The first day of the Sect Ranking Competition was filled with an air of anticipation as the crowd gathered in the colossal arena at the neutral border between the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire. The sun had barely risen over the horizon, casting a golden hue on the arena's stone-carved platform, where the clashes of some of the continent's most formidable martial powers were about to unfold.
The excitement in the air was palpable, especially among the spectators from various noble families, empires, and smaller sects who had arrived early to secure prime seats. Today was the day when the lower four sects would battle for their place in the competition—a prelude to the high-ranking battles that would take place in the days to come. Though these sects were not among the top elites, their strength was still formidable, and the results of today's fights would determine which of them would rise in rank or be eliminated early.
The Opening Ceremony of Battle
The Grand Arbiter, the figure who presided over the event with unwavering authority, stood once again in the center of the raised platform. His robes of deep purple and gold shimmered under the sunlight, giving him a presence that was almost regal.
"Today, we begin with the clashes between our lower-ranked sects. They may not yet command the top of the rankings, but do not underestimate the power they wield," the Grand Arbiter's voice rang across the arena. "Our first match will be one for the ages—a contest of strength, defense, and the unshakable will of titans. Elephant Armored Clan versus the Sacred Dragon Clan. The battle will be between their respective leaders: Huyan Zhen and Tuoba Xi, both esteemed in their right and each at the peak of their martial prowess."
A wave of cheers and murmurs swept through the crowd as the names were announced. The Elephant Armored Clan and Sacred Dragon Clan were known for their raw power and defensive techniques, but their approaches differed significantly. It was going to be a spectacle, a battle of strength and spirit.
Both sect leaders stepped onto the stage, their movements slow and deliberate as the arena fell silent, the gravity of the coming clash taking hold. Huyan Zhen of the Elephant Armored Clan towered over most men, his bulky frame encased in heavy armor that gleamed under the sunlight. His muscles were visible even under the thick plates, and his every step seemed to shake the ground beneath him. His deep-set eyes focused on his opponent, his aura one of overwhelming confidence.
Opposite him stood Tuoba Xi, the sect master of the Sacred Dragon Clan. In stark contrast to Huyan Zhen's imposing bulk, Tuoba Xi was lean and wiry, with sharp eyes that glinted like a dragon surveying its territory. His light robes moved with the wind, giving him an almost ethereal appearance, but there was no mistaking the raw power contained within his small frame. His every movement radiated precision and control, the hallmark of a man who had mastered his craft.
The arena seemed to vibrate with energy as the two sect masters faced each other, their auras flaring in preparation for the clash to come.
"Let the battle begin!" the Grand Arbiter's voice boomed.
The Battle Begins
Huyan Zhen wasted no time. With a roar that echoed through the mountains, he charged forward, his body glowing with the light of his martial spirit—an immense armored elephant. His steps were thunderous, each one shaking the ground beneath him as he closed the distance between himself and Tuoba Xi. His fists were like boulders, his entire body encased in a shimmering aura of golden light that enhanced his defense.
But Tuoba Xi was not intimidated. With a flick of his wrist, his own martial spirit manifested—an enormous white dragon that coiled around him like a protective shield. The dragon's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intelligence, and its ethereal scales shimmered under the sunlight. Tuoba Xi's spirit wasn't just for show; it was a symbol of his mastery over both power and technique.
As Huyan Zhen's massive fist came crashing down, Tuoba Xi moved with a speed that belied his slender frame. His body blurred for a moment, and he sidestepped the blow with grace, his white dragon spirit curling around him protectively. The ground where Huyan Zhen's fist landed cracked and buckled, sending debris flying into the air.
"Impressive!" Huyan Zhen grinned, his voice booming. "But let's see how long you can keep running!"
With a grunt, Huyan Zhen summoned his full power. His body glowed brighter as his second spirit ring activated—a skill known as Titan Rampage, which increased his physical strength and defense tenfold. His skin took on a metallic sheen as his martial spirit fused even further with his body, turning him into a walking fortress.
Huyan Zhen swung again, this time his fist moving with even more speed and power. But Tuoba Xi was ready.
With a calm expression, Tuoba Xi activated his own spirit rings, his white dragon spirit coiling tighter around him. His first ability, Dragon Veil, formed an almost invisible barrier around his body, deflecting Huyan Zhen's punch just before it made contact. The force of the blow was still immense, sending Tuoba Xi sliding backward across the arena floor, but the Sacred Dragon Sect master remained on his feet.
