"The final ten have been decided! If any among you wish to withdraw, speak now."
Three students exchanged uneasy glances. One exhaled softly.
"Top ten is enough for us. To face those monsters would only get us killed."
They stepped back, leaving seven figures standing tall upon the stage.
The Elder rose, his voice reverberating like thunder across the arena.
"Very well. The contenders who remain have chosen to stake everything upon their strength. Before the eyes of the Academy, before the judgment of Heaven and Earth, you shall be tested! Three battles will decide your fates—let the true talents ascend, and the pretenders fall!"
The arena fell silent, the weight of countless gazes pressing down from every direction. Qi formations etched into the stone pulsed faintly, humming with restrained power.
At the center stood two figures, the air between them dense with killing intent.
On one side, Tian Jianyu—the disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect—radiated sharpness like an unsheathed blade. His white robes fluttered in the currents stirred by his aura, every gesture refined, precise, and lethal.
Opposite him, Han Xing stood still, posture plain and unassuming. Yet in his eyes flickered a storm, a quiet ferocity waiting to be unleashed.
Whispers rippled through the crowd."One carries the pride of a great sect…""…and the other, a nameless upstart."
The signal bell tolled, crisp and final.
The battle began—the clash of steel and thunder reverberating through the arena. And only one would rise to claim the right to ascend.
Tian's eyes widened. He matched my speed?!
Tian Jianyu's gaze locked onto Han Xing. He smirked, resting his hand lightly on his sword hilt."A nameless stray dares stand against me? You'll regret this."
Han's expression remained steady, eyes cold."Titles and fame cannot win fights."
"You… dare!" Tian's eyes blazed with uncontrollable rage.
From the viewing stands, voices erupted in disbelief.
"Impossible! Tian Jianyu is a prodigy of the Heavenly Sword Sect!""That Han Xing—he's nothing but a nameless nobody!"
Above, the Elders leaned forward, eyes narrowing as they observed.
"His movements… they're clean and precise. It's as if he sees through every attack.""No, this isn't the skill of an ordinary student. He fights like someone who has survived life-and-death battles before."
On the arena floor, Han's halberd swept in blazing arcs, deflecting Tian's razor-edged wind slashes with flawless timing. Lightning erupted around him, crackling like a thunderstorm given form.
Tian roared and unleashed a crescent slash of compressed wind, its edge sharp enough to shear stone. Han met it head-on.
Steel met gale.
The collision detonated in a thunderous shockwave, lightning and wind tearing the air apart. The arena walls shook under the force, sending students on nearby platforms stumbling backward. Sparks rained as halberd and sword met again and again, neither yielding an inch.
In that blinding storm of power, it became clear—this was no longer a mere spar. This was a battle to determine who truly stood at the summit.
Tian Jianyu's thoughts raced. He's faster than I imagined… sharper… can he really see my attacks before I even make them? No. I cannot falter, not now. Every strike must be perfect.
Han Xing's mind remained calm, a storm beneath the surface. So this is Tian Jianyu, the famed disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Strong… but still not strong enough to make me show even a fraction of my true strength.
Each strike carried their will, their pride, and their resolve, turning the arena into a crucible where only one could emerge victorious.
On another platform, Tang Shenyi and Tang Shenmei moved in perfect unison, circling Yue Lianhua. Poisonous mist trailed their steps, green light flickering ominously with every movement.
Yue's blade glimmered under the moonlight Qi, petals of spiritual energy scattering with each precise slash. She carved a path through the poisonous haze, but a shadow of concern crossed her brow.
So this is the Tang family's twin prodigies—one with the Ten Thousand Poison Body, the other with unmatched martial insight. Facing them together won't be easy. I have to control the distance, force them apart, and find a single opening. One misstep and the poison will consume me.
One twin's lips curled into a dark, mocking smile."Struggle all you like, Celestial Moon's flower," she hissed. "Let's see how long you can survive."
