The entrance trials of the Verdant Sky Sect had ended, yet the shockwaves of that day continued to spread.
Rumors of the mysterious youth who shattered the Stone of Potential spread like wildfire.
Even the inner sect disciples began paying attention.
But the greatest commotion came from the Verdant Sky Tournament, which was now just days away.
This was not just a simple competition.
It was a battlefield where geniuses clashed—where only the strongest could rise.
And now, with Alexander Magnus' arrival, all previous rankings meant nothing.
---
Within the sect's grand hall, Elder Yun stood deep in thought.
His heart remained unsettled.
That boy… that bloodline… it is too similar to what was once feared…
He had lived for centuries and seen the rise and fall of many geniuses.
But this?
This felt different.
A shadow passed over his eyes as he whispered to himself.
"If he is truly of the Tyrannos lineage… the world is not ready."
---
The First Challenge
On the outer disciple training grounds, a crowd gathered.
The reason?
A duel was about to begin.
Xian Wu, the top outer disciple, stood calmly at the center.
Before him, a trembling disciple lay on the ground, his robes burned, his breathing ragged.
Xian Wu's eyes were cold as he looked at his fallen opponent.
"Pathetic."
He turned toward the gathered disciples.
"Is there no one here who can give me a challenge?"
Silence.
And then—
A voice rang out.
"I'll humor you."
The crowd froze.
The disciples turned as one.
Standing at the edge of the arena, Alexander Magnus stepped forward.
Xian Wu's eyes flickered with surprise.
But soon, his lips curved into a smirk.
"Ah. The prodigy who shattered the stone."
He gestured to the arena.
"Let's see if your strength is as absurd as your talent."
The moment the duel began, Xian Wu vanished.
His speed was terrifying—far beyond what an outer disciple should possess.
With a flicker of motion, he appeared above Alexander.
"Too slow."
A single palm strike descended, infused with spatial compression.
Alexander did not move.
Then, at the last instant—
He raised a single hand.
BOOM!
The impact should have shattered bones, yet it felt as if Xian Wu had struck an unmovable mountain.
Xian Wu's face twisted in shock.
Alexander hadn't even flinched.
"Is that all?"
A casual flick of Alexander's fingers—
And Xian Wu was sent flying.
Xian Wu crashed into the ground, blood leaking from his lips.
Gasps filled the air.
The sect's top outer disciple had been defeated with a single move.
No techniques. No effort. Just pure, overwhelming force.
Alexander stepped forward.
His golden gaze met Xian Wu's as he spoke, voice calm but absolute.
"You are unworthy to be my rival."
Xian Wu clenched his fists, his pride shattered.
Lysara Blackthorne, watching from the sidelines, let out a low whistle.
"This year's tournament… is going to be very interesting."
---
Far beyond the training grounds, hidden within the forest surrounding the sect, a shadow knelt.
His eyes remained fixed on the boy in black robes.
His hands clenched a dagger coated in void poison.
A voice came through his talisman.
"The order has been given. Do not let him leave the sect alive."
The assassin's lips curled into a thin smile.
"Understood."