Sunny stood quietly near the entrance tunnel of the martial arena, watching the ongoing match with focused eyes. The massive stadium was packed with spectators from all over the city. Warriors, nobles, and spirit cultivators filled the stands, their voices echoing loudly through the colossal dome.
The arena itself was famous for its durability. Its ground was forged from layered spirit stone, and the surrounding walls were reinforced with ancient runic metal. Even attacks from powerful fighters could barely leave a mark on it.
Sunny crossed his arms as he watched the fight.
Then the large glowing board above the arena flashed with the names of the next fighters.
Sunny looked up.
His expression changed instantly.
Sunny vs Tomu
Sunny frowned slightly.
Tomu…
He remembered her clearly. She was the girl who tried healed him once in the Sanctuary when he had been badly injured. At that time, she seemed calm and gentle. But before they parted,They left not in peace.
"If I ever see you alone… I'll deal with you ."
Sunny had never forgotten those words.
Before he could think further—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed across the arena.
Sunny quickly turned his head back toward the ring.
A fighter was sent flying through the air like a ragdoll before crashing violently into the arena wall. Dust rose around the impact, but the wall did not even crack.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Standing calmly in the center of the ring was a tall young man with sharp eyes.
Feng Li.
His hand was still raised slightly, and faint ripples vibrated through the air around him.
A sonic attack.
Sunny narrowed his eyes.
The announcer's voice echoed across the stadium.
"Victory goes to Feng Li!"
The crowd cheered even louder.
Feng Li simply nodded slightly before leaving the ring.
As he walked past the entrance tunnel, his gaze briefly met Sunny's. Neither of them spoke, but Feng Li seemed to study him carefully before walking away.
Moments later, the announcer spoke again.
"Next match… Sunny versus Tomu!"
Sunny stepped into the arena.
Across the ring, Tomu walked in from the opposite gate.
She looked calm as ever, her expression composed.
Sunny observed her carefully.
She's just a healer… right?
Still, he remained cautious.
The referee raised his hand.
"Fighters ready!"
Sunny loosened his shoulders slightly.
Tomu stood silently, her gaze fixed on him.
"Begin!"
Sunny dashed forward.
But the moment he moved—
His body suddenly stopped.
His eyes widened.
It felt like an invisible mountain had suddenly dropped onto his body.
An overwhelming pressure crushed down on him from all directions.
Sunny's legs trembled.
What is this…?!
It felt exactly like the terrifying pressure he experienced when he had once used the combined power of Serena and Sen.
Sunny tried to move.
But his body refused to respond.
Across the arena, Tomu stood with one hand raised.
"You shouldn't underestimate your opponent," she said calmly.
Sunny gritted his teeth.
So her ability isn't just healing…
Without wasting another moment, Sunny activated his new power.
His body suddenly dissolved into liquid.
His form collapsed into a flowing mass that spread across the arena floor.
Tomu blinked in surprise.
For a brief moment, she lost track of him.
Sunny used that moment instantly.
The liquid gathered together and solidified again behind her.
He threw a punch.
But Tomu moved effortlessly.
She dodged the attack like it was nothing.
Then she countered with a fist aimed directly at his chest.
But Sunny was already gone.
Using his liquid form again, he slipped behind her.
Tomu reacted quickly and forced her crushing pressure outward.
Sunny was caught by the force and staggered.
Tomu stepped forward and punched him.
Sunny felt the power slam into his chest.
Blood rose in his throat, but he forced it down.
Then something changed.
Tomu's eyes suddenly turned yellow.
Her body shifted.
Fur began to appear along her arms as her nails sharpened into claws.
In an instant, Tomu had transformed.
A werewolf spirit manifested behind her.
The massive wolf spirit lunged forward.
Sunny had no idea how this power worked.
Before he could react—
The wolf spirit slammed him to the ground.
Sunny hit the arena floor hard.
The wolf spirit pinned him down with terrifying strength.
In the spectator stands, a man looked at Sunny with clear disdain.
"Do you know who that guy is?" he said mockingly.
"He's a disgrace to the human race."
His companion, Feng Li, stood beside him watching the fight.
Feng Li shook his head slowly.
"He's not a disgrace."
The man frowned.
"Really?"
Feng Li narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I can sense something inside him… a very powerful force."
The man looked confused.
"You're imagining things."
Feng Li didn't reply.
He simply continued watching Sunny closely.
Back in the arena—
BOOM! BOOM!
Tomu attacked again.
Her claws glowed with radiant light as she struck Sunny with a powerful Radiant Strike.
Sunny coughed out a mouthful of blood.
In the stands, Sanctifying Zen watched the fight with worry.
Sunny was his student and still is.
Seeing him struck by Radiant energy was alarming.
That attack could easily become fatal.
Tomu raised her claws again.
The crowd held its breath.
But just before her attack landed—
Sunny activated another ability.
His body suddenly changed shape.
To the shock of everyone watching, Sunny's form became identical to Tomu's.
Gasps spread across the arena.
Tomu struck forward—
But suddenly she saw herself on the ground instead.
Her own fist smashed into the face of her lookalike.
Blood splattered.
Tomu froze.
Her mind spun with confusion.
What…?
Then a sharp pain suddenly shot through her head.
Before she could react-Sunny was already behind her.
He channeled all the energy he could gather.
Then he punched forward with full force.
The impact exploded like thunder.
Tomu was sent flying through the air.
Her body crossed the entire arena before crashing outside the ring.
The referee immediately raised his hand.
"Out of the ring! Winner — Sunny!"
The arena erupted in cheers and shocked whispers.
Sunny stood there breathing heavily.
That fight had been far more exhausting than he expected.
Three days.
His next match would be in three days.
He needed to recover and train.
Because if his next opponent was anything like Tomu…
The tournament would only get harder.
Up in the stands, Feng Li watched Sunny carefully.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I was right."
The other spectator looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Feng Li's eyes gleamed slightly.
"That power inside him…"
"I want to test it myself."
Later that night, Feng Li secretly accessed the tournament system.
With a few careful manipulations, he altered the match schedule.
Now the next battle would be inevitable.
Sunny vs Feng Li
Feng Li leaned back in his seat with a satisfied smile.
"Three days…"
"Let's see what you're really capable of, Sunny."
And far away, completely unaware of what had just happened—
Sunny was already preparing for the most dangerous fight of his life.