Beauty and Might: Heavenly Flames

The competition continued as the day progressed.

One match after another concluded as the number of remaining participants decreased.

Thirty-two became sixteen.

By this stage, every disciple still standing had already proven their strength. Those lacking sufficient ability had long since been eliminated. As a result, the battles became noticeably more intense. Every victory demanded genuine skill, while even the smallest mistake could decide the outcome.

Before long, the third round started as Li Yan’s bracelet updated once again.

[Round: 3

Match #: 4

Arena #: 18

Opponent: Zhao Hui

Status: Begin]

The matchup immediately attracted attention.

Among the remaining Azure-Rank disciples, Zhao Hui was recognized as one of the strongest competitors. His cultivation had already reached the Qi Channeling Realm (Stage-8), placing him five stages above Li Yan.

More importantly, he had earned an excellent reputation for his mastery of the spear. Before today’s competition began, many disciples believed he possessed the strength to advance into the semifinals.

Unfortunately for him, his opponent was Li Yan.

Not long afterward, both participants stepped onto Arena Platform Eighteen.

Unlike Lan Rui and Ji Xin, Zhao Hui wore a serious expression from the very beginning. He had blond hair and silver eyes.

He had witnessed Li Yan’s performance of the Azure Pagoda. Reaching the Hidden Level was enough to prove that cultivation alone could not measure the young disciple standing before him.

With a wave of his hand, a dark spear appeared in Zhao Hui’s grasp.

The weapon emitted a sharp aura.

Several disciples immediately recognized it.

”A Tier-5 Low-Level Spear.”

”It seemed Zhao Hui was taking this seriously.”

Across the platform, Li Yan stood calmly with empty hands.

The supervising elder glanced at both participants.

Seeing neither intended to speak further, he raised one hand. ”Begin.”

The moment the announcement ended, Zhao Hui moved.

Darkness Qi erupted from his body as he thrust his spear directly toward Li Yan. The attack was swift, decisive, and carried considerable force; the spearhead aimed straight for Li Yan’s chest without the slightest hesitation.

Several spectators nodded slightly.

The opening attack alone demonstrated why Zhao Hui had earned his current reputation.

Then, something unexpected happened.

A spear appeared in Li Yan’s hand.

The surrounding disciples blinked.

”…A spear?”

”It’s at last a Tier-5 High-Level Spear.”

Until now, almost everyone had only seen Li Yan fight with a sword. A few disciples knew he occasionally trained bare-handed, while others had heard rumors that he practiced multiple weapons.

No one, however, had ever witnessed him use a spear during hunting or competition.

Even Zhao Hui’s eyes narrowed.

Li Yan’s spear met the incoming attack.

Clang!

A crisp metallic sound echoed across the platform as the two weapons collided. The impact forced both spears slightly aside.

Before Zhao Hui could launch another attack, Li Yan’s spear had already moved again.

One thrust. Followed immediately by another. Then a sweeping strike.

Each movement flowed naturally into the next, smooth and precise, without the slightest pause.

The spectators gradually noticed something.

Li Yan’s spearmanship…

It was not inferior to Zhao Hui’s. In fact—His movements appeared even more refined.

There were no unnecessary flourishes. No wasted motion. Every thrust arrived at precisely the right moment. Every defensive movement naturally transitioned into another attack.

A murmur spread through the audience.

”I thought he only practiced the sword.”

”When did he become this skilled with a spear?”

”So… he really trains multiple weapons.”

Even several elders exchanged surprised glances.

Only Ji Hong remained composed. He already knew Li Yan practiced more than one weapon. Still, this was the first time even he had seen Li Yan openly display his spearmanship.

The battle gradually intensified.

Darkness Qi enveloped both weapons as spear shadows repeatedly crossed.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

The continuous collisions echoed throughout the arena. Zhao Hui steadily increased the pressure. His attacks became faster. More aggressive. Each strike carried enough force to force an ordinary Qi Channeling Realm (Stage-Peak) cultivator onto the defensive.

