The massive arena of the Starfall Clan was packed with onlookers. Nearly a hundred thousand disciples, elders, and guests filled the stands, murmuring with anticipation as Lin Feng and Lin Yang prepared to duel. The air buzzed with excitement, layered with tension that thrummed like a heartbeat as the two brothers faced each other in the center of the battle stage.
Lin Feng stood tall, his gaze steady, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His recent ascension to Rank 3 and his meteoric rise through the ranks had stunned the clan, earning him a newfound respect among his peers. But he knew well that this duel was his true test, a chance to prove his strength before the clan and dispel his past reputation as the "ordinary" son.
Across from him stood Lin Yang, his elder brother and a prodigy in his own right. Lin Yang's eyes held a glint of pride, his aura warping the air around him with faint traces of temporal energy. The silver blade at his side gleamed with an otherworldly shimmer, resonating with the power of his Time Attribute Dao Bone. For years, Lin Yang had been seen as one of the clan's greatest talents, an apt rival for Lin Wei, the clan's eldest son with supreme aptitude and the rare Star Path.
The crowd whispered among themselves, eyes fixed on the two brothers. Most believed Lin Yang would emerge victorious due to his mastery over the mysterious Time Path.
"Lin Yang has always been leagues ahead," a disciple muttered. "He's had that Time Attribute Dao Bone since he was a child. Lin Feng may have risen quickly, but he can't possibly match that."
"But have you seen Lin Feng's rise?" another argued, voice filled with excitement. "From barely making an impact to breaking into Rank 3! Who knows what tricks he has up his sleeve? I wouldn't count him out just yet."
"You're underestimating the Time Path," a third disciple scoffed. "Time techniques are nearly impossible to counter. Unless Lin Feng has some miraculous move, Lin Yang will overwhelm him."
In the crowd, rank mattered. Most of the Starfall disciples were Rank 1 or Rank 2 cultivators, struggling to ascend the cultivation ladder. Among them, Rank 3 was rare, a mark of true talent, and only those with high or supreme aptitude managed to break through beyond that. To reach Rank 4 or even Rank 5 was an achievement recognized throughout the clan. Only the most fortunate—or truly gifted—advanced to those realms, and Rank 6 immortals rarely bothered with such gatherings, focused instead on the heavens' mysteries.
Out of every hundred clan members, only ten had the aptitude to cultivate, divided into low, medium, high, and supreme. Lin Yang and Lin Wei had supreme aptitude, a birthright that marked them as heirs of immense potential. Lin Feng, with his high aptitude, had fought tooth and nail to stand where he was. His cultivation journey had been anything but easy.
Around ninety percent of cultivators wielded one of the common elements—Wind, Water, Fire, or Earth. Only a select few touched upon rare paths like Time, Space, Star, or Lightning. Lin Yang's Time Path was a gift from the heavens, a mark of distinction that few could hope to challenge.
"Quiet!" boomed a voice, silencing the crowd instantly.
The High Elder of the Battle Hall, a towering figure with a long, flowing beard, raised his hand. His gaze swept over the audience, then fell on the two combatants. "Today, we bear witness to a duel between two sons of the Starfall Clan—Lin Feng and Lin Yang! Both are at Rank 3, Initial Realm, but their combat prowess rivals that of the highest Rank 3 elites. May this battle bring honor to our clan!"
The High Elder paused, his eyes narrowing with intensity. "Begin!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices echoing throughout the arena as Lin Feng and Lin Yang drew their swords in unison. Lin Feng's blade gleamed a fiery red, the manifestation of his Fire Path. Lin Yang's sword, in contrast, shimmered with silver light, a temporal aura that seemed to distort the very air around him.
Lin Yang's lips twisted into a smirk. "Little brother, I hope you've prepared yourself. Time does not forgive the weak."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed, but he returned the smirk. "You'll find I have no need for forgiveness, only victory."
Without another word, Lin Yang surged forward, his movements a blur as he activated his Temporal Edge technique. To the spectators, it looked as if multiple versions of Lin Yang were closing in on Lin Feng from different angles, his sword slashing through the air with afterimages that defied reality.