"Defense alone won't win this battle," Tuoba Xi murmured, his voice barely audible over the cheers of the crowd.
Then, in a fluid motion, he launched his counterattack. His third spirit ability, Dragon's Fang, activated as the white dragon around him shimmered with an intense light. With a sharp gesture, Tuoba Xi sent a spear-like strike of pure spirit energy toward Huyan Zhen's chest. The attack moved at lightning speed, but the Elephant Armored Clan leader barely flinched. His Titan Rampage ability absorbed most of the impact, the blow skidding off his reinforced armor with little effect.
"You'll need more than that!" Huyan Zhen roared, charging again. His massive frame loomed over Tuoba Xi as he raised both fists high, preparing to deliver a double-handed strike that would shatter any normal opponent.
But Tuoba Xi was far from normal.
Just as Huyan Zhen's fists came crashing down, Tuoba Xi's eyes gleamed. He activated his fourth spirit ability, Dragon Shift, disappearing in an instant and reappearing behind Huyan Zhen. His dragon spirit, now more solid and tangible, followed his movements, its spectral jaws snapping at Huyan Zhen's back with lethal precision.
The attack connected. The dragon's jaws clamped down on Huyan Zhen's armored back, and for the first time in the battle, the massive sect leader grunted in pain. The impact didn't break through his defense completely, but it was enough to stagger him.
Tuoba Xi didn't let up. With his enhanced speed and agility, he began to circle Huyan Zhen, launching a series of rapid strikes, each one accompanied by a burst of dragon spirit energy. His attacks were precise, aimed at the weak points in Huyan Zhen's defense—joints, gaps in the armor, and pressure points that only a master of martial arts would know.
Huyan Zhen, however, was a man who thrived on power. Each hit seemed to fuel his determination, and with a guttural roar, he activated his fifth spirit ability, Titan Stomp. The ground beneath him exploded with force as he slammed his foot down, sending a shockwave through the arena. The sheer force of the stomp caused the entire battlefield to tremble, and the crowd gasped as the shockwave reached Tuoba Xi, who was forced to jump back to avoid being caught in the blast.
"You fight well, Tuoba Xi," Huyan Zhen called out, his voice booming across the arena. "But raw power always wins in the end!"
With that, Huyan Zhen gathered all of his strength, his sixth spirit ring lighting up in a brilliant display of gold. His final attack, Titan's Wrath, was a concentrated burst of energy that he could channel into his fists for one devastating blow. As the power surged through him, his entire body seemed to expand, his aura growing until it was almost suffocating.
Tuoba Xi narrowed his eyes, recognizing the danger. He had no choice but to use his ultimate ability. His seventh spirit ring glowed, and the white dragon surrounding him grew to an enormous size, its ethereal form solidifying until it seemed like a real creature. This was True Dragon Ascendance, a technique that fused Tuoba Xi's body with his dragon spirit, transforming him into a being of both flesh and spirit.
The crowd held its breath as the two titans prepared for their final clash.
With a roar, Huyan Zhen charged forward, his fists glowing with the power of Titan's Wrath. At the same time, Tuoba Xi launched himself into the air, his dragon spirit coiling around him like a spear.
The two attacks collided with a thunderous boom that echoed through the mountains. The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling across the arena, and for a moment, it seemed as if the entire arena would collapse under the strain.
When the dust finally settled, both Huyan Zhen and Tuoba Xi stood at opposite ends of the arena, breathing heavily. The crowd was silent, waiting for the final outcome.
Huyan Zhen's armor was cracked, and his chest heaved with exhaustion, but he still stood tall. Tuoba Xi, his dragon spirit flickering faintly, had landed softly on the ground, his body bruised but still poised.
The Grand Arbiter stepped forward, raising his hand to signal the end of the match.
"A draw!" he declared, his voice filled with awe. "Both sect masters have proven their strength today, and neither has fallen."
The crowd erupted into cheers. Though neither had won, both Huyan Zhen and Tuoba Xi had earned the respect of everyone present.
As the two sect leaders left the stage, their heads held high, the rest of the lower sects knew one thing for certain—the competition had only just begun, and the battles to come would be nothing short of legendary.