Yet Li Yan remained calm throughout, despite being five stages below Zhao Hui. His spear met every attack cleanly.

His footwork continuously adjusted the distance between them, never allowing Zhao Hui to dictate the pace of the battle.

Several more exchanges passed. Only then did Zhao Hui realize something. He was gradually being pushed into Li Yan’s rhythm.

Not because his cultivation was lacking. Nor because his spear techniques were inferior. Rather—Li Yan’s control over timing, spacing, and battlefield rhythm was simply superior.

A bead of sweat slowly formed upon Zhao Hui’s forehead.

Without hesitation, he gathered Darkness Qi into his spear and activated his Mortal-Tier Mid-Level Technique.

Dark Spear Might.

The spear swept forward.

A crescent arc of condensed Darkness Qi burst from the blade and shot directly toward Li Yan.

Only now did Li Yan make his move. He stepped forward. Darkness Qi quietly flowed into his own spear.

Many disciples immediately recognized the familiar fluctuation.

”Shadow Fang Severance…”

Although it was one of the most common Mortal-Tier Mid-Level techniques within the Sect, the version displayed by Li Yan felt noticeably different.

The Darkness Qi was more condensed—the execution cleaner. The timing was flawless.

Li Yan swung his spear.

A crescent-shaped slash of condensed Darkness Qi shot forward.

The two attacks collided.

Boom!

Zhao Hui’s technique lasted only a brief moment before breaking apart. Li Yan’s attack continued forward without losing much of its momentum.

Zhao Hui immediately raised his spear before him, channeling Darkness Qi into it to defend. He also activated his Qi Armor ability, which covered his entire body, leaving only his head exposed.

Another explosion echoed across the platform.

The force drove him backward several meters before he finally managed to stabilize himself.

The instant he looked up—Li Yan was already standing before him. The tip of the spear rested quietly against his throat.

Silence spread throughout Arena Platform Eighteen.

The result…

It was already decided.

Zhao Hui stared silently at the spear resting before his throat. After several breaths, he lowered his own weapon and let out a helpless laugh.

”I surrender.”

The supervising elder nodded before announcing calmly, ”Winner, Li Yan Tian.”

Applause immediately spread throughout the arena.

This time, however, the discussions focused less on the outcome itself and more on the manner of victory. No one had expected Li Yan to defeat Zhao Hui using the very weapon for which Zhao Hui had built his reputation.

Even Zhao Hui himself remained stunned for a brief moment. Looking at Li Yan, he shook his head with a bitter smile. ”I’ve practiced spearmanship for six years,” he said. ”Yet somehow… I feel like I just received a lesson instead.”

Several disciples laughed quietly at his words.

Li Yan smiled faintly. ”There will always be someone stronger.”

Zhao Hui sighed helplessly. ”You’re right. I simply didn’t expect to become today’s example.”

The disciples laughed once more.

The two cupped their fists respectfully toward each other before stepping down from the platform, bringing the match to a peaceful conclusion.

Meanwhile, conversations continued throughout the arena.

Li Yan had advanced into the Top Eight.

More importantly, he had once again revealed a side of his strength that no one had expected. The deeper the competition progressed, the more difficult it became for the disciples to determine what he was truly capable of.

The competition continued without pause.

As the remaining matches of the third round concluded one after another, only the top eight disciples remained in each of the four ranks. By this point, the atmosphere throughout the arena had become noticeably quieter. Every disciple understood that the competitors still standing represented the strongest members of their respective ranks.

Not long afterward, the next round of pairings appeared on the top eight disciples’ bracelets.

Li Yan glanced at his bracelet.

[Round: 4

Match #: 1

Arena #: 19

Opponent: Luo Ming

Status: Begin]

Both participants stepped onto Arena Platform Nineteen.

A ripple of discussion spread across the spectators.

Unlike Zhao Hui, who relied upon overwhelming offensive power, Luo Ming was famous for his speed.

