The Grand Martial Grounds of the Thorne Estate were packed. Banners of the Crimson Tiger flew high, and the air smelled of ozone and sweat. General Thorne sat on a high throne of black stone, his Level 55 aura acting like a heavy blanket over the thousands of spectators.
"Next match!" the announcer boomed. "The Second Young Master, Kaelen Thorne (Level 15), versus... the Fourth Son, Aris Thorne."
A wave of mocking laughter rippled through the stands.
"Aris? The 'Cursed Brat'?"
"I heard he can barely walk. Why is he even in the register?"
"Kaelen will kill him just by sneezing."
Aris stepped onto the white marble platform. He looked pathetic. He had used the Abyssal Nexus to make his skin look paper-thin and his eyes sunken. He coughed into a silk handkerchief, which he had pre-stained with a bit of red berry juice to look like he was coughing up blood.
[Target: Kaelen Thorne]
[Level: 15 (Qi Foundation - Rank 4)]
[Physique: Blazing Tiger Body (Low-Earth Grade)]
[Status: Arrogant / Bloodlust]
Kaelen, a muscular ten-year-old with hair like fire, looked at Aris with genuine disgust. "You should have stayed in your hole, trash. To fight you is a stain on my record."
"I... I just wanted to see Father," Aris wheezed, his voice trembling perfectly.
General Thorne didn't even look at the stage. He was busy talking to a guest from a neighboring sect. Aris's mother, Elena, sat in the servant's section, her knuckles white as she prayed for her son's life.
"Begin!"
Kaelen didn't hold back. He wanted to end this "embarrassment" instantly. He channeled his Blazing Tiger Qi, his fists glowing with orange flames. He lunged, a strike meant to shatter Aris's ribs.
"Die!"
Aris watched the fist come. To his Abyssal Eye, Kaelen's movements were riddled with "Bugs."
[Analysis: Flame Pillar Strike]
[Detected Fault: Right elbow is overextended. Qi flow is unstable in the left heel.]
[Recommended Action: The 1% Counter.]
Aris didn't dodge. He didn't even raise his hands. He waited until the flame-fist was an inch from his chest.
Tap.
Aris flicked his index finger. It looked like a clumsy, desperate move. But that single finger hit a specific pressure point on Kaelen's wrist where his fire-qi was most concentrated.
[Skill Activated: Abyssal Feedback]
Instead of hitting Aris, Kaelen's own fire-qi "glitched." It surged backward into his own meridians.
BOOM.
A small explosion of orange fire erupted—not on Aris, but from Kaelen's own arm. The "Genius" screamed as he was sent flying backward, skidding across the marble until he tumbled off the stage and into the dirt.
The laughter in the stadium died instantly. The silence was deafening.
Aris "stumbled," clutching his chest and coughing violently. "Oh... are you okay, Brother? I... I just panicked."
[Quest Progress: 100% Complete.]
[Reward: 500 AP, Hidden Map: The Emperor's Vault.]
[Bonus: Chaos Factor +50 (The family's belief in 'Fate' has been rattled).]
General Thorne was no longer talking to his guest. He was leaning forward, his cold eyes locked onto Aris. For the first time, he was actually looking at his Fourth Son.
[Warning: General Thorne is attempting a 'Deep Soul Scan'.]
[Current Counter-Measure: 'Living Curse' Title — Success.]
The General saw only a "dying boy" who got "lucky" because Kaelen was clumsy with his Qi. But the doubt had been planted.
[Abyssal Nexus: Post-Match Status]
[System Notification: Level 10 Reached!]
[Evolution Choice Available: Choose your Path.]
1.The Shadow Sovereign: Specialize in Formations & Stealth. (Rule from the dark).
2.The God-Eater: Specialize in Body & Combat. (Crush all who stand before you).
3.The Forbidden Alchemist: Specialize in Creation & Manipulation. (Control the world's economy and health).