The Royal Palace of Pritampur buzzed with anticipation. Today marked the once-in-a-decade event known as the Heavenly Banquet—a gathering of elite cultivators, nobles, and foreign dignitaries. Ostensibly a peaceful event, it was more known for its blood-soaked duels and the subtle war of influence waged behind fans and wine goblets.
Priyanshu Yadav walked through the golden corridor draped in silks, dressed not in noble finery, but in a simple black robe. Yet heads turned. He exuded a presence sharper than any sword.
A servant nervously handed him a scroll.
Invitation: Duel Arena – Honorary Exhibition Match
Opponent: Lin Zian – Young Master of the Golden Dragon Sect
Condition: Display of True Dao Intent for public entertainment. No deaths… preferably.
He chuckled. "They still underestimate me."
[System Alert: Exhibition Duel Detected – Would you like to initiate Domain Combat Protocol?]
Options:
Win with overwhelming force. Gain 150 Bad Karma Points.
Win through cunning display of Dao and gain the crowd's admiration. Gain 200 Good Karma Points.
He smirked. "Let's give them a show."
The arena glittered like a sea of crystal under the sun. Nobles sat in elevated seats, while sect masters whispered from the shadows. In the center, two figures stood on opposite sides.
Lin Zian, robed in blazing gold, summoned a golden spear made of condensed dragon qi. "For honor and my sect!"
Priyanshu tilted his head. "For fun and personal amusement."
The crowd chuckled.
The duel began.
Lin Zian struck first, his spear like a comet. The arena trembled.
Priyanshu took one step forward—and the world slowed.
[Activating Domain: Create and Destroy]
The skies above split into two halves—one radiant with creation energy, the other seething with annihilation.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Even the Empress, watching from her pavilion, stood up. "What kind of Domain is that!?"
Lin Zian faltered. "This… this isn't Nascent-level power!"
"Wrong," Priyanshu said calmly. "This is just a taste."
He moved like a whisper, bypassing Lin's spear. With two fingers, he tapped Lin's chest. A small explosion of wind sent Lin flying backward, crashing into the barrier.
The arena went dead silent.
[Victory: You have chosen the Righteous Path. +200 Good Karma Points acquired.]
[Public Perception: Rising Star of Pritampur Empire. New titles unlocked: Shadow Genius, Dao Prodigy.]
Priyanshu raised a hand to the crowd. The applause was thunderous.
But within the shadows, assassins of three sects received secret signals.
Eliminate him. At all cost.
And above, in a divine realm hidden from mortals, the Celestial Overseers frowned. "He's progressing too fast..."