The arena stretched endlessly beneath the golden sun, a vast battlefield prepared for the final confrontation of the World Tournament. Tens of thousands of disciples from every sect had gathered, their eyes burning with anticipation.
At the center stood Li Tian, the golden-white-purple aura of the Devouring Core swirling violently around him. This was more than a battle—it was a stage that would reveal his true potential.
Han Xue appeared beside him, her eyes narrowing. "This is it. The strongest opponent you've faced. Every move must be precise… every step matters."
Li Tian inhaled deeply. "Then precision will be my ally. Let the heavens witness what a mortal without spirit roots can achieve."
The Ultimate Opponent: Heavenly Spirit Prodigy
The final contender was Shen Wu, a prodigy whose aura radiated a terrifying mastery over six elements: fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, and void energy. Even elders whispered in awe:
"No spirit root could possibly withstand him…"
Shen Wu's gaze fixed on Li Tian. "You're merely a mortal without natural roots. Today, you will fall, and the world will forget your name."
The ground trembled as he released his energy. Lightning cracked, fire erupted, winds tore through the air, and shadow tendrils from void energy writhed around him. The arena itself became a storm of raw power.
Battle of Titans
Li Tian didn't flinch. The Devouring Core pulsed violently, golden-white-purple light expanding like a living barrier. Every attack Shen Wu unleashed was analyzed, absorbed, or redirected.
Fire jets twisted into controlled spirals, forming defensive shields while damaging the environment to destabilize the enemy.
Water torrents absorbed and condensed into energy streams, creating barriers and launching counterattacks.
Wind blades were merged with lightning, forming arcs that struck Shen Wu's formations unpredictably.
Void energy approached—but the Core instinctively converted part of it into a pulse that disrupted Shen Wu's control over the battlefield.
Spectators gasped. Even the elders leaned forward in astonishment. The mortal without spirit roots was not only surviving—he was dominating the storm.
Zhao Ming's Last Attempt
Zhao Ming appeared once more, fury crackling along his body. "I will not let you steal all glory! This ends now!"
He combined his lightning and elemental attacks with Shen Wu's barrage, creating a coordinated onslaught.
Li Tian's Core reacted instinctively, absorbing multiple streams, converting them into power, pushing beyond previous limits. Golden-white-purple energy spiraled outward, bending the battlefield subtly toward his will.
Every move was precise, every counter calculated. The Core had become not only a source of raw power but a living extension of Li Tian's mind, predicting attacks and optimizing defense and offense simultaneously.
Core Ultimate Awakening
The pressure of this combined assault triggered the Devouring Core's ultimate awakening. Golden-white-purple energy expanded outward, forming a radiant spiral of spiritual brilliance. The aura became more than light—it became pure force, awareness, and control over energy itself.
Pain surged through Li Tian, but he welcomed it. The Core pulsed in resonance with his consciousness, merging absorbed energies, strategies, and instinct. He had reached the true pinnacle of mortal cultivation.
With a focused release, he generated a wave of radiant energy, neutralizing multiple attacks and forcing Shen Wu and Zhao Ming to stagger. Their expressions shifted from arrogance to shock—they had never seen such power from a mortal without spirit roots.
Turning the Battlefield
With ultimate Core awakening, Li Tian no longer reacted—he controlled the battlefield:
He merged elemental energies into massive, coherent constructs that isolated enemies.
Redirected attacks in midair, converting destructive power into opportunities to strike or defend.
Used arena terrain and Core energy synergy to create tactical advantages.
Even Shen Wu, the Heavenly Spirit Prodigy, struggled to maintain offensive momentum. Every strike he launched was absorbed, redirected, or neutralized by Li Tian's Core.
Victory and Recognition
Finally, with a final, coordinated maneuver, Li Tian forced Shen Wu into a defensive position, leaving no openings. Shen Wu, realizing the futility, yielded. The arena erupted with cheers, thousands of disciples in awe.
Zhao Ming retreated, gritting his teeth, clearly frustrated and fearful of the mortal's true strength. Han Xue appeared beside Li Tian, pride evident in her eyes.
"You've truly surpassed the limit," she said softly.
Li Tian exhaled, golden-white-purple aura dimming slightly but still radiating power. "This is only the beginning. There are stronger threats… more ancient secrets… and the world itself will test me."
Foreshadowing Greater Threats
As the crowd celebrated, unseen figures observed from the shadows—powerful sect leaders, ancient clans, and hidden entities from distant realms. Their eyes glinted with intrigue, envy, and latent hostility.
Li Tian gazed at the horizon, Devouring Core pulsing steadily. He had reached the ultimate stage of mortal cultivation… but beyond this victory, the world of cultivation stretched infinitely, filled with greater challenges, secret relics, and adversaries yet unseen.
"This… is just the start," he whispered. "The Devouring Core… the heavens… all will witness my rise."
The mortal without spirit roots had become a living legend, a storm shaping the destiny of the cultivation world.