The crowd roared as the announcer's voice echoed through the vast arena.
"Number One, step forward!"
Two cultivators strode confidently into the center, their robes fluttering in the wind. As they reached the heart of the battleground, they released their auras—waves of pressure rippling outward, causing some of the spectators to stumble back in awe.
"Battle… begin!"
At the sound of the signal, both cultivators surged forward, unleashing their full power. Blades clashed, energy exploded, and the ground cracked beneath their feet. For ten relentless minutes, they dueled fiercely. Finally, one collapsed in defeat. The battle was over.
The competition pressed on with more fierce matchups. One after another, cultivators clashed in intense duels, their ambitions burning bright.
Then came the call: "Number Seven, to the stage!"
I stepped into the arena. My footsteps echoed with calm determination. At the same time, my opponent appeared, his eyes filled with resolve.
"Battle… begin!"
Without hesitation, I drew my sword and launched a swift attack. He tried to defend, raising his arms in desperation—but he failed. My blade struck him directly, and he was thrown across the arena. He collapsed, grievously wounded, unable to continue.
I was stunned. He couldn't even endure one percent of my strength?
The battles continued as cultivators like Shu Yan, Dragon Xuan, Fang, Ruo, and Shen displayed incredible skill and tenacity. One by one, they dominated their matches, earning the admiration of the crowd.
But then came a storm.
A name began to echo through the crowd like thunder: Long Hao.
With overwhelming force, Long Hao defeated Dragon Xuan, Fang, Ruo, Shen, and even the mighty Shu Yan. Each duel ended in his favor. His momentum seemed unstoppable.
And then, only two of us remained.
Long Hao and I faced each other in the arena. The air was thick with tension.
"Battle… begin!"
Long Hao struck first. His attacks were swift, precise, and unrelenting. But I parried each one, my sword meeting his blows with unwavering strength. The moment he overextended, I countered—one clean strike.
He staggered back, blood dripping from his wounds. My single attack had left him gravely injured.
The battle was over.
The next day…
The titles of each participant were revealed, glowing above their heads for all to see. Some were titled "Iron Fist," others "Lightning Shadow" or "Flame Heart."
But above me shone a single, powerful title:
"Supreme Strike."
The arena fell silent for a moment—then erupted in thunderous applause.
My journey had only just begun.