Yue's grip tightened on her blade. She shifted her stance, eyes scanning their every motion, measuring distance and timing, already formulating her counterattack.I won't be overwhelmed by the two of you. Come… I'll show you the might of the Celestial Moon Sect.
Meanwhile, Lue Zhihao charged like a raging beast, his Giant Bear Palm smashing into the ground with a thunderous impact, shockwaves cracking the stone beneath him.
Gu Xiulan danced backward with effortless grace, spiritual silhouettes flickering behind her like mirages. With every delicate flick of her hand, illusions sprang to life, blurring his vision.
Zhihao growled, frustration prickling at his mind. So many tricks… I need to focus, see through them."Curse these illusions! Show yourself and fight me head-on!"
Xiulan's voice rang out, clear and mocking."Strength without clarity is nothing but wasted power."
Zhihao's eyes narrowed. He shifted his stance, breathing steady, letting his instincts cut through the haze. The illusions wavered under his relentless advance, cracks forming in Xiulan's perfect mirage.
Their duel reached its crescendo. Wind blades and arcs of thunder tore across the arena, neither willing to yield. Sweat beaded on Tian's brow—his usual smirk replaced by an intense, razor-sharp focus.
Han's eyes blazed with unwavering determination. Every strike he unleashed was calculated, precise, carrying not just raw power, but the unstoppable force of a raging Asura dwelling within him.
The crowd erupted as sparks and wind blades collided, the outcome hanging in the balance, the tension electric and palpable.
Tian Jianyu's wind blade spirals came faster, sharper, each strike capable of cutting through stone. Han Xing's eyes flicked over his movements, reading the patterns like a map.
Predictable rhythm… too reliant on speed, he thought. If I bait a feint, I can create an opening.
Han shifted his weight lightly, pivoting on the balls of his feet. The Weapon Body Art flowed through his muscles, making each motion fluid, almost imperceptible. His lightning-formed blade extended in a thin streak, tracing arcs that forced Tian to adjust mid-swing.
He's strong… but he overcommits when angry. Keep calm, exploit his rage, control the distance.
Tian's eyes narrowed, sensing the precision. He forced another wind slash, faster this time. Han's blade met it at the edge, sparks erupting in a flash of light and sound that made the spectators blink.
"This strike… it's pushing me back! He's driving me back—hah! Damn you!I had no intention of using this technique; I haven't fully mastered it. But you… you leave me no choice!"
Tian Jianyu's eyes flared with determination. Now… now is the time. I cannot hold back any longer.
He summoned his ultimate technique: Heaven Split Sword. A blinding surge of sword qi erupted, slicing through the air like a falling star, cutting a path straight toward Han.
Han's expression remained calm, though his pulse quickened with anticipation. It's time… the second technique of the Desolation Fist Art. Let him feel a power he can never suppress.
With a sharp inhale, he unleashed Desolation Fist Art: Second Technique—Mountain and River Breaker, the force of his strike radiating outward like a living tempest.
The collision was cataclysmic. Sword qi met fist energy with a thunderous roar, fracturing the air and sending shockwaves rippling across the arena. Dust, sparks, and arcs of energy spiraled violently in every direction, shattering nearby platforms and forcing the other fighters to stagger backward.
The raw force of their techniques tore through the arena, causing Qi formations beneath the stone to flare and hum uncontrollably. Tang Shenyi and Tang Shenmei stumbled as the shockwave nearly threw them off balance. Yue Lianhua's hair and robes whipped violently as she steadied herself, the residual energy brushing past like a gale. Even Lue Zhihao and Gu Xiulan faltered, their attacks disrupted by the violent energy rippling outward.
Gu Xiulan's eyes widened."That Han Xing… he's too strong. I think we should stop fighting each other and deal with him first."
Tian's mind raced. This… his power… stronger than I imagined. But I am Tian Jianyu, disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. How can I… lose to you? Why… why?!
Han's gaze sharpened."You're strong—but you made a grave mistake challenging me. You're destined to fall."
