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Chapter 13: Third Round – Claws Beneath the Moon
The cheers in the Evergreen Secret Realm echoed like distant waves, crashing against the mountainsides.
Banners of the various peaks fluttered in the wind, spectators gathered in pavilions imbued with isolation arrays, and elders of the Taichu Holy Land sat on floating thrones of spiritual jade, their eyes closed in solemn observation.
The third round had begun.
And Xiao Tian's name had once again been called.
> "Xiao Tian versus Bai Kun of Beast Peak."
Gasps had rippled through the crowd at the announcement.
> "Bai Kun? Isn't he the one with the Crimson Flame Leopard bloodline?"
> "He's ranked 93rd in the outer sect! Why pit him against a handyman?"
> "Xiao Tian defeated an inner sect disciple last round. Maybe the elders are testing him."
Xiao Tian stepped onto the dueling platform, his expression calm.
Bai Kun was already waiting—tall, shirtless, and his arms marked with faint crimson lines like tiger stripes. His hair was short and wild, his eyes glowing with golden bestial light.
He smirked.
> "So you're the handyman worm everyone's been chirping about."
Xiao Tian remained silent.
> [Fate: Blue]
[Opportunity: Crimson Flame Leopard Awakening - Partial Integration]
[Combat Trait: Beast Claw Strike – Mid Earth Rank Martial Art]
His opponent's fate was blue. Higher than average, but far from unshakable.
Still… his bloodline did grant him a physical edge.
A test. Xiao Tian knew. This match would show the elders and the crowd whether he truly belonged on the stage—or if his victories had been flukes.
> "Begin!"
Bai Kun moved first.
With a roar that split the air, his figure blurred forward. Flame-tinged qi burst from his limbs, his right arm transforming into a red-scaled beast claw that tore toward Xiao Tian's chest.
The platform cracked under his speed.
Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed. He didn't move backward. He stepped in.
His palm shot forward, cloaked in deep grey qi—Sword Will, condensed.
A shockwave burst out as palm met claw. Bai Kun stumbled back, his expression tightening.
> "What?!"
> He blocked it head-on… and he didn't even activate a martial technique?!
Xiao Tian didn't give him time to breathe.
> "Third Form of Falling Sky Sword — Crescent Fang!"
His fingers traced the air like an artist's brush. A translucent sword slash, shaped like a rising crescent moon, erupted forth.
Boom!
Bai Kun crossed both arms to block, but the sword intent exploded across his defense, dragging him several meters backward.
Dust rose.
Gasps echoed in the spectator seats.
In the highest pavilion, Mu Yuyan, dressed in elegant plum robes and her hair tied in a snow silk ribbon, leaned forward slightly. Her cold eyes—once indifferent—lingered on Xiao Tian.
> "He condensed Sword Will at the Mortal Martial Realm?"
Her voice was quiet.
But the elder beside her frowned deeply. "Sword Will is something even most inner sect disciples can't grasp until True Martial."
> "And that technique... It wasn't in the sect's sword manuals."
She didn't speak further, but her gaze remained—sharp and thoughtful.
Back on the platform, Bai Kun was bleeding at the forearm, his claws chipped.
Roaring in frustration, he leapt high into the air.
> "Crimson Flame Leopard Transformation!"
Flames erupted from his spine. His eyes turned completely golden. A tail of fire formed behind him, his entire body covered in crimson fur and scaled armor.
He crashed downward like a falling comet.
Xiao Tian remained still.
Then, he raised one finger.
> "Sword Sutra – Fragment Verse: One Edge Splits Flame."
His qi condensed. His sword will sharpened. There was no flash—just a whisper of steel.
A single line of light pierced upward.
And the flaming beast was split in half—not physically, but energetically. The beast bloodline qi was severed. The fire was extinguished.
Bang!
Bai Kun collapsed, twitching. His beast transformation faded, eyes wide with disbelief.
Silence.
Then—
> "Winner: Xiao Tian!"
The crowd roared.
But Xiao Tian didn't celebrate. He calmly turned and stepped off the platform, his robes barely rustled, as if the entire match had been no more than routine.
Only Mu Yuyan's gaze followed him.
> "He's hiding more than he shows…"
She closed her fan softly.
> "Much more."
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