The martial stage was set in the center of a vast square, surrounded by towering stone pillars engraved with ancient runes that seemed to whisper tales of past glory. The sun blazed overhead, its scorching rays heating the stone slabs beneath, causing waves of heat to rise and shimmer in the air.
A streak of white light tore through the air like a whip, so bright it seemed to pierce through the retina, leaving a blinding afterimage. At the same time, a bone-chilling cold emanated from it, rushing straight toward Liu Yichen. The spectators around the stage couldn't help but shiver, the cold seeping through their clothes like fine needles pricking their skin. The sound of teeth chattering echoed faintly, as if they had been transported to a frozen wasteland.
Ai Xiaorou stood on the stage. Born into a martial family, she had undergone rigorous training since childhood, striving to earn her place within the family and prove her worth. She had practiced the "Frosty Rainbow" technique tirelessly. Now, her hands moved swiftly as she chanted an incantation under her breath, her eyes reflecting a mix of tension and determination. In an instant, the moisture in the air seemed to gather at her command, condensing into countless ice blades. These blades spun and fused together, forming a massive ice sword that gleamed with an eerie blue light, as if it had been drawn from the heart of a frozen realm. The sword shot toward Liu Yichen with a piercing howl, freezing the air in its path and emitting cracking sounds, as if the very fabric of the icy plains were shattering. The chilling aura it exuded was enough to make anyone take notice.
Facing this fierce attack, Liu Yichen remained calm, his expression unperturbed. In his mind, he reflected on the countless battles he had experienced during his years of wandering. This level of skill was not enough to unsettle him. With a flicker of movement, his speed was so fast that only a blur remained, and in the next moment, he appeared behind Ai Xiaorou! The sudden shift left the audience gasping in astonishment, their eyes barely able to follow his movements. Such speed was almost unimaginable!
"Lingbo Microsteps!" Vice Pavilion Master Feng Qingyang exclaimed softly, his voice tinged with surprise and admiration. He looked at Liu Yichen, recalling a legendary master who had once used a similar footwork technique. Could this young man have some extraordinary background?
Ai Xiaorou felt a cold breeze brush against her back, like the edge of a blade grazing her skin. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes. Before she could react, a numbness spread through the back of her neck, and her strength seemed to drain away in an instant. Her body went limp, and she began to collapse. She felt a pang of frustration—she wasn't fast enough, and there was still so much room for improvement.
Liu Yichen swiftly caught her, his arm providing steady support to prevent her from falling. He looked at her with a hint of admiration. This woman's technique was indeed impressive.
"I lost," Ai Xiaorou said, her cheeks flushed but her tone devoid of disappointment. Instead, there was a spark of excitement. "Young Master Liu, your footwork is truly miraculous. To dodge my Frosty Rainbow and appear behind me in an instant—I am in awe!"
Liu Yichen smiled faintly, withdrawing his finger from the acupoint he had pressed. A faint warmth lingered where his touch had been. "Miss Ai, you are too kind. Your Frosty Rainbow is powerful, but your speed could use some refinement."
Ai Xiaorou's eyes lit up, and she eagerly asked, "Young Master Liu, could you teach me this footwork?" Born into a martial family, she had always been fascinated by unique techniques. Her family's collection of martial manuals was extensive, but she had never seen anything like Liu Yichen's footwork. She was desperate to learn it.
Liu Yichen paused for a moment, then smiled. "If Miss Ai is willing, I would be happy to teach you."
The next match was between Ding Haitao and Wang Xiongfei.
Ding Haitao stood on the stage, his anger simmering like a volcano on the verge of eruption. His eyes burned with fury as he recalled how his father always praised Liu Yichen in front of him, extolling his achievements while belittling his own. All his jealousy and resentment toward Liu Yichen were now directed at Wang Xiongfei. Every punch and kick he unleashed carried a devastating force, the wind from his strikes howling as if it could tear through the very air.
Wang Xiongfei was no match for him. He was pummeled relentlessly, his body absorbing blow after blow with dull thuds. His eyes were filled with fear and despair, unable to comprehend why he was being subjected to such brutality.
Finally, Ding Haitao stomped on Wang Xiongfei's chest, looking down at him with a menacing glare. "Worthless!"
Below the stage, Mo Wanqing frowned slightly, her voice low and tinged with disapproval. "Ding Haitao is going too far." She couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Wang Xiongfei. She knew Ding Haitao's actions were driven by jealousy toward Liu Yichen, but taking it out on someone else was unjust.
Liu Zixuan sneered. "He's just venting his frustration. He's probably jealous that Liu Yichen defeated Ai Xiaorou." Liu Zixuan had always considered himself the top talent among the younger generation. He remembered how the elders of the family had once placed high hopes on him, and he had worked tirelessly to become a respected master. But Liu Yichen's rise had shattered his illusions. Every time he saw Liu Yichen surrounded by admirers, he felt a gnawing envy clawing at his heart.
