of the contestants had already been eliminated. Some continued to fight ruthlessly, while others shamelessly stole kills whenever the opportunity arose. Several hours passed in this brutal manner.

On Platform 2...

Bai Chen had already managed to eliminate five Grandmasters, successfully completing his required kill count. From this point onward, all he needed to do was survive until the end of the round.

”Curse the heavens... this old one never expected there would be so many powerful individuals this time,” he muttered under his breath. ”Although this old one managed to break through to the King Realm thanks to Junior Brother Nova...”

In truth, Nova had noticed Bai Chen’s situation earlier.

While Bai Chen had still been stuck at the Grandmaster level and couldn’t freely leave the Twilight Order’s barracks, Nova had found time during his breaks to take him out and help him hunt a few King Realm Demonic Beasts.

With that assistance, Bai Chen had finally broken through and reached level 1056. Even so, standing among so many powerful contestants still left him feeling heavily pressured.

”Hey, shorty. I’ve been watching you for a while. Wanna join forces?”

A burly, wild-looking tall man of roughly the same age called out from nearby. Bai Chen turned to look at him. The man’s level was in the 1100s.

”How would this old one know... that Senior Brother won’t simply stab him in the back?”

Hearing those words, the tall man burst into laughter.

”You’re a funny one, aren’t you, shorty? I saw you fight earlier. Your swordsmanship and skills are solid... but you clearly lack pure strength. If we team up, we can cover for each other and survive until the round ends.”

Bai Chen thought it over for a moment. Being separated from Junior Brother Nova had already left him in a less-than-ideal situation. An alliance could be useful.

”Alright... this old one will trust Senior Brother for now. But know this — the heavens are watching. If you dare stab this old one in the back, you will face heaven’s wrath.”

The tall man simply shook his head at the strange way of speaking and replied,

”Fine, fine. I’m not that kind of person. Have a little faith, dude.”

Bai Chen nodded and moved to stand beside him. Just then, another voice drifted over from the side. ”Quite an odd couple, the two of you, aren’t you?”

A bald, heavily muscled man stepped forward, gripping a spear in one hand. His appearance was rough and rather ugly, and his features made him look middle-aged — so much so that it was hard to believe he was still under thirty. Despite that, his level was firmly in the 1200s.

The tall man beside Bai Chen immediately grew cautious.

”Be careful. He’s at a higher level.”

Bai Chen, however, simply looked the bald man up and down and spoke in his usual tone.

”Senior Brother... how did someone like you even manage to take part in this tournament? This old one can already tell you are old enough to have several children.”

”You bastard!!”

The bald man’s face twisted with rage at the insult. Without another word, he charged straight at Bai Chen.

At that moment, the tall man stepped in and intercepted the incoming attack with his large sword, the clash of weapons ringing out sharply.

Taking advantage of the opening, Bai Chen leaped high into the air. Mana condensed around his blade as he swung it forward.

”Wind Blades!”

Multiple sharp blades of wind shot out from his sword and slammed into the bald man, blasting him backward across the platform.

**

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[A/N]

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