While the participants who successfully advanced to the main round rested in their respective rooms—there was one place within the Righteous Dragon Sect complex that was still very active despite the late night.A magnificent pavilion located atop a small hill—surrounded by a beautiful garden with a large koi pond and cherry blossom trees swaying gently in the night breeze.The pavilion was made of dark mahogany wood carved with very intricate dragon and phoenix patterns—its roof plated with gold tiles that gleamed under the moonlight.And inside that pavilion...Sat a young man with a very graceful posture—wearing black silk robes with gold embroidery on the sleeves and collar, his jet-black long hair half-tied back with a gold ribbon, the rest falling perfectly on his shoulders and back.His face... was handsome.Very handsome.His jaw was firm, his nose prominent, his skin flawless, and most striking were his dark black eyes—cold, sharp, and full of unconcealed arrogance.His name

While Wei Longhen rested in his room with his mind full of wicked plans, news about Kael also spread quickly to the ears of the three other representatives from the Four Great Sects.In another pavilion not far from Wei Longhen's location—sat a young woman dressed in clean white with long silver hair tied high. She was Leng Shuang, the best core disciple from the Eternal Ice Moon Sect, ninth level of Soul Realm. Her face was beautiful but cold as ice—her gaze sharp and full of arrogance.When her attendant reported about Li Xin defeating Huo Yan, Leng Shuang only smiled faintly—a smile full of contempt."A cultivator from a small kingdom who managed to attract attention?" she said in a cold tone. "He's just someone with a bit of power. Nothing to worry about. If I meet him... I'll show him the difference between heaven and earth."She returned to meditating without showing further interest, as if Kael was just dust not worth noticing.---Elsewhere, in a room filled with a very sharp

While the elders from the other sects who witnessed this exchange only smiled faintly—some sympathizing with the Heavenly Fire Temple, others enjoying this little drama.Because in the cultivation world...Strength is everything.And if your sect's representative was eliminated in an embarrassing way...You could only... swallow the humiliation in silence.---Meanwhile, in the arena...The participants were already standing neatly at the edge of the platform—each gazing toward the stands with different expressions.Some were amazed seeing the magnificence of the arena.Some were nervous feeling the pressure from the aura of the elders and leaders of the major sects.And some... like Kael, Xiao Tianyu, Lin Tianhao, Yan Qingfeng, and the four representatives from the Four Great Sects... just stood calmly, unaffected by the grandeur around them.Long Tianshi stood in his main pavilion—looking down with a gaze full of satisfaction—then raised his hand high.The entire arena immediately f

On the platform...Wei Longhen smiled widely, very satisfied with the spectators' reaction.He looked back at Kael with a gaze full of contempt, then said in a very casual tone."Of course, considering my identity as the best young genius of the Eternal Shadow Sword Sect, I'll give you the first attack. That's fair, isn't it?"Kael smiled.A faint smile that held happiness."Are you sure?" he asked in a very calm tone. "You won't take back those words, will you?"Wei Longhen nodded with satisfaction, his smile widening even more."I am someone who stands by my words. I will give you the first attack, as a sign that the battle has begun!"He then looked at the referee standing at the edge of the platform."You don't mind, do you?"The referee—a middle-aged man in gray robes—looked at both participants with a serious gaze.The wager had been made in front of the entire arena.And considering the written rules where both participants had the right to make wagers before the fight...So wh

After the commotion from Kael and Wei Longhen's fight slowly subsided—though spectators were still whispering about what they had just witnessed—the referee climbed back onto the platform.He raised his hand high—drawing the entire arena's attention, then shouted loudly:"NEXT MATCH!"The giant projection crystal in the sky glowed again—displaying two new names.On the left: XIAO TIANYU - AZURE SKY SWORD SECT.On the right: LIU HAI - NORTHERN WIND SWORD CLAN.The spectators looked with... ordinary gazes.No commotion.No extraordinary cheers.Because after witnessing the fight between Kael and Wei Longhen—the fight that shocked the entire arena—other fights felt... less interesting."Xiao Tianyu... he's from the Azure Sky Sword Sect. One of the ten major sects.""Liu Hai? I don't know who he is.""But it definitely won't be as good as the previous fight. Nothing can rival Li Xin."The spectators whispered in a less enthusiastic tone.---Xiao Tianyu stepped onto the platform with a se