The arena floor was a battlefield, etched with cracks and littered with the remnants of fierce duels. The crowd roared with each clash, a storm of excitement that ebbed and flowed with every strike, every victory, and every defeat. Lin Feng stood near the sidelines, his gaze focused on the current battle unfolding before him.
Two family prodigies fought with relentless energy: Chen Mu, a Fire Path cultivator whose sword burned with searing crimson flames, faced Li Yuan, an Earth Path expert who wielded the ground like a weapon. Chen Mu roared as he unleashed "Infernal Barrage," sending a series of fiery slashes toward Li Yuan, who countered with "Mountain Wall Reprisal," summoning earthen barriers to block the scorching attacks.
Lin Feng watched, his heart thudding with a mix of awe and anticipation. If the duels here are this intense, what kind of battles will I witness at the Divine Beast Academy? He imagined facing prodigies from all across the continent, each one more powerful and unpredictable than the last. It sent a thrill racing through his veins, an exhilarating reminder that he was truly alive, that his second chance at life was more vibrant and dangerous than anything he had experienced before.
The Divine Beast Academy… He couldn't wait to test himself against its legendary challengers. I wonder… what monsters will I meet there? The thought brought a smile to his lips, a mix of excitement and the pragmatic realization that he needed to prepare for those challenges, both mentally and physically.
Chen Mu and Li Yuan's battle ended with an explosive collision, both of them exhausted but proud as the crowd erupted into cheers. The High Elders nodded in approval, while the Unit Commanders murmured among themselves, evaluating the young warriors.
As the next rounds were announced, Lin Feng watched with a critical eye. Zhao Ren, a dual-blade expert, won his match with a dazzling display of agility, weaving between his opponent's attacks like a shadow. Mei Xing, a petite yet formidable Wind Path cultivator, created a hurricane of blades that overwhelmed her opponent in mere minutes. Each battle had its own flair, a dance of elements and martial prowess that painted the arena in brilliant, deadly colors.
So many prodigies, Lin Feng mused. He noted their strengths and weaknesses, committing their fighting styles to memory. Each competitor was unique, and while some were predictable, others held techniques that demanded respect.
Then, a hush fell over the arena, as though a storm had stilled. The ground seemed to tremble in anticipation, and even the Family Head leaned forward slightly, his usually stoic expression tinged with interest.
"Next," the announcer declared, "we have Lin Yang, Second Heir of the Starfall Family, versus a new challenger: Bai Xue, granddaughter of Elder Mooncradle!"
A murmur of surprise swept through the crowd. Lin Feng's eyes sharpened, curiosity flaring. Bai Xue… a Lunar Path cultivator? He had heard of Elder Mooncradle's special affinity with the moon's essence, but he hadn't expected her descendant to be here, especially not for such a public display.
Bai Xue stepped onto the platform, and the arena seemed to hold its breath. She was striking, with long, silvery hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. Her eyes were a piercing, ethereal blue, and her presence was serene yet undeniably powerful. She wore white robes that shimmered under the sunlight, as if woven from the very light of the moon itself.
Lin Yang, ever confident, faced her with a slight smile. "Shall we dance, Lady Bai?" he said, his tone smooth but his grip on his sword firm.
Bai Xue inclined her head, her voice soft yet commanding. "The moon does not dance. It commands the night." Her words sent a ripple of tension through the crowd, and Lin Feng found his interest piqued even further. Confident, he thought. And she has the power to back it up, I'm sure.
The Family Head gave the signal, and the battle began.
Lin Yang struck first, his blade cutting through the air with lethal precision. "Temporal Edge!" He moved with lightning speed, his sword creating shimmering arcs as he manipulated the flow of time, each strike aimed to end the battle swiftly.
Bai Xue responded with a serene expression, her hands weaving patterns in the air. "Lunar Reflection." Her qi manifested as a shield of moonlight, reflecting Lin Yang's attacks back at him. The clash of energy sent shockwaves through the arena, and the stone platform cracked beneath their feet.
Lin Yang's eyes narrowed. He shifted his stance, his Time Path flaring as he moved in for another attack. "Shifting Echo!" He split into multiple afterimages, each one striking at Bai Xue from a different angle.
But Bai Xue remained unshaken. "Moonlit Embrace," she whispered, and moonlight blossomed around her, illuminating the shadows. Lin Yang's afterimages flickered and vanished as her energy neutralized his technique. She moved like a whisper, her white robes billowing as she retaliated with a crescent-shaped wave of energy. "Lunar Scythe!"
The crescent tore through the air, and Lin Yang barely managed to block it, his feet skidding backward as the force of the attack pushed him to the edge of the platform. His jaw clenched, but his eyes gleamed with determination. She's stronger than I expected, he admitted, but his pride refused to let him falter.
The crowd watched, spellbound, as Lin Yang and Bai Xue clashed again. Lin Yang's Time Path techniques created distortions, bending the flow of battle to his will, but Bai Xue's Lunar Path seemed to dance in harmony with the universe itself, countering his every move.
Sweat beaded on Lin Yang's brow. I have to end this now. He gathered his remaining qi, his voice rising in a fierce battle cry. "Temporal Severance!" His blade shimmered with the power of time, and he launched forward, aiming to cut through her defenses and force her into submission.
Bai Xue's eyes hardened, and her aura shifted, growing colder and more dangerous. "Eclipsing Moonfall." The air darkened as if the night had descended upon the arena, and moonlight exploded around her, a tidal wave of energy that surged forward to meet Lin Yang's attack head-on.
The collision shattered the stone platform, sending debris flying. The force of the impact rocked the arena, and even some of the High Elders leaned back, shielding themselves from the blast. Lin Yang was thrown backward, landing hard, his sword slipping from his grasp. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he struggled to rise, but his energy was spent.
Bai Xue stood victorious, her white hair billowing around her like a halo. Her eyes softened, and she bowed slightly to Lin Yang, a gesture of respect. Lin Yang, though defeated, managed a strained smile and nodded back.
The crowd erupted into cheers and shocked murmurs. Lin Feng's heart raced, not just from the spectacle but from the realization that there were prodigies like Bai Xue in the world. So much power, so much potential, no wonder she possesses purple threads of fortune he thought, a spark of ambition igniting within him. The Divine Beast Academy will be full of people like her… or even stronger.
He made a mental note of Bai Xue, of her poise and her extraordinary Lunar Path. I'll have to be prepared for people like her. This world is bigger and more dangerous than I could have imagined.