The main arena was packed with spectators by the time Axel arrived. Ranked duels always drew crowds among outer disciples—entertainment was scarce in sect life, and watching talented cultivators fight provided both spectacle and valuable tactical education.
Liu Feng had insisted on accompanying him despite Axel's protests that he'd be fine alone. "First ranked duel is nerve-wracking," his roommate had said firmly. "You need someone in your corner who isn't trying to recruit you or assess you as a potential rival."
The arena itself was impressive—a circular platform fifty yards in diameter, surrounded by protective formations that shimmered with barely visible energy. Tiered seating rose on all sides, already filled with hundreds of disciples. Axel could sense several inner disciples and even a few elders in the premium observation boxes, their powerful spiritual presences unmistakable.
"Word travels fast," Liu Feng muttered, noticing the same thing. "Inner disciples don't usually attend outer disciple duels unless something significant is at stake. Your reputation is attracting more attention than I thought."
Zhou Ming was already on the platform, standing with perfect posture in the center. He'd changed into ceremonial dueling robes—deep blue with silver embroidery that marked him as a seventh-ranked disciple. His spiritual pressure radiated outward in controlled waves, announcing Foundation Establishment Peak cultivation to everyone present.
But Axel could see beneath the surface display. Zhou Ming's Qi circulation showed signs of recent intensive training—his meridians were slightly inflamed from overuse, suggesting he'd been pushing himself to the limit over the past three days. More concerning, there was an unusual quality to his energy that Axel hadn't noticed during their previous encounter. A sharpness, almost metallic, that suggested he'd incorporated some kind of enhancement technique.
"He's been using cultivation resources," Liu Feng observed quietly, evidently sensing the same thing. "Probably pills to temporarily boost his power output. It's legal for ranked duels, but it means he's taking this very seriously."
An elderly outer disciple in official robes stepped onto the platform—the duel judge, responsible for enforcing rules and preventing fatalities. He gestured for Axel to take his position opposite Zhou Ming.
"This is a formal ranked challenge duel," the judge announced, his voice carried throughout the arena by formation arrays. "Zhou Ming, ranked seventh among outer disciples, has challenged Axel King, unranked newcomer. Stakes have been registered and verified. Do both participants confirm their understanding and acceptance?"
"I confirm," Zhou Ming said formally.
"I confirm," Axel replied.
"Rules are standard—duel continues until clear victory is achieved through knockout, surrender, or ring-out. Lethal techniques are forbidden. Permanent crippling is forbidden. All other methods are permitted. Medical disciples stand ready for emergency intervention." The judge looked between them. "Do both participants accept these terms?"
Both confirmed.
"Then take your positions."
Axel and Zhou Ming moved to opposite edges of the platform, separated by forty yards of open space. The crowd noise faded to expectant silence. Axel extended his spiritual senses, analyzing Zhou Ming's stance and energy distribution with enhanced Foundation Establishment Mid perception.
Zhou Ming had definitely refined his techniques. His defensive formation was tighter, with no obvious openings. His Qi circulation was more controlled, suggesting he'd practiced energy conservation. And that metallic quality to his power had intensified—some kind of metal-element enhancement that would make his attacks sharper and more penetrating.
The judge raised his hand. "Combatants ready?"
Both nodded.
"Begin!"
Neither moved immediately. Zhou Ming apparently learned from their previous encounter—rushing in aggressively had left him vulnerable. Instead, he began circling slowly, spiritual pressure gradually intensifying as he prepared techniques.
Axel mirrored his movement, maintaining distance while assessing options. The training with Mei Lin had emphasized patience—let Zhou Ming commit first, then exploit the opening. But Zhou Ming seemed aware of this strategy and was refusing to provide easy opportunities.
The standoff lasted perhaps twenty seconds—an eternity in combat time. The crowd began murmuring with anticipation. Then Zhou Ming struck.
His technique was new, nothing from the recordings Mei Lin had used for training simulations. Zhou Ming's hands blurred through a complex seal sequence, and suddenly the air between them filled with dozens of metal Qi projectiles—needle-thin constructs that shot toward Axel like a metallic rainstorm.
