"Next match!"
The crowd stilled as Xiao Yan stepped forward, his plain robe swaying lightly in the breeze. Unlike the others, there was no oppressive aura, no roaring Dou Qi to announce his presence — only a quiet, unshakable confidence.
Across from him stood Wu Han, a Dou Shi at the peak of the eighth level, renowned for his raw strength and brutal spearwork. His spear whistled through the air as he spun it once, planting its tip against the stone with a clang.
"Didn't think the famed Xiao Yan would come this far," Wu Han sneered. "Let's see if the stories match the boy."
Xiao Yan didn't respond. His hand rose lazily, Dou Qi surging through his veins — and then the air ignited.
Green flames burst to life, coiling around his frame like a living dragon. The heat alone was enough to drive his opponent back a step, sweat breaking across his brow.
"The Green Lotus Core Flame…" an elder in the stands whispered, voice tinged with awe.
Wu Han gritted his teeth and lunged, spear flashing like silver lightning. Xiao Yan sidestepped, the spear grazing harmlessly past his arm, and thrust out his palm.
"Flame Splitting Tsunami!"
A wave of emerald fire erupted, surging forward with crushing force. Wu Han braced, slamming his spear into the ground and calling forth his own Dou Qi barrier, but the flame smashed into it like a tidal wave, cracking it in a single blow.
He roared, twisting his body to counterattack — only to find Xiao Yan already closing the distance.
"Flame Lotus!"
Green fire condensed between Xiao Yan's hands, spinning faster and faster until it became a blazing lotus-shaped orb. He thrust it forward — and the resulting explosion shook the platform, the shockwave sending Wu Han flying across the arena like a ragdoll.
When the smoke cleared, Wu Han lay unconscious against the arena wall, his spear bent, his armor blackened.
Silence.
Then the crowd erupted, deafening cheers filling the air.
Xiao Yan did not look at them. As he stepped down from the platform, his gaze swept briefly toward Nalan Yanran, lingering with quiet, unreadable intent — before finally shifting to the cloaked figure of Xiao Chen in the waiting grounds.