As Yun Che regained his sight, he found himself standing in the middle of an ancient fighting arena. Each brick and tile beneath his feet seemed to carry the weight of countless battles, etched with faint scars and grooves that spoke of long-forgotten clashes. Yet, despite the marks of time and strength, the arena stood unwavering—a testament to the extraordinary materials that formed it, materials that could endure even the mightiest of blows.
His contemplation was interrupted by the appearance of another figure, materializing on the opposite side of the arena. The young man looked to be in his twenties, his sharp features and confident stance radiating pride. Yet it wasn't his youthful appearance that caught Yun Che's attention—it was the unmistakable draconic aura emanating from him, an aura that could belong only to one person.
Long Qinfeng of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan.
The two locked eyes, and as Long Qinfeng approached, his expression remained composed. With a respectful bow, he cupped his hands and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Divine Son Yuan." His tone was polite, laced with the formalities expected in such an encounter, but Yun Che's sharp instincts picked up on a flicker of displeasure in Long Qinfeng's eyes.
Long Qinfeng had been well-briefed about Yun Che prior to this meeting. Although Yun Che's cultivation level was significantly lower than his own, Long Qinfeng still bowed with courtesy, mindful of their disparity in status. The young lord of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan had even instructed him to forfeit the fight outright as a gesture of goodwill, a suggestion that gnawed at Long Qinfeng's pride.
As one of the clan's brightest talents, the idea of surrendering without a fight was intolerable. He wanted to prove himself, to feel the rush of battle and the satisfaction of testing his strength. Yet, he couldn't ignore the glaring gap between his power and Yun Che's. If I go all out, he thought grimly, a single slap might be enough to kill him. How can I find satisfaction in that?
While these conflicting thoughts churned in his mind, Long Qinfeng maintained his polite demeanor as he bowed to Yun Che.
Just as he straightened, a brilliant light descended from the sky above the arena, illuminating the battlefield. A single figure emerged from the radiance, their aura immense and imposing—a clear sign of their Divine Extinction Realm cultivation. This was the referee for their match.
Both Yun Che and Long Qinfeng immediately bowed deeply in respect to the figure, their postures reflecting the reverence due to someone of such power.
"This humble one is Mo Die of the Pure Land Guards," the figure in the sky announced, his voice calm yet filled with authority. The aged man, who appeared to be in his eighties with a weathered face, radiated an unshakable presence that betrayed his immense power. "I have been tasked by the Lord High Priest to oversee this battle today. It is a pleasure to meet you, Divine Son Yuan, and young talent Qinfeng."
Yun Che and Long Qinfeng both offered respectful bows in acknowledgment, their gestures steeped in reverence for the referee. Mo Die's introduction underscored his rank and role, leaving no doubt about the gravity of the situation.
Across the vast Pure Land, similar scenes unfolded in synchronized fashion. Contestants stood at the heart of their respective arenas, each surrounded by the ancient stones that bore the scars of countless battles. Suspended above them, their referees—a mix of Pure Land Guards and Abyssal Knights—observed from on high, their Divine Limited Realm auras blanketing the air like an unyielding storm.
Although the Divine Limited Realm was a step below the True God Realm, these beings were still considered divine among the masses. Their power was formidable, and their presence across the Abyss was rare. Yet, here in the Pure Land, the seat of power that governed the Abyss, they were an unremarkable sight—scattered across the arenas to maintain order.
Currently, in various places across the vast arenas, from elders to Gods, individuals chose fights that piqued their interest. Each match carried a story, a clash of ambitions, or the pride of their kingdoms. Among them, Meng Kongchan stood in a secluded area of the spectating section, his eyes fixed on the so-called Pure Land Guard overseeing Yun Che's battle.
Uncharacteristically, Meng Kongchan's composure faltered as his body trembled faintly. His usually calm expression betrayed a storm of thoughts running wild within him. Yet, he kept his mouth shut, determined not to draw attention to himself until his emotions were under control. He couldn't let his momentary lapse tarnish his image or distract Yun Che.
Finally regaining his composure, Meng Kongchan broke the silence. "Yuan'er, since no one else here will know your secrets—and with the rules ensuring neither participants nor spectators can reveal their opponents' trump cards—you can go all out in this fight." His voice carried a mix of reassurance and expectation, echoing faintly in the empty spectating area.
Surprisingly, there was no one else present in the section reserved for the Dreamweaver Divine Kingdom. It seemed that the other elders and participants had opted to spectate different matches, leaving Meng Kongchan to observe this battle alone. Even the Ancestral Dragon God Clan hadn't sent anyone to watch; after all, they had already instructed Long Qingfeng to forfeit as a gesture of goodwill.
"Yes, Father," Yun Che replied calmly before shifting his focus back to Long Qingfeng. His sharp eyes scanned his opponent, sensing hesitation. With a faint smile, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Long Qingfeng hesitated for a moment, but then sighed deeply, deciding to speak the truth. "To tell you the truth, Divine Son Yuan, the clan wants me to forfeit the fight. They fear I might accidentally injure you." The weight of his clan's words hung heavy on his shoulders, and it had been gnawing at him ever since he learned of this match. As a proud talent of the Ancestral Dragon God Clan, the thought of forfeiting a fight, especially in such a prestigious setting, felt like a stain on his honor. Yet the stakes were too high if he made a mistake.
