Dean's breath caught as the demonic beast's claw tore through the arena floor, sending jade shards flying. The creature emerged—a hulking, shadow-furred wolf with eyes like burning coals, its Spirit Tier aura pressing down like a storm. Screams erupted from the stands, disciples scrambling as elders barked orders. Dean's heart thundered, fear clawing at him like the beast itself. Kai did this, he thought, anger surging through the panic. The prodigy's sabotage had turned the trial into a death trap, and Lian and Mei were in the stands, vulnerable. Dean's emotions churned—terror for their safety, fury at Kai's smirk across the arena, and a burning need to prove he wasn't the "Trash Young Master."
Vera's voice blazed in his mind, sharp and commanding. "Cupcake, this is your moment! Emergency quest: Slay the Shadow Wolf with Epic Flair. Reward: 150 Flex Points and Aura of Infinite Charisma. Fail, and this beast makes you its chew toy. Channel that heart—Lian's worry, Mei's fire, your own grit. Flex like a legend!"
Dean glanced at the stands. Lian's green robes fluttered as she shielded younger disciples, her eyes locked on him with desperate trust. Mei, gripping a sword, shouted, "Kick its tail, Dean!" Her fierce grin sparked a warmth in his chest, mingling with his protectiveness for Lian. The harem-like tension—Lian's quiet faith, Mei's bold spark—ignited his resolve. I won't let them down.
The wolf lunged, jaws snapping. Dean dove, his Speed Buff from the Thousand Steps making him a blur. The crowd gasped, and Vera snapped, "Don't just dodge—strike! Use Thunderclap Swagger Strike!" Dean's palms crackled, fueled by his emotions: anger at Kai, love for his friends. He slammed a thunderous palm into the wolf's flank, the shockwave sending it skidding. The beast roared, shaking the arena, but Dean felt a thrill—his Mortal Tier power was holding up.
"Nice hit, darling!" Vera purred. "You've got 80 Flex Points. Spend 50 for Spirit Surge Buff—double your energy for five minutes. Make it count!"
"Do it!" Dean yelled, dodging another claw swipe. Energy flooded his body, his cultivation pulsing closer to a breakthrough. He unleashed a flurry of Thunderclap Swagger Strikes, each hit a burst of thunder that lit the arena in electric blue. The crowd cheered, elders leaning forward, and Dean caught Mei's wink and Lian's relieved smile. His heart soared, but doubt lingered—Can I really win?
The wolf countered, its tail whipping out like a blade. Dean's Focus Buff let him roll aside, but a graze tore his robe, drawing a thin line of blood. Pain flared, and fear spiked—memories of his humiliating death flashing. Not again. He gritted his teeth, thinking of Lian's kindness, Mei's fire, Brock's loyalty. Emotion became power, and he roared, "This is for my friends!" His strongest strike yet cracked the wolf's shoulder, earning a pained yelp.
Vera whooped. "That's the spirit! 30 Flex Points for heart—110 total. One big flex to finish it!"
Dean prepared another strike, but the wolf's eyes glowed, and a shadowy mist erupted, blinding the arena. Through the haze, Kai's voice rang out, smug and cold: "Impressive, Trash. But you're not the only one with tricks." The mist thickened, and the wolf's aura surged, as if Kai's sabotage had boosted it. Dean's stomach dropped—He's cheating again.
Lian's scream cut through the mist. "Dean, behind you!" He spun, but the wolf's claw was inches away, too fast to dodge. In desperation, Vera's voice boomed: "Emergency Swagger Mode! 100 Flex Points—burn 'em now or lose everything!" Dean agreed, and power exploded through him, his body glowing with sapphire light. Time slowed, his Speed Buff and Spirit Surge merging into a whirlwind of energy. He sidestepped, slamming a Thunderclap Swagger Strike into the wolf's jaw. The beast crashed, unconscious, and the mist cleared to reveal a stunned crowd.
"Quest complete!" Vera sang. "150 Flex Points and Aura of Infinite Charisma! You're at 160 points, darling—shop later. Pose now!"
Dean, panting, struck a pose—fist raised, grin fierce. The crowd roared, Mei cheering wildly, Lian's eyes shining with pride. Even some elders nodded, murmuring about his potential. But Kai's glare burned from the sidelines, and as Dean basked in the moment, a low rumble shook the arena. The ground cracked, and a second beast's roar echoed—deeper, darker, far stronger.
Vera's tone turned grim. "Oh, cupcake, Kai's playing dirty. That's a Twin Shadow Drake—mid Spirit Tier. New quest: survive. You're out of points for big buffs. What's your move?"
Dean's triumph shattered, fear and exhaustion warring with his resolve. Lian and Mei rushed to the arena's edge, calling his name, their voices a lifeline. He had to protect them—but against this? As the drake's glowing eyes emerged, Dean's heart raced: How do I flex my way out of this one?