The arena fell silent as Ye Chen and Liang Chen faced off, their auras clashing like two storms about to erupt. Sparks of lightning danced across Liang Chen's body, illuminating his confident smirk. Ye Chen, however, stood unwavering, his sword held firm despite the poison still coursing through his veins.
The referee raised his hand. "Begin!"
Liang Chen wasted no time. With a deafening crack, a bolt of lightning shot toward Ye Chen, its speed almost impossible to track. The crowd gasped, already fearing the worst.
Ye Chen, however, moved with calculated precision. His sword flashed, and the bolt was split in two, harmlessly dissipating into the air.
"Impressive," Liang Chen said, his smirk widening. "But how long can you keep up?"
Without waiting for an answer, he unleashed a barrage of attacks. Bolts of lightning rained down from above, each strike carrying devastating power. The arena floor cracked and smoked under the relentless assault.
Ye Chen dodged and deflected with remarkable skill, his movements fluid despite the weight of the poison slowing him down. Yet he could feel his energy depleting faster than usual, each block and dodge taking more out of him than it should.
From the stands, Lin Yue watched with bated breath. The antidote was nearly ready, but time was running out. She could see the strain on Ye Chen's face, the subtle faltering in his usually flawless movements.
"Hold on, Ye Chen," she whispered. "Just a little longer."
Liang Chen raised his hand, summoning a massive thundercloud above the arena. The sky darkened as arcs of electricity crackled ominously within the cloud.
"This is the end!" Liang Chen shouted. "Heaven's Wrath Strike!"
The crowd held their breath as a colossal bolt of lightning descended, its light blinding and its roar deafening. It was a technique that had defeated countless opponents, leaving them no chance to fight back.
Ye Chen stood his ground, his grip tightening on his sword. He closed his eyes briefly, focusing all his remaining strength. The moment the bolt struck, he swung his blade upward with all his might, channeling his sword intent into a single, decisive strike.
A resounding explosion shook the arena as Ye Chen's sword clashed with the lightning. Sparks flew, and the air was filled with the sound of energy tearing through space. When the light finally faded, Ye Chen was still standing, his sword glowing faintly with residual energy.
Liang Chen staggered back, disbelief etched across his face. "Impossible…"
Ye Chen didn't give him a chance to recover. In a blur of movement, he closed the distance between them, his sword stopping just inches from Liang Chen's throat.
"I yield," Liang Chen said through gritted teeth, lowering his head in defeat.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their admiration for Ye Chen reaching new heights. Even against such overwhelming odds, he had emerged victorious once again.
But Ye Chen's triumph was short-lived. As he walked off the arena, his legs buckled, and he fell to one knee, his breathing labored. Lin Yue was at his side in an instant, a small vial in her hand.
"Drink this," she said, her voice urgent.
Ye Chen took the vial without hesitation, downing its contents in one gulp. A warm sensation spread through his body as the antidote began to work, neutralizing the poison's effects.
"You shouldn't have fought in this condition," Lin Yue scolded, her tone a mix of relief and frustration.
"I had no choice," Ye Chen replied, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "If I backed down, they'd see it as weakness. That's not an option."
Lin Yue sighed, helping him to his feet. "At least rest now. The next match will be even harder."
Elsewhere, in the inner sanctum of the Xuantian Sect, the elders discussed Ye Chen's performance.
"His growth is astonishing," one elder said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "To withstand such powerful techniques while under the effects of poison… it's unheard of."
"But it also makes him a target," another elder cautioned. "Those who fear his potential will stop at nothing to eliminate him."
The sect master, seated at the head of the table, remained silent. His sharp eyes gleamed with interest as he watched the arena from afar.
"Ye Chen… you are no ordinary disciple," he murmured. "Let's see how far you can go."
Back in the preparation area, Ye Chen meditated to recover his strength. His body still ached, but the antidote had done its job, restoring much of his vitality. As he opened his eyes, he found Lin Yue standing nearby, her expression unreadable.
"What is it?" he asked.
"There's something you need to know," she said, her voice serious. "The poison… it wasn't random. It was deliberate. And I know who's behind it."
Ye Chen's gaze hardened. "Who?"
"Li Haotian and Sun Liang," Lin Yue said. "They've been working together to bring you down. The Silent Wraith Powder they used is one of Sun Liang's specialties."
A cold fury burned in Ye Chen's chest. He had suspected foul play, but hearing it confirmed only fueled his resolve.
"They'll pay for this," he said, his voice low but firm.
Lin Yue nodded. "Be careful. They won't stop here. The next stage of the competition is a team battle, and I wouldn't be surprised if they tried something else."
"Let them try," Ye Chen said, a faint smile playing at his lips. "I've faced worse."
As the day ended, the names of the remaining participants were announced, and the stage was set for the next round. Ye Chen's name was met with thunderous applause, but in the shadows, his enemies plotted their next move.
The true battle was only just beginning.