"It's fine, you can go all out," Yun Che replied without hesitation, his words cutting through Long Qingfeng's doubt like a blade.
Surprised, Long Qingfeng's eyes widened. "But what if I...?" He began, but Yun Che raised a hand to silence him, his expression unwavering.
"You should know a bit about me already," Yun Che said, his voice steady and confident. "You've likely heard that I can take down opponents at the same realm as easily as flipping my hand. That means my actual strength is far beyond my cultivation realm. You don't need to worry—come, let's fight."
Long Qingfeng's hesitation wavered before being replaced with resolve. With a respectful bow, he said, "Then I won't hold back, Divine Son Yuan. Please forgive me if I cause any offense."
"Begin!" Mo Die's voice rang out from the skies above, cutting through the tension like thunder.
"BOOM!!!"
Draconic aura erupted from Long Qingfeng's body, a ferocious display of raw power that shook the very air around them. His aura rippled through the ancient arena. He took to the sky as the dragon's form expanded, his body grew to an immense size, towering hundreds of meters in height, his scales gleaming with an ancient brilliance.
In his dragon form, Long Qingfeng's presence was overwhelming. The oppressive might emanating from him made it clear—he wasn't holding back.
"His power..." Yun Che muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he studied his opponent. "Even as a level six Divine Master, it's comparable to a level eight Divine Master. As expected of a genius from the Ancestral Dragon God Clan." There was no disdain in Yun Che's voice, only admiration. Despite the disparity in their realms, Yun Che couldn't help but feel a flicker of respect for Long Qingfeng.
After all, this was a man who possessed both power and an unyielding spirit. Even when pressured by his clan to yield, he had the courage to stand his ground, albeit with reservations about harming his opponent. Such integrity was rare, even in the Abyss.
"Come." Yun Che's voice rang clear and steady, carrying both command and invitation. With one hand casually placed behind his back, he raised his other, beckoning the dragon forward. His posture was calm and composed, exuding an aura of absolute confidence.
"Roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!"
A deafening roar shook the ancient arena as Long Qingfeng's colossal claw descended, the sheer weight of his power distorting the air itself. The crushing force created a terrifying vacuum, the pressure bearing down on Yun Che with suffocating intensity.
"BOOMMMMM!!!!"
Dust and debris erupted as the claw made contact with the ground, sending shockwaves rippling across the arena. Yet, when the dust settled, Yun Che stood unfazed beneath the massive claw. His figure was still, his expression calm.
"Still holding back?" Yun Che's voice cut through the tension, clear and taunting. "I thought I told you to go all out."
With an effortless motion, Yun Che pressed against the dragon's claw, and in a show of unimaginable strength, he pushed it aside as if it weighed nothing. In the blink of an eye, Yun Che vanished, his form a blur of speed.
Long Qingfeng's massive eyes widened in shock as Yun Che reappeared directly in front of his face.
With a simple flick of his bent finger, Yun Che struck the dragon's snout.
"BOOMMMMM!!!!"
The sound was thunderous. The immense dragon form of Long Qingfeng was sent hurtling backward, his entire body crashing into the arena floor with a force that left the ground trembling.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Meng Kongchan's heart pounded with overwhelming pride as he witnessed the scene before him. His son, Yun Che, who was only at the fourth level of the Divine Master Realm, had sent Long Qingfeng, a sixth-level Divine Master, crashing into the arena with nothing but a flick of his finger!
"No wonder... no wonder why Qingying stepped in that day..." Meng Kongchan thought, his mind racing. The sheer display of strength and control was something far beyond what he had anticipated. Pride swelled in his chest, and his lips curled into a grin. This is my son! My son!
On the battlefield, Long Qingfeng groaned as he struggled to rise from the ground. Wiping the blood from his lips, he reverted from his colossal dragon form to his human form, though shimmering dragon scales still adorned his body. His breathing was labored, and his expression was grim as he assessed his opponent.
"I underestimated him..." Long Qingfeng admitted silently. His earlier attack, imbued with enough power to flatten a seventh-level Divine Master, should have been impossible for Yun Che to withstand, let alone deflect so effortlessly.
The shock in his heart turned into resolve. No longer hesitating, Long Qingfeng's body erupted with a burst of energy. A gale of wind encircled him, propelling him forward at blinding speed.
In an instant, he reappeared in the sky, directly in front of Yun Che. His dragon scales gleamed under the arena's ethereal light, and his fists crackled with power as he launched an explosive strike aimed directly at Yun Che's chest.
"AHHHHH!!!!" Long Qingfeng roared, his attacks relentless as he launched swipes, punches, and kicks with terrifying speed and force. Yet, Yun Che remained immovable, his posture composed and confident. Each strike was either effortlessly deflected or dodged with precision, Yun Che's hand still casually resting behind his back.
