The arena shifted, its surface reforging into black marble under the weight of spiritual energy. The grandstands quieted as my name echoed across the Central Arena.
"Zhen Huan of High Heaven Sect vs. Yu Zhen of Heaven Core Sect!"
A roar surged from the Heaven Core Sect's side. Their strongest genius, Yu Zhen, stepped into the arena. Tall, with silver-etched robes and a smug smile plastered across his face, he exuded arrogance.
"So you're the so-called genius of High Heaven Sect?" he sneered, unsheathing a crimson spirit blade. "Don't blink or you'll miss your own defeat."
I said nothing.
The moment the bell rang, he charged forward, his sword igniting in flame.
I took a single step.
BOOM.
The air cracked. I vanished from view.
Yu Zhen blinked—then coughed blood as my fist slammed into his gut.
CRACK.
He flew back like a broken kite, crashing into the barrier wall with a loud thud.
The crowd gasped.
"What speed—?"
"Did he even use a technique?"
Yu Zhen staggered to his feet, fury and disbelief in his eyes. "You think that's enough to beat me?!"
He activated a technique—Core Fire Binding, summoning fiery chains that shot toward me.
I raised a hand.
"Inferno Slash – Second Form."
A sword of fire, so dense it warped the air, cleaved through the chains in a single arc. The aftermath exploded into a wave of heat that forced even the protective barrier to flicker.
Yu Zhen screamed as his protective talismans shattered. I was already in front of him.
"W-wait—!"
Crack!
My palm struck his chest. His body went limp mid-air before crashing unconscious to the arena floor.
Silence.
The elder of Heaven Core Sect stood up, face red with anger. But Shen Hong just laughed. "Sit down. Your genius just got humbled."
The judge raised his hand slowly.
"Winner: Zhen Huan of High Heaven Sect!"
The silence broke into thunderous applause—from every sect except Heaven Core.
I turned without a word and walked off the stage.
As I passed Shen Hua, he grinned. "You're not even trying anymore, are you?"
I smirked. "He wasn't worth the effort."
Above us, the ranking board updated.
Zhen Huan – Advanced to Quarterfinals