The vast arena was forged from celestial stone, suspended in the clouds above the Central Continent.
Thousands of spectators — cultivators, envoys, and sect masters — filled the seats carved along the mountain ridges surrounding the ring.
Banners of the Five Continents fluttered proudly in the roaring wind.
The battle for dominance was about to begin.
The white-robed envoy stepped forward, his voice echoing like divine thunder:
"The Third Trial shall be the Trial of Supremacy!
The strongest of each continent will step forth.
Victory shall not only grant honor — but the right to carry your continent's destiny into the heavens!"
The crowd erupted in a storm of cheers.
Five platforms lit up — each bearing the sigil of one continent.
From the Southern Continent's platform, a man slowly stepped forward.
He was tall and slender, his crimson robes embroidered with phoenix feathers that shimmered in the light.
A faint golden fire danced in his pupils.
The crowd immediately grew restless.
"That's him— the Phoenix Child, Lu Chen!"
"They say he inherited the incomplete bloodline of the Vermilion Bird!"
"He's the number one genius of the Southern Continent!"
Lu Chen's aura was calm, but suffused with scorching power. Even standing still, he made the air around him shimmer with heat.
From the Eastern Continent's platform, Lin Feng walked forward — white robes fluttering, sword sheathed at his waist, his expression calm and unwavering.
He didn't speak.
He didn't need to.
His presence alone silenced the crowd.
Where Lu Chen was like a burning flame, Lin Feng was the blade that split the sky — cold, sharp, and absolute.
The envoy's hand rose, forming a sigil.
"The third trial begins. No rules. No restraints. The victor stands. The fallen yield."
A blinding light burst forth, forming a barrier around the arena.
The moment the signal flared —
Boom!
The entire arena trembled as both geniuses released their auras simultaneously.
Lin Feng's Sword Intent surged skyward, forming a storm of azure blades. Behind him, faint shadows of dragons coiled, each exhaling killing intent that could shred mountains.
Lu Chen's Phoenix Fire Domain ignited — golden flames spiraled around him, and the shape of a Vermilion Bird spread its wings above the sky.
For a heartbeat, fire and sword will collided — and the entire space quaked violently.
---
Lu Chen made the first move.
"Burning Heaven Art — Vermilion Descent!"
He shot forward like a comet, his palm wrapped in divine fire. The heat alone melted the platform's edge as a phoenix scream echoed through the heavens.
Lin Feng drew his sword in one smooth motion.
"Azure Sword Art — Fourth Stance: Horizon Splitter!"
A crescent of azure sword energy erupted outward, cleaving through the incoming flames.
Boom!
The explosion that followed shook the entire arena. Spectators shielded their eyes as sparks and sword light danced in chaos.
When the smoke cleared, both stood unscathed — but the stone beneath them was cracked and molten.
Lu Chen smiled faintly.
"As expected of the Eastern continent's rising star. But let's see how long your calm lasts."
Flames surged around his body, forming the Phoenix Domain — an inferno that distorted space.
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Domain techniques…"
He stepped forward.
"Then allow me to respond in kind."
Dragon Domain — Manifest!
A thunderous roar erupted as nine spectral dragons coiled around Lin Feng, their eyes gleaming with golden light. The very air trembled beneath their might.
---
Flame and dragon collided, creating a cataclysmic shockwave.
The arena barrier shimmered, struggling to contain the unleashed power.
Within the blazing chaos, the two figures moved like lightning — sword and flame clashing again and again, each strike sharper and heavier than the last.
Lu Chen's attacks grew faster, every motion leaving trails of golden feathers and molten air. His voice rang out:
"You rely too much on your blade. But in front of my Vermilion Flames, all metal will melt!"
He thrust his palm forward.
"Phoenix Burst — World Incineration!"
A massive explosion of golden fire consumed the arena. The temperature spiked so violently that even the watching envoys frowned.
But through the fire — a glint of azure light pierced through.
Lin Feng emerged from the inferno, his robe torn, his sword blazing with four intertwining intents — Sword, Battle, Slaughter, and Dragon.
His eyes were cold.
"You're right. Metal melts in flame…"
He raised his sword.
"…but my sword defies heaven."
Azure Sword Art — Sixth Stance: Heaven Breaker!
The blade roared like a dragon's cry as a colossal arc of sword energy tore through the burning sky, cleaving apart the Phoenix Domain in one brutal strike.
Lu Chen's eyes widened. He barely managed to cross his arms before the attack slammed into him, sending him skidding backward across the platform.
Blood dripped from his lips — his fiery aura flickering unsteadily.
---
But instead of falling, Lu Chen began to laugh.
"Impressive… truly impressive! But you've only seen half of my strength!"
His body ignited again — this time, his bloodline fully awakening.
Golden flames turned white-hot, and a pair of phoenix wings unfolded behind him.
"Divine Phoenix Rebirth — Second Form!"
His aura erupted, surpassing his earlier level entirely. The entire sky turned crimson-gold.
Lin Feng felt the pressure instantly — this was no longer just fire. This was divine blood awakening.
He smiled faintly.
"Good. Show me your full strength."
He pressed his left hand to his sword hilt — his own blood boiling, his core trembling.
"Sword of Destiny Manual — Third Stage: Azure Sword Art — Seventh Stance!"
The very world seemed to hold its breath.
Behind him, nine dragons intertwined, their roars merging into the sound of a celestial blade being forged.
Above him, the sky split open, forming a spiraling storm of azure and crimson energy.
Lu Chen screamed, his phoenix wings flaring wide.
"Come, Lin Feng! Let's decide it in one strike!"
---
They moved at once — two divine lights colliding at the center of the arena.
Phoenix Cry!
Dragon Roar!
The explosion was apocalyptic. A pillar of blinding energy erupted into the sky, splitting clouds for miles. The barrier shattered under the impact, sending ripples across the mountain range.
When the light faded, silence fell.
The spectators stared — the entire arena had been cleaved in half.
At the center, Lin Feng stood still, sword pointed to the ground.
Across from him, Lu Chen staggered backward, blood pouring from his chest.
He looked down at the faint sword mark that split his robes, then smiled bitterly.
"I… lost."
Lin Feng sheathed his sword in one clean motion.
"Your phoenix was magnificent. But my dragon soars higher."
Lu Chen chuckled weakly before falling to one knee, bowing his head.
"A worthy king of the Eastern Continent."
The envoy's voice thundered across the heavens:
"Victory — Lin Feng of the Eastern Continent!"
The crowd erupted, the entire arena shaking with cheers and disbelief.
"He defeated the Phoenix Child!"
"Eastern Continent… after a hundred years, they've risen again!"
Lin Feng turned slightly, his gaze distant as he looked up toward the divine clouds.
He could feel it — dozens of powerful presences watching him.
Higher Realm envoys.
And one… hidden presence, cold and sharp like a blade at his back.
They've noticed me.
But his expression remained calm.
He looked toward the other platforms, where the surviving geniuses of the other continents stared at him with awe and jealousy.
The envoy raised his hand once more, his voice solemn.
"The first victor of the Trial of Supremacy — Lin Feng.
His performance shall be recorded into the Central Monument."
As the golden light descended upon him, Lin Feng silently clenched his sword.
This victory was not just for him — but for the East that had been looked down upon for centuries.
And deep within his chest, his dragon bloodline pulsed with pride and defiance.