The arena was silent.
Dust hung thick in the air, broken only by the ragged breathing of two figures.
Kai, drenched in blood, his arms trembling from overuse. Wei Tian, the Golden Spear of the Inner Academy, face swollen from Kai's earlier punch, his weapon vibrating in his grip.
Both looked like they had been dragged from hell.
Yet neither fell.
The crowd—tens of thousands of Outer disciples—didn't dare blink. They had expected Wei Tian to crush Kai within a handful of moves. Instead, they witnessed the unthinkable: an Outer disciple who refused to kneel before an Inner genius.
---
Wei Tian's Rage
"You… dare humiliate me before the Outer rabble?" Wei Tian's voice cracked like thunder. His Qi surged, golden flames coiling around his spear. "Kai, I'll break every bone in your body!"
He spun the spear, the air splitting under the force. The ground cracked at his feet, shockwaves rippling outward.
Kai's knees buckled. Every muscle screamed, his body battered beyond reason. But his eyes never wavered.
I can't lose here. Not after coming this far. If I fall, everything—the System, my growth, my pride—it all ends.
His fists clenched, blood dripping from his knuckles.
"Come then," Kai spat, voice hoarse. "Let's finish this."
---
The Final Clash Begins
Wei Tian lunged, spear tip glowing like a miniature sun. Each thrust came faster than the last, a blur of golden light aimed to pierce Kai's heart, throat, and skull.
Kai twisted, ducked, and staggered back, the spear grazing his skin again and again. Blood sprayed in arcs across the sand.
Status Scan, activate!
---
[Status Scan: Wei Tian]
Realm: Qi Condensation (Mid-stage)
Strength: 90
Agility: 82
Vitality: 85
Weakness: Spear reset lag during close combat.
---
That's my only chance.
Kai forced his broken body forward. Another spear thrust came screaming toward him. Instead of retreating, he stepped into the strike.
The spear tip pierced through his left shoulder. White-hot pain exploded through him, but Kai's right fist drove forward like a hammer.
"AHHHH!" Kai roared, slamming his fist into Wei Tian's ribs.
Crack!
The sound of breaking bone echoed across the arena. Wei Tian staggered, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You…!"
But Kai didn't stop. His body moved on instinct, driven by desperation. Another punch slammed into Wei Tian's jaw, then a knee into his gut.
Blood sprayed from Wei Tian's mouth as he stumbled back, spear arm faltering.
---
Wei Tian's Desperation
"You filthy Outer rat!" Wei Tian screamed, rage twisting his handsome features. Qi flared violently around him. "Golden Spear Art—Heaven Sundering Strike!"
The golden spear elongated, Qi condensing into a ten-meter arc of pure destruction. It howled down like a heavenly punishment, threatening to tear the entire arena apart.
Disciples screamed and scattered. Even the Elders leaned forward, brows furrowed.
If this landed, Kai would be obliterated.
---
Kai's Gamble
Kai could barely stand. His vision blurred, his breath shallow.
But deep within his mind, the System chimed.
---
[System Notification]
Temporary Burst unlocked: Life and Death Instinct.
Duration: 30 seconds
Effect: Agility +15, Perception +10.
---
Kai's heart leapt. So the System really does answer in critical moments…
His body lightened, senses sharpening. Every detail around him—Wei Tian's stance, the tremor in his grip, the flow of Qi—became clear.
He roared, surging forward. Instead of dodging away from the golden arc, he charged straight through it.
The spear light tore across his torso, ripping flesh, blood spraying in torrents. Pain seared him—but he didn't stop.
He was inside Wei Tian's guard.
"DIE!" Kai howled, fists glowing with raw force.
Both fists slammed into Wei Tian's chest with earth-shattering impact.
Boom!
Wei Tian's body launched backward like a broken kite, crashing into the arena wall with a thunderous crack. The stone shattered, rubble collapsing onto him.
---
Silence
The entire arena froze.
Wei Tian, the Golden Spear, Inner Academy genius, lay unconscious, blood pouring from his mouth. His golden spear clattered uselessly to the ground.
Kai stood in the center, drenched in his own blood, chest heaving. His body swayed—then steadied.
He had won.
Against all odds, he had beaten an Inner Academy genius.
The silence broke like glass.
"HE DID IT!"
"Kai defeated an Inner disciple—an Inner!"
"Impossible… This is madness!"
The stands erupted in chaos. Outer disciples screamed his name, their voices shaking the sky. Others stared in disbelief, faces pale with shock.
---
System Reward
The familiar chime rang in Kai's ears.
---
[System Notification]
Hidden Quest Completed: Stand Against the Inner Academy!
Reward Unlocked: Minor Passive – Pain Resistance (Lv.1)
Reduces physical pain by 15% during battle.
Grants improved focus under injury.
10 Free Attribute Points.
2000 Experience.
---
Kai exhaled, relief flooding him.
Pain Resistance… His lips curved into a faint smile. Perfect. Exactly what I need to keep going.
But as he savored his victory, a shadow passed over him.
---
The Elders' Debate
On the high platform, the Elders erupted.
"This is outrageous! Allowing an Outer disciple to humiliate the Inner Academy?!"
"He has proven his worth. A genius of this caliber cannot be confined here any longer."
"If we raise him too quickly, he'll become arrogant. If we suppress him, we'll lose him. Either way, trouble brews."
Their voices clashed like swords. Factions formed in real-time, some already moving to claim Kai for themselves.
But Elder Yun remained silent, his gaze fixed on Kai with a mixture of approval and cold amusement. You've exceeded my expectations, boy. Now the real test begins.
---
A New Enemy Emerges
As the arena buzzed with chaos, a calm, cold voice cut through the noise.
"Pathetic."
The crowd fell silent, turning to the balcony above.
Another figure stepped into view. His robes bore the same phoenix emblem, but black instead of gold. His aura rolled out like an icy tide, heavier than Wei Tian's by far.
He looked down at Kai, eyes like daggers.
"Defeating Wei Tian proves nothing. You're still an insect before the true Inner Academy geniuses."
Whispers swept the crowd.
"That's… that's Lu Chen! Ranked twenty-third in the Inner Academy!"
"Why is he here?!"
Lu Chen's gaze locked on Kai. "Rest well, Outer rat. Soon, I'll personally crush the illusion of your strength."
The arena shivered under his presence.
Kai, blood dripping from his lips, lifted his head to meet the gaze.
His eyes burned—not with fear, but with defiance.
Then come. I'll shatter you too.