chapter 9 She is a water elemental spirit ===

"I, Serene Mu, am the head of the Mu family. I find it quite amusing that I need the consent of a maid to decide whom I will marry. Your Highness Li, today I have truly broadened my horizons." Serene Mu sneered.
"Though you are the head of the Mu family, the woman I deeply love is only Lily," Li Wang said, his affection evident.
Serene Mu's lips curled into a playful smile. "Seeing Your Highness profound affection, I can't bear to separate you two! Your Highness Li, for the woman you love so dearly, would you be willing to make a bet with me?"
"A bet? What kind of bet?"
"You bet with me just now about your most beloved woman. Now I'll bet with you. If I lose, I will ensure the Emperor cancels the marriage contract. You can marry whomever you want. But if you lose, I ask you to bring 'your' coffin and roll back to the Li mansion."
"Well..." Ethan Xuanyuan hesitated. If he won, it would be a tremendous advantage, allowing him to be rid of this woman.
Though she seemed different today, this woman loved him unconditionally, and he couldn't imagine her changing her heart. Perhaps she knew of his deep affection for Lily and chose this method to help him. It was truly a thoughtful gesture. He vowed to repay her once he brought Lily into their home.
As for losing? How could he possibly lose to this useless woman?
Ethan Xuanyuan quickly gave his reply. "Alright, I agree."
"Esteemed elders, you all heard it. If anyone wishes to break the engagement, you must bear witness. Otherwise, the Mu family will have raised you in vain," Serene Mu declared.
"Indeed! Once there's a result, no one can break the engagement," Ethan Xuanyuan affirmed.
"Naturally," the three elders chimed in.
"Let's begin!" Ethan Xuanyuan urged. He was eager to settle this matter.
"Very well."
"You may make the first move, I don't want to bully you."
"Since you insist..." With a flash of purple, Serene Mu ruthlessly attacked his vulnerable spot.
Her speed was astonishing. Ethan Xuanyuan was startled and unleashed all his power to evade her attack.
The surrounding elders exclaimed, "Fifth-rank Spirit Master! Li Wang truly deserves to be one of the top ten geniuses of our Purple Moon Kingdom. He's achieved such cultivation at such a young age."
The Grand Elder added, "Although I don't understand how Serene Mu suddenly obtained such strange speed, in the face of absolute strength, she's bound to lose."
While they were elders of the Mu family, they had long grown tired of their embarrassing head. They despised serving under her, obeying her commands, and working like cattle and horses for her.
Ethan Xuanyuan pursued Serene Mu relentlessly, and she thought to herself, "I now possess the strength of a third-rank Spirit Master. However, facing Ethan Xuanyuan, who is two ranks higher, this could be a bit tricky."
With a slight movement, Serene Mu captured the powder that fell from her sleeve into her palm, wearing a smirk.
Ethan Xuanyuan presented her with a jade coffin; she didn't mind returning the favour.
At this moment, a disdainful snort was heard. "Hmph! Ugly woman, why resort to such tricks when you can openly defeat him?"
This voice was incredibly provoking, but only Serene Mu could hear it. "Openly defeat him? I've only been practicing for a day, and I'm two ranks lower in strength. Tell me, how could I openly defeat him?"
"Did you receive the Eternal Ring: Divine Water Dragon Ring today? Don't tell me you're planning to use them solely as a token of affection from that man, without actually using them."
Serene Mu was exasperated by this guy and found herself rendered speechless. If it weren't for her quick reflexes, she'd have been injured by Ethan Xuanyuan.
"Szzz—"
Thankfully, she dodged in time, but her clothes were torn.
Serene Mu said to Esther, "If you have a solution, speak up quickly. Don't dawdle here."
"Alright, listen to me next. Use your Spiritual power to connect with the Divine Water Dragon Ring, then you'll be able to harness the power of water within. Even if you're only third-rank now, with control over the water element, a fifth-rank opponent is nothing, they're like trash to you."
"I'll trust you this once!"
"Serena, just admit defeat!" Ethan Xuanyuan, his momentum fierce, closed in. His fifth-rank strength transformed into a blade slashing towards her.
Following Esther's method, Serene Mu mobilized the water power within the Divine Water Dragon Ring.
At that moment, a stream of water, azure in colour, rushed towards the approaching blade.
In the face of this water stream, the spiritual blade was completely powerless and was easily shattered.
Everyone present gasped in shock. "Oh my! What is that?"
"Serene Mu, it seems she possesses the strength of a third-rank Spirit Master, and that... that's water element."
"Gods! Serene Mu, this 'useless' woman, has actually become a third-rank water element Spirit Master. Can this be real?"
On the entire continent, there were mostly martial artists, and those with the talent to become Spirit Masters were relatively fewer. Among a thousand Spirit Masters, only one would become an elemental Spirit Master.
To possess an element was a sign of greater strength compared to ordinary Spirit Masters. Each elemental Spirit Master was a formidable figure capable of challenging opponents above their rank.
"You..." Faced with this unexpected turn of events, Ethan Xuanyuan was already frozen in place, forgetting that they were still in the midst of a duel.
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