Heavenly Lotus Sect – Grand Competition Arena
The arena shimmered with celestial brilliance — soft golden light pouring from the sky, as if the heavens themselves had sent a divine spotlight. At the center, a grand floating platform hovered — the Sky Arena. Though made entirely of spiritual energy, each of its four corners was anchored by glowing crystal pillars, ancient formations pulsating within them.
Beneath the Sky Arena flowed the sacred Lotus Rivers, from which mystic mists rose in rhythmic waves. Hidden within those mists were ancient sigils, flickering faintly like secrets whispering through time.
The audience was seated high above — each with a stadium-like vantage. On the VIP platforms sat Lian Ye, Mu Shenyue, Yun Xiao, and all the sect leaders. Surrounding their thrones were floating spirit petals, calmly rotating in spiritual harmony.
---
Tokens Reveal – The Number Selection
As every disciple activated their token, glowing numbers shimmered mid-air:
> "NUMBER 1 — LIAN TIANYU"
"NUMBER 1 — ZI XUAN"
"NUMBER 2 — YUZE XIANG"
"NUMBER 2 — HAORAN"
"NUMBER 3 — YAN YA"
"NUMBER 3 — HUI FEN"
"NUMBER 4 — ZERAVON (Already qualified for the next round)"
As the first few matches were announced, an audible ripple of excitement swept through the arena.
---
First Match – Lian Tianyu vs Zi Xuan
> "FIRST MATCH — BEGIN!" the announcer's voice thundered across the arena.
Two figures descended onto the Sky Arena.
Lian Tianyu stood poised in radiant golden robes. His body glowed faintly with spiritual energy, and near his shoulder, his Astral Core hovered — a miniature sun, softly spinning.
Opposite him was Zi Xuan, clad in sleek black-silver robes. His eyes held a reflective, mirror-like gleam, while the Obsidian Moon Sect's signature glow began to form around his hands.
---
Confrontation Before the Clash
Tianyu stared straight at him.
> "You know you can't win this. There's still time — surrender now."
Zi Xuan smirked coldly.
> "I can't allow some pampered royal brat to win. Why don't you surrender… before I reach your Astral Core?"
Tianyu's eyes flashed, but he said nothing more. The tension between them crackled in the air.
---
The Fight Begins
A moment of silence.
Then — BOOM!
Both exploded into motion, cores igniting simultaneously. The very air around the arena distorted.
> "Golden Flame Step!" Tianyu vanished in a golden flash, appearing instantly behind Zi Xuan.
But Zi Xuan was ready — activating "Moon Phase Counter", a translucent mirror dome forming around him.
Tianyu unleashed "Solar Dragon Palm" mid-air, his hand transforming into a flame-wrapped strike that materialized as a colossal golden dragon.
Zi Xuan sliced through it with "Moonlight Ripple Technique", splitting the fiery beast into three exploding arcs.
In the blink of an eye, both disappeared.
> CRASH!
A sonic boom shook the air. Tianyu and Zi Xuan had already exchanged three attacks — in mere seconds.
> "W-What just happened?"
"They just started!"
"They're attacking 2–3 times per second!"
---
High-Speed Combat Unleashed
Zi Xuan activated one of his sect's secret techniques:
> "Phantom Moon Step!" — his body dissolved into shadows, attacking from five directions simultaneously.
Tianyu spun calmly mid-air, both fists igniting.
> "Golden Sun Twin Smash!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each strike collided, generating shockwaves of spiritual lightning. The barrier shields trembled from the force.
Zi Xuan then summoned a dark glyph from his sleeve:
> "Moon Devourer Seal!" — a giant illusion of the moon formed above, attempting to drain Tianyu's spiritual energy.
For the first time, Tianyu's expression turned serious. He swiftly performed a hand seal:
> "Sun Roar Shield — Activate!"
A blazing golden dome materialized, repelling the moon seal. Zi Xuan was thrown back.
Before he could recover, Tianyu blinked — appearing behind him and slashing four times in an instant. The sheer pressure shredded parts of Zi Xuan's robe.
> Mid-air clash — FISTS COLLIDE!
An immense shockwave blasted out as the two clashed head-on.
---
Zeravon Watches in Silence
The perspective shifted to Zeravon, standing quietly in the shadow of a pillar, arms folded.
His eyes remained unshaken. No surprise, only a deep stillness.
> "This speed… yet their movements still feel slow to me."
He lightly touched the black feather hidden beneath his robes. A faint ripple of dark energy swirled around him.
> "They haven't even scratched the surface… The real battlefield is inside me."
A voice echoed in his mind:
> "Zeravon… return. The blood realms are collapsing..."
He closed his eyes. Then opened them again.
> "Not yet. Let them fight. Let them believe they're strong."
---
The Final Exchange
Zi Xuan, now desperate, roared:
> "Obsidian Moon's Forbidden Art — Shadow Moon Spiral Fang!"
Black lightning surged from his body, spiraling moon glyphs forming around him.
But just as he charged forward, Tianyu vanished.
He reappeared right behind Zi Xuan, whispering:
> "You're not worthy."
> "Let me show you… the true Core Power of the Dome of Heaven."
WOOOMMMM!!
A massive golden wheel-like aura appeared behind Tianyu.
> "Sunlight Annihilation Slash — 4th Layer!"
One blinding slash.
Zi Xuan spun mid-air — crashing violently onto the arena floor.
The sound of bones cracking echoed. His chest was caved in.
The moon glyph faded from his body.
His eyes trembled.
> "You… you weren't even using your full strength…"
Tianyu stood silently, replying only:
> "I don't reveal my true power unless necessary."
> "WINNER — LIAN TIANYU!" the announcer declared.
---
Crowd Reactions:
> "What power…"
"Tianyu barely has a scratch!"
"Zi Xuan… crushed!"
Yun Xiao: "His core has already stabilized at this level? Unbelievable!"
Mu Shenyue: "That black-and-silver boy… his calmness feels dangerous."
From the Obsidian Moon Sect, Haoran stood up — his eyes burning with rage.
---
Second Match – Yuze Xiang vs Haoran
> "SECOND MATCH — BEGIN!"
The moment the referee's hand dropped, Haoran vanished.
For a heartbeat, no one could understand what just happened.
Then — Yuze Xiang's body was flung into the air like a ragdoll.
BAM!
A kick to the ribs.
Before he could fall, Haoran reappeared — grabbing his neck from behind.
> "This is your end."
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Three palm strikes to the spine. Each blow sent shockwaves through Yuze Xiang's body.
He tried to resist — but Haoran's speed was far beyond normal vision.
---
Fear in the Arena
> "W-What is Haoran… really?" someone whispered.
> "I can't even follow his movements!"
Zeravon tilted his head, feeling a strange vibration within.
> "He's not just using brute force… he's in complete control," he thought.
"But even this… is just the surface."
Haoran ended it with a brutal knee to Yuze Xiang's face, slamming him into the arena floor.
Blood splattered.
Yuze lay motionless, barely breathing — blood oozing from his mouth.
Haoran turned to the crowd — grinning maliciously.
> "Now you understand… what Obsidian Moon truly means."
> "WINNER — HAORAN!"
Dome of Heaven disciples sat in stunned silence.
Lian Ye clenched his seat's armrest, silent fury in his eyes.
All the sect leaders were tense.
Zeravon remained still… but a cold fire glowed in his eyes.
Yueyin looked toward him.
Zeravon didn't look back — his hand rested on the feather hidden beneath his robe.
> From the feather, a chilling energy flowed — a shattered realm flickered in his mind: black moons, broken stars… and a calling entity, whispering his name.
---
To Be Continued...