Axel's enhanced perception kicked in automatically. The Primordial Pillars processed the incoming attack pattern, and the system interface provided instant analysis:
[TECHNIQUE DETECTED: IRON RAIN ASSAULT]
[CLASSIFICATION: AREA SUPPRESSION]
[OPTIMAL COUNTER: DEFENSIVE BARRIER + LATERAL MOVEMENT]
[ENERGY COST: MODERATE]
Axel raised his hands, creating a Qi barrier using techniques from Mei Lin's jade slips. The metallic needles struck the barrier with sharp pinging sounds, dozens of impacts that would have shredded flesh if they'd connected directly. Simultaneously, he moved laterally, not retreating but circling to change his angle of approach.
Zhou Ming anticipated the movement, launching a second wave of Iron Rain that cut off Axel's lateral path. But this time Axel was ready—he dropped the defensive barrier and accelerated forward, using his Foundation Establishment Mid speed to close the distance before the third wave could launch.
Zhou Ming's eyes widened slightly—he'd expected Axel to fight defensively, not charge directly into range. He abandoned the Iron Rain technique and transitioned to close combat, his fists blazing with metallic Qi as he threw a rapid combination of strikes.
This was more familiar territory. Axel engaged with the Flowing Water Palm technique, redirecting Zhou Ming's strikes rather than meeting them head-on. The metallic enhancement made Zhou Ming's attacks sharper, but it also made them more rigid, easier to redirect because they followed straighter paths.
They exchanged dozens of strikes in seconds, moving across the platform in a blur of motion that had the crowd gasping. To most observers, it probably looked like evenly matched combat. But Axel could feel the difference—Zhou Ming was already breathing harder, his Qi expenditure noticeably higher than Axel's defensive style required.
Mei Lin's training was proving accurate. Peak Foundation Establishment cultivators typically had more raw power but less efficiency. By forcing Zhou Ming into sustained close combat, Axel was gradually draining his opponent's reserves while conserving his own.
But Zhou Ming wasn't stupid. After another thirty seconds of ineffective assault, he disengaged, leaping backward to create distance. His hands moved through another seal sequence, this one more complex than before.
"Enough games," Zhou Ming declared, his voice carrying across the arena. "Let's see how you handle this."
His Qi surged dramatically, the metallic quality intensifying until his entire body seemed to be made of liquid steel. This was clearly his trump card—some kind of metal physique transformation technique that dramatically enhanced both offense and defense.
The crowd reacted with excited murmurs. Metal transformation techniques were relatively rare, requiring specific resources and training to develop. Zhou Ming must have prepared this specifically for the duel, investing significant resources in acquiring and mastering it.
"Metal Dragon Physique!" someone in the crowd shouted. "That's an inner disciple technique! How did Zhou Ming get access?"
"His faction must have provided it," another voice answered. "They're investing heavily in this duel."
Axel reassessed the situation rapidly. Zhou Ming in transformed state was probably equivalent to Foundation Establishment Late in pure combat power, possibly even Peak. The enhancement would make his attacks devastating and his defense significantly harder to penetrate.
But every technique had costs. The system interface flickered:
[TECHNIQUE DETECTED: METAL DRAGON PHYSIQUE TRANSFORMATION]
[CLASSIFICATION: TEMPORARY ENHANCEMENT - STAGE 4]
[ESTIMATED DURATION: 5 MINUTES]
[ENERGY DRAIN: SEVERE]
[RECOMMENDATION: DEFENSIVE EVASION UNTIL TECHNIQUE EXPIRES]
[ALTERNATIVE: OVERWHELMING COUNTER-FORCE]
Five minutes of defensive evasion was possible, but it would look weak to the watching crowd and judges. More importantly, it would reveal Axel's strategy to every observer—that he fought through patience and outlasting opponents rather than direct power confrontation.
The alternative was to match Zhou Ming's enhancement with his own power, revealing more of his capabilities than he'd planned but ensuring a decisive victory.
Axel made his decision. He'd already revealed too much through his foundation awakening and training results. Hiding his full power now would only invite more challenges from disciples who thought he was weaker than his reputation suggested.
Time to show what a Mythical-grade foundation could actually do.
Axel activated his flowing energy technique—not the common version he'd used before, but the full power loops through all major meridians simultaneously. Golden light blazed around his body as Qi circulated at maximum efficiency, the Primordial Pillars amplifying and refining the energy with each rotation.
The transformation was immediate and dramatic. Axel's spiritual pressure surged to match Zhou Ming's enhanced state, possibly exceeding it. The golden glow contrasted starkly with Zhou Ming's metallic silver, creating a visual spectacle that had the entire arena falling silent with shock.