His cultivation had already reached the Qi Channeling Realm (Stage-9), six stages above Li Yan. At the same time, his twin daggers and movement technique had earned him the reputation of being one of the most troublesome opponents among the Azure-Rank disciples.

His cultivation alone was not what made him dangerous.

It was his speed.

Luo Ming remained calm, but his black eyes never left Li Yan. He had watched every one of Li Yan’s previous battles. Whether it was the Azure Pagoda, his swordsmanship, or the spearmanship displayed against Zhao Hui, each performance had made him increasingly cautious.

A faint smile appeared on Luo Ming’s face. ”You’re becoming more difficult to understand.”

Li Yan smiled back. ”I’ve heard that before.”

Luo Ming chuckled softly. ”I don’t think I’ll enjoy finding the answer.”

The supervising elder soon arrived on the platform. After confirming that both participants were prepared, he raised one hand. ”Begin.”

The instant the announcement ended, Luo Ming disappeared. Gasps immediately spread among the nearby spectators.

His movement technique activated without warning, leaving several afterimages scattered across the platform. Even many Brown- and Purple-Rank disciples found it difficult to distinguish his true position.

This was the foundation of Luo Ming’s fighting style.

He relied on speed, confusion, and precision to overwhelm his opponents before they could properly react.

Li Yan calmly expanded his Spiritual Sense. Almost the entire platform entered his perception.

Every fluctuation of Qi. Every movement. Every change in Luo Ming’s position. Nothing escaped his awareness.

A silver flash suddenly appeared behind him.

One dagger thrust toward his back while the second moved toward his neck with almost perfect coordination.

Li Yan dashed forward a few meters. The twin daggers sliced through empty air.

At almost the same moment, Qi flowed quietly into the Green Star Training Rings around his wrists and ankles. The fourth star on each ring dimmed once more, having been reactivated when the Pagoda Trial ended earlier.

This reduced the burden on his body by four hundred jin. With that, his speed increased as he dodged Luo Ming’s next attack.

For only a brief instant, the green rings became visible before disappearing again from his sleeves and legs.

The change was subtle.

Yet it did not escape the observation of several elders.

Ji Hong’s eyes narrowed slightly. ”So that is how he suddenly increased his speed…”

On the platform, Luo Ming attacked again.

Darkness Qi erupted around his body as his movement technique reached its limit. Shadows seemed to appear from every direction as his daggers attacked repeatedly from impossible angles.

Yet Li Yan remained completely composed.

Compared to his current speed, Luo Ming’s greatest advantage no longer appeared particularly threatening.

A sword quietly appeared in Li Yan’s hand.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Steel clashed repeatedly across the platform as every dagger strike was intercepted with remarkable precision.

The battle continued for several more exchanges.

Gradually, the elders began noticing something unusual. Luo Ming’s attacks had not slowed. His movement technique had not weakened. Yet he had failed to gain even the slightest advantage.

Soon, the surrounding disciples also began noticing the reason.

Li Yan’s footwork had changed. Every movement appeared simple. Every step seemed effortless.

Yet each one carried him to exactly the correct position, allowing him to defend with the smallest possible motion while maintaining complete control of the battle.

Only then did Luo Ming fully realize it himself.

His greatest advantage had always been his speed. It was the foundation of his combat style and the reason he had defeated so many opponents. Yet throughout the battle, Li Yan remained one step ahead, as though every movement had already been anticipated before it happened.

For the first time since the match began, Li Yan took the initiative. ”It’s time to end this.”

Darkness Qi gathered silently beneath his feet.

Umbral Step Art.

Darkflash Step.

A burst of Darkness Qi erupted beneath him.

His figure disappeared.

The change came so suddenly that Luo Ming’s pupils contracted. ”Too fast.”

Before he could react, Li Yan had already crossed the distance separating them. Luo Ming instinctively slashed both daggers toward Li Yan’s chest.

Li Yan shifted his body slightly. The twin blades passed harmlessly by.

At the same moment, his sword moved.

Clang!