The martial arena of Sky River City had fallen into a tense hush.
Thousands filled the rising tiers of stone seats, their earlier excitement settling into a focused anticipation. The morning sun stood high above, casting steady light across the vast platform where the younger generation of the three great clans would soon clash.
At the highest pavilion, three figures observed everything from above.
Elder Huo Shan sat slightly forward, fingers tapping lazily against his armrest, faint heat rippling subtly around him.
Elder Wu Zhan leaned back with broad shoulders relaxed, but his sharp eyes missed nothing on the arena floor.
Elder Ling Yuan remained still, hands folded within his sleeves, gaze calm and piercing.
Below them, the three patriarchs sat in composed silence.
Lin Dong.
Xuanyuan Bei.
Yan Wuji.
None spoke. All watched.
---
A towering stone board rose beside the arena.
Names began to shift.
The matchups were revealed.
First Group
Xuanyuan Zhen – Lin Dao – Yan Xin
Second Group
Xuanyuan Wei – Lin Feng – Yan Yang
Third Group
Xuanyuan Rou'er – Lin Yi – Yan Xiao
Fourth Group
Xuanyuan Jin – Lin Teng – Yan Di
A ripple passed through the crowd.
Group Four drew the most attention.
Not because it was balanced—
But because it wasn't.
"Group Four contestants—step forward!"
Three figures entered the arena.
Xuanyuan Jin walked first, spear resting at his side. His steps were firm, grounded, like a soldier entering battle.
Lin Teng followed, light on his feet, his presence almost fading into the background. Twin daggers glinted faintly in his hands.
Then—
Yan Di.
He didn't rush.
He didn't posture.
He simply walked forward—and the air shifted.
His aura pressed outward, not violently, but with quiet certainty.
Foundation Establishment Realm. Second Stage.
A full level above the other two.
Xuanyuan Jin tightened his grip.
Lin Teng's gaze sharpened.
A brief glance passed between them.
No words.
No signal.
Yet both adjusted their footing at the same time.
One in front.
One behind.
Yan Di saw it.
And didn't care.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Then come."
Xuanyuan Jin attacked first.
His spear thrust forward like lightning.
WHOOSH—
The tip cut through the air, aimed straight for Yan Di's chest.
At the same instant—
Lin Teng vanished.
A blur.
A flicker.
Then—
He reappeared behind Yan Di.
Both daggers descended in a clean, silent arc.
Perfect timing.
Perfect coordination.
For a moment—
It looked flawless.
Yan Di didn't move.
Then—
BOOM.
Crimson energy erupted.
Heat surged outward like a breaking wave.
His skin shifted—
Red-black scales spread rapidly across his body, layering over his flesh like forged armor.
The transformation was instant.
The spear struck his flesh.
CLANG!
The sound rang across the arena.
Xuanyuan Jin's arms trembled.
The spearhead had landed—
And stopped.
Not a single mark.
Behind him—
CLANG! CLANG!
Lin Teng's blades struck Yan Di's back.
Sparks burst.
The daggers bounced off.
The crowd exploded.
"The Fiery Serpent Technique!"
"He's already reached this stage?!"
Yan Di exhaled slowly.
Then moved.
Not fast.
Not rushed.
Just… decisive.
His arm swung.
A simple motion—
Yet the force behind it was overwhelming.
BOOM!
A wave of scorching qi erupted outward.
Xuanyuan Jin was thrown backward, boots grinding against stone as he struggled to hold his ground.
Lin Teng twisted midair, narrowly avoiding the worst of it—but still forced back.
The distance widened.
The gap became clear.
Xuanyuan Jin steadied himself. His grip tightened.
This time—
He didn't hold back.
His spear vibrated violently as qi surged into it.
He stepped forward and struck again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Each thrust carried more force than the last.
WHOOSH—WHOOSH—WHOOSH—
A storm of spear strikes descended.
Yan Di raised his arm.
Blocked.
Deflected.
Endured.
Each impact rang out like metal colliding with metal.
But he didn't retreat.
Lin Teng moved again.
This time—
No direct strike.
He circled.
Disappeared.
Reappeared.
Testing.
Waiting.
Then—
A sudden shift.
His figure split into afterimages.
Three.
Five.
Seven.
All closing in at once.
Blades flashing from multiple angles.
Neck.
Spine.
Joints.
Weak points.
Yan Di's eyes sharpened slightly.
For the first time—
He stepped.
His body twisted, scales shifting with a faint grinding sound as he turned into the attacks instead of away from them.
One dagger grazed his side—
A faint spark.
No wound.
His hand shot out—
Fast.
Too fast.
He caught one of Lin Teng's wrists mid-strike.
Lin Teng's pupils shrank.
Yan Di didn't speak.
He squeezed.
CRACK—
Lin Teng's grip faltered instantly.
Then—
A kick.
Heavy.
Direct.
Lin Teng's body flew backward, crashing hard against the arena floor.
Xuanyuan Jin roared.
He lunged forward again, spear thrusting with everything he had.
Yan Di didn't block this time.
He stepped in.
Inside the attack.
His hand closed around the spear shaft—
And stopped it.
Completely.
Xuanyuan Jin froze.
For a fraction of a second—
Too long.
Yan Di pulled.
The spear jerked forward.
Xuanyuan Jin stumbled—
And Yan Di's fist came down.
BOOM!
The impact echoed.
Xuanyuan Jin was driven into the ground, the stone beneath him cracking violently.
Silence fell.
---
Smoke rose slowly from the arena floor.
Lin Teng struggled to push himself up.
Xuanyuan Jin lay half-sunken into fractured stone.
Yan Di stood between them.
Unmoved.
Untouched.
His scales slowly receded, fading back into his skin.
The fight—
Was over.
---
Above, Elder Huo Shan nodded.
"Clean. Efficient."
Elder Wu Zhan gave a low chuckle.
"Good instincts. No wasted movement."
Elder Ling Yuan watched a moment longer before speaking quietly.
"His foundation is solid."
Yan Wuji allowed himself a small, satisfied breath.
---
Among the younger generation—
Lin Feng watched with interest.
His fingers tapped lightly against his arm.
A faint edge of sharpness flickered around him.
"Not bad," he murmured.
His gaze lingered briefly on Yan Di—
Then moved on.
---
Not far away—
Xuanyuan Zhen watched the arena.
For a moment.
Then—
He exhaled quietly.
A small, almost imperceptible sigh.
As if nothing he had seen surprised him.
His gaze drifted elsewhere.
The outcome had been clear from the start.
---
On the arena floor, Yan Di turned without a word and walked away.
The result needed no announcement.
The crowd, however—
Had already understood.