It was time.
Rowan wiped his mouth and mounted the Azure Dragon of the Eastern Sea, heading toward the battlefield.
Standing atop the dragon's massive head, Rowan followed the guidance of a maid through the wide competition corridor. After passing through the immense entrance passage, they finally arrived at the arena itself.
Before them stretched an enormous plaza, vast beyond imagination.
The arena spanned over twenty kilometers in diameter, surrounded by rising terrain and encircled by towering mountains. The land felt ancient, brutal, and designed solely for bloodshed.
"So you're my opponent?" a mocking voice rang out. "A first-tier cosmic-level psychic beast? I'll butcher you today."
As Rowan surveyed the field, searching for his opponent, the ground suddenly trembled.
From the opposite tunnel emerged a colossal monster, its entrance shaking the earth itself. The creature stood over fifty meters tall, its body forged of dark, metallic-black flesh. Its skin was layered with thick metal armor, giving it the appearance of a living war machine.
It resembled a gigantic ape, but with four massive arms.
Each arm wielded a heavy battle axe.
Mounted on its shoulders were two mobile laser cannons, while an accelerated particle cannon loomed from its back. Floating cannons hovered on either side of its body.
It was armed to the teeth.
Behind it stood its beastmaster, a lean human man rather than a beastkin. His eyes were filled with arrogance and disdain.
A voice came through Rowan's communicator.
"Master, be careful," Holk warned. "That man is a squad leader from the Tranquil Tri-Faction. He's at second-tier cosmic level. His beast is the Starburst Epoch Ape, a high-grade mid-tier bloodline monster. Its defense is terrifying. The armor it wears is C2-class. It has extreme destructive power and speed. Even among cosmic beasts of the same rank, it's a nightmare opponent."
Rowan listened calmly, unimpressed.
Once the referees entered the arena and gave the signal, both beasts were invited into the battlefield.
The Azure Dragon of the Eastern Sea released a surging wave of killing intent. Its ten-kilometer-long body stepped onto the field, sending dust and debris flying in all directions.
The Starburst Epoch Ape charged in like a titan, smashing into the arena with brute force. It beat its chest and let out a thunderous roar that shook the heavens.
The stands erupted into a frenzy. Thousands of spectators shouted wildly, most of them cheering for the Starburst Epoch Ape.
By size, firepower, and reputation, it was the overwhelming favorite.
Very few believed in the Azure Dragon.
Psychic beasts were not necessarily strong, and a single tier difference often erased any advantage. Worse still, the Azure Dragon was a newcomer with no reputation whatsoever.
The outcome, in most minds, was already decided.
The moment the referee declared the match started, the Starburst Epoch Ape charged forward, axes in hand. Its enormous body surged like a collapsing mountain.
Compared to it, the Azure Dragon's ten-kilometer form looked almost juvenile.
"Kill!"
At Rowan's command, the Azure Dragon let out a deafening roar. A psychic battle axe tore through the air, instantly splitting into one hundred and eight smaller axes that rained down toward the ape like a storm.
To the fifty-meter-tall monster, the axes looked like threads.
The Starburst Epoch Ape did not even bother to defend.
Its hide was incredibly tough, reinforced further by its armor. Even C2-class laser cannons could barely scratch it.
But the moment the axes made contact, terror flashed through its mind.
The armor it was so proud of was sliced apart effortlessly.
The axes pierced straight into its flesh.
Agony exploded across its body, and its charge faltered.
Fourth-tier psychic weapons tore through C2-class defenses with ease.
Inside the beast, countless axes began a savage internal slaughter.
Yet the effect was limited.
Cosmic-level monsters possessed terrifying regenerative abilities. Though each axe carved wounds hundreds of meters long, the injuries healed almost instantly.
The pain was unbearable, but it was not fatal.
"Ah! Damn you!"
Roaring in rage, the Starburst Epoch Ape lunged directly at the Azure Dragon.
Despite its massive size, its speed was monstrous. With a single stride, it crossed thousands of meters and appeared before its opponent.
"Talent Art: Sovereign of Heaven and Earth!"
