The elder rose from his crouched position and stared at the crowd.
The once-howling audience, wild with excitement, fell into immediate silence.
Cough cough cough "This battle has been concluded. The winner—Mystic White, Ji Yean," Elder Mo announced.
The crowd erupted again, cheering for their favorite. Mystic White Ji Yean calmly walked off the martial platform, with Yan Mo-Jin following close behind.
The commentator stepped onto the stage, his voice booming, "Disciples of the Martial Academy!"
"It seems today is your lucky day! The fight now advances to the Core Disciples!" he shouted, nearly losing his breath in excitement.
"The first battle of the day features none other than the strongest among the Core Disciples—Heaven's Spear Edge, Yuan Ye-Jun!"
"And his opponent: the second strongest Core Disciple and personal disciple of the Third Elder—Silver Crescent Moon, Tang Ji-Yoo!"
The crowd exploded with cheers once more. Disciples whispered among themselves.
"Didn't you hear? That's the First Senior Brother! I heard he went to the Fe family and challenged the heir—and defeated him!" one disciple exclaimed.
"But I heard Tang Ji-Yoo went to the outskirts of town and came back with the head of a seventh-level Black Jaguar," another responded.
Both had undergone great trials in their paths—each tale grand and worthy of legends.
The two fighters stepped onto the stage.
Yuan Ye-Jun stood tall on one side, clad in a black robe with high-contrast embroidery—mist and wave motifs decorating the chest and sleeves. His attire featured sharp, angular cuts with a commanding silhouette: minimalist, but structured and imposing. A broad waist wrap layered with a feathered sash secured his look, while a flowing backcloth and translucent lower panels trailed behind. His shoulders and cuffs bore intricate but razor-sharp detail.
His hair, styled in a high phoenix tail, flowed in a long ponytail bound with a jade crown. His sharp, purple eyes glinted with calm menace. In his grip was a 193 cm halberd—black and gold with a crimson grip. The weapon boasted a crescent moon-shaped blade like an axe, with twin blades forming a lethal spear tip.
Opposite him stood Tang Ji-Yoo, blue eyes steady beneath his mid-length hair pulled into a low ponytail, secured with a sword tassel.
He wore a long, flowing robe of white and pale blue, imbued with ethereal blade Qi. The wide sleeves and trailing hems gave him an air of otherworldly grace. A black-and-gold belt tied the ensemble together, subtle mystical symbols etched into his sleeves and lower robe.
In his hand was a silver sword—92 cm in length and 6 cm wide, with a curved tip and black hilt. Its edge gleamed like moonlight.
They locked gazes.
"It's been a while, Brother Ji-Yoo," Yuan Ye-Jun said calmly.
"It's good to see you too," Tang Ji-Yoo replied, a faint smile forming. "Do you remember our last martial bout? The one you won?"
"I do," Yuan Ye-Jun answered. "And what of it, Brother Ji-Yoo?"
Tang Ji-Yoo's gaze remained calm, but bitterness stirred beneath.
"It seems today is the day I reclaim my lost pride," he said firmly.
"Hahahaha! Brother Ji-Yoo, you're overestimating your abilities," Yuan Ye-Jun sneered, contempt in his eyes.
Tang Ji-Yoo slightly withdrew his blade, then halted.
"It seems our battle must start—and end—here," he said.
"Whoever wins today will be the true strongest between us."
"I acknowledge that," Yuan Ye-Jun replied. "Then let us begin our battle."
"Let the battle begin!" the commentator declared, wisely stepping aside from these two titans.
Tang Ji-Yoo stepped in first, unsheathing his sword in a sweeping crescent moon arc.
Yuan Ye-Jun leapt high into the air, spinning 360 degrees mid-flight, his eyes locked on Tang Ji-Yoo. With a twist of his arms, he unleashed a Spiral Thrust—the spear rotating rapidly as it lunged forward, aiming directly at Tang Ji-Yoo's head.
Tang Ji-Yoo ducked just in time, dodging the lethal strike.
He stepped forward into a 360 spin of his own, thrusting his blade with dazzling force. Sword Qi shimmered along the edge.
Yuan Ye-Jun landed gracefully, like a ripple spreading across calm waters. He twirled his spear, parrying the strike with a redirection technique, shifting the blade's path away.
Tang Ji-Yoo leapt back, retreating a few paces to avoid being caught off guard.
"It seems your abilities have improved," Yuan Ye-Jun observed.
"You're one to talk. You're far stronger than when we last fought," Tang Ji-Yoo replied, analyzing his rival's stance.
Yuan Ye-Jun gripped his spear tightly, slamming its back end to the ground as he stared at his opponent.
"Life is a path of wonders and hardships. Who am I—Yuan Ye-Jun—to say it offers no challenge?"
From the seats above, Li Hao observed the two.
"It seems Yuan Ye-Jun will triumph in this battle," he noted. "His skills are sharper, more refined."
Yuan Ye-Jun raised his head.
"Since we've come this far, let's stop holding back. Let's use our true techniques."
"I'll gladly accept that," Tang Ji-Yoo said, smiling faintly.
"Then let us begin," Yuan Ye-Jun declared, stepping forward.
Heavenly Spear Art — Second Form: Arc Heaven.
The tip of his halberd radiated yellow mist-like spear Qi, cutting through the air in a sweeping horizontal arc.
Tang Ji-Yoo stepped forward with a smile, silver Sword Qi pouring into the blade.
He grounded himself and declared,
"Crescent Moon Sword Art — Third Form: Crescent Moon Double Slash!"
He slashed his sword diagonally in both directions—left and right—releasing two blazing arcs of crescent-shaped sword Qi.
CLANG! CLANG!