The second day of the competition dawned with tension hanging heavy in the air. Cultivators filled the central arena, eyes locked on the stage as the quarterfinals began.
The tournament host, an elder from the Divine Origin Sect, raised his hand and declared:
"First Quarterfinal Match: Zhen Huan of High Heaven Sect vs. Ming Hei of Shadow Sect!"
A ripple spread through the spectators. The Shadow Sect—one of the darker sects, known for its illusion arts, poison techniques, and ambush skills—rarely appeared in public competitions. But Ming Hei was their young master, a prodigy born with the Shadow Spirit Root, capable of dissolving into darkness itself.
He floated into the arena, his black robe trailing like smoke. His eyes were pitch-black, no whites visible. A curved dagger pulsed with eerie purple energy at his side.
Ming Hei smiled. "Zhen Huan... I watched your last match. Impressive. But shadows don't fear light. They consume it."
I stepped into the arena with a calm expression. "Then try and consume me."
DING!
The match began.
Immediately, Ming Hei vanished. His body faded like mist under sunlight.
"Shadow Merge," someone in the stands whispered. "That technique makes him intangible and invisible to most senses."
I closed my eyes.
Suddenly, I heard the faintest displacement of air behind me.
Too slow.
Clang!
I raised my sword—blocking his curved dagger mid-swing. Sparks erupted as he was forced back, his face filled with disbelief.
"You can sense me?!"
I smirked. "I've broken illusions far more terrifying than yours."
Ming Hei snarled and slashed open his own palm, letting his blood mix with the shadows around him.
"Shadow Domain – Whispering Grave!"
Dark fog covered the entire arena. The crowd could no longer see us. Even spiritual senses were jammed.
Inside the mist, whispers clawed at the mind. I felt killing intent from every direction. Dozens of Ming Heis surrounded me in a phantom circle.
But I was already ready.
"Let's see how your illusions handle this."
"Inferno Slash – Third Form: Void Sever."
A black and gold slash erupted from my blade, not just cutting through the fog but disintegrating it. The domain shattered with a shriek, revealing the real Ming Hei mid-dash, wide-eyed and exposed.
I appeared behind him in an instant.
"Earth Finger Ray."
A concentrated burst of energy pierced his right shoulder, sending him spinning into the arena wall.
Boom.
He coughed blood, dropped his dagger, and collapsed.
The fog was gone. The crowd could finally see clearly.
The judge blinked and raised his hand.
"Winner: Zhen Huan of High Heaven Sect!"
The stands exploded into cheers.
Back at the High Heaven camp, Shen Hong clapped loudly. "Another clean win! That's my disciple!"
Yang Kai's eyes gleamed with admiration. "Master… you didn't even use your full strength again."
I smiled. "No need to just yet."
Above us, the ranking board flashed again:
Zhen Huan – Advanced to Semifinals