The third round began swiftly, and with two full rounds of eliminations behind them, only a dozen or so of the strongest geniuses remained standing.
One after another, names were called, blades and fists clashed, and victories were decided. Some disciples fought desperately only to be overwhelmed, while others displayed dazzling techniques that drew cheers from the crowd.
As the battles unfolded, two names began to dominate all whispers and discussions. The first was Li Yao, daughter of the Patriarch. Her cultivation at the peak stage of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, combined with the astonishing power of her Azure Wood Scripture, shocked many.
With calm precision, she dispatched her opponent in the third round, advancing smoothly into the fourth. Each strike of hers revealed not only strength but also the unshakable determination of someone striving to prove herself.
The second was none other than Li Dong, long regarded as the favorite to claim this year's championship. His reputation as the Second Elder's son and his peerless talent had already set expectations sky-high
True to form, he crushed every opponent with a single move, his victories so decisive that no one dared question his supremacy.
One round bled into the next, the pool of competitors narrowing with each clash. By the time the dust settled and the echoes of battle quieted, only two figures remained in the arena, two names that had stirred the Li Family for days now.
Li Yao and Li Dong.
The daughter of the Patriarch, burning with determination.
The son of the Second Elder, unrivaled and unchallenged.
All other contestants had been swept aside. The final confrontation was set.
The arena fell silent as the final two names echoed in the martial field.
Li Yao versus Li Dong.
The daughter of the Patriarch against the son of the Second Elder.
"Brother Yun, I will be back." Li Yao said her expression firm as she went to the arena.
Seeing her expression, Li Yun sighed. He could see that she wanted to win against Li Dong but it wouldn't be easy to defeat him. Those geniuses who had trained outside the family were always stronger, more experience than the geniuses trained in the family.
And especially Li Dong who was second only to Li Xian.
Both Li Yao and Li Dong arrived in the arena.
Li Yao's green robes swayed lightly in the breeze, her sword in hand, her internal energy flowing like surging life from the Azure Wood Scripture.
Li Dong stood tall, dressed in dark-blue martial robes, his aura calm yet suffocating, like a boulder pressed against the chest of everyone watching.
"Begin!" Third Elder Li Zhen's voice rang out.
Li Dong moved first. His internal energy surged as he activated the Iron Cloud Scripture, a middle-grade mortal rank cultivation technique he had painstakingly practiced to the sixth layer.
His veins seemed to glow faintly, his skin radiating the dense sturdiness of tempered metal.
At the same time, he clenched his fist, executing the Iron-Breaking Fist, also of middle-grade mortal rank. The fist roared forward like a mountain collapsing, shattering the air as it bore down on Li Yao.
Li Yao didn't retreat. Instead, she circulated her Azure Wood Scripture, her internal energy blooming like a forest erupting with vitality. With a sharp shout, she unleashed her Azure Wood Fist, at the advanced stage of mastery, her fists flowing like branches whipping in a storm. One after another, her blows met Li Dong's iron fists head-on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The two collided in a flurry, internal energy exploding around them, each strike echoing like thunder. The spectators held their breath. Many disciples below the arena could not even follow their movements, only the afterimages of fists and the crashes of their collisions filled the field.
But neither side slowed. Li Dong pressed harder, his Iron Cloud Scripture reinforcing his body like steel armor, every punch heavier than the last.
Li Yao's strikes, though seemed softer on the surface, her Azure Wood internal energy sank into each clash like roots digging into stone, suppressing his momentum even as her body trembled under the impact.
But Li Dong only laughed coldly. "Not bad, Cousin. But do you think that alone can defeat me?"
With a sharp swing, he abandoned his fists and drew his sword. His internal energy surged again, pouring into the Iron Slayer Sword Art, another middle-grade mortal rank technique. The blade gleamed silver, every slash heavy and unyielding, like forged iron crashing down.
Li Yao responded instantly, her eyes firm. She raised her own sword, her internal energy shifting from the storming barrage of fists to the flowing sharpness of her Azure Wood Sword Art, also at the advanced stage of mastery. Her sword danced like a tree in the wind, flexible, unpredictable, yet carrying unstoppable force at its core.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sword met sword in dazzling arcs of light. Sparks scattered across the arena. Their internal energy intertwined, metal clashing with wood, force colliding with resilience.
For a time, neither gave an inch. Li Yao's strikes were fierce, pressing with the momentum of her higher-ranked scripture, but Li Dong's blade was steady, his footwork refined, his timing flawless. Every slash of his sword met hers at the perfect angle, diverting her strength and conserving his own.
Minutes passed, and sweat began to bead on Li Yao's forehead. Her Azure Wood internal energy surged again, branches and roots forming illusions around her strikes, pressing down on Li Dong like an ancient tree collapsing