The roar of the crowd slowly subsided as the battle came to an end. Yan Feng, exhausted and battered, knelt on one knee, his flames flickering weakly around him. Opposite him stood Sheng Wei, his calm demeanor unshaken. A smirk tugged at Sheng Wei's lips as he adjusted his stance, water qi rippling around him like a victorious tide.
Elder Guang stepped forward, his voice firm. "The match is over! Sheng Wei is the winner!"
The audience erupted in mixed reactions—some cheering, others murmuring in disappointment.
Yan Feng pushed himself up, despite the searing pain coursing through his body. "I may have lost, but I fought with everything I had," he muttered under his breath. He turned to Sheng Wei, his expression hardening. "You were stronger this time, but don't think it will always be this way."
Sheng Wei raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Talk all you want, Yan Feng. Just make sure you back it up next time."
The two bowed respectfully before leaving the stage. Yan Feng walked toward the spectator stands, his head held high despite his defeat.
The audience buzzed with conversation as they analyzed the battle.
"Yan Feng put up a good fight, but Sheng Wei's cultivation was too much for him," one elder remarked.
"True, but did you see that Phoenix Burst? That boy has potential," another chimed in.
Amidst the chatter, Yan Zi sat quietly, his piercing blue eyes focused on the departing fighters. He leaned back, lost in thought. Feng really gave it his all. It's frustrating to watch someone so determined lose, but… this is the harsh reality of cultivation.
His gaze drifted toward Yan Ling and the other geniuses sitting nearby. He sighed softly. "This battle was a reminder," he murmured to himself. "Strength matters, and no amount of willpower can bridge a gap that wide."
Yan Ru, seated beside him, noticed his pensive expression. She leaned closer, her soft voice breaking his reverie. "You're worried about the next match, aren't you?"
Yan Zi glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Not worried. Just… reflective."
Yan Ru tilted her head. "Yan Feng did well for his level. He made Sheng Wei work for that win. Besides, don't forget Yan Yu is up next. She's not one to back down."
A faint blush crept onto Yan Ru's cheeks as she realized how close she was sitting to Yan Zi. She quickly straightened up, her heart racing.
The arena fell silent as Elder Gong stepped forward, his excitement palpable. He clapped his hands together, his voice booming. "The next match will begin shortly! Yan Yu, step forward!"
A young woman with an air of confidence strode onto the stage. Yan Yu's long, flowing hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her eyes burned with determination. She wore a simple yet elegant training robe, her movements graceful yet powerful.
"Xiao Yuli, step forward!" Elder Gong continued.
From the opposite side, Xiao Yuli emerged—a towering figure with an intimidating aura. His Core Formation 4-star cultivation level was evident in the way his qi seemed to ripple the very air around him. His sharp gaze scanned the arena, landing briefly on Yan Yu.
Elder Gong beamed as he looked at Yan Yu. "My disciple," he muttered to himself with pride, "show them what you're capable of."
Yan Zi observed the scene with interest, his eyes narrowing. "Yan Yu… she's different from Yan Feng," he murmured. "Her composure and confidence make her stand out. I wonder if she'll be able to handle the power gap."
Yan Ru turned to him, her tone filled with conviction. "She will. Yan Yu is fierce and intelligent. She won't go down easily."
As Yan Yu and Xiao Yuli faced each other, the tension in the air was palpable. The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, their murmurs growing quieter.
Xiao Yuli smirked, crossing his arms. "You're brave to step into the ring with me, Yan Yu. But bravery alone won't save you."
Yan Yu remained unfazed, her voice steady. "We'll see. Words mean nothing in a battle."
Elder Gong's voice boomed across the arena, "Begin!"
Yan Yu's figure blurred as she launched forward, her movements swift and precise. Her first strike was a feint, drawing Xiao Yuli's attention to her right hand while her left unleashed a burst of qi aimed at his abdomen. Xiao Yuli barely managed to block, his expression shifting to one of surprise.
Elder Gong chuckled under his breath. "That's my disciple. Always thinking two steps ahead."
The clash of qi filled the arena as Yan Yu and Xiao Yuli began their battle in earnest. Though Xiao Yuli had the advantage in cultivation, Yan Yu's agility and tactical brilliance made her a formidable opponent.
The crowd roared as the first exchange ended, setting the stage for a fierce and thrilling match.
The clash of qi filled the arena as Yan Yu and Xiao Yuli continued their heated battle. Yan Yu's agile movements and sharp strikes dazzled the crowd, her confidence radiating through every step. For the first few exchanges, she held the upper hand, her speed and precision leaving Xiao Yuli struggling to keep up.
Yan Yu darted around her opponent, her twin blades shimmering as they danced through the air. With a sudden burst of energy, she unleashed her "Crimson Crescent Slash"—a crescent-shaped wave of fiery qi that surged toward Xiao Yuli.
