The entire arena fell into unnatural darkness.
Lin Xiu's Phantom Domain wasn't just an illusion—it distorted reality itself, swallowing light and making it impossible to sense movement.
Even the elders frowned.
"This isn't an ordinary domain… it's nearly a true spatial distortion!"
The crowd whispered in awe.
"Li Tian is strong, but how will he fight if he can't see or sense his opponent?"
In the center of the battlefield, Tian stood still, calm as ever.
The Phantom's Hunt Begins
SHH!
A faint sound.
A cold killing intent.
Then—
SLASH!
Lin Xiu's blade appeared from the void, aiming straight for Tian's heart!
But—
CLANG!
A golden energy shield blocked the strike at the last moment.
Lin Xiu clicked his tongue. "Hmph, your instincts are sharp."
Before Tian could counterattack, Lin Xiu vanished again.
"Let's see how long you last."
In the Phantom Domain, sound, sight, and even qi perception were distorted.
It was the perfect assassination battlefield.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Lin Xiu's blade came from every direction, moving at an inhuman speed.
Tian's golden energy flashed, blocking some attacks—but not all.
Blood dripped.
For the first time in the tournament, Tian was wounded.
The Watching Crowd
Gasps echoed through the arena.
"He's actually bleeding?"
"Lin Xiu might win this!"
Even some elders nodded.
"A domain of this level… unless Li Tian can break it, he will eventually lose."
In the VIP section, Ji Xuan (Crimson Sun Prodigy) smirked. "Well, let's see if he's truly worthy."
Yue Ling (Ice Queen) remained expressionless, but her eyes flickered with curiosity.
Fang Zhen (Tyrant Spear) grinned. "Tch. I hope he doesn't lose before I get to fight him."
Tian's Counterattack Begins
Tian wiped the blood from his arm.
"Not bad," he admitted. "But… you think darkness can truly trap me?"
Lin Xiu's chuckle echoed. "What can you do? You can't even see me."
Tian smiled.
"Who said I need to see?"
He slowly closed his eyes.
Lin Xiu frowned. "What—?"
Then—
BOOM!
An explosive golden aura erupted from Tian, forcing back the darkness for an instant.
His body glowed with a divine radiance, pushing away the distorted qi.
Lin Xiu felt an invisible force locking onto him.
"This is…?!?"
Tian's golden eyes opened again—but now, they burned with an ethereal light.
"Divine Sense Manifestation—Heaven's Vision."
A technique so profound that even the elders stood up in shock.
"He's… using divine sense to replace his normal vision?"
"Incredible! He's seeing everything through the flow of energy itself!"
Lin Xiu felt cold sweat.
Tian could now see through the Phantom Domain.
Every flicker of movement. Every breath. Every intent.
Lin Xiu was completely exposed.
"Your domain was interesting," Tian said calmly. "But now it's my turn."
Lin Xiu gritted his teeth. "Tch! Don't get cocky!"
SHH!
He attacked again—his speed tripling as he unleashed his full strength.
But this time—
BANG!
Tian caught his wrist mid-strike.
Lin Xiu's eyes widened. "IMPOSSIBLE!"
Before he could react—
BOOM!
Tian's palm slammed into his chest, sending him crashing through his own domain.
The darkness shattered like glass.
The Phantom Domain… was broken.
Lin Xiu coughed blood, struggling to rise. "How…?"
Tian walked toward him slowly, his voice calm.
"You rely too much on your illusions. Against someone who can see beyond them…"
His palm glowed with golden energy.
"You have no escape."
BANG!
A final strike sent Lin Xiu flying out of the ring.
The Aftermath – Silence and Shock
The entire arena was dead silent.
Then—
"WINNER—LI TIAN!"
The crowd erupted.
"HE BROKE THE PHANTOM DOMAIN?!?"
"HOW DID HE SEE THROUGH IT?!"
"He barely used any techniques… he just overpowered it!!"
Lin Xiu lay on the ground, staring at the sky. Then, he chuckled. "Damn… I really had no chance, huh?"
Tian walked off the stage, unbothered, as if the battle meant nothing.
But the other top contenders now watched him with new eyes.
Ji Xuan's smirk faded. "This guy…"
Yue Ling's cold gaze flickered with interest.
Fang Zhen cracked his knuckles. "Now I really want to fight him."
Even the sect elders exchanged glances.
"Li Tian… is no ordinary genius."