"What technique is that?" someone breathed.
"I've never seen cultivation aura manifest so purely..."
"Is that Foundation Establishment Mid or higher? I can't tell through all that spiritual pressure."
Zhou Ming's confident expression faltered briefly before he reasserted control. "Impressive display. But let's see if your power matches your lightshow."
He charged, moving with enhanced speed that turned him into a silver blur. His fist, reinforced by Metal Dragon Physique, struck toward Axel's center mass with enough force to crater stone.
Axel didn't dodge. He met the strike directly with his own Qi-enhanced fist, golden power colliding with metallic silver in an explosion of spiritual energy that sent shockwaves rippling across the protective formations.
The impact created a crater in the arena platform where they'd connected. Both cultivators slid backward from the recoil, neither having gained clear advantage.
But Axel noticed something Zhou Ming probably didn't realize—the Metal Dragon Physique was draining energy at an unsustainable rate. That single full-power exchange had cost Zhou Ming perhaps ten percent of his remaining Qi reserves. Axel's flowing energy technique, by contrast, was actually generating more power than it consumed by optimizing circulation efficiency.
Time was on Axel's side. He just needed to survive long enough for Zhou Ming's enhancement to burn out.
They clashed again, and again, trading devastating blows that sent energy cascading across the arena. Each exchange lit up the protective formations as they absorbed overflow power. The crowd watched in stunned silence, apparently not expecting this level of combat from outer disciples.
After the tenth exchange, Axel could see Zhou Ming beginning to slow. The metallic sheen of his Metal Dragon Physique was flickering slightly, and his breathing had become labored. The technique was burning through his reserves faster than he could sustain.
Zhou Ming recognized it too. Desperation entered his eyes as he realized he was losing the attrition battle. He gathered his remaining Qi into one final technique—something that made his entire body blaze with silver light so intense it hurt to look at directly.
"Metal Dragon's Descent!" Zhou Ming roared, launching himself into the air before diving toward Axel like a meteor, his body transformed into a living weapon designed to crush anything it struck.
It was all or nothing—a technique that would end the fight one way or another.
Axel could have dodged. Could have evaded and let Zhou Ming exhaust himself completely with the missed attack. But that felt disrespectful somehow, like refusing to acknowledge his opponent's final gambit.
Instead, Axel gathered his own power into a single point. All the flowing energy circulating through his enhanced meridians, all the refined Qi his Primordial Pillars could generate, condensed into his right fist until it blazed brighter than the sun.
This was the true power of a Mythical-grade foundation—the ability to channel and amplify energy to levels that shouldn't be possible at his cultivation stage.
Zhou Ming's Metal Dragon's Descent struck downward with the force of heaven's judgment.
Axel's fist struck upward with the power of a rising star.
The collision was cataclysmic.
The protective formations flared to maximum intensity, barely containing the explosive release of spiritual energy. The arena platform cracked from center to edge, stone shattering under forces it was never designed to withstand. A shockwave of pure Qi blasted outward, forcing even inner disciples in the observation boxes to raise hasty barriers.
When the light faded and the dust settled, both combatants were still standing.
But Zhou Ming's Metal Dragon Physique had shattered completely, the technique unable to sustain itself after that final collision. He swayed on his feet, his Qi reserves completely depleted, his body covered in minor injuries from technique backlash.
Axel stood steady, his golden aura still blazing, barely winded despite the intensity of the exchange.
The judge's voice cut through the stunned silence: "Zhou Ming is unable to continue due to Qi depletion. Victory to Axel King!"
The arena erupted. Some disciples cheered. Others sat in shocked silence. Many were already discussing what they'd just witnessed—an unranked newcomer defeating a seventh-ranked disciple so decisively that it looked almost effortless.
Medical disciples rushed onto the platform to attend to Zhou Ming, who had finally collapsed from exhaustion. He was conscious but clearly spent, unable to even stand without assistance.
Axel deactivated his flowing energy technique, allowing his spiritual pressure to return to normal levels. He approached Zhou Ming and performed a respectful bow.
"Well fought, Senior Brother Zhou. Your Metal Dragon Physique was impressive—I've learned much from facing it."
Zhou Ming managed a weak laugh. "Learned much? You completely overwhelmed it. I thought... I thought the enhancement would be enough..." He shook his head. "I underestimated you. Won't make that mistake again."
