The Xiao Clan arena was no longer as relaxed as it had been earlier.
After Xiao Tian's shocking victory, the atmosphere had changed completely.
The whispers among the disciples grew louder.
Everyone was talking about the same topic.
Xiao Tian.
The young man who had always been considered average had suddenly become one of the strongest competitors.
And now…
Fate seemed to be pushing the competition toward an even more exciting moment.
The elder stepped forward again.
His voice echoed across the arena.
"The next match!"
"Xiao Tian…"
He paused briefly.
Then continued.
"Versus Xiao Yan."
The entire arena exploded.
Gasps filled the air.
"No way!"
"That match already?!"
"This will be amazing!"
Xiao Yan had always been considered the strongest among the younger generation.
Meanwhile Xiao Tian had suddenly become the biggest surprise of the competition.
The clash between them instantly became the most anticipated fight of the day.
Two Calm Figures
Xiao Tian stepped onto the arena calmly.
His black robe fluttered lightly in the wind.
His expression remained completely indifferent.
On the opposite side, Xiao Yan also walked onto the stage.
Unlike the excited crowd, both young men seemed extremely calm.
Xiao Yan studied his opponent carefully.
For years he had known Xiao Tian as someone who followed Gu Xuner everywhere.
But today the man standing before him felt completely different.
His aura was stable.
His posture confident.
Most importantly—
His eyes were deep.
Almost ancient.
"Interesting," Xiao Yan said with a faint smile.
"You've changed a lot."
Xiao Tian looked at him quietly.
In his previous life, Xiao Yan eventually became one of the most powerful figures in the entire continent.
But right now…
He was just a talented teenager.
Still far from the Flame Emperor he would become.
"People change," Xiao Tian replied calmly.
Xiao Yan chuckled.
"True."
"But strength doesn't come from nowhere."
Their conversation was calm.
But beneath the surface…
Both of them were observing each other carefully.
Gu Xuner's Attention
From the spectator seats, Gu Xuner watched the arena with unusual focus.
Her gaze moved between the two young men.
In the past, she always believed Xiao Yan was the most talented person in the clan.
But now…
She was no longer certain.
Xiao Tian's recent transformation felt too sudden.
Too mysterious.
Something about him made her feel uneasy.
The Fight Begins
The elder raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The moment the signal was given—
Xiao Yan moved first.
His speed was extremely fast.
Within a single step he closed the distance between them.
His fist shot forward like lightning.
WHOOSH
But Xiao Tian calmly sidestepped.
The attack barely missed his shoulder.
Xiao Yan's eyes flashed slightly.
His next strike came instantly.
This time he used more Dou Qi.
The punch carried a powerful shockwave.
BOOM
The two fists collided.
A strong gust of wind spread across the arena.
Both fighters stepped back.
The crowd stared in amazement.
Because neither side seemed to have the advantage.
"Not bad," Xiao Yan said.
His smile widened slightly.
"You're stronger than I expected."
Xiao Tian remained silent.
Inside his body, the crimson flame flickered faintly.
But he suppressed it immediately.
He did not want to reveal the power of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame here.
Not yet.
Increasing Intensity
Xiao Yan suddenly increased his speed.
His attacks became sharper and faster.
Fists.
Kicks.
Elbows.
Each strike carried explosive Dou Qi.
But Xiao Tian blocked them all.
His movements were precise.
Almost perfect.
This was the result of countless battles in his previous life.
Even though his current body was weaker…
His experience remained.
Soon Xiao Yan realized something surprising.
"I can't hit him…"
His attacks were strong.
But Xiao Tian always moved at exactly the right moment.
As if he could predict every move.
The spectators also noticed something strange.
"Xiao Tian isn't attacking…"
"He's only defending."
"Why?"
Xiao Tian's Counterattack
Suddenly—
Xiao Tian moved.
His speed exploded instantly.
WHOOSH
He appeared directly in front of Xiao Yan.
His fist shot forward.
Xiao Yan quickly blocked.
BANG
The impact forced him back several steps.
The crowd gasped.
"That attack…"
"It was incredibly strong!"
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Now he understood.
Xiao Tian had been observing him the entire time.
Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Very clever," Xiao Yan said.
His tone became more serious.
"But let's see how long you can keep up."
The Hidden Flame
Inside Xiao Tian's body, the power of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame stirred slightly.
Just a tiny fraction of its energy flowed through his meridians.
His muscles became stronger.
His reactions faster.
But from the outside…
It only looked like his strength had suddenly increased.
The two young men clashed again.
Punch after punch.
Kick after kick.
Each collision produced a powerful shockwave.
Dust rose from the arena floor.
The spectators watched with excitement.
Even the clan elders leaned forward slightly.
Because this fight was far beyond the level expected from their age.
A Moment of Danger
Suddenly Xiao Yan used a powerful technique.
His fist glowed with intense Dou Qi.
"Mountain Breaking Fist!"
The attack rushed toward Xiao Tian with overwhelming force.
For a brief moment—
The crimson flame inside Xiao Tian almost burst out.
But he suppressed it instantly.
Instead, he twisted his body slightly.
His fist met Xiao Yan's attack head-on.
BOOOOOOM
A powerful explosion echoed across the arena.
Both fighters were pushed back several meters.
Silence fell over the crowd.
Then the elder spoke.
"That's enough."
Both fighters looked at him.
The elder continued calmly.
"This match…"
"…is a draw."
The spectators immediately started discussing loudly.
Some looked disappointed.
Others looked amazed.
But the elder had made the right decision.
If the fight continued, someone might get seriously injured.
After the Match
Xiao Yan rubbed his fist slightly.
Then he smiled at Xiao Tian.
"You're strong."
"I didn't expect that."
Xiao Tian simply nodded.
"You too."
But inside his mind, his thoughts were different.
If I used the Demonic Lotus Flame…
This fight would have ended instantly.
Still, he had no intention of revealing that power yet.
Xiao Yan suddenly said something interesting.
"We should fight again sometime."
Xiao Tian looked at him calmly.
"In the future…"
"There will be many chances."
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Two future legends.
Two different destinies.
But only one of them would stand at the absolute peak.
Gu Xuner's Doubt
Meanwhile, Gu Xuner remained silent in her seat.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Xiao Tian.
The strange aura she felt earlier…
She felt it again during the fight.
Hot.
Ancient.
Almost demonic.
But it disappeared before she could confirm it.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Just what happened to you…"
"Xiao Tian?"
A Distant Promise
Later that evening, Xiao Tian stood alone on the mountain cliff again.
The sunset painted the sky crimson.
He looked toward the distant west.
Beyond the mountains lay the scorching desert.
The territory of the Snake People.
The home of Medusa.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Soon…"
"I'll come find you."
The crimson lotus flame flickered quietly in his palm.
As if responding to his words.
A new legend was slowly beginning.