"Damn it!!!" Long Qingfeng snarled, frustration boiling over as his attacks failed to even graze his opponent. Leaping back, he glared at Yun Che, his breath ragged and his draconic pride stinging. Without hesitation, he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to spew a stream of crimson blood into the air.
The blood shimmered with an ancient, powerful glow—Blood Essence.
The atmosphere shifted instantly, the air thick with energy as his aura skyrocketed. Long Qingfeng's once-contained power now erupted like a flood, surging to a level comparable to the pinnacle of the Divine Master Realm. His draconic lineage roared to life, his very presence exuding primal dominance.
"AHHHH!!! ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!" His enraged cry reverberated across the arena, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. His figure blurred as he hurtled toward Yun Che with unprecedented speed, a glowing blade materializing in his hands. The weapon pulsed with ancient draconic energy, its aura heavier than a collapsing mountain.
The force of his charge distorted the air, his blade cutting a line through the battlefield as it bore down on Yun Che with unmatched ferocity.
This was his secret weapon—the Sky Dragon Blade! A treasure bestowed upon him by his elder, it had always been his ultimate trump card, a blade that symbolized the pride of his clan. Now, with his blood essence sacrificed, its power reached unimaginable heights. He was certain, absolutely certain, that even a peak level ten Divine Master would crumble before this weapon's might.
His confidence surged further as he glanced at the referee hovering high above. No matter what happened, the Pure Land Guard would intervene if the fight spiraled out of control.
"AHHHHHHH!!!" Long Qingfeng roared, his voice echoing across the ancient arena. With all his draconic might channeled into the blade, he brought it down with earth-shattering force. Every ounce of his strength was poured into this final strike, the blade carving through the air like a falling star, bearing down on Yun Che, who remained motionless with just one hand raised.
Yet, no deafening explosion followed. No violent clash of profound energy shook the battlefield. The expected sound of a blade piercing flesh never came.
Instead, the world seemed to hold its breath as all sound ceased to exist. The oppressive silence was broken only by a soft "crack."
Long Qingfeng's eyes widened in disbelief. His ultimate weapon—the Sky Dragon Blade—was held between Yun Che's two fingers. With a simple twist, Yun Che shattered the blade like brittle paper.
"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Horror flooded Long Qingfeng's mind, his thoughts consumed by a single question: What kind of strength is this?!
"This fight is over," Yun Che's calm voice resonated through the arena.
Before Long Qingfeng could process what had happened, his vision dimmed. Darkness enveloped him as his consciousness faded, the last thing he heard was a loud, resounding boom.
------------
"Ugh..." Long Qingfeng groaned as his vision returned, the aftermath of the battle still weighing heavily on his body. The first thing he saw was Yun Che, bathed in a radiant white light, a light so pure and holy that it seemed to cleanse the very air around him. The same white light now enveloped Long Qingfeng's battered form, soothing his injuries and mending his broken body.
"Qingfeng thanks Divine Son Yuan for your guidance," he said, his voice filled with both respect and astonishment. Even though his entire body screamed with pain, he forced himself to bow.
"There's no need," Yun Che replied calmly. He paused for a moment, his gaze steady, before asking, "Why did you burn your blood essence?"
Even in battles with high stakes, burning one's blood essence was an extreme measure. It would not only harm future cultivation but also permanently diminish one's potential. Yun Che couldn't help but question the young dragon's decision.
Long Qingfeng straightened slightly, his tone respectful but unwavering. "Divine Son Yuan need not worry. The Dragon Lord provided us with a treasure capable of restoring any lost blood essence, should we ever be forced to burn it."
"I see," Yun Che replied, nodding slightly. He chose not to pry further; every clan had its own secrets, and it wasn't his place to question them.
"AHAHAHA! As expected of my son!" Meng Kongchan's hearty laughter echoed loudly from behind Yun Che. The strength his son displayed had shocked him to the core, yet it filled him with boundless pride. This was his son—his legacy! He couldn't be happier.
Long Qingfeng slowly got to his feet, his expression one of both defeat and admiration. "I lost, truly," he said with a wry laugh, shaking his head. Although the battle had been brief, he had enjoyed every moment of it. With a respectful bow, he cupped his hands toward Yun Che, the referee in the sky, and the God.
Golden light enveloped his body as the teleportation mark activated, whisking him away from the arena. Moments later, a similar golden light engulfed Yun Che, signaling the end of his time on the battlefield. In an instant, Yun Che reappeared in the Meng residence, the teleportation mark fading as he arrived.
"Hahaha! Yuan'er, you did well! AHAHAHA!" Meng Kongchan's jubilant laughter continued to ring out, his joy infectious and unrestrained.
"I'm sorry for hiding my strength from you, Father," Yun Che said, bowing respectfully to the Divine Regent.
"No need for that, Yuan'er," Meng Kongchan replied, waving his hand dismissively. His laughter resumed, full of pride and amusement. "It's great that you kept it hidden—it gave this old man quite the pleasant surprise! Hahaha!" He paused, his gaze softening as he added, "Hua Fuchen didn't lie to me one bit!"
After a moment, Meng Kongchan's curiosity got the better of him. "But still," he began, his tone thoughtful, "to what extent do your capabilities go, Yuan'er?"