Buzz
A surge of thick origin force erupted from Lucian Valeblue's body, blasting across the arena like a sudden storm. The sheer pressure made the surrounding disciples instinctively hold their breath.
A glint of cruelty flickered in his eyes. He had decided—this so-called "cripple" would be crushed in the shortest possible time, in the most merciless way.
From the very first move… no mercy.
"Earthfiend Tiger's Courage Fist!"
Roar!
A heaven-shaking tiger's roar tore through the air. Lucian's expression sharpened to a predatory edge as a phantom ferocious tiger surged into existence behind him—striped, fanged, and brimming with killing intent. The phantom fused with his body, making him like a mountain beast charging from the depths to devour its prey.
Buzz!
The violent fluctuation of his origin force swept across the arena. From this opening alone, his dominance was absolute.
"Trash! Lie down for me!"
The phantom tiger lunged, force enough to rip through steel rushing toward Darian. In the next breath, it seemed Darian would be shredded where he stood.
Gasps rang out from the watching crowd.
"So strong! Lucian's strength is terrifying!"
"So this is the power of a Soul Moon—someone in the Valor Soul Stage of the Mortal Purification Stage?"
"With just this first move… how could Trash Darian, a mere Ironbody Tier Fifth Layer, ever withstand it?"
Even Theron, who kept his face composed, felt his heart tighten. He knew exactly how devastating Lucian's attacks could be. In his estimation, this opening strike alone would decide the match.
Eldric, however, wore a cold, satisfied smirk. To him, crushing Darian was no different from squashing an ant.
Roar!
Facing the charging tiger phantom, Darian stood straight as a spear. His face was calm—but in his eyes, a blazing light erupted.
As expected… Lucian is even stronger than that Valor Soul cultivator I forced back in the Ancient Beginning Forest.
But so what? Lucian—today, I'll defeat you with my fists!
Buzz! Swish!
His black hair streamed behind him as he stepped forward. Faint golden origin force flared instantly to life, his Holy Dao battle aura surging forth. Golden-red qi and blood roared inside him, filling every vein with unyielding power.
He met Lucian's charge head-on.
No dodge. No retreat.
"Earthfiend Tiger's Courage Fist!"
Darian's shout rang like thunder. Behind him, a golden tiger phantom roared into being, its divine eyes glaring, its form brimming with unstoppable momentum.
Golden tiger met striped tiger in a collision that shook the arena.
Roar!
Bang! Buzz!
White and gold origin force exploded outward, a shockwave tearing across the platform and slamming into the stands.
Theron's face changed. Eldric's smile froze.
Valtor's eyes flickered with interest. Even Seraphina's cold gaze wavered faintly.
In the crowd, Kaelen's hands clenched into fists, bloodshot eyes wide with disbelief. Aeris, meanwhile, felt a burst of vicious joy—Trash Darian, this time you'll pay!
The swirling forces dissipated at last, revealing two figures… both still standing.
Thud, thud, thud—
Each of them had retreated exactly four steps.
One was Lucian—shock and disbelief flashing across his face.
The other… Darian. Calm, uninjured, eyes burning bright.
In that single exchange, Darian had confirmed it—he was on equal footing with Lucian.
Gasps tore through the arena.
"Am I seeing things? Trash Darian blocked Lucian's punch!"
"And he's completely fine!"
"Impossible! Lucian is in the Mortal Purification Stage!"
Lucian felt the numbness in his arms and knew it was real—this boy had met him blow for blow.
Impossible! That punch was equivalent to my full strength at Ironbody Tier Great Perfection! How could this trash withstand it? I don't believe it!
His white origin force flared wildly.
Bang!
His figure blurred forward again. If one punch couldn't crush Darian, he'd use ten.
"Good! Come, Lucian!"
Darian's heart pounded with exhilaration. He had expected the Spirit-Bursting Pill to make him stronger, but not like this.
From Fifth Layer Tendon-Refining Minor Completion… to Ninth Layer Marrow-Refining Great Completion in just one month!
After ten years of silence, his path to true power had been reopened—
—and no one could block it.
The two clashed again and again, each blow sending waves of qi rippling through the arena. The oppressive aura of Ironbody Tier Great Perfection swept over every Valeblue disciple present.
Scorn had vanished from their eyes—replaced with shock, envy… and fear.
Kaelen's scar twitched, his fists loosening as despair sank in. Aeris's chest rose and fell rapidly, her mind struggling to process the scene.
Even Theron, who had sensed Darian's cultivation from the first exchange, was inwardly astonished. Eldric's expression darkened, a cold killing intent flashing deep in his eyes.
Valtor watched with hands clasped, his gaze rarely leaving Darian.
Seraphina studied him intently— Ironbody Tier Great Perfection at fifteen was nothing special to her, but his combat strength… and the faint sense that he was still holding back… intrigued her.
Bang!
Another fierce collision sent them apart—only for Lucian to step back in, his strikes growing sharper, faster, more ruthless.
Darian matched him blow for blow, each counter perfectly timed, his battle sense flawless.
Troublesome…
Lucian gritted his teeth. With only his Ironbody Tier strength, he couldn't break Darian. If this went on, he might even lose!
That thought chilled him.
His eyes flicked toward Valtor. Decision made.
Rumble!
A sudden, overwhelming surge burst from Lucian. His entire aura transformed—growing deeper, sharper, more dangerous.
Darian's pupils narrowed.
Buzz!
Behind Lucian, a pale silver radiance bloomed into existence—
The Soul Moon.
Equal in height to its master, it floated behind him like a celestial guardian. Its cold, shifting light poured into Lucian's body, his power climbing in a heartbeat.
Darian's face hardened. So… you're finally going all out.
But even against the might of the Mortal Purification Stage, there was no fear in his eyes.
If Lucian wanted to end this… so would he.
Lucian's voice rang across the arena, cold and proud:
" Darian, you've hidden yourself well—but I'll show you the chasm between our realms. I'll show you despair. The Blood Dragon Jade will still be mine alone!"
The Spirit Core behind him pulsed. Energy coiled around his hands, swirling faster and faster until it took shape.
In the eyes of every Valeblue disciple, the phantom became clear—
—like a mighty, coiling flood dragon.
"High-grade martial art—Heavenly Gang Wandering Dragon Hand!"