As the crowd's cheers gradually subsided, Si Ming remained composed, his focus unshaken. Each step he had taken thus far had not been without purpose—every battle, every strike, and every technique honed to perfection had brought him closer to the summit of the Outer Sect's rankings. Now, only two opponents stood in his path, their strength and reputations unmatched within the Outer sect.
The first of the two, Mo Jiang, the second-ranked disciple, was a renowned master of dual-element Qi techniques. His blend of fire and thunder techniques had earned him an almost mythical status among the Outer Sect disciples. Tall and broad-shouldered, Mo Jiang exuded confidence as he stepped onto the stage. His dark robes were embroidered with streaks of silver and crimson, symbolizing his dual elemental prowess.
Si Ming ascended the stage with calm determination. The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs of anticipation, recognizing the significance of this match. The whispers grew louder as both combatants faced each other, their eyes locking in an unspoken exchange of challenge.
"You've proven yourself formidable," Mo Jiang began, his voice deep and commanding. "But this is where your ascent ends. There's no room for a challenger like you among the top ranks."
Si Ming's lips twitched into a small smirk. "You're free to try and stop me. But you'll find that I'm not so easily defeated."
The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. Mo Jiang wasted no time, summoning a blazing orb of fire in one hand and a crackling sphere of thunder in the other. With a powerful thrust, he launched the two orbs toward Si Ming, the combination of elements creating a deafening roar as they converged.
Si Ming responded instantly. Drawing upon his Barrier Formation technique, he erected a shimmering shield of Qi that absorbed the brunt of the attack. The collision sent ripples of energy across the arena, and the ground beneath him cracked under the pressure. Without hesitation, Si Ming lowered the barrier and countered with Thousand Winds Barrage, unleashing a storm of razor-sharp wind scythes that tore through the residual flames and thunder.
Mo Jiang sidestepped the barrage with practiced agility, his movements fluid and precise. He closed the distance between them with a burst of speed, his fists wreathed in flames and lightning. Si Ming met him head-on, their strikes colliding with explosive force. The clash of Qi techniques sent shockwaves rippling through the arena, drawing gasps from the crowd.
"You're skilled," Mo Jiang admitted, his eyes narrowing. "But let's see how you handle this!"
Summoning his Qi, Mo Jiang activated his ultimate technique: Infernal Thunderstorm Domain. A swirling vortex of fire and lightning engulfed the arena, the sheer intensity of the elemental energy creating a suffocating atmosphere. The crowd erupted in awe and fear, watching as the stage transformed into a chaotic storm.
Si Ming stood at the center of the storm, his cloak billowing in the violent winds. He could feel the weight of Mo Jiang's power pressing down on him, but he remained calm. Closing his eyes, he activated Void Resonance Meditation, allowing him to sense the movements and energy flows within the storm.
Mo Jiang appeared from the storm's chaos, his fists striking like twin hammers of fire and thunder. Si Ming dodged and countered with precision, his movements guided by the heightened awareness of his meditation technique. Drawing upon his Dragon Flame Fist, Si Ming infused his punches with Qi, the energy manifesting as fiery dragon heads that clashed against Mo Jiang's attacks.
The battle raged on, the two combatants locked in a dance of power and precision. Each strike from Mo Jiang was met with a calculated response from Si Ming, their techniques colliding in bursts of light and sound. The crowd watched in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the spectacle unfolding before them.
As the storm began to wane, Si Ming saw his opportunity. Channeling the combined power of his elemental arts and Celestial Blade techniques, he executed a devastating move: Starfall Crescent, a combination of the Starfall Slash and Crescent Moon Slash. The crescent-shaped blade of Qi, infused with celestial energy, tore through the remnants of the storm and struck Mo Jiang with unrelenting force.
Mo Jiang staggered, his defenses shattered. Si Ming closed the distance in an instant, his sword poised at Mo Jiang's neck. The arena fell silent, the tension palpable.
"Do you yield?" Si Ming asked, his voice steady.
Mo Jiang hesitated, his pride warring with the reality of his defeat. Finally, he nodded, lowering his hands. "I yield," he said quietly.
The referee raised his hand. "Winner: Si Ming!"
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers, their awe and admiration for Si Ming reaching new heights. As Mo Jiang left the stage, he turned to Si Ming and said, "You've earned this victory. But the champion will not fall as easily."
Si Ming nodded, his expression unreadable. His gaze shifted to the champion, a figure who remained seated, his aura radiating power and authority. The climb was almost complete, but the final challenge awaited.
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