The Almighty Dominance (by Sunshine) novel Chapter 604

The referee stood at the center of the arena, robes fluttering in the wind as his voice rang out across the vast grounds.

“This,” he declared, sweeping his gaze over the roaring crowd, “is the most anticipated battle of the year at Thousand Herbs Peak!”

The noise swelled—thousands of disciples pressing forward, eyes burning with anticipation.

“And now,” the referee continued, his tone sharpening with excitement, “we arrive at the pinnacle of the tournament—the clash between the first and second-ranked contenders!”

A beat.

“Who will claim the title of this year’s top outer disciples of Thousand Herbs Peak?”

He raised one hand, pointing to the right side of the arena.

“From the right—Hou Mei!”

The crowd erupted.

“She is acknowledged as the most beautiful fairy of Thousand Herbs Peak—ranked among the top ten beauties of the entire Wudang Sect!”

Cheers turned into a frenzy of admiration.

“She has defeated every challenger before her with overwhelming skill. Her cultivation stands at the peak of Qi Condensation—just one step away from Foundation Establishment!”

“Welcome—the most beautiful woman of Thousand Herbs Peak!”

The applause became deafening.

Hou Mei stepped forward.

Every movement was effortless. Grace flowed through her like water—each step precise, each gesture refined. Her robes shimmered softly as she ascended the arena, her presence alone enough to still the air.

Eyes followed her.

Breaths caught.

For a moment, even the noise seemed to bow before her.

And then—

The silence shattered.

The entire arena erupted into a frenzy.

Voices exploded in every direction, wild and uncontrollable, like a storm breaking loose after being held back too long. Disciples leapt to their feet, shouting, laughing, roaring—some in shock, others in sheer excitement at the chaos unfolding before them.

“Hou Mei! Hou Mei!”

“You’re my idol!”

The cries turned feverish, especially from the male disciples. Their voices rose above the rest—desperate, unhinged, filled with admiration that bordered on obsession.

Some pounded their chests. Others waved their arms like madmen, trying to catch her attention.

“Hou Mei, look at me!”

“You’re the most beautiful!”

“I’d die for you!”

The energy spiraled out of control—no longer just a crowd, but a living, breathing force of hysteria.

And at the center of it all—

Everything was about to explode.

“And from the left…”

A pause.

“Contestant number 777—Jun Jiu!”

A ripple of curiosity spread through the crowd.

“The number one scorer in the Herb Knowledge Stone Stele—an achievement unseen in a thousand years!”

This time, the applause came louder, sharper—charged with expectation.

All eyes turned.

They waited.

And waited.

The cheers began to fade.

No one stepped forward.

The referee frowned slightly, glancing toward the entrance.

“…Please welcome Jun Jiu,” he called again.

The crowd clapped once more, though now there was hesitation—whispers threading through the noise.

Still no one appeared.

A third time, the referee called out, louder than before.

“Jun Jiu!”

Silence answered him.

Confusion spread like a crack through glass.

Where was he?

Just as the tension tightened to its breaking point—

A sharp gasp rippled through the crowd.

High above, a figure cut across the sky like a streak of frost.

The Pure Snow Sword Maiden—Li Qingxue.

Her robes billowed like drifting snow, her presence cold and absolute.

And in her grip—

A man.

Dangling.

Dragged unceremoniously by the collar.

“Hey—HEY!” Alex shouted, his voice carried by the wind as he flailed midair. “I already lost! Why do I have to fight again?!”

Li Qingxue didn’t even look at him.

“You won your match,” she replied, her tone as calm and merciless as winter. “So you will fight.”

“Can’t I just not show up? Then everyone can say I lost!” Alex protested desperately.

“No.”

One word.

Final.

Before he could say another, she flicked her wrist—

And threw him.

Alex dropped from the sky like a sack of grain.

He hit the arena with a heavy thud, landing squarely on his backside.

The crowd blinked.

Then… exhaled.

Just like that, the tension shattered.

Alex groaned, rubbing his butt as he sat there, utterly undignified.

“That damn Li Qingxue…” he muttered under his breath. “Dragging me out of my nap like that…”

“Good!” the referee exclaimed, his excitement surging back as if nothing strange had just happened. “Contestant Jun Jiu has arrived! Now—let the final match begin! Who will emerge victorious?!”

The arena exploded into noise.

Disciples shouted over one another, voices clashing like waves against stone. Some called out for Jun Jiu—but they were drowned out by the overwhelming chorus screaming Hou Mei’s name, desperate for even a glance from her.

“I surrender!”

Alex’s voice tore through the chaos like a blade.

Everything stopped.

The noise collapsed into absolute silence.

Thousands of people froze, eyes wide, breath caught in their throats.

Did he just—

Did Jun Jiu just surrender… before the fight even began?

The arena held its breath.

The referee blinked, then let out an awkward laugh. “Ah… what a joke.”

“Sorry,” Alex said flatly, completely serious. “This isn’t a joke. I surrender.”

The referee’s smile stiffened. “Of course… of course it’s a joke,” he said, forcing a chuckle. “Because just moments ago, the Peak Leader introduced a new regulation.”

“No one is allowed to surrender in the final match.”

A ripple of shock moved through the crowd.

Alex’s head snapped toward the high platform.

The Peak Leader sat there, calm, composed—watching him.

Smiling.

“I know you want to surrender,” the Peak Leader said leisurely. “Did you really think I wouldn’t stop you?”

His smile deepened.

“Dream on. You will fight.”

Alex’s eyes darkened, but before he could respond—

“My respects.”

Hou Mei stepped forward, bowing gracefully to the Peak Leaders. Her voice was soft, almost fragile—but it carried clearly.

“I am only a woman,” she said softly, lowering her gaze with practiced modesty. “If I were to face a male opponent in direct combat… then by nature, by birth—” her voice dipped, almost fragile, “—I would stand at a disadvantage compared to Jun Jiu.”

The crowd quieted, drawn in by her gentleness.

“So,” she continued, lifting her eyes slightly, “I would like to propose… a different kind of match.”

Alex barely reacted.

In his mind, this was already over.

Perfect, he thought.

Whatever she suggested—he would just agree, then lose on purpose.

If it was pills? He’d ruin one step.

If it was cooking? He’d make it taste awful.

If it was anything else—he’d find a way to fail.

How hard could it be to lose?

“Brother Jun Jiu,” Hou Mei said, turning to him with a soft, hopeful gaze. “I hope you will agree to this arrangement.”

Alex nodded immediately. “Sure. Whatever kind of fight you want—I’ll agree.”

Her face lit up, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

“Thank you, Brother Jun Jiu,” she said gently. “You are truly kind… a real gentleman. It is rare to find a man like you.”

Alex shrugged, completely indifferent.

“So,” the referee said, raising an eyebrow, curiosity creeping into his voice, “what kind of competition do you propose?”

Hou Mei hesitated for just a moment.

Then she took out a small piece of paper and handed it to him, her expression turning shy—almost embarrassed.

The referee unfolded it.

His eyes scanned the words.

And then—

His expression changed.

He froze.

“…Are you certain,” he asked slowly, lowering the paper just enough to look at her, “that this is the competition you want?”

Hou Mei lowered her head, her blush deepening.

She nodded.

The referee let out a long, complicated sigh.

“Well… I suppose this is one way to do it.”

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