Chen Yao Ying lay sprawled on the arena floor. His body twitched once, then stilled. Blood dripped steadily from the corner of his mouth, staining the cracked stone beneath his face. His sword had fallen several feet away, half-buried in dust and debris. Each breath he took was shallow, ragged, as if even inhaling had become a struggle.
The arena remained deathly quiet. Then, something shifted. It was not sound but a pressure.
Mike's eyes narrowed. From somewhere deep within the shadows beneath the spectator stands, an invisible force surged forward cold, sharp, and invasive. It slipped past the air itself, aimed directly at Mike's mind and soul, silent and lethal.
But this time, it failed. Mike raised his hand.
Flames bloomed around his palm not wild, not explosive, but tightly coiled, controlled, glowing with a deep, restrained heat. The moment the unseen attack reached him, it struck the fire instead.
Mike's gaze snapped toward the exact location of shadow cultivator, locking onto a single point beneath the pavilion roof. For an instant, his eyes burned brighter, piercing through layers of darkness and concealment.
Mike found him and says in his mind humph there, you are hidden.
A vague silhouette human shaped black shadow body, crouched, barely connected to the world, hiding where light could not reach. But in the very breath it took Mike to focus. The figure rippled. Then vanished easily because it is mere a shadow clone.
It dispersed like smoke, leaving nothing behind not even residual aura.
Mike exhaled slowly. He understood now.
This opponent had never intended to stay.
Without another glance at Chen Yao Ying, without addressing the stunned arena, Mike shifted his footing. Then flies fast and gone.
Only cracked stone, scattered dust, a defeated cultivator bleeding on the ground and the heavy realization settling over everyone present.
Now Ling Xue, Feng Jian, and Lei Hu hurried toward Jian Wu.
Jian wu sat cross legged near the edge of the practice hall, faint spiritual light still lingering around her body, she is stabilizing her spiritual energy.
The three stopped a few steps away.
Ling Xue glanced at Jian Wu's pale face and lowered her voice. Is she… okay?
Jian Wu's lashes trembled. Slowly, her eyes opened. She took a steady breath, pushed herself to her feet, and brushed the dust from her sleeves. Though her face was still pale, her posture was firm.
I'm fine, she said calmly. Then, after a pause, her gaze drifted toward the center of the arena. Do you know who that senior was?
The others exchanged looks.
Feng Jian shook his head. No. We didn't sense him at all after he disappeared in seconds.
Jian Wu exhaled, a trace of regret flashing through her eyes. I didn't even get the chance to thank him. She straightened, her expression returning to its usual composure. Anyway, I'll enter seclusion to cultivate. Then, a faint smile appeared. But before that… let's meet Mike. I want to see how strong he really is.
Feng Jian grinned. I was hoping you'd say that. Lei Hu also agreed.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the hall.
Rong meilin rushed over, worry written all over her face. Jian Wu! Are you alright? I heard someone injured you. Tell me who it was.
Jian Wu says firmly, Don't worry. I'm fine. She looked at her, then says How's your cultivation going?
Rong meilin relaxed slightly and smiled. Very good. If you hadn't helped me back then, I don't think I could've broken through.
Feng Jian moved little bit and says Alright, everyone. Let's go and meet Mike.
Rong meilin froze and says shockingly Mike? She leaned closer, lowering her voice. When he came back… I heard he and the headmaster caused a huge massacre at the Life and Death Competition.
Lei Hu's eyes widened. Really? What happened?
Their voices faded as they walked toward the exit, leaving behind the shattered arena.
In a distant corner of the practice hall, Chen Yao Ying sat leaning against the wall, his face twisted with hatred. Blood still stained his lips. He clenched his fist and ordered to his companion, Find that masked man. His eyes burned with rage. I will not leave him in peace.
A companion beside him nodded. Don't worry, boss. He doesn't know what kind of trouble he's brought upon himself. When he appears again… we'll teach him a lesson.
Not far away, hidden among the inner disciples, core disciples watched quietly. A cold snort escaped his lips, saying Humph. Just showing off. His face remained unclear.
By the time night settled over the academy, Mike finally reached his residence.
The corridor outside his room was quiet. Lantern light swayed gently. Mike stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
Only then did he remove his mask.
He exhaled slowly and leaned against the table. That soul and mind attack… he muttered. That was brutal. His gaze fell to his right hand. Near his palm, a faint black patch no bigger than a coin clung to his skin like burnt ash. Mike's eyes narrowed says So that's what got through. He clenched his fist, With saying that shadow man… he's mastered shadow type abilities. Judging by the pressure alone around five star Wang Zhe.
Silence filled the room. Then, voice says I think you've made yourself some new enemies, Mike. Mike didn't flinch, but his eyes sharpened. He turned to see and there is Huo Chuntian standing near the doorway, arms crossed, expression calm yet alert.
Mr. Huo? Mike said. What are you doing here? Then he added, And what do you mean by new enemies?
Huo Chuntian walked in slowly. You really don't know? He paused then says again On my way here, I saw several students searching for someone. Their movements were deliberate. I redirected them. I thought they were after you.
Mike smiled and says stop being unknown mr huo.
Huo Chuntian studied Mike for a moment. You know I am staying close to you… but I didn't expect you'd end up acting like a disguised senior in the academy.
Mike sat down, his tone calm. Do you know who that shadow-type cultivator was?
Huo Chuntian nodded slightly. A little but Listen carefully. Chen Yao Ying is the son of Chen Ying, the patriarch of branch of the Shadow Clan.
Mike raised an eyebrow. Branch?
Yes, Huo Chuntian replied. The Shadow Clan is divided into four families, ranked by strength.
He raised one finger. The first is the Supreme Family. No one knows where they are or who they truly are.
A second finger. The second is the Higher Family.
A third finger. The third is the Lower Family.
Then his hand dropped. And the last… is extinct. His voice turned cold. They were wiped out for being weak. Their deaths didn't even ripple through history.
Mike was silent for a moment. Then he said, so Chen Yao Ying is from Higher Family?
Huo Chuntian shook his head. Unlikely. The Higher Family doesn't allow their descendants to enter academies or mingle openly.
Mike nodded. Then he's from the Lower Family.
Yes, Huo Chuntian confirmed.
Just then, Huo Chuntian's expression shifted. His eyes turned toward the door. someone's coming, he said quietly.
Before Mike could reply, Huo Chuntian dissolved into a faint light, retreating into the vessel within Mike to conceal his presence.
The room returned to silence. Only the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from outside. Mike straightened, his gaze calm. Then a soft knock.