The air inside the Grand Martial Arena felt heavy, thick with tension and the residual aura of countless cultivators who had fought here over the past week. The sky above was painted with streaks of orange and violet, the sun sinking low as if the heavens themselves were leaning in to watch the final match.
Every eye was fixed on the center stage, where two young men stood facing each other. One, Edran Valcrest, his cold gaze steady, robes fluttering in the wind. The other, Kael Draven, was already wreathed in a fierce crimson aura, his qi surging violently like a storm about to break.
[Cultivation Realms]
Edran: Qi Condensation (Mid Stage)
Kael: Qi Condensation (Peak Stage, one step from Foundation Establishment)
Kael was famous in the academy for his brutal spear techniques — Crimson Gale Spear Arts — a style that relied on overwhelming bursts of power to crush opponents before they could recover. Against Edran, it was clear Kael intended to end this quickly.
The crowd erupted as the referee raised his hand.
"Final match of the Academy Tournament! Begin!"
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The Clash
Kael's spear flashed forward, a silver blur streaking through the air.
"First Form — Piercing Tempest!"
The qi-infused thrust cracked the arena floor as it shot toward Edran's heart. In that split second, Edran's eyes narrowed. His right foot slid back, body twisting like a serpent as the spear's tip grazed the side of his robe.
"Fast… but predictable," Edran thought coldly.
He drew in a deep breath, circulating his Azure Dragon Breathing Art. The low-earth grade technique sent waves of azure qi rippling through his meridians, condensing into a thin barrier around his arms.
"Azure Claw — First Talon!"
Edran's palm swept forward, fingers curved like talons, slashing against the spear shaft. The impact sent a ringing shockwave through the air, pushing Kael back three steps.
---
Kael's lips curled into a grin.
"Not bad… but can you handle this?"
His aura flared violently, crimson qi swirling like wildfire. The ground beneath him cracked as he shifted his stance.
"Fourth Form — Gale Devastation!"
The spear became a whirlwind, striking from multiple angles in the blink of an eye. Edran blocked the first, deflected the second — but the third strike slipped past his guard, slamming into his side.
The crowd gasped as Edran staggered, the metallic tang of blood touching his tongue. Pain lanced through his ribs, but his expression remained unchanged.
---
Awakening the Vein
He could feel his qi stirring strangely. The injury had jolted something deep within him — the Dragon Vein that lay dormant in his body. For a heartbeat, his veins pulsed with a faint golden glow beneath his skin. His senses sharpened; the rhythm of Kael's strikes became clear, predictable.
Edran's gaze turned glacial.
"Your form is flawed."
Azure qi burst from his core, weaving around him like a dragon coiling in the clouds.
"Azure Claw — Second Talon!"
His strike met Kael's spear mid-thrust, bending the metal slightly before snapping it aside. Edran stepped in, delivering a palm strike to Kael's chest. The force sent Kael sliding back across the arena floor, boots digging furrows into the stone.
Kael roared in defiance, qi erupting higher — and in that moment, he broke through. His aura shifted, heavier, deeper. He had stepped into Foundation Establishment (Early Stage) right there in battle.
The crowd exploded in cheers, sensing the breakthrough.
---
Final Exchange
Kael's breakthrough came with a surge of speed and power. His next strike was a blur, the spear whistling toward Edran's neck. But Edran's qi was no longer ordinary. The Dragon Vein's faint awakening enhanced his circulation, allowing him to move just a fraction faster than before.
"Azure Claw — Third Talon!"
His palm clashed against the spear, redirecting its force before he pivoted, bringing his other hand down like a hammer on Kael's chest. The impact shattered the crimson aura, forcing Kael to cough blood as he was thrown back, his spear clattering across the arena.
The referee stepped forward immediately.
"Winner — Edran Valcrest!"
---
Reactions
The arena erupted into deafening cheers, though in the stands, many faces remained unreadable — sect leaders measuring him, rivals quietly plotting.
Among them, in the high pavilion, a young woman in silver robes watched him intently. Lyra Silversong, famed for her unmatched beauty and mysterious origins, tilted her head ever so slightly, her lips curling in a faint, knowing smile.
In the shadows beneath the stands, cloaked figures exchanged hushed words.
"He's more dangerous than we thought."
"Then we'll cut him down before he matures."
---
The Dean's Reward
As the noise settled, a dignified presence stepped onto the arena floor. The Dean of Crowns Academy — an elder with hair like spun silver and eyes that saw straight through a person's soul — approached Edran.
"Edran Valcrest," the Dean's voice carried across the arena. "You have fought with skill, tenacity, and composure beyond your years. For your achievement, the Academy bestows upon you… this."
From a jade box, the Dean revealed a shimmering, crystalline blue herb shaped like a teardrop. The air around it seemed to hum with power.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"Azure Dragon's Tear…!"
"This spirit herb," the Dean continued, "contains dragon-attributed qi that will temper your meridians and expand your dantian. It is a treasure few in a lifetime will touch. Use it wisely."
Edran accepted the jade box with a silent bow, though he could feel countless eyes burning into him — some admiring, others full of envy or hatred.
---
Aftermath
His elder sister, seated in the spectators' section, allowed herself a small smile. She knew what this meant for him, but also understood it would paint a target on his back.
Kael, still recovering, approached. His face was pale, but his eyes were steady. "You're strong… I'll beat you next time." He left without another word.
From the pavilion, Lyra rose, her eyes never leaving Edran. Her faint smile deepened before she vanished into the crowd.
And in the city beyond the arena, the hidden enemies of the kingdom marked a new name on their lists.
---
Edran turned from the arena floor, jade box in hand, the cheers of the crowd still echoing in his ears. But his mind was already on the next challenge. He knew one thing — the real battles were only just beginning.