There was no hostility in his voice, just exhausted acknowledgment of defeat. Whatever rivalry had existed between them seemed to have burned away in the intensity of combat.
The arbiter formally announced the results: "Per the terms of the ranked challenge, Axel King assumes seventh rank among outer disciples. Zhou Ming drops to unranked status. Fifty spirit stones transfer to the victor. Challenge completion recorded."
Axel helped Zhou Ming off the platform, supporting his opponent until the medical disciples took over. It seemed like the right thing to do—they'd fought intensely, but it had been an honest contest without malice.
Liu Feng appeared immediately, his expression mixing pride and concern. "That was incredible and also completely insane. You just revealed capabilities that are going to make every faction redouble their recruitment efforts. And several inner disciples looked very interested in you—not in a good way."
"I know. But hiding my power would just have invited more challenges. Now everyone knows I'm legitimately strong, which should reduce the number of people who think they can defeat me easily."
"Or it'll attract challengers who specifically want to test themselves against someone exceptional," Liu Feng countered. "Ranked disciples are competitive—half of them just decided you're their next target."
Before Axel could respond, Mei Lin appeared, having descended from the inner disciple observation area. Her expression was difficult to read—impressed but also calculating.
"That was either brilliant or foolish," she said without preamble. "You demonstrated power equivalent to Foundation Establishment Late at minimum, possibly Peak. That's going to cause problems."
"What kind of problems?" Axel asked.
"The kind where higher-ranked disciples decide you're a threat that needs to be eliminated before you climb further. The kind where factions intensify their recruitment because they either want to control you or prevent rivals from gaining your allegiance. The kind where elders take personal interest, which can be beneficial or dangerous depending on their motivations."
She gestured around the arena, where disciples were still discussing the duel in animated groups. "Your ranking just jumped from unranked to seventh in a single duel. That's unprecedented. Normally disciples climb slowly through sequential challenges. You've disrupted the established order, and people who benefit from that order aren't going to be happy."
"What should I do?" Axel asked, genuinely uncertain how to navigate this development.
"In the short term? Accept congratulations graciously, refuse faction affiliation politely, and prepare for more challenges within the next week. Multiple ranked disciples will want to test you now that you've demonstrated such capabilities." Mei Lin paused. "In the medium term? You need to decide what you actually want. Are you aiming to climb to first rank? Trying to secure selection for the Heavenly Ascension Trial? Just focused on cultivation advancement regardless of politics?"
"Primarily cultivation advancement," Axel said honestly. "I don't care about rankings except as tools to access better resources and training."
"Then you should probably aim for top five ranking before the monthly evaluation," Mei Lin advised. "Top five get significantly better resource allocations and priority access to secret realms when they open. But getting there means defeating three more ranked disciples, each of whom will be stronger than Zhou Ming."
Axel absorbed this information, his mind already working through implications. He'd won this duel, achieved seventh rank, and gained fifty spirit stones plus evaluation participation rights. But success had simply moved him to a new battlefield with stronger opponents and more complex politics.
"I should probably go recover," Axel said. "That technique burned through more Qi than I expected."
"Rest well," Mei Lin advised. "And remember—you owe me a favor. I'll be thinking about what form it should take, given how dramatically you've succeeded."
She departed, leaving Axel with Liu Feng to navigate the crowd of disciples trying to approach with congratulations, challenges, or recruitment pitches.
The first ranked duel was over. Axel had won decisively, establishing himself as a legitimate power among outer disciples.
But as Liu Feng had warned, success brought its own complications. Multiple disciples were already discussing challenge opportunities. Faction representatives were moving through the crowd toward him with purposeful expressions. And in the premium observation boxes, several elders remained watching with expressions that ranged from interested to concerned.
Axel King had arrived as a sect disciple. He was leaving the arena as a ranked cultivator with a target on his back.
The question now was whether his Mythical-grade foundation and mysterious bloodline would be sufficient to handle everything that success had just invited into his life.
The celebration that evening in the outer disciple common areas was subdued but genuine. Liu Feng had invited a few trusted disciples to share drinks and discuss the duel—people who weren't trying to recruit Axel or assess him as competition, just fellow cultivators who appreciated good combat.
"That final clash was ridiculous," Han Wei said, the disciple who'd approached Axel after his first day asking to exchange pointers. "I'm Foundation Establishment Mid and I don't think I could have survived Zhou Ming's Metal Dragon's Descent. How did you generate that much power?"
