On the arena stage, Xiao Yan and the black-robed disciple faced off, surrounded by a crowd of Outer Sect disciples eagerly discussing the upcoming battle.
"Xiao Yan's Fire Dragon Technique is incredibly powerful; I doubt that black-robed disciple will be able to withstand it." "Maybe, but that black-robed disciple has an intense aura. He might have some hidden tricks up his sleeve."
Wang Quan stood in the spectator area, his expression serious as he silently observed the flow of energy between the two fighters.
The battle began with Xiao Yan making the first move. His hands swiftly formed seals, and he unleashed his Fire Dragon Technique. A massive fire dragon roared into the sky, flames raging around it as it charged toward the black-robed disciple.
The fire dragon's power was overwhelming, distorting the air with its heat, and raising the temperature on the arena. It seemed as though everything would turn to ash in the face of this inferno.
Yet, the black-robed disciple remained still, unfazed by the oncoming fire dragon. In his hand appeared a dark purple dagger, glowing with a strange, eerie light.
"Break!"
The black-robed disciple uttered the word softly, and with a swift movement of his hand, he slashed his dagger, sending a wave of dark purple energy slicing through the air. The eerie blade energy collided with the fire dragon.
Boom!
The fire dragon and the blade energy clashed, resulting in a violent explosion. Shockingly, Xiao Yan's mighty fire dragon was easily cut apart by the disciple's blade, the flames dissipating into nothing.
Xiao Yan's expression changed drastically, clearly not expecting his fire dragon to be so easily neutralized. His eyes turned cold, and without hesitation, he formed another set of seals, causing more flames to swirl around him. The air filled with the dense energy of fire elements.
"If one fire dragon isn't enough, then how about two!"
He shouted, and with a forceful wave of his hands, two fire dragons surged forward, even more imposing than the first, hurtling toward the black-robed disciple.
Despite the increased threat, the black-robed disciple remained calm. With a flick of his wrist, another, more powerful wave of dark purple energy shot from his dagger.
The purple energy, like the scythe of death, sliced through the air, tearing through both fire dragons as though they were made of paper. The two blazing dragons shattered, and the dark energy continued its deadly course straight toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's face drained of color, and he hastily summoned his protective barrier, barely managing to block the strike. However, the dark energy wasn't just physical; it carried an insidious force that seemed to erode his spiritual energy and even his soul.
"What is this sinister power?"
Xiao Yan shivered, feeling a chill deep in his heart. The black-robed disciple's attacks were not only fierce but also eerie, far beyond what Xiao Yan had anticipated. His fire dragons were torn apart with ease, and now his own defenses were rapidly crumbling.
The audience gasped in disbelief, shocked by what they were witnessing. Xiao Yan, known for his dominating fire techniques, had been overpowered and pushed to his limits by this mysterious figure.
The black-robed disciple stood motionless, as though everything was proceeding exactly as he had planned. His dagger glimmered ominously, the faint purple light circling like a venomous snake, threatening to strike at any moment.
"Xiao Yan, your flames may be strong, but they aren't enough,"
the black-robed disciple spoke, his voice cold and menacing. Before he finished speaking, his dagger flashed again, sending out multiple streaks of dark purple energy, each aimed precisely at Xiao Yan's vital points.
Xiao Yan gritted his teeth, roaring in defiance as flames erupted around him. Pouring all his spiritual energy into one final attack, he summoned three massive beasts of fire to protect him, their fiery forms towering over the battlefield.
"Flame Transformation!"
The fire beasts charged toward the black-robed disciple, their immense heat warping the air, determined to reduce him to ashes. But the black-robed disciple remained calm, his cold laugh echoing through the arena. With a flick of his dagger, a torrent of purple blade energy surged forth, meeting the fire beasts head-on.
Boom!
The arena erupted with the deafening sound of battle. The fire beasts and purple blade energy clashed violently, sending waves of destructive spiritual energy rippling through the air. The force was so great that even the spectators could feel the intense pressure of the battle.
But in mere moments, the fire beasts began to disintegrate, their fiery forms shattered by the relentless purple energy. Xiao Yan's final attack was annihilated.
"You've lost,"
the black-robed disciple's voice was as sharp as his blade, cutting through Xiao Yan's last hopes. The purple energy streaked toward Xiao Yan once more, and this time, his protective barrier could no longer hold. It shattered, sending Xiao Yan flying to the edge of the arena, blood spilling from his mouth.
As the flames died down and the dust settled, the black-robed disciple remained standing, calm and unmoved, as though the battle had been nothing more than a casual exercise.
"He actually defeated Xiao Yan!"
The crowd erupted in disbelief. Xiao Yan's fire techniques had long been considered unrivaled among the Outer Sect disciples, yet here he was, utterly crushed by the black-robed disciple.
Wang Quan stood among the crowd, his brow furrowed in deep thought.
"This black-robed disciple is truly dangerous. His dagger holds an unnatural power—it doesn't just cut through defenses, but it also erodes spiritual energy and attacks the soul. If I face him, I'll have to be extremely cautious."
He realized that the black-robed disciple wasn't just strong in terms of spiritual energy; his real danger lay in the dagger's mysterious, almost cursed power. It could bypass defenses and strike with terrifying precision.
After the match, Xiao Yan was carried off the stage by fellow disciples, his face pale and weak from the severe injuries. The black-robed disciple, as always, slipped away quietly without showing his face, uninterested in interacting with anyone.
"A truly mysterious and dangerous opponent,"
Wang Quan thought to himself. Today's battle had made him realize that this black-robed disciple was far more formidable than anyone had expected.
With the day's matches concluded, the remaining contestants went to rest, preparing for the next day's final showdown. Wang Quan, too, left the arena with a heavy mind, knowing that his next opponent, it would be a fierce challenge.
"The final battle will be the true test. I have to be fully prepared."
Sitting down in meditation, Wang Quan began restoring his energy and devising strategies for the coming fight. The finals were his chance to shine, and no matter what, he was determined to finish in the top three.
"Whatever happens, I must secure a place in the champion of this Outer Sect Tournament!"