Xiang Chen felt the thrill of his victories, but he knew he couldn't let his guard down. The Test of Strength was only halfway through, and the disciples who remained were the strongest of the group. As he wiped the sweat from his brow, he watched as the next pair of combatants took the stage, eager to analyze their fighting styles.
One of them was Li Feng, a tall, broad-shouldered cultivator known for his physical strength. His opponent, a lithe woman named Yuan Mei, was rumored to possess exceptional speed and agility. The clash between brute force and finesse intrigued Xiang Chen. He focused, watching how each movement revealed a strategy or an opening.
The battle was intense, with Li Feng's powerful strikes shaking the arena while Yuan Mei darted around, avoiding his blows. Eventually, Yuan Mei's speed overwhelmed Li Feng, and she secured her victory with a swift and precise blow to his side. The crowd roared in approval, and Xiang Chen couldn't help but feel impressed.
"Strong opponents indeed," he murmured to himself.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Wei Zhen, who had yet to take his turn. Their eyes met briefly, and Wei Zhen's expression was as cold and unreadable as ever. Xiang Chen knew that a confrontation between them was inevitable.
The Next Round
Elder Wu's voice rang out again. "Xiang Chen and Wei Zhen, prepare for your match."
The crowd buzzed with excitement. The two top contenders of the new disciples were about to face off. The air was charged with tension as Xiang Chen and Wei Zhen stepped into the arena, their eyes locked in a silent challenge.
Xiang Chen felt the intensity of Wei Zhen's gaze. There was no trace of the casual smirk he had worn earlier. Now, there was only cold determination. Xiang Chen activated his system panel.
[Celestial Ascendance System]
Opponent: Wei Zhen
Level: 15
Weapon: Sword
Threat Level: High
Wei Zhen's strength was undeniable. He was one of the top disciples, and his reputation as a skilled swordsman was well-known throughout the sect. Xiang Chen felt a surge of excitement. This was the kind of challenge he needed to push himself to new heights.
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
Wei Zhen moved with blinding speed, his sword flashing as he launched a series of precise attacks. Xiang Chen deflected the strikes with his own weapon, a flaming aura enveloping his blade. Sparks flew as their swords clashed, the sound ringing through the arena.
"You've improved, Xiang Chen," Wei Zhen remarked, his voice calm and calculating. "But it won't be enough."
Xiang Chen gritted his teeth, focusing on his movements. Wei Zhen was faster and stronger than any opponent he had faced so far. He used every ounce of his training to keep up, blocking and countering with a mix of elemental techniques.
But Wei Zhen's attacks were relentless, and Xiang Chen struggled to find an opening. His system panel flashed with alerts.
[Warning: Opponent's power exceeds current level.]
[Recommendation: Use advanced techniques or evasive maneuvers.]
He leaped back, creating distance between them. Summoning his flames, he launched a fireball at Wei Zhen. But Wei Zhen's reaction was swift—he slashed through the fireball with his sword, dissipating the flames.
"You'll need more than that," Wei Zhen said, closing the gap once again.
Xiang Chen tried a new tactic, summoning a wall of flame to shield himself. But Wei Zhen didn't hesitate. He channeled energy into his blade, which glowed with a brilliant blue light. With a single slash, he cut through the fire, and the force of his strike sent Xiang Chen skidding back.
As Xiang Chen steadied himself, he realized just how far he still had to go. Wei Zhen wasn't just strong—he was precise, calculating, and unrelenting. Xiang Chen felt a spark of frustration. This wasn't going to be easy.
A Desperate Gamble
Taking a deep breath, Xiang Chen closed his eyes for a brief moment, centering himself. He recalled Jin Li's advice: Focus on precision and timing. He couldn't rely solely on brute force. He needed to find the right moment to strike.
As Wei Zhen charged again, Xiang Chen sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the blade. He channeled wind energy into his palm, combining it with flame. This time, instead of attacking directly, he aimed for the ground beneath Wei Zhen's feet. The combined blast of fire and wind erupted, kicking up dust and debris.
Wei Zhen was forced to halt his advance, shielding his eyes from the sudden whirlwind. Xiang Chen seized the opportunity, moving in swiftly. He swung his blade, flames trailing behind it as he aimed for Wei Zhen's exposed side.
Wei Zhen blocked the attack, but the force pushed him back. For the first time in the fight, Xiang Chen saw a crack in Wei Zhen's composure. The crowd gasped as Xiang Chen pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of strikes infused with fire and wind.
Wei Zhen defended himself skillfully, but Xiang Chen's relentless assault began to wear him down. The crowd's cheers grew louder, sensing the shift in momentum.
"You're better than I thought," Wei Zhen admitted, his eyes narrowing. "But this fight isn't over yet."
With a burst of energy, Wei Zhen's aura flared. His sword glowed with a fierce blue light, and he unleashed a powerful slash that sent a wave of energy toward Xiang Chen. Xiang Chen felt the force of the attack, barely managing to block it with his own blade.
The shockwave pushed him back, and he felt the sting of the impact reverberate through his arm. He knew he couldn't keep up this pace for long. His system panel flashed again.
[Energy levels decreasing.]
[Recommendation: Conserve energy and find an opening.]
He adjusted his stance, waiting for Wei Zhen's next move. This was the deciding moment—one mistake could cost him the match. Wei Zhen's eyes were sharp, his expression one of determination.
The two stared at each other, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
The Final Exchange
Wei Zhen charged again, and this time, Xiang Chen didn't back away. He met the attack head-on, their swords clashing with explosive force. The arena shook, and the crowd watched in silence as the two combatants moved with incredible speed and precision.
As they exchanged blows, Xiang Chen saw his opening. With a swift movement, he redirected Wei Zhen's sword, throwing him off balance. Summoning the last of his strength, he channeled his energy into a blazing strike, his blade igniting with a fierce flame.
Wei Zhen's eyes widened as Xiang Chen's attack connected, sending him crashing to the ground. For a moment, there was silence.
Elder Wu's voice broke the tension. "Xiang Chen is the winner!"
The crowd erupted in applause as Xiang Chen stood victorious, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. Wei Zhen lay on the ground for a moment before standing, brushing the dust off his robes. He looked at Xiang Chen, and for the first time, there was a hint of respect in his eyes.
"You've proven your strength," Wei Zhen said, extending his hand. "But this won't be our last match."
Xiang Chen smiled, shaking his hand. "I'll be ready."
As he left the arena, Xiang Chen felt a surge of pride. He had faced one of the strongest disciples and emerged victorious. But he knew that this was just the beginning. The path to becoming the Celestial Monarch was long, and there were many more challenges ahead.