Gasps rippled across the platforms as another clash shook the arena. Sparks scattered, and Tian Jianyu—disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect—was forced in to corner by a no body.
"He… he pushed Tian back?" one voice whispered in disbelief.Another student stammered, "No, impossible! Tian Jianyu is supposed to be untouchable!"
Gu Xiulan's illusions flickered as her eyes narrowed on Han Xing."That's guy is not ordinary … If he can push Tian so easily, then what chance do the rest of us have?"
Tang Shenyi chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief, She nudged his sister lightly,"Ha… incredible. Did… Tian Jianyu is actually losing?"
Yue Lianhua lowered her glowing blade slightly, her brows drawn in thought."Is Tian Jianyu holding back… or is Han Xing truly this strong? Last year, I couldn't even overcome Tian Jianyu when he was only using fifty percent of his power and now he was beat by that guy. How could I possibly stand against Han Xing now?"
Gu Xiulan's voice sharpened, carrying a calculating edge."Then it's decided. Whatever grudges we carry, they mean nothing now. If we want to stand a chance, Han Xing must be stopped first."
Tang Shenmei laughed lightly, though her gaze stayed locked on Han."Strange… I never thought I'd agree with the you Gu Xiulan. But you right. Let's put our pride aside—just this once."
Lue Zhihao clenched his fists, the ground cracking under his spirit force."Fine. Temporary truce or not… Han Xing falls before any of us."
From the stands, murmurs rose in waves."Even Tian Jianyu couldn't suppress him…""Who is this Han Xing really?!"
Above it all, Han's eyes glimmered with storm light. His lips curled faintly, as if amused by their decision.
From the observation stands, one Elder leaned forward, his voice low and filled with awe.
"Strong for his age… good, very good. Looks like this year, we've got a dark horse."
A third Elder let out a low whistle, his voice rough with awe."Terrifying… Han Xing at this age? "He could become a pillar of humanity."
The arena trembled as Han Xing's laughter rang out—sharp, fearless, and carrying across every platform.
"So… you guy decide to gang up on me?"
He laughed again, louder this time, the sound a mix of amusement and warning.
"What a disappointment."
"Lue Zhihao " Well… if you សcared surrender now, maybe we can let you off the hook."
Han's eyes narrowed.
"You expect me to surrender?"
He thought briefly of Commander Ling, realizing the mission's instructions had kept him in the dark, well it doesn't said I have to be low key and the reward here was too great to pass up. His smirk widened.
"Playtime is over. I've had enough."
Lightning surged along his arms as he invoked Violent Sky Thunder—Second Technique: Thunder God Form. Crimson lightning crackled across his body, painting him in an almost divine aura.
With a blur of speed, he vanished behind the Heavenly Sword Sect's representative, sending him flying off the arena with a single strike. Before the others could react, Han pushed Gu Xiulan out as well. The remaining five froze, realizing the storm of power in front of them.
They think I'm at my full power? Not even close, you think you can overwhelm with number. Now face my power .
From the Celestial Moon Sect Yue Lianhua tried to resist, putting up a slight fight. But Han's movements were too precise—he followed her Qi through Weapon Body Art, chaining his strikes seamlessly, and threw her out with effortless control.
The Tang twins tried to defend together, but it was too late. Han unleashed Thunder Boom, shattering their formation, then blinked in front of them with blinding speed, pushing them off as well.
Finally, he faced Lue Zhihao. Han struck with a calculated kick, but Zhihao held his ground.
This one's defense is stronger than the others, But it not like I don't have a way to deal with it though. Han thought.
He conjured a massive hammer in his right hand, channeling his lightning Qi into it. The weapon glowed with raw, destructive energy—Sky-Breaking Hammer. With a single, thunderous swing, Zhihao was sent flying out of the arena.
The crowd watched in stunned silence. Seven of the top competitors had just been dominated by a single student. The Elders exchanged grim glances, realizing that Han Xing was unlike anyone they had ever seen.