The Thunder Arena was carved into the side of Heaven-Splitting Peak itself—an ancient dueling coliseum forged in stormsteel, layered with inscription arrays designed to hold back even a Nascent Soul's fury.
Today, it wasn't holding much back.
Today, it was hungry.
Thousands of outer disciples sat on stone benches, watching as selected combatants stood across the platform, each one brimming with spiritual energy.
And at the center of it all?
A towering, rune-wrapped stone pillar carved with three words:
"Strength Earns Standing."
To become an inner disciple, a cultivator had to:
Defeat three opponents consecutively.
Display at least one high-tier technique or Dao manifestation.
Impress or cow at least two elders overseeing the trials.
For Yunfan?
They'd made a quiet amendment:
"Do not allow Jiang Yunfan to pass. Without killing him."
He stood at the edge of the arena, leaning against the wall like he was waiting for a foot massage, dressed in slightly burned robes and chewing on a stick of thunder-dried meat.
"Three duels, huh?" he mumbled. "And here I thought they were going to make this hard."
"They are," Yao Ling'er said from behind him, arms crossed. "You've been matched with the worst of the worst. Inner disciples who've failed their own advancement and want to step on someone's neck to feel strong."
"You say that like it's a problem."
"No," she said, eyes narrowing. "I say it like I hope they scream."
The platform pulsed with golden light.
"Next Combatant: Jiang Yunfan, Heaven-Splitting Thunder Sect, Outer Disciple."
A ripple of murmurs.
Snickers.
Even some groans.
"He brought a zither?"
"What is he, a wedding bard?"
"This'll be over quick."
Yunfan walked out, cracked his neck, and waved to the crowd.
"Thank you for your future regret," he said cheerfully. "Please scream loud when I win."
His first opponent stepped out.
Guo Ta Peak Core Formation, storm-body cultivator, known for shattering stone platforms with his bare fists and sneezing with Qi pressure.
Broad. Heavy. Already smirking.
"I volunteered for this."
"Did you?" Yunfan said, stretching. "Should I send a fruit basket to your healer?"
"No need. You won't touch me."
"That's what your girlfriend said," Yunfan muttered.
The crowd gasped.
Guo Tai roared.
The bell rang.
He charged.
And Yunfan moved.
Not fast.
Sharp.
One step Qi surged beneath his feet.
He flicked his wrist, drawing a single glyph midair, and plucked a zither string with it.
A wall of compressed thunder exploded in front of Guo Tai, lifting him off his feet.
He flew through it roaring and came out with a fist ready to crush skulls.
Yunfan twisted.
Ducked.
Slashed upward with Wordless Edge.
Steel met skin.
Qi burst.
And Guo Tai staggered, a line of red blooming across his chest.
Yunfan stepped past him, spun, and snapped a zither string.
The thunder note echoed behind him
And Guo Tai collapsed, eyes rolled back, unconscious.
Silence.
Then murmurs.
Then... half-hearted applause.
Yunfan bowed.
"Next?"
His second opponent entered.
Female. Cold eyes. Spear in hand. Aura wrapped in wind and poison.
"Inner Disciple Bei Xiyun," she said, leveling the spear at him. "I don't care for jokes."
"That's okay," Yunfan said, setting his zither down. "I'm not one. I'm a warning."