Xiao Yuli grunted, barely managing to summon a "Stone Wall Barrier" in time. The fiery crescent slammed into the barrier, shattering it into shards of glowing rock. The explosion sent Xiao Yuli skidding backward, his footing momentarily unsteady.
Elder Gong's excitement was evident, his voice booming across the stands. "That's my disciple! Yan Yu, show them what true precision looks like!"
Yan Zi watched intently, his gaze flickering with admiration. Yan Yu's skill is undeniable. She's pushing Xiao Yuli harder than expected.
Xiao Yuli, however, wasn't one to be easily outdone. With a deep breath, he steadied himself, his qi flaring brightly as he tapped into his higher cultivation level. "Enough games, Yan Yu," he growled. "You've forced my hand. Let's see how you handle this!"
With a mighty stomp, Xiao Yuli activated his technique, "Quaking Earth Fist." The ground beneath him trembled as cracks spread outward, disrupting Yan Yu's footing. He charged forward, his fists glowing with earthen energy, and swung a powerful strike at her.
Yan Yu dodged narrowly, her agility saving her from a direct hit. However, the shockwave from the attack threw her off balance, allowing Xiao Yuli to press his advantage.
"Stay focused, Yu!" Elder Gong shouted, his hands clenched into fists as he watched his disciple struggle.
Yan Yu gritted her teeth, refusing to back down. She countered with a rapid flurry of slashes, her qi-infused blades carving through the air like streaks of light. Xiao Yuli blocked most of her strikes, but one managed to graze his shoulder, drawing blood.
The crowd erupted into cheers, but Xiao Yuli only smiled, wiping the blood away as if it were nothing. "Impressive," he admitted. "But let's see if you can keep up with this!"
He slammed his fists together, activating "Stone Titan Form"—a technique that encased his body in a layer of rock-like armor, enhancing his defense and power. With his newfound strength, Xiao Yuli became a walking fortress, his attacks heavier and more relentless.
Yan Yu found herself on the defensive, her strikes barely leaving a mark on Xiao Yuli's armor. Despite her speed and strategy, the gap in cultivation level began to show.
Yan Yu refused to give in, her determination blazing in her eyes. She unleashed her trump card, "Phoenix Step." Her body flickered like flames, her movements becoming unpredictable as she darted around Xiao Yuli. She aimed a powerful strike at his exposed neck, hoping to turn the tide.
But Xiao Yuli was prepared. Timing her movements perfectly, he caught her blade with his armored hand, the sharp edge unable to pierce his reinforced qi. He grinned triumphantly. "You've fought well, Yan Yu, but this is the end!"
With a powerful swing, Xiao Yuli knocked her back, her body hitting the ground with a thud. Yan Yu struggled to rise, her energy nearly depleted.
Xiao Yuli stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "You're strong, Yan Yu. Stronger than I expected. But you lack the power to break through my defenses."
Yan Yu gritted her teeth, clenching her fists. She wanted to rise again, to fight until the very end, but her body refused to obey. She exhaled sharply, her shoulders slumping in reluctant defeat.
Elder Gong sighed heavily, his pride mingled with disappointment. "She did her best," he muttered. "She'll grow stronger from this."
The crowd erupted into applause for both fighters, their appreciation for Yan Yu's skill and Xiao Yuli's strength evident in their cheers.
Yan Zi sat silently, his gaze fixed on the stage as Xiao Yuli helped Yan Yu off the ground. He folded his arms, deep in thought. Yan Feng's Phoenix Burst and Yan Yu's Phoenix Steps... Those are supposed to be holy skills.
His piercing blue eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled the details of both battles. Even though they used those techniques, their effects weren't as overwhelming as the real ones described in the clan's ancient texts. And that flame... It wasn't the true Phoenix Flame. It lacked the purity and destructive potential.
He leaned back, exhaling softly. So, they must be replicas. Impressive ones, but replicas nonetheless. Huh, the Yan Clan is truly remarkable at creating skill replicas. If even imitations of holy skills can reach this level of power, then what would the originals be like?
A flicker of curiosity and unease crossed his mind. Why hasn't anyone in the clan unlocked the true versions of these skills? Is it because no one has reached the required level of comprehension, or is there something deeper at play?
Yan Zi shook his head, pushing the thought aside. "Even with those skills, they weren't enough," he murmured to himself. "It shows that strength isn't just about techniques but the depth of your cultivation and your understanding of the skill."
Yan Ru, sitting beside him, glanced at him curiously. "What's on your mind, Yan Zi?"
"Nothing much," he replied with a faint smirk, masking his thoughts. "Just analyzing their techniques."
As the next match preparations began, Yan Zi's mind remained active, pondering the potential and mysteries of the skills within the Yan Clan. Despite the awe-inspiring battles, he felt a growing sense of intrigue—and a slight foreboding—that the future would demand far more than replicas and imitations.