Amid the fervent atmosphere surrounding him, even someone as composed as Gu You couldn't help but feel his blood start to boil.
Just then, his opponent for the first match in the All-Continent Youth Soul Master Elite Tournament leapt onto the stage. It was contestant number 520.
The youth appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. He was tall, with a well-proportioned physique and an aura of calm confidence.
In the stands, two elderly men sat together, conversing quietly. Anyone who came close would notice that all external noise was completely isolated from their area.
"Looks like Wu Xie's match is starting. Elder Lin, it's only a preliminary round. Did you really need to come in person? You're quite overprotective of your prized disciple," the skinny elder teased with a chuckle.
The man referred to as Elder Lin was tall and imposing. His expression was stern as he replied, "Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit. It's true the preliminaries rarely pose any real challenge, but I need to see whether Wu Xie is applying what I've taught him. He's already eighteen. This is his final opportunity to participate in the tournament. He must make it to the top eight."
The skinny elder smiled, "You're setting the bar rather low, aren't you? If I recall correctly, Wu Xie is already a one-word Battle Armor Master with five rings. It won't be easy to find someone on par with him. Even those so-called prodigies from Monster Academy wouldn't necessarily outmatch him. This prelim? It'll probably end in seconds. He might even have a shot at the top three."
Elder Lin nodded slightly, "I hope so. But honestly, I'm more concerned about the randomness of the prelims. If he gets matched up against one of those little monsters from Monster Academy right away, it could end badly. There are no do-overs in elimination matches."
The skinny elder chuckled, "Well, at least this first round doesn't look like that. His opponent seems very young. Probably just here for the experience. We might be able to leave early."
"Mm," Elder Lin grunted in agreement.
As the protective barrier rose around the stage, the mechanical voice sounded.
"Elimination Round One: Contestant 250 versus Contestant 520. Prepare... Five, four, three, two, one. Begin!"
There were no rules. The referee stood outside the arena, prepared to intervene only when the match was decided.
Contestant 520's name was Ling Wuxie. He hailed from an ancient sect, and this tournament was his chance to make a name for himself.
Three years ago, when he was just fifteen, he had participated in the tournament and reached the top sixty-four. Since then, he had trained relentlessly, aiming to make his final appearance one that would leave a lasting mark.
Gu You launched forward with a single, explosive step.
Seeing him charge, Ling Wuxie frowned. 'He's not even releasing his martial soul? Did he forget? Or is he just too nervous?'
Many contestants had made fatal errors from nerves in this enormous tournament.
But Ling Wuxie didn't dare be careless. His eyes gleamed, and five soul rings appeared beneath him—two yellow, three purple.
At that exact moment, Gu You's fist arrived.
'What... How can he be this fast?'
Before he could react, the punch landed.
Bang!
A figure flew off the stage. The referee rushed to catch him, but even as he did, his arms trembled from the impact.
He stared at the rising dust, then looked back at the slim figure who had remained still.
'What kind of strength is that?'
Gasps erupted from the crowd. A five-ring Soul King—knocked out with one punch?
In the stands, the two elders stared, dumbfounded. Elder Lin's face had darkened considerably.
'He lost... In the very first match? That means he's eliminated. Ling Wuxie's last shot at the tournament is over. How could this happen?'
Ling Wuxie lay on the ground, his mind blank. The pressure had vanished. Only a heavy silence remained.
'I lost... I actually lost. Just like that. I didn't even do anything.'
'If only I had released my battle armor right away... If only I hadn't let him get close...'
'Even a lion uses full strength when hunting a rabbit...'
His teacher's words echoed in his head. He regretted everything—his overconfidence, his underestimation, his delay.
But in this world, there's no medicine for regret. No one pities a loser. He had lost. He was out. He was nothing more than a failure.
What he didn't know was that he had never stood a chance. From the very beginning, this defeat had already been carved into fate.
Jumping down from the stage, Gu You quickly slipped into the contestants' corridor. He had no interest in becoming a public spectacle.
"Nice work," a calm voice greeted him. Gu Yue stood there, waiting.
"Just a minor fry. Nothing worth remembering," Gu You smiled.
Back on the stage, Ling Wuxie stood up like a soulless husk.
"You giving up already?" A deep, aged voice rang beside him.
He looked up. "Teacher..."
The old man approached, then without warning, slapped him across the face.
The stinging pain cleared his mind. His body stiffened.
"Giving up already?" the elder asked again, voice stern.
"No... I'm not..." Ling Wuxie clenched his fists. Tears poured from his eyes, unstoppable.
He braced for another slap.
Instead, the old man pulled him into a firm embrace.
"Remember this moment. Let this be your eternal shame. If you want to wash it clean, grow stronger. Don't give me excuses. You lost. That's it. But losing isn't the end. Being eliminated doesn't mean you're worthless. What matters is that you understand why you lost. You didn't lose because you couldn't perform. You lost because the opponent didn't give you a chance to perform. You're lacking real battle experience. So next, I'll take you to Hell Valley. There, we'll train until you can come back and erase this stain. Do that—and you'll become a true powerhouse."
"Teacher..."
A Soul King, beaten in one blow.
But the future was not yet written.
(End of Chapter)
---
New Fanfiction Launched on Patreon.
Douluo Dalu: Blue Silver Creation Lightning.
Go Check it Out.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.