The Azure Dragon's body suddenly compressed, shrinking to a third of its original size. Its mass decreased, but its explosive power tripled.
From ten kilometers down to just a few thousand meters, it looked insignificant.
But its speed skyrocketed.
In a flash, the Azure Dragon vanished from its original position, narrowly evading the ape's attack.
"Come! Stellar Convergence Axe!"
Appearing above the Starburst Epoch Ape, the Azure Dragon unleashed its psychic force. All the axes embedded within the beast's body burst outward at once.
The ape screamed in pain as one thousand and eighty flying axes shot into the sky, rapidly assembling.
They fused into a single colossal battle axe over two kilometers long.
"Strike!"
The Azure Dragon roared, psychic energy surging. The stellar axe descended in a blinding blaze of light.
It was like the heavens being split open.
Sensing the deadly power, the Starburst Epoch Ape raised all its weapons. Lasers, particle cannons, and every armament fired at once.
Brilliant multicolored beams collided with the falling axe.
The resulting energy shockwave swept across the arena.
Mountains shattered. Buildings disintegrated. Trees and terrain were erased in an instant.
The crowd erupted in cheers at the sheer spectacle.
Then, suddenly, a chill ran through the Starburst Epoch Ape.
As it turned its head, it saw the Azure Dragon's claw descending.
The massive claw gleamed with cold, dark light. Five axes were embedded perfectly within its talons.
The strike pierced through the stellar axe and straight through the ape's skull.
Without stopping, the Azure Dragon plunged into the decapitated body, tearing through its interior in a frenzy of destruction.
When it burst back out, its body was drenched in blood, yet its roar was filled with exhilaration.
Boom!
The massive corpse collapsed, shaking the ground like an earthquake.
Only then did the audience realize what had happened.
The stands exploded into chaos. Furious shouts, curses, and rage filled the air.
Too many had bet on the Starburst Epoch Ape.
They had lost everything.
The Azure Dragon of the Eastern Sea stood victorious.
The win was clean and decisive.
Yet there was no applause, only resentment.
The identity card in Rowan's hand glowed. The Azure Dragon's rank rose to one star.
Defeating a two-star monster had allowed it to skip five required matches.
Rowan felt a thrill he had not expected.
The joy of commanding a powerful beast into combat, reminiscent of ancient human contests back on Earth, carried a raw, primal excitement.
No wonder people were obsessed with beast combat. Compared to this, everything else felt tame.
Over the next day, the Azure Dragon fought more than thirty matches.
Its opponents ranged from first-tier to second-tier cosmic beasts.
Out of thirty-two battles, it won twenty-eight and lost four.
The losses came from inexperience. Its movement techniques and combat instincts lagged behind veteran arena beasts.
Still, every defeat sharpened it.
Its skills steadily improved.
Later, in the waiting area, Babata informed Rowan of an incoming transmission.
A familiar hologram appeared.
"Third Brother! I'm getting married!" the man exclaimed happily. "Where are you? My wedding wouldn't be complete without you!"
The joy on his face was unmistakable.
Rowan smiled.
"So you two finally made it," he said warmly. "Don't worry. I'll be there."
The date was set twelve days later, coinciding with Children's Day on Earth's lunar calendar.
Rowan chuckled.
Childish timing.
He summoned Holk.
"While I'm gone, you'll oversee the Azure Dragon's training," Rowan instructed.
"Understood, Master," Holk replied solemnly. "I won't disappoint you."
Outside, the Azure Dragon gazed at Rowan with reluctant eyes.
After a few final words, Rowan boarded the Black Dragon and departed.
The ship slipped into dark-space travel and vanished beyond the planet.
After a long interstellar journey, the Black Dragon finally arrived at Earth.
The Jiangnan Base was alive with celebration.
Red lanterns lined the streets, and massive displays showed the smiling faces of the newlyweds.
Humanity's champions were revered.
Among them, Rowan stood at the pinnacle.
When the ship landed near Moonlight Residence, Rowan saw the streets overflowing with joy.
The air was thick with celebration.
He had made it back.
And this time, not for battle, but for family.