The air within the grand coliseum trembled. Dust stirred as Xiao Lian and Jiang Lin’s palms met head-on, the collision erupting into a shockwave that blasted outward. Sand and fragments of stone scattered, robes fluttered wildly, and even the protective barriers around the stage shimmered from the force.
The two were hurled back, boots skidding across the cracked tiles. For a breathless moment, silence lingered—then the entire audience erupted in gasps of disbelief, thousands of voices trembling in unison.
A heartbeat later, the silence shattered into thunderous cheers. The crowd roared, stamping their feet and clapping until the stands quaked.
Xiao Lian’s eyes burned with determination. She roared, charging forward, her body wreathed in an icy aura that frosted the air around her.
Jiang Lin only smirked, his eyes glinting with arrogance. With a casual breath, a blazing green aura burst from his body, rippling like wildfire. He surged forward to meet her, the two colliding with their fists.
The sound was deafening—fist against fist, bone against bone. Shockwaves rippled outward with every strike as they exchanged a relentless flurry of punches, the ring groaning beneath their feet.
The crowd gasped with every blow. Xiao Lian’s icy aura painted misty trails with each strike, while Jiang Lin’s green light radiated like poisonous fire, clashing violently with hers.
Grinding her teeth, Xiao Lian suddenly slipped through his guard, her fist hooking upward in a vicious uppercut. Jiang Lin jerked back, dodging narrowly, but before he could regain footing, Xiao Lian lunged, smashing her head into his chest with a resounding thud.
He stumbled, coughing, retreating a step—only to retaliate with a vicious punch. Yet Xiao Lian caught his wrist mid-strike, twisting hard before slamming her palm into his abdomen.
Jiang Lin coughed violently, spittle spraying as the impact hurled him backward.
But Xiao Lian refused to relent. With a sharp cry, she leapt high into the air. Her figure spun downward like a falling star, leg extended. Her kick smashed squarely atop Jiang Lin’s head.
His eyes widened in shock as his face slammed into the stage tiles, dust and shards exploding outward.
Landing lightly, Xiao Lian retreated a step, blade-like eyes fixed coldly on her opponent. Her tone was sharp and cutting.
"What happened, Young Master? Weren’t you so strong? Why are you lying on the ground ?"
The words cut deeper than any blade.
Jiang Lin trembled, fury igniting in his gaze. Slowly, he rose. His eyes glowed with a menacing red light. Then, with a guttural roar, his green aura erupted—twisting violently as black energy bled into it. His crimson gaze swept the arena like a predator awakened.
From the VIP section, Shaurya’s expression tightened. Impossible...
King Tian Long’s face grew solemn. His gaze sharpened like a blade.
At his side, Li Dong’s hand instinctively moved, fingers curling around the hilt of his sheathed sword.
"Demonic energy..." he muttered grimly.
King Tian Long suddenly broke into a booming laugh. His voice thundered across the arena.
"Good... very good! These idiotic demons dare to infiltrate our tournament? They shall never leave alive!"
He rose from his throne, his majestic robes sweeping the floor as he stepped forward. His voice roared like a war drum.
"Do not fear, everyone! These demons dared to pollute our sacred tournament—they shall be annihilated here!" Official source is novel(ꜰ)ire.net
The referee’s eyes flicked to the king. A single nod was all the confirmation he needed. His voice echoed through the arena.
"This is no longer a tournament match. From this moment—there are no rules. Kill the demon!"
The crowd gasped. Murmurs swelled like crashing waves.
On the stage, Lin Ja’s eyes blazed. She clenched her fists, fury surging in her veins.
"Fine! If you wish to play this way—then show no mercy!"
At her command, four figures stepped forth, demonic auras erupting like storms. The stench of corruption filled the air as black mists coiled around their bodies.
Shen Hang, Lee Bie, Zong Bu, and Wie Bie of the Sanatan Flame Sect glanced at one another. Without hesitation, they nodded and leapt into the ring. Their weapons gleamed with light as their qi surged.
The crowd roared, their cries deafening.
"Sanatan Flame Sect, you can do it!"
The disciples of the sect raised their weapons proudly, their presence igniting the battlefield.
Shaurya chuckled, arms crossed. "Hah. Thanks to these useless idiots, our popularity has soared."
On the arena floor, Jiang Lin growled. His hand tightened around a black sword infused with demonic energy, its surface writhing with shadows. With a roar, he charged toward Xiao Lian.
Her gaze turned to steel as she unsheathed her sword, stepping forward to meet him. Their blades collided with a clang that shook the heavens, sparks scattering like stars.
Above, Shen Hang twirled his spear and called out mockingly, "Come then! Whoever has the guts, face me!"
Lin Ba’s face twisted with rage. She charged toward him with her sword raised.
At the same time, Zong Bu rushed Jiang Xong, hammer swinging, while Lee Bie lazily stretched before releasing a glowing blue slash toward Gu Rang.
Thus began the five-on-five clash—a battle that split the earth itself.