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. He spun his blade, releasing a wave of fiery Qi that enveloped him in a blazing barrier. "Dragonfire Guard!"
The flames roared around him, burning bright enough to dispel the temporal afterimages, forcing Lin Yang to retreat momentarily. But Lin Yang was relentless. His sword flashed, a streak of silver slicing through Lin Feng's fiery shield with ease, cutting through the flames as if they were mere illusions.
"Temporal Rift!" Lin Yang announced, his voice echoing with power.
Lin Feng felt a strange pull, his movements slowing as if time itself had thickened around him. His limbs felt heavy, his sword resisting his commands. He gritted his teeth, refusing to be controlled.
Not yet, he thought, rallying his Qi, letting the Dragon Fire blaze even hotter. "Inferno Strike!"
With a surge of energy, Lin Feng broke free from the temporal bind and swung his sword in a wide arc. A wave of scorching fire shot toward Lin Yang, the flames twisting into the shape of a roaring dragon. The heat scorched the arena floor, forcing Lin Yang to leap back, his brows furrowing as he recognized his brother's determination.
The audience gasped, some disciples standing to get a better view. "He broke free from Lin Yang's time technique!" one of them exclaimed. "How is that possible?"
"I told you," another disciple muttered, "Lin Feng isn't someone to be underestimated."
Lin Yang, unperturbed, smirked and pointed his sword at Lin Feng. "You've improved, I'll admit. But that won't be enough."
He raised his sword high, the silver light intensifying as he channeled the full power of his Dao Bone. "Time Convergence!"
The air trembled as Lin Yang unleashed his next move. Lin Feng felt the world around him shift, like sand slipping through fingers, moments seeming to repeat and fold into each other. Lin Yang's form blurred, reappearing beside Lin Feng in an instant, his blade already mid-swing.
Lin Feng barely managed to parry, sparks flying as their swords collided. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, pushing back the nearest spectators.
But Lin Feng wasn't about to yield. "Dragonfire Burst!" he roared, his sword blazing as he pushed against Lin Yang with all his strength.
Flames erupted from his blade, engulfing the area in a fiery explosion. Lin Yang staggered back, his temporal energy faltering for a split second, allowing Lin Feng to press the advantage.
The two brothers clashed, their blades flashing in rapid succession, each strike resonating with the power of their respective Paths. Lin Yang's sword flowed with the rhythm of time, striking with precision and creating openings as he manipulated the speed of his attacks. Lin Feng countered with raw, unrelenting force, his swordsmanship fueled by the indomitable will of his Dragon Fire.
In the stands, the crowd's excitement grew. They watched as the duel escalated, both brothers pushing their limits, their techniques pushing past the boundaries of Rank 3.
"Look at them!" gasped one elder. "They're just at the Initial Realm of Rank 3, but their battle prowess rivals the High Realm. Their techniques are astounding!"
"They're fighting as if they were High Realm Rank 3 cultivators," a guest observed, voice filled with awe. "Such strength at their age is a rarity even among the Starfall Clan."
The younger disciples watched, captivated. For them, this was a glimpse into the heights of cultivation they could only dream of reaching. Many of them had only begun to understand the challenges of Rank 1, while others struggled at Rank 2, the path to Rank 3 feeling like an endless road.
The crowd's admiration grew, and yet the duel was far from over.
Lin Yang narrowed his eyes, a flicker of irritation breaking through his composure. "Enough of this," he muttered, gathering his temporal Qi with renewed focus. "Let me show you why time itself bends to my will!"
With a sweep of his blade, Lin Yang unleashed a technique known only to those with a Time Attribute Dao Bone—"Chrono Collapse!" The arena floor shuddered as a vortex of temporal energy formed around Lin Feng, pulling at him with relentless force, distorting space and time itself.
Lin Feng with a primal roar channeled every ounce of his strength, his flames burning brighter, pushing against the temporal vortex with sheer willpower. His sword flared, carving through the twisting currents of time as he broke free from Lin Yang's technique.
Their swords clashed once more, flames and silver light colliding in a blinding display of power.
And in that moment, the crowd held their breath, anticipation filling the air as the duel raged on, neither brother willing to back down.