SSS rank Mother-In-Law to an Invincible Family-Chapter 481: Yun Zhen versus Ma Chao
The sound of weapons clashing from the lower stages had faded into the background.
Up near the center of the arena grounds, where the platforms were larger and the formations more reinforced, the crowd had gone quiet.
The match that was about to begin wasn't just for advancement. It was for recognition.
"Core discipline round—central stage. Yun Zhen versus Ma Chao."
The announcer's voice echoed clean across the grounds.
These were names that most disciples already knew. Not because they were loud or arrogant, but because of what they'd done.
Yun Zhen had trained under one of the retired elders for two years. She was known for her technique—precise, methodical, and efficient.
Her water-style swordplay was respected even among instructors. She didn't waste energy. She didn't speak much. But when she moved, people watched.
Ma Chao was different. He was strong, explosive, and sharp. A fire-element cultivator with a background in heavy weapons, he had once broken an entire sparring platform during training. He was intense, but not reckless. He controlled his heat well. It was why he'd made it this far.
Now, one of them was going to take the next step.
Either they'd be promoted to true disciple status or, if they had the age and experience, they could be invited to join as a junior elder.
They stood across from each other, each calm, each still.
Yun Zhen wore light blue robes, sleeves tight, her sword sheathed at her side. Her hair was tied back into a single knot, and her eyes were focused.
Ma Chao stood with his hands relaxed at his sides, a large frame broad in the sunlight. His crimson robe had a faded burn mark near the collar, left there on purpose. His greatsword sat strapped across his back, wide and heavy.
Neither one bowed.
They just gave a short nod, and the referee stepped back.
"Begin."
Yun Zhen moved first. She didn't run or dash. She stepped forward slowly, drawing her blade in one smooth motion.
Water qi flowed along its edge like steam, and the temperature around her dropped slightly.
Ma Chao smiled faintly and unstrapped his greatsword.
The crowd leaned forward.
The two clashed in the center.
Yun Zhen struck fast, her sword making almost no sound. Each swing curved like flowing water, smooth and steady.
Ma Chao blocked with heavy swings, letting sparks fly as their weapons collided. Each clash sent force into the ground, cracking small chips off the stone stage.
Ma Chao pushed forward with a strong vertical slash. Yun Zhen ducked low, sliding under it and striking for his ribs. He twisted his arm to deflect it and jumped back with a burst of fire qi erupting from his feet. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
The platform trembled slightly.
Yun Zhen didn't blink.
She raised her sword and pointed it forward. Water rippled around her ankles, rising up like mist.
She dashed forward, the mist following her.
They met again.
This time, their movements blurred. She spun around him once, leaving cuts across his side. He swung backward, sending a blast of fire toward her, but she raised a wall of water in the air and it hissed into steam.
The referee stood silently to the side. This wasn't a match to interrupt.
Ma Chao stepped in again, swinging hard.
Yun Zhen parried twice, then turned and sent a crescent blade of water outward.
Ma Chao braced and blocked with the flat of his greatsword, but the pressure pushed him back a step.
The audience stirred.
"Even?"
"No… She's pushing."
But Ma Chao wasn't done.
He took a deep breath and slammed his sword into the ground.
Fire burst out in a circle, forcing Yun Zhen back with a wave of heat.
She raised her sleeve and shielded her face, stepping backward until the air calmed.
He pulled the sword back up and spun once, fire coiling around the blade.
Then he charged.
The clash was loud.
Steel met steel, but the impact shook the platform. Yun Zhen slid back several feet before she stopped. Her arm was shaking slightly.
Ma Chao's shoulder was bleeding from a cut that had finally landed.
Both were breathing harder now.
She took a moment, steadied her grip, and let her qi flow outward. Water circled her blade again, this time in thicker waves.
Ma Chao raised his sword and let it rest against his shoulder.
"Not bad," he said. "But I'm not done."
"I didn't think you were," she replied, voice calm.
They moved again.
Their third exchange was the hardest yet.
Yun Zhen's blade danced around his strength, cutting through the gaps in his defense. Ma Chao responded with bursts of flame around his body, forcing her to retreat and strike from the sides.
One of his swings tore through part of the platform edge.
One of hers sliced across his chest.
Neither stopped.
Neither hesitated.
They were testing each other—and themselves.
Then it happened.
Ma Chao lifted his blade for a high arc strike, putting everything into the swing.
Yun Zhen saw it coming.
She stepped in instead of out, spinning into his space.
Her sword moved like a ripple in a still pond—fast, tight, controlled.
The edge touched his shoulder, then passed across his chest.
He froze for a second.
Then stepped back, smiling.
He looked down.
Blood was dripping from two lines across his chest and arm.
He raised his hand.
"I concede."
The referee waited one beat.
Then nodded.
"Match ends. Victory—Yun Zhen."
The crowd burst into sound.
Not wild cheering, but loud, firm applause.
This wasn't about surprise.
This was about skill.
Yun Zhen lowered her blade and bowed once before stepping off the platform.
Ma Chao sat down on the edge of the stage, letting his legs dangle. He was breathing hard, but smiling to himself.
"She got me," he muttered.
Up above, a few elders were already discussing something quietly. Yun Zhen's name had already been marked.
She was now officially listed as a true disciple.
Possibly more.
Down below, a few disciples whispered.
"Did you see that last step?"
"She caught the edge of his movement."
"She's faster than she looks."
Yun Zhen ignored it all.
She just walked back toward the quiet path that led to the holding area.
She had passed.
Now came the next test.