Sparks and qi danced as their swords clashed again and again. The ring cracked beneath them as each strike resounded like thunder. Jiang Lin thrust viciously, his blade seeking her heart—but Xiao Lian twisted gracefully, her sword flashing upward, slicing his arm.
Blood spurted. Jiang Lin howled in agony.
Her sword surged with icy light, frost blooming across its edge. She screamed, "Frozen Cutting!" and dashed forward. Her blade sliced through the air, severing Jiang Lin’s arm completely.
Blood rained down like crimson mist. His scream tore through the arena, chilling to the bone.
Xiao Lian’s cold gaze pierced through him. With one final slash, her blade sliced his neck. Jiang Lin’s lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
She raise his head filled with cold stare."Slash."
The crowd erupted in a storm of cheers.
High above the ring, Shen Hang traded blows with Lin Ba. Her sword whistled through the air, but he dodged with mocking ease. His grin only angered her more.
Her fury blazed as she swung horizontally, then vertically, only for him to twist away at the last instant. He laughed, sticking out his tongue, taunting her.
With a roar, she lunged, only to be struck by his elbow in the abdomen. The impact sent her crashing into the ground, coughing blood.
She scrambled back up, charging again. Shen Hang sighed almost lazily, spinning his spear.
The spear blazed with golden light as he hurled it forward. Lin Ba’s eyes widened in horror, but it was too late. The weapon pierced through her forehead cleanly before returning to Shen Hang’s hand.
Her lifeless body plummeted.
"No! My daughter!" Lin Ja screamed, rushing forward.
But before she could reach the corpse, her arm was severed. Blood fountained as she turned in shock—Shaurya stood behind her, sword dripping crimson.
He smirked coldly as her face twisted in rage. She swung her remaining fist at him.
Shaurya didn’t move. His smile widened as her punch drew closer. At the last instant, his blade crackled with lightning and swept upward, splitting her arm in two.
Her eyes bulged in horror. She stumbled back.
Shaurya’s voice was like ice.
"This is for what you did to my Lin Shu."
He raised his sword high.
"Lightning Sword Slash!"
His blade fell like a judgment from the heavens, splitting her from crown to waist. Lightning danced as he swung again and again, shredding her body into fragments.
He exhaled, eyes blazing with flame. His divine Flame covered around his hand. He snapped his finger. "Burn In Hell."
With a final surge, fire erupted, incinerating her remains into ashes.
From the stands, Lin Shu smiled faintly, eyes glistening. Relief softened her features.
Descending to the VIP seats, Shaurya sat beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Now your mother’s revenge is complete."
She leaned gently against him, tears mixing with her smile.
Wie Bie’s daggers gleamed with purple light. With a howl, he dashed forward, blades crossing in a deadly arc.
Gu Xia’s scream was cut short as her neck and forehead split, blood scattering in the air.
Nearby, Gu Rang raged, but Cheng Fang struck mercilessly—first with a knee, then a brutal headbutt. Gu Rang staggered to the ground.
Cheng Fang’s hammer glowed gray as it slammed down, obliterating Gu Rang’s skull and shattering the ground like a spiderweb.
The crowd gasped in shock at the brutality.
But King Tian Long only laughed heartily. "I knew it! They can handle this small matter!"
At his side, Li Dong raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself. "Their leader... his swordsmanship is truly extraordinary."
A faint smile touched his lips.
The referee descended onto the battlefield, voice booming.
"Sanatan Flame Sect has not only won the battle but also annihilated the demons, halting their invasion! Applause for them!"
The coliseum shook with cheers.
"Sanatan Flame Sect! Sanatan Flame Sect!"
The referee raised his hand. "Group Four’s battles have ended! Sanatan Flame Sect has dominated their group and qualified for the semi-finals!"
The crowd roared as he announced the matchups:
"Tomorrow, the semi-finals will begin! The four champions—Situ Family, Howling Abyss Sect, Jade Phoenix Sect, and Sanatan Flame Sect—will clash! First match: Sanatan Flame Sect versus Situ Family! Second match: Howling Abyss Sect versus Jade Phoenix Sect!"
The arena shook with cheers and anticipation.
In the stands, the Situ Family Patriarch smiled coldly.
"Sanatan Flame Sect... finally, we have the chance to crush you."
Shaurya only laughed. "Exactly what we wanted." He turned to his elders, applauding. "Just as Elder Wan predicted."
Elder Wan bowed with a faint smile.
As the crowd dispersed, the Sanatan Flame Sect disciples began to leave. But Xiao Rui paused, his gaze sharpening. Slowly, he looked upward.
On the rooftop of the coliseum, Zang Han stood with arms crossed, a devilish smile curling on his lips.
"Xiao Rui... pathetic loser. Just wait." With a sneer, Zang Han vanished into the shadows.
Xiao Rui clenched his fists, teeth grinding.
"Zang Han... this time, you are the one who will be humiliated."
He turned and followed his sect.