The ground shook as everyone rushed toward the source of the explosion.
Amid the smoke of black mist and golden lightning arcs, a lone figure stood calmly.
Everyone froze, their voices rising as one:
"Shi Wang Yuan…"
The instructor appeared, laughing heartily.
"Ha ha ha… You've broken through the boundary of your rank!"
The disciples stared in disbelief.
"How is this possible? He is the youngest among us, yet he has already reached the realm of the Undying Soul!"
But the instructor's expression turned stern.
"Do not be overjoyed too soon. Your core power is not yet stable. To maintain this realm, you must cultivate and temper your soul's foundation."
Shi Wang Yuan bowed his head respectfully.
"Yes, Master."
He continued training without pause. On the eve of the great tournament, his power finally stabilized, his aura as steady as flowing water.
---
At dawn, the disciples gathered once more. Across the arena arrived the rival sect: the Ten-Thousand Poisons Sect, led by their master Dugu Yuan.
Both sect leaders stood at equal footing in terms of cultivation—yet in real combat, Dugu Yuan was rumored to have the upper hand.
The elder referee raised his voice.
"Since all are present, the trial between the two sects shall begin now!"
He continued,
"The rules are clear: You may not kill. When you are defeated, you must admit loss. Anyone breaking these rules will be expelled from their sect. Do you all understand?"
"Understood!" the disciples answered in unison.
The first duel was announced.
"From Mount Xu Sect: Xu Ruan. From the Ten-Thousand Poisons Sect: Du Rui. Step onto the stage."
The battle was fierce, both sides refusing to yield. When the dust settled, the points were tied.
The elder declared,
"The deciding match shall be fought between Xu Sect's Shi Wang Yuan and the Poison Sect's Du Lieqing!"
A wave of murmurs swept across the audience.
Du Lieqing's reputation was immense—hailed as the greatest prodigy of his generation. Yet since the rise of Shi Wang Yuan, his title as "Supreme Talent" had been shaken.
"This is it!" someone whispered.
"The duel between the former supreme genius and the new one. If Du Lieqing wins, he regains his glory. But think—he has trained for more than forty years, while Shi Wang Yuan has only cultivated for two. Even if Wang Yuan's realm is higher, Du Lieqing's experience is far greater. And surely, he has treasures of the Poison Sect at his disposal!"
The two combatants stepped onto the platform. The entire arena erupted into thunderous applause and chants.
The elder's voice rang out:
"The match begins!"
Shi Wang Yuan was the first to move, dashing forward at astonishing speed. His newfound Undying Soul realm granted him swiftness far beyond Du Lieqing's.
But Du Lieqing stood his ground, sneering.
"Poison Swamp Veil!"
From beneath the arena floor seeped a toxic mist, spreading in all directions. The venom slowed Shi Wang Yuan's movements, suppressing his speed advantage.
"Tch… Poison, is it? Then I'll fight from afar!"
Shi Wang Yuan leapt aside, weaving through the haze, but found his mobility restrained. Du Lieqing pressed his advantage with seasoned precision.
Shi Wang Yuan's eyes flashed.
"Then try this—Black Thunder Wave!"
Dark clouds surged above the arena. From their depths, a jet-black bolt of lightning tore downward, striking toward Du Lieqing.
The Poison Sect prodigy scoffed.
"Such crude techniques against me? Laughable! Ten-Thousand Venomous Serpents!"
A glowing violet circle formed beneath him. From it swarmed countless serpents, merging into a colossal poisonous beast. The monstrous serpent raised its clawed hand, blocking the lightning. Though struck, it endured, leaving Du Lieqing almost unscathed.
The crowd gasped. Even Shi Wang Yuan was shaken.
"That attack… only scratched him?"
Gritting his teeth, Shi Wang Yuan raised his palm.
"Then take this—Golden Rainfall of Metal Essence!"
A radiant golden array formed behind him, pouring down torrents of liquid metal like rain. The deadly shower hammered down upon Du Lieqing.
But once again, he countered.
"Poison Absorption Array!"
A swirling formation appeared, absorbing the golden streams into its depths. Though some droplets escaped and seared his flesh, wounding him lightly, Du Lieqing remained standing.
Shi Wang Yuan narrowed his eyes.
"Two of the three secret techniques Master taught me have already been used… Neither was enough to secure victory. To win, I must unleash… that technique."