Arjun's fist fell from the sky like a falling star.
💥💥💥 HEAVEN-CRUSHING STRIKE (IMPROVISED)
The air screamed.
The pressure crushed everything beneath it.
Rudra's pupils shrank.
For the first time in his life…
he felt danger.
Real danger.
He clenched his jaw and raised both arms, crossing them in defense.
🔥 BLOODFANG GUARD!
A crimson barrier shaped like jagged fangs exploded into existence around his body.
And then—
BOOOOOM!!!
Arjun's fist smashed into it.
The courtyard exploded.
Stone tiles shattered like glass.
A shockwave blasted outward and smashed into the outer disciple buildings.
Wood splintered.
Roofs cracked.
Windows blew apart.
Several disciples flew backward like leaves in a storm.
When the dust cleared…
Rudra was still standing.
But he wasn't smiling anymore.
His arms were trembling.
Blood dripped from his elbows.
His barrier had fractured.
And most importantly—
He had been pushed down from the rooftop.
Forced onto the ground.
Forced into the same dirt as everyone else.
Rudra stared at Arjun like he was looking at a monster that shouldn't exist.
"You…"
Arjun's feet touched the ground softly.
His body hurt.
His bones screamed.
But his eyes were calm.
He looked at Rudra and whispered:
"Now you understand."
Rudra's breathing became heavier.
Then his lips curled into hatred.
"You're dead."
He lifted his palm again, crimson energy swirling even thicker.
This wasn't a warning.
This was a killing blow.
The spectators felt it immediately.
A suffocating pressure spread across the courtyard like poison fog.
Outer disciples began collapsing.
Their legs gave out.
Their hearts pounded.
Some screamed and crawled away.
Even the air itself felt like it was boiling.
Rudra's eyes burned.
🔥 BLOODFANG PALM — SECOND FORM: DEVOURING MOUTH!
The crimson energy twisted into a giant spectral mouth—filled with fangs—ready to swallow Arjun whole.
But Arjun didn't move.
He didn't run.
He didn't retreat.
Instead…
He stepped forward.
One step.
And his killing intent sharpened into a blade.
🩸 CRIMSON KILLING INTENT!
The fog around Arjun turned darker, heavier.
It wasn't just fear anymore.
It was domination.
A declaration:
I am the predator.
The spectral mouth hesitated for a fraction of a second.
And that fraction…
was enough.
Arjun vanished again.
✨ SHADOW STEP!
He reappeared directly in front of Rudra, too close to dodge.
His fist rose—
But Rudra roared like a beast and thrust his palm forward anyway.
It was going to be a direct clash.
Fist vs Palm.
Life vs Death.
The moment before impact—
A voice cut through the entire sect like thunder.
"ENOUGH."
The world froze.
Time itself felt like it stopped.
A terrifying pressure fell from the sky.
Arjun's chest tightened.
Rudra's spectral technique shattered instantly like smoke.
The dust flattened.
The courtyard cracked again—deeper—like something invisible pressed down.
Then—
A figure appeared between them.
An old man with long white hair and a robe embroidered with golden mountains.
His eyes were calm.
But that calmness carried a terrifying truth.
This man could erase everyone here with a thought.
An elder.
Not just any elder.
One of the Core Elders.
Rudra's master.
Elder VAYU.
Rudra instantly stepped back and bowed deeply.
"Master."
Outer disciples dropped to their knees like worshippers.
Even the guards bowed.
Only one person didn't bow.
Arjun.
He stared at Elder Vayu.
Cold.
Quiet.
Unimpressed.
The elder looked at him.
And for a moment, the entire sect felt the weight of that gaze.
"You are Arjun."
Arjun replied simply:
"Yes."
The elder's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Karan is dead."
Arjun didn't deny it.
"Yes."
The elder's tone sharpened.
"You attacked an inner disciple."
Arjun nodded.
"Yes."
The elder's voice became colder.
"You caused destruction in the sect."
Arjun smiled faintly.
"Yes."
The elder stared.
Then he asked a question that made everyone tremble:
"Do you know what punishment you deserve?"
Arjun answered without hesitation:
"Death."
A gasp rippled through the courtyard.
