The deafening roars of the crowd still echoed in Kai's ears, long after the dust from his battle with Jiang Hao had settled. He could feel their eyes lingering on him—half worship, half envy. The name Kai was no longer one whispered with curiosity; it was one shouted with awe and spite across the entire Outer Academy.
But as the cheers began to fade, a cold metallic chime resounded in his head.
---
[System Notification]
Hidden Quest Triggered: Stand Against the Inner Academy!
Condition: Confront an Inner Academy disciple head-on and survive.
Reward (Varies): ???
---
Kai's heart clenched.
The Inner Academy?
Until now, he had been fighting Outer disciples—geniuses, yes, but geniuses of his tier. The Inner Academy was a different beast entirely. Those who entered its gates were prodigies selected from tens of thousands, nurtured with resources that Outer disciples could only dream of.
The fact that the System was already hinting at such a confrontation meant only one thing: the storm wasn't coming—it was already here.
---
Ripples in the Arena
As medics rushed to drag Jiang Hao's broken body away, murmurs swept through the arena.
"Did you hear? An Inner Academy senior was spotted watching the match."
"Impossible! Why would they waste time on us?"
"No, I saw him too. That golden-robed figure on the high balcony—it was definitely Senior Wei Tian from the Inner Academy's combat division!"
The rumors spiraled like wildfire.
On the elevated platform reserved for Elders, a heated debate unfolded.
"This boy is reckless! He'll burn out in a few years if pushed further," one Elder scoffed, folding his sleeves.
Another Elder, eyes gleaming with calculation, countered, "Reckless, yes. But talent like this cannot be buried in the Outer Academy. Mark my words—if he's left unattended, rival sects will try to recruit him away."
At the farthest corner, Elder Yun—silent and expressionless—watched Kai with an unreadable gaze. Unlike the others, he neither dismissed Kai nor praised him. But the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed his intrigue.
---
Kai's Recovery
Dragged away by the healers, Kai sat cross-legged in the quiet medical hall. His chest throbbed, every breath like fire. He had fought beyond his limits against Jiang Hao—his body screamed for rest.
Still, he ignored the pain and focused inward.
System, open Status.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Kai
Realm: Body Tempering, Peak (99%)
Strength: 48 → 52 (+4)
Agility: 41 → 45 (+4)
Vitality: 39 → 43 (+4)
Perception: 36 → 38 (+2)
Available Free Points: 5
New Feature Unlocked: Status Scan (Lv.1)
Allows scanning of opponents within one realm above the host. Provides basic stats, strengths, and weaknesses.
---
Kai's lips curled into a grin. The boost from defeating Jiang Hao wasn't small. More importantly—Status Scan.
Until now, he had been fighting blind, relying solely on instinct and quick judgment. But now? He had a weapon that could expose enemy weaknesses in real-time.
This… this could change everything.
But he knew better than to get complacent. The System never gives rewards without expecting me to risk my life.
He closed his eyes, allocating his free points evenly into Agility and Vitality. His body pulsed, energy surging through his veins like a tide.
---
The Inner Academy Appears
The next morning, the arena filled once again—not for the scheduled matches, but because news spread like wildfire.
An Inner Academy genius had stepped into the Outer disciple grounds.
He stood proudly at the center of the arena, hands clasped behind his back. His golden robes shimmered under the sunlight, embroidered with the mark of the Inner Academy—a soaring phoenix wreathed in flames.
His name was Wei Tian. Known as the "Golden Spear," he was ranked among the Top 50 of the Inner Academy, already at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation.
For Outer disciples, he was untouchable.
"Outer disciples, listen well!" Wei Tian's voice carried like thunder. "Yesterday, I witnessed your so-called rising star. Kai, was it? Step forward. Show me whether your strength is genuine… or if it was merely luck."
The crowd erupted.
"An Inner Academy challenge?! This is insane!"
