The stone platform cracked beneath his feet.
Ethan stepped forward, eyes burning like twin stars. Before him stood five elite outer disciples, all sneering, all confident. But the pressure he exuded made the air hum, made the crowd's mockery catch in their throats.
"Trash like you dares to walk into the Trial Ring?" one laughed.
Ethan didn't respond. He moved.
A flash of blue light. A deafening impact.
The first challenger flew backward, vomiting blood midair before crashing into the wall. Silence followed—then chaos. Gasps. Screams.
"What was that?!"
"Did he just—one-hit KO?!"
But Ethan wasn't done.
He turned to the next, his voice cold and clear.
"Next."