Rudra's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
Finally. Death.
But Arjun continued:
"But your sect cannot kill me."
Silence.
Even Elder Vayu's expression stiffened slightly.
Rudra's face twisted with rage.
"How dare you speak—!"
Elder Vayu raised a hand, silencing Rudra instantly.
Then the elder stepped forward slowly.
His voice was calm again.
"You think you are untouchable because you shattered the Heavenly Root Stone."
Arjun's eyes didn't change.
Elder Vayu continued:
"That stone wasn't a sign of talent."
"It was a sign of danger."
Arjun smiled.
"Correct."
That answer made people shiver.
Because it wasn't arrogance.
It was agreement.
Elder Vayu stared into Arjun's eyes.
Then he spoke quietly:
"I do not care about outer disciples."
"I do not care about Karan."
The crowd froze.
Even Rudra's eyes widened.
Elder Vayu continued like he was discussing insects:
"Karan was weak. So he died."
"Outer disciples were weak. So they died."
Rudra slowly smiled.
He thought this meant victory.
But then Elder Vayu turned slightly.
And looked at Rudra.
His own disciple.
His own weapon.
And his voice cut like ice:
"But you…"
"You went too far."
Rudra's smile froze.
"M-master…?"
Elder Vayu's eyes were calm.
"You slaughtered outer disciples like animals."
"You turned my sect courtyard into a graveyard."
"You made my name look filthy."
Rudra's face turned pale.
"I did it for you… for our honor—"
Elder Vayu slapped him.
SMACK!!!
The sound echoed like thunder.
Rudra's body spun and slammed into the ground.
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
The entire sect was stunned.
The top ten inner disciple…
was slapped like a dog.
Elder Vayu didn't look angry.
That was what was terrifying.
He looked… disappointed.
"Honor?" the elder murmured.
"Do you think honor is a decoration?"
He stepped on Rudra's chest lightly.
Not hard.
But Rudra couldn't breathe.
Elder Vayu leaned down.
"Rudra."
"Your problem is that you still think this sect is yours."
Rudra's eyes widened in panic.
"N-no… Master…"
Elder Vayu turned his gaze back to Arjun.
"Arjun."
Arjun stared back.
Elder Vayu's voice became almost gentle.
"I will not kill you."
Outer disciples' eyes widened.
Rudra's eyes nearly burst.
Arjun didn't look relieved.
He looked curious.
The elder continued:
"But you will also not be free."
Arjun smiled slightly.
"Speak."
Elder Vayu raised his hand.
A small black pill appeared in his palm.
It looked ordinary.
But the air around it felt… cursed.
"This is a Soul Binding Pill."
"Eat it."
The crowd gasped again.
Soul Binding!
That meant slavery.
That meant the elder could control Arjun's life and death like a puppet.
Rudra's breathing became uneven.
He started smiling again.
Arjun would become a controlled dog.
A chained beast.
But then Arjun did something that made everyone freeze again.
He laughed.
A soft laugh.
Not crazy.
Not loud.
Just… insulting.
Elder Vayu's eyes narrowed.
"You refuse?"
Arjun shook his head slowly.
"No."
He stepped forward.
He took the pill.
And swallowed it.
Rudra smiled wider.
But Arjun's eyes didn't change.
He didn't look defeated.
He looked… satisfied.
Elder Vayu watched carefully.
"You accept?"
Arjun nodded.
"Yes."
Elder Vayu's lips curved faintly.
"Good."
But Arjun whispered, so quietly only the elder heard:
"I wanted you to do this."
Elder Vayu's expression stiffened.
"…What?"
Arjun smiled darker.
"Because now…"
"…I can kill you without guilt."
The elder's eyes flashed dangerously.
But before he could react—
The system screamed inside Arjun's mind.
🔊 [FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTED: Soul Binding Pill]
🔊 Analyzing…
🔊 Countermeasure available: Beast King Core]
🔊 Condition: Iron Body Stage required (MET)
✅ Do you want to refine and devour the binding pill?
(YES/NO)
Arjun's heartbeat remained steady.
Inside his body…
the Beast King Core began to glow.
The poison pill didn't bind him.
It fed him.
Arjun's lips moved slightly.
"YES."