"No Outer disciple could stand against him—he's in Qi Condensation!"
"But if Kai refuses, his fame will crumble immediately…"
All eyes turned to the medical hall where Kai was supposed to be resting.
---
Kai's Resolve
Inside, Kai's fists clenched. His body still bore wounds, but his spirit burned brighter than ever.
System, you really are a devil. You knew this would happen, didn't you?
But retreating now? Impossible.
If he refused, he would be branded a coward. His hard-fought reputation would collapse overnight, and enemies would tear him apart.
More importantly—his pride wouldn't allow it.
He rose to his feet, bloodied bandages barely hiding the bruises. Step by step, he walked into the sunlight of the arena.
---
The Duel Begins
A hush fell as Kai appeared. Even battered, his presence ignited the crowd.
Wei Tian's lips curled into a mocking smile. "So you dare come. Good. Then I'll show you the difference between heaven and earth."
He released his aura.
The pressure of Qi Condensation surged outward like a storm. Outer disciples staggered back, coughing blood from the sheer force.
Kai's knees threatened to buckle—but he stood tall, eyes locked on Wei Tian.
System, activate Status Scan.
---
[Status Scan: Wei Tian]
Realm: Qi Condensation (Mid-stage)
Strength: 90
Agility: 82
Vitality: 85
Weakness Detected: Over-reliance on spear techniques. Gaps during close-range exchanges.
---
Kai's eyes widened. For the first time, numbers danced before his vision, painting his enemy in raw data. The gap was monstrous—Wei Tian's stats dwarfed his own.
But there was hope. That single highlighted weakness—it was like a thread of light in the dark.
"Come then, Kai!" Wei Tian roared, sweeping his golden spear forward. "Show me your courage!"
---
The Clash
The first strike split the air with a shriek, spear light tearing toward Kai like a dragon.
Kai twisted his body at the last instant, the spear tip grazing his ribs, blood spraying into the sand.
Fast! He's faster than Jiang Hao by leagues…
But his eyes narrowed. In that flash, he saw it—the brief pause as Wei Tian reset his stance.
Kai lunged in, fists wrapped in raw force. His punch slammed toward Wei Tian's chest.
Clang!
The spear shaft intercepted him, the impact rattling his bones.
"You dare touch me with bare fists?" Wei Tian laughed coldly, sweeping the spear in a wide arc.
Kai ducked under, sand exploding as the spear carved a trench behind him.
The fight was unlike any before—Wei Tian's mastery of the spear was overwhelming, his attacks relentless. Each strike carried enough force to pierce boulders.
Yet Kai endured. Bruised, bloodied, but adapting with every exchange.
Close range. I need to get inside his guard.
---
Breaking the Gap
After dozens of exchanges, Kai saw his moment.
Wei Tian thrust forward with a lethal strike aimed straight for his throat. Instead of dodging, Kai stepped in.
The spear tore across his shoulder, flesh splitting—pain exploded through him. But he was inside Wei Tian's range.
With a roar, Kai slammed his fist into Wei Tian's jaw.
Crack!
The Inner Academy genius staggered, eyes blazing with fury.
"You dare wound me?!" Wei Tian snarled, aura surging.
He spun his spear, golden light coalescing at its tip. "Golden Spear Art—Pierce the Heavens!"
The attack screamed down like a falling star.
Kai clenched his teeth. Blood dripped into his eyes, but he didn't back down.
System… don't fail me now!
---
Cliffhanger
The crowd screamed as the golden spear descended, divine and unstoppable.
Kai gathered the last of his strength, fists glowing with raw power. He roared, leaping straight into the storm.
The clash of spear and fist shook the entire arena, shockwaves blasting disciples off their feet.
When the dust cleared—
Two figures stood amidst the destruction.
Kai, body drenched in blood, barely standing.
Wei Tian, spear trembling, eyes filled with disbelief.
"Impossible… An Outer disciple… stood against me?!"