Chapter 2: The Weight of Power
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The arena had yet to recover from the brutality of the second match.
The scent of blood lingered in the air.
Fear… replaced excitement.
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No one cheered loudly anymore.
No one mocked recklessly.
Because now—
Everyone understood.
This was not just a competition.
It was survival.
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Above the arena, the five judges remained seated.
Silent.
Unmoved.
As if nothing had happened.
As if a life nearly lost meant nothing.
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One of the elders finally spoke:
«"Continue the matches."»
His voice was calm…
Too calm.
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⚔️ Third Round: Hei Meng vs Sha Jin
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Hei Meng stepped forward.
Tall. Muscular. His aura steady like a mountain.
Across him—
Sha Jin smiled coldly.
A man known for his speed… and cruelty.
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The moment the match began—
Sha Jin disappeared.
Like a shadow.
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SWISH!
A blade of wind cut through the air—
Hei Meng blocked.
But barely.
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«"Too slow," Sha Jin whispered.»
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Then—
A storm of attacks.
Fast.
Sharp.
Relentless.
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Cuts appeared across Hei Meng's body.
Blood dripped.
But he did not fall.
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Instead—
He stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
Ignoring the pain.
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«"Is that all?" Hei Meng growled.»
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BOOM!
He slammed his foot into the ground—
The arena cracked.
Dust exploded upward—
Blocking Sha Jin's vision.
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In that instant—
Hei Meng moved.
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BAM!
A punch landed on Sha Jin's ribs.
CRACK!
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Sha Jin coughed blood.
But before he could escape—
Hei Meng grabbed him.
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«"You rely too much on speed," he said coldly.»
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Then—
He slammed Sha Jin into the ground.
Again.
And again.
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BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
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The arena trembled.
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«"I… surrender…" Sha Jin gasped.»
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Hei Meng stopped.
Immediately.
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Silence fell.
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No cruelty.
No excess violence.
Only strength…
And control.
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«"Winner—HEI MENG!"»
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⚔️ Fourth Round: Gu Yao vs Mo Zhi
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Gu Yao stood still.
Eyes closed.
Calm.
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Mo Zhi rushed forward without hesitation.
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But—
Before his fist could land—
His body froze.
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«"W-What…?"»
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Gu Yao opened his eyes.
Cold.
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«"Your mind is weak."»
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Mo Zhi collapsed instantly.
Unconscious.
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No strike.
No movement.
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Only—
Overwhelming Dao pressure.
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«"Winner—GU YAO!"»
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The the people said what? no way!
how is it possible?
and miezu xuan said coldly on his mind oh?
later you'll meet your end.
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⚔️ Fifth Round: Tang Zheng vs Ying Mu Yan
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Tang Zheng stood calmly.
Elegant.
Precise.
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Ying Mu Yan smiled faintly.
Eyes sharp.
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They clashed.
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A battle of technique.
Of control.
Of intelligence.
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Back and forth—
Neither giving way.
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Then—
Tang Zheng raised two fingers.
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«"Formation—Seal."»
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Golden light erupted beneath Ying Mu Yan.
Chains formed.
Binding him.
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No escape.
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Tang Zheng stepped forward.
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«"Forgive me."»
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A single strike—
Ended the match.
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«"Winner—TANG ZHENG!"»
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🌑 End of Round One
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Five victors stood in the arena.
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- Wang Hao Chen
- Meizu Xuan
- Hei Meng
- Gu Yao
- Tang Zheng
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Five geniuses.
Five paths.
Five fates intertwined.
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But among them—
One name weighed heavier than the rest.
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Meizu Xuan.
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Not because he was the strongest—
But because of what he had done.
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The arena fell into a deep silence.
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Because everyone knew—
This was only the beginning.
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And the next stage…
Would be far more dangerous.