The public training arena provided by the Righteous Dragon Sect was located on a wide plain surrounded by powerful protective formations. The arena was circular with a diameter of about a hundred meters, built from white jade stone reinforced with spiritual energy. Around it were tiered stands that could accommodate thousands of spectators—though now only partially filled with cultivators who were resting or watching training matches.When Xiao Tianyu's group arrived, the arena was being used by several young cultivators who were training—some fighting one-on-one, others just honing their techniques alone. The sounds of energy explosions and weapon clashes could be heard everywhere.But as soon as Xiao Tianyu dismounted from his horse, he immediately gave a signal by raising his hand slightly.His five guards understood immediately.They descended from their spirit horses in unison—quick, firm, and full of intimidation. Then without wasting time, they moved to various corners of the a

Xiao Tianyu lay sprawled on the floor, his chest heaving rapidly—his breaths ragged, blood still trickling from his nose, and his once-handsome face now swollen and bruised beyond recognition.But the most striking thing wasn’t his injuries.It was his expression.A complex one. Very complex.His eyes locked onto Kael, filled with a storm of emotions—fear, anger, confusion, and… despair.He was terrified of Kael. Terrified to the core.This monster could destroy him effortlessly. With just two blows, he was already reduced to this pathetic state. If the fight continued, Xiao Tianyu was certain—he would die. Or at the very least, end up crippled for life.And yet…He was the successor of the Blue Sky Sword Sect.The top genius of his generation.The future leader of one of the Ten Great Sects.If he surrendered like this—beaten senseless in front of thousands, humiliated like a child—how could he possibly face the Sect Leader?How could he face the elders who had placed their hopes in

Meanwhile, Kael walked leisurely through the city streets with his usual flat expression.He didn't care about all the commotion he'd left behind at the arena. He didn't care about the fearful stares people gave him as he passed by them.He just... wanted to find a place to rest.His steps were relaxed yet purposeful, his eyes sweeping over every building he passed, looking for a suitable inn.But most of the inns he saw were too crowded, full of cultivators who came for the tournament, full of noise, full of people talking loudly about fights and bets.Kael didn't like that.He kept walking, passing through the busy main district of the city, until he finally arrived at a quieter part, where the streets became narrower and the buildings looked older but more peaceful.And there...He found it.A small inn standing on a street corner—its structure made of dark wood that had weathered but was still sturdy, with a dark green tile roof covered in thin moss. In front hung a simple wooden

That morning, the entire city was filled with extraordinary excitement.The usually bustling streets were now completely packed—there wasn't even room to breathe. Thousands of cultivators from all corners of the continent had gathered, all heading to the same place.The Heavenly Dragon Palace.The headquarters of the Righteous Dragon Sect—the strongest among the Four Great Sects—located at the peak of the highest mountain in the region.However, for this tournament, the battle arena wasn't inside the palace itself, but on a vast plain located right at the foot of the mountain—ten miles from the palace. This plain had been transformed into the largest tournament arena in the last hundred years.And at the edge of that plain... stood a massive gate.Nearly a hundred meters tall, made of black jade reinforced with the highest-level spiritual formations, with two gigantic golden dragon statues standing on either side that looked so lifelike, as if they could take flight at any moment.The

After walking through a long corridor decorated with protective formation carvings, the participants finally arrived at the preliminary selection arena.And the sight that greeted them... was truly extraordinary.This arena was far larger than they had imagined. There were twenty neatly arranged battle platforms—each with a diameter of fifty meters, made of black granite reinforced with high-level spiritual formations.And surrounding the arena... spectator stands already filled with tens of thousands of people.They were spectators who came from various corners of the continent—wealthy merchants, ordinary cultivators who didn't qualify to join the tournament, young disciples from small sects, even ordinary people who just wanted to witness cultivators' battles.And their voices...Deafening."COME ON! SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT!""WHO'S GONNA WIN?! I'M BETTING TEN GOLD COINS ON THAT GUY IN RED ROBES!""HAHAHA! I'M BETTING TWENTY COINS ON THAT WOMAN WITH DUAL SWORDS!""THIS IS GONNA BE G