### Chapter 241: Big Trouble! No Worries, I Have Super Protection!
On the battlefield, Isaac had completely regained the upper hand. After once again leaving a gash on Elia’s side, he took a step back.
Now he had injuries too, but they were nothing compared to Elia’s.
Elia’s elemental attacks were indeed tricky. The strategy of trading injuries to accumulate elemental effects could continuously influence the target’s actions. In a standard scenario, the more you fight, the greater your advantage.
But that was in an ideal world, where both parties exchanged damage in a 1:1 ratio.
In reality, Elia’s injury exchange ratio was more like 0.6.
With such a huge gap, she wouldn’t have time to accumulate enough elemental effects before she went down.
“Elia, I know you’re waiting for an opportunity—you haven’t even used your best moves yet. But it’s pointless now; you can’t hold out.”
Both of them were deliberately conserving some strength. Not because of sibling bonds or not wanting to go all out.
Well, maybe a smidge of that, but more importantly, getting the crown off would require a hefty chunk of energy.
If they fought until their resources ran dry and won but couldn’t remove the crown, that would be quite the laugh.
As for how much strength would be used or whether holding back could lead to being knocked out first, that was something the contenders needed to consider for themselves.
Isaac mentioned it here intentionally to urge Elia to make up her mind for a decisive strike.
A drawn-out war of attrition wouldn’t benefit anyone.
Elia understood Isaac’s meaning and took a deep breath.
“Well then, let’s do this.”
Elia raised her sword and squinted.
Isaac matched her serious demeanor and raised his sword as well.
One was in a downward chop stance, the other, sideways.
Elia’s sword began to shimmer with a rainbow of colors, the embodiment of her various elemental powers converging.
She had mastered all elemental adaptations and could use all kinds of magic.
But compared to magic, she excelled at infusing her sword with elemental power, merging magic and swordplay into one unstoppable force.
Isaac, on the other hand, took a more straightforward route—he honed his swordsmanship to its peak.
The royal family of the Jade Emperor Kingdom was known for their sword skills.
Their eyes met, and a climactic showdown was imminent.
This was the perfect moment Yuliya had been waiting for, hiding away like an overprotective parent.
A decisive move that would end it all?
Chances were that Elia would lose.
She was exhausting herself, getting more injuries, and who knew how much power she could muster?
So, here I come to help!
In a flash, she whipped out a dusty Experience Book from her backpack, instantly leveling up by three levels, reaching level 30.
Level 30 facing a level 60 opponent meant she had successfully crossed over the previously unbeatable suppression stage and could deal at least 1 point of damage now.
In the next instant, Yuliya blinked and appeared right beside Isaac.
It was quite the surprise appearance, but the two powerful fighters locked onto her immediately.
Both froze for a second.
What’s this little shrimp doing here?!
But what shocked them even more was that Yuliya thrust a sword straight at Isaac’s chest.
Uh-oh!
Elia panicked instantly.
She wasn’t worried about Isaac; she was worried about Yuliya.
Even if that sword hit, with Yuliya’s lowly power, it wouldn’t even tickle.
And facing such a sneaky assault, Isaac, being a seasoned prince, had developed a reflex to instantly counterattack.
Even the slightest blow would be too much for Yuliya to withstand!
Sure enough, Yuliya’s sword hit Isaac like it was striking a rock, unable to get even a millimeter in.
But Isaac’s counterattack came swiftly.
With his power already halfway charged, he swung back.
It was only in that moment of striking back that Isaac realized who had attacked him.
As the target, his reflexes were naturally a step too slow.
“Oh no!”
Even if he wanted to retract his sword, it was already too late.
Yet, in Isaac’s shocked gaze, Yuliya flicked her sword, deflecting the blow while simultaneously spinning to smack her palm on Isaac’s chest.
She moved gracefully, like a butterfly dancing mid-air.
I told you, I’m a master of the Jade Ten Swords; I can grab one every time!
But before she could bask in her glory, she flew back like a rag doll.
She may have caught something, but it was utterly useless. With more than ten times the power difference and level suppression, she couldn’t hold her ground.
Blocking? Nah, he just smashed through her and her sword shield altogether!
“Little Yuliya!!!”
“You!!”
Elia was just about to rush over when she saw Yuliya flying backward, raising her index finger, where a green ring was glowing like a neon sign.
Both Elia and Isaac noticed this action.
Thoughts raced through their minds, and they realized what it was.
Life Stone!
They both sighed in relief.
The grumpy old uncle hiding in the back also sighed in relief.
He nearly forgot he had given that little girl this.
But… I gave this to you for emergency use, not to go playing with fire!
That moment had really scared Edward; he never thought this girl would charge into such a battlefield.
Moreover, before she appeared, even Edward hadn’t sensed her presence.
When Edward entered the secret realm and saw Isaac and Elia, he was already searching for Yuliya but couldn’t find her.
Fortunately, now he found her—locked on!
If this girl pulled any more reckless stunts, Edward wouldn’t mind stepping in personally.
Yuliya took a heavy hit; her whole body ached, but thanks to the Life Stone, she was still alive.
Taking advantage of the Life Stone’s effect, she jogged a few steps and found a spot far away to collapse.
“Ugh! So painful! This is ridiculous!”
Even worse, no recovery or enhancement potions were allowed in this secret realm.
All she could do was endure the pain.
With only a drop of health left, she could only lie there like a good little soldier.
But she still managed to yell, “Sister, go for it! I did my best!”
After yelling that, she completely shut up.
Elia and Isaac turned their gaze back to each other.
They were just about to settle things with one decisive blow, but now they were interrupted—should they start over?
Sure, why not.
Elia’s charge dissipated, but voluntarily releasing it would return more than half of her consumed energy, while Isaac had already released his attack—what was spent was spent.
Both stood firm and rearranged their stances.
It was then that Isaac suddenly felt something was off.
He furrowed his brow, carefully sensed the air, and revealed an expression of shock once more.
My power… is diminishing!
He instantly realized that this was likely the doing of that little girl.
On the side, Yuliya squinted at the two.
From her perspective, one was still level 58, while the other had dropped to level 50.
Level 58 against level 50? Even if he was injured, this was a cakewalk!
This time, victory was practically guaranteed!