"Efficient technique and good foundation," Axel replied, which was technically true if massively understated. "My cultivation method emphasizes optimization over raw accumulation."
"Well it's working," another disciple—a young woman named Su Lin—observed. "You went from unranked to seventh in three days. That has to be some kind of record."
"It's definitely unusual," Liu Feng confirmed. "Most disciples take months to climb the rankings. Jumping directly to seventh suggests either exceptional talent or exceptional preparation. Probably both in Axel's case."
As the conversation continued, Axel found himself relaxing slightly. These disciples weren't trying to use him for political purposes—they were just interested in cultivation and combat technique, sharing experiences and insights without ulterior motives.
It was refreshing after days of constant political maneuvering.
But the respite was brief. A sect messenger arrived with a formal summons—Elder Shen requested Axel's presence at the Formation Research Pavilion tomorrow morning. The timing was pointed—Axel had been given a week to decide about becoming Elder Shen's student, and that week had just expired.
"Time to make your decision," Liu Feng observed after the messenger departed. "Elder Shen's offer is still generous, probably more so now that you've proven yourself in ranked combat. The question is whether specializing in formations aligns with your goals."
Axel considered the question seriously. Formation mastery would provide valuable skills and Elder Shen's political protection. But it would also consume significant time and energy that could be spent on direct cultivation or combat training.
The system interface flickered, apparently triggered by his contemplation:
[DECISION POINT DETECTED]
[ANALYZING OPTIMAL PATH...]
[FORMATION MASTERY BENEFITS:]
[ENHANCED SPATIAL MANIPULATION]
[BLOODLINE AFFINITY ACTIVATION (SPATIAL/TEMPORAL)]
[ELDER PROTECTION AND RESOURCES]
[KNOWLEDGE APPLICABLE TO HIGH REALMS]
[FORMATION MASTERY COSTS:]
[TIME INVESTMENT (15-20 HOURS WEEKLY)]
[REDUCED COMBAT TRAINING TIME]
[POLITICAL ASSOCIATION WITH NEUTRAL FACTION]
[RECOMMENDATION: ACCEPT WITH CONDITIONS]
[NEGOTIATE FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE]
[MAINTAIN COMBAT TRAINING PRIORITY]
The system's analysis made sense. Formation mastery aligned with his bloodline affinities and would provide long-term benefits. But he needed to ensure it wouldn't consume so much time that his combat capabilities stagnated.
"I'm going to accept Elder Shen's offer," Axel decided. "But I'll negotiate terms that allow me to maintain combat training and ranking challenges. Formation mastery is valuable, but I can't let it become my only focus."
"Smart approach," Liu Feng approved. "Elder Shen is reasonable—he'll probably accept flexible terms if you demonstrate genuine commitment to learning formations."
The evening continued with more relaxed conversation and cultivation discussions. By the time Axel returned to his quarters, he felt more settled despite the day's dramatic developments.
His first ranked duel was complete. He'd established himself as a genuine power. Tomorrow he would formalize his relationship with Elder Shen and begin proper formation training.
The path forward was becoming clearer, even as the challenges grew more complex.
Axel settled into meditation, his Primordial Pillars humming with contained power, his newly achieved Mid-stage foundation stable and ready for whatever came next.
He'd climbed from unranked to seventh in three days. Five more ranks separated him from the top position and maximum resource access.
The journey was far from over. But with each challenge overcome, each duel won, each political complication navigated, Axel King was proving that talent combined with determination could overcome the disadvantages of being an outsider in a world built on hierarchies and tradition.
The Foundation was complete. The first real duel was won. The rival had been defeated.
Now came the next stage of his cultivation journey—mastering formations while climbing the rankings while navigating sect politics while preparing for the Heavenly Ascension Trial selection.
A challenge that would have been impossible three months ago.
But Axel King was no longer the confused transmigrator who'd awakened alone in a hostile forest.
He was a ranked disciple with a Mythical-grade foundation, a partially awakened Hongmeng Bloodline, and allies who might actually watch his back.
It was enough to face whatever came next.
The pulse of his Primordial Pillars beat steady and strong, a promise of power yet to be fully realized.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges. But tonight, Axel simply rested and let his foundation continue its evolution.
The real cultivation journey was truly beginning.
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