Chapter 11: Clash of Rising Talents
The arena buzzed with anticipation as the second stage of the Sect Exchange Trial commenced. This round would decide who among the participants possessed the skills, instincts, and cultivation power to qualify for the final and most grueling phase.
Inside the grand martial arena, contestants stood grouped under the banners of their respective sects. The central dueling platforms shimmered under protective arrays, and the arena officials floated in the air, announcing names one after another.
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out, "Next duel! Lin Xue of Ice Serpent Valley versus Han Fei of Iron Root Sect!"
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd as Lin Xue stepped forward.
"That's the girl from Ice Serpent Valley," someone whispered. "She wields the Ice Serpent Claw Technique and cultivates with frost qi!"
Clad in elegant ice-blue robes, Lin Xue eyes glinted like glaciers. With each step, a trace of frost trailed behind her, and the temperature around her platform visibly dropped. Han Fei, a bulky young man with bronze skin and a massive hammer strapped to his back, snorted, exhaling visible mist.
"Let me see what your frost can do against my Iron Root Body!"
The bell rang, and both figures surged forward.
Han Fei slammed his hammer down, sending shockwaves through the platform. But Lin Xue glided gracefully, her steps almost ethereal. From her fingers shot out serpent-like streams of icy energy that coiled toward her opponent.
"Ice Serpent Bind!"
The coils slithered around Han Fei's limbs, slowing his movement. Before he could react, Lin Xue appeared behind him, her palm glowing with condensed frost qi.
"Frozen Palm Strike!"
BOOM!
The strike hit Han Fei squarely on the back, encasing his upper torso in thick ice. The referee flashed onto the platform instantly, raising a hand.
"Winner: Lin Xue!"
Cheers erupted from Ice Serpent Valley's disciples as Lin Xue bowed politely and returned to her sect's formation.
Next was Jin Hao's turn.
"Jin Hao of versus Li Kang of Thunder River Hall!"
Jin Hao, clad in a dark red robe with golden embroidery, carried himself with a confident smirk. Flames danced lightly around his arms. Li Kang, a tall youth with lightning scars down his arms, responded with a nod, his fists crackling with electric sparks.
"Begin!"
Li Kang dashed forward like a thunderbolt, his fists flying like lightning strikes. But Jin Hao countered with explosive bursts of fire, his palms redirecting the attacks with minimal movements.
"Skyfire Flame Step!"
He vanished in a swirl of fire and reappeared behind Li Kang. A burst of flame erupted from his palm.
"Blazing Phoenix Palm!"
The flames took the shape of a fiery bird and slammed into Li Kang, sending him skidding across the platform, his robes singed and aura flickering.
Jin Hao didn't pause. He spun forward, his leg sweeping across with flames coiling around it.
"Flame Wheel Kick!"
CRACK!
Li Kang was thrown off balance and knocked out of the ring.
"Winner: Jin Hao!"
Skyfire Sect disciples whooped in pride. Jin Hao shot a glance at Su Yang and smirked.
Now it was Su Yang's turn.
"Su Yang versus Ran Qi of Golden Falcon Sect!"
Su Yang stepped up, calm as ever. His black robe fluttered lightly as he exhaled slowly. On the opposite side, Ran Qi, a tall girl with golden eyes and twin daggers strapped to her thighs, smirked.
"Don't blink, outer-plains boy," she teased. "You won't see me coming."
The moment the bell rang, she disappeared. A blur shot toward Su Yang's left.
Clang!
To the audience's shock, Su Yang had raised his arm, catching her blade with two fingers, his calm expression unchanging.
"I saw you," he said flatly.
Ran Qi leapt back, eyebrows raised. "You have good eyes."
Su Yang activated his Karma Fire Body—a golden-red glow shimmered around him.
"Fiery Finger Pierce."
A blazing finger thrust forward like a dagger. Ran Qi tried to dodge, but the heat followed her like a predator, singeing her clothes and slicing through her aura barrier.
"Karma Flame Ripple."
With a flick of his wrist, concentric waves of fiery pressure rolled forward. Ran Qi stumbled, her movements slowed. Su Yang appeared in front of her in the blink of an eye.
"Heavenly Flame Pulse."
BOOM!
The fire exploded, knocking Ran Qi off the platform.
"Winner: Su Yang!"
Many spectators stood in disbelief.
"He's only Bone Tempering Realm? That's not Bone Tempering strength!"
Sun Xiyan's face turned grim. He watched from the high pavilion, his gaze fixed on Su Yang.
"Elder Tian," he whispered. "Maybe we underestimated him."
Elder Tian, a thin, sharp-eyed man beside him, shook his head.
Sun Xiyan nodded slowly. But his eyes narrowed, watching Max sit beside the arena gates with his eyes glowing faintly.
"That spirit beast... it's still with him. One misstep, and that beast will be in our family's hands."