Ding Haitao's gaze swept across the crowd below, finally landing on Liu Yichen. A cold smirk curled his lips. Ding Haitao had once been the pride of his family, always in the spotlight. But since Liu Yichen's arrival, his glory had been overshadowed. His father constantly compared him to Liu Yichen, fueling the flames of jealousy within him. "Liu Yichen, in the next match, I'll show you the consequences of crossing me!" he declared, his voice icy, as if it could freeze the air around him. He vowed silently to defeat Liu Yichen and prove to his father that he was the strongest.
Ding Haitao stepped onto the stage with a menacing grin, each step resonating like a heavy drumbeat in the hearts of the onlookers. His eyes locked onto Liu Yichen like a predator stalking its prey. His spiritual energy surged, causing his robes to flutter violently, as if a fierce wind were tearing through them. The aura of a fifth-level Star Observation Realm cultivator radiated from him, pressing down on everyone present.
"Liu Yichen, are you ready to face my wrath?" he growled, his voice low and menacing, like the roar of a beast.
Liu Yichen remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips as he stepped onto the stage. In his mind, he saw Ding Haitao as nothing more than a jealous fool blinded by his own envy. Today, he would teach him a lesson. With his hands clasped behind his back, his robes fluttering gracefully, he looked like an immortal descending to the mortal realm, a stark contrast to Ding Haitao's aggressive demeanor.
"I'm looking forward to it," Liu Yichen replied casually, his tone light but laced with unshakable confidence.
"Arrogant!" Ding Haitao roared, his body shooting forward like an arrow released from a bow, the wind howling in his wake.
He clenched his fists, his stance firm as if his legs were rooted deep into the earth. Spiritual energy poured into his fists, causing golden light to twist and leap like caged lightning. With a furious shout, he thrust his fists forward, and the golden light transformed into two golden thunder dragons. The dragons roared, their claws outstretched, carrying a destructive force that seemed capable of annihilating everything in their path. As they surged forward, the space around them rippled, as if on the verge of shattering under the immense pressure. The air crackled with explosive sounds, like firecrackers going off in rapid succession.
Facing this onslaught, Liu Yichen remained unruffled. His feet seemed to glide on invisible springs, his body leaping lightly as if he had entered another dimension. His figure became ethereal, like an ink painting stirred by the wind. With each subtle movement, he effortlessly dodged the thunder dragons' attacks. The dragons passed through the space around him, but not a single one touched him.
Ding Haitao unleashed dozens of punches, yet not one even grazed Liu Yichen's robes. Panting heavily, he stopped his assault, his face a mix of shock and rage. "You... you..." he stammered, his breathing ragged.
Liu Yichen smiled faintly and slowly raised his right hand. A surge of immense spiritual energy erupted from him, sweeping across the stage like a volcanic explosion. The railings around the stage creaked under the pressure, and cracks spread across the ground. The seventh level of the Star Observation Realm! The crowd erupted in gasps, those in the front rows being pushed back by the sheer force of the energy. Their hair and clothes whipped wildly in the turbulent air, the power of the energy wave palpable.
Ding Haitao's face turned pale. He had never expected Liu Yichen to hide such strength—and at such a high level! A sense of defeat washed over him. He thought of his father's expectations and compared them to the reality of Liu Yichen's power. He felt like a joke.
Liu Yichen's eyes narrowed, and with a flick of his wrist, a sharp gust of wind shot forward, carrying a spiraling force that seemed capable of shredding anything in its path. The gust struck Ding Haitao's chest, causing it to cave in with a sickening crunch. The sound of ribs breaking echoed clearly across the silent stage. Ding Haitao let out a blood-curdling scream, his body flying backward like a broken kite. He spat out a mouthful of blood mid-air before crashing to the ground outside the stage, unconscious.
The entire arena fell silent, the only sound the faint thudding of hearts in chests.
Then, the crowd erupted into deafening cheers and excited chatter.
"Young Master Liu is incredible!" the young girls exclaimed, their eyes shining with admiration.
Ai Xiaorou's face flushed with excitement, her fists clenched tightly as her admiration for Liu Yichen swelled like an unending river.
Feng Qingyang stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming with approval. "This young man is exceptionally talented. He will undoubtedly achieve great things in the future." He had already decided to take Liu Yichen under his wing and nurture him as a key disciple of the Assessment Pavilion.
Liu Zixuan, however, watched the scene with a dark expression. His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood, though he didn't notice. Jealousy and resentment burned within him. He remembered the glory he once held in the family, now overshadowed by Liu Yichen's rise. He swore silently to himself, "Liu Yichen, just wait. I won't let you have it easy."
As night fell and the world grew quiet, Liu Zixuan's figure disappeared into the darkness...