The Wang Clan Elder's body was hurled violently, slamming against the ground surface with a heavy impact that scattered a thick plume of dust. The tournament arena, which a second ago had been noisy with clashing energy, suddenly plunged into a gripping silence.Zilong remained standing tall in his position. His right hand still gripped the hilt of the ancient black sword tightly. A stream of fresh blood flowed from the torn wound on his shoulder, soaking and staining a portion of his robe. His breathing appeared slightly ragged, yet his gaze exuded absolute calmness.In the distance, the senior elder who had just been brought down tried to crawl to his feet. His fingers gripped the ground desperately, but his strength was overwhelmingly exhausted."Impossible..." the old man whispered, staring at Zilong with wide-eyed pupils. "I... lost?"Not a single spectator responded. Shock still froze their tongues. How could a youth at the Earth Realm 3rd Stage manage to strike down a practitio

The situation was utterly impossible. Zilong was severely wounded, surrounded by dozens of high-tier enemies, and watched over by Wang Clan higher-ups transcending the Earth Realm. Yet, at the most desperate moment, the youth managed to slip away by means defying all reason.The Wang Clan, having lost their prey, grew increasingly frantic. Frustration burned their sanity."Search the entire sect complex! Do not let that rat slip away outside!" roared a furious Wang Clan elder.Yet, as they failed to locate the primary target, those hateful gazes suddenly shifted toward another figure standing not far away—Qing Tian."If we cannot find that bastard..." The middle-aged Wang Clan representative stepped forward threateningly. "...we will capture his father as collateral!"A number of Wang Clan practitioners immediately moved to encircle Qing Tian.However, before their hands touched Zilong's father, an authoritative voice shattered the tension."Halt right there!"The cavalry troops of th

In the outer corridor of the pavilion, the sect's higher-ups were still discussing the storm that had just occurred."I truly didn't expect the end of this story to turn out like this." "Completely beyond reason." "He came registering as an ordinary selection participant..." "...and now, he leaves behind a trail consisting of the shattered future of a sect genius."Bai Yun let out a long breath. "Qing Zilong... that boy indeed harbors terrifying talent.""Talent?" one of the elders snorted softly. "After witnessing his battle against the Wang Clan Elder, we can no longer deny his pure potential."They reminisced once more about how Zilong subdued the enemy's rampage: movement efficiency with zero wasted energy, an extraordinarily sharp instinct for reading attack patterns, and a mysterious sword technique capable of splitting high-tier techniques."That boy couldn't possibly be at the Earth Realm 3rd Stage," whispered an elder.Bai Yun did not refute it. He suspected the exact same th

The night had crept upward as Qing Tian set foot upon the main courtyard of the Tianxuan Kingdom's palace complex. His steps halted before the main hall gate guarded tightly by two guards in full armor. Those guards remained motionless without a single word.Qing Tian drew a deep breath of the night air, striving to neutralize the rumbling in his chest. Ever since he received the official royal summons letter late this afternoon, his mind had never truly found calm. He had already guessed what matter he was summoned to face—Qing Zilong. His son. That name had dominated every corner of his head ever since the massive commotion erupted at the Sky Sword Sect.What on earth have you done, Zilong? his heart lamented bitterly.The gold-carved wooden doors before him creaked slowly, opening from within."Please enter, Head of the Qing Clan," stated one of the guards in a formal tone.Qing Tian nodded briefly and stepped inside the audience hall. Unlike the formal royal court sessions typical

Qing Tian clenched his fists until they bled. Could it be that all this time... He failed to complete his sentence, because the horror of that hypothesis was far too heavy for him to admit.The King of Tianxuan observed the shifting expression upon the clan head's face. "You are beginning to realize it, are you not?"Qing Tian lowered his head deeply. "Your Majesty...""Do not hastily jump to premature conclusions," interrupted the king calmly. "We still require valid evidence.""Very well.""Yet starting this second, remember one thing: do not let the Wang Clan's cheap provocations drag you into foolish decisions." The king turned back toward the throne. "The palace shall dispatch an independent investigation team.""Then... what of Zilong's fate?" Qing Tian asked anxiously.The King of Tianxuan fell silent for a moment before answering, "If he is successfully found, the palace must naturally summon him to account for his actions.""That is fair.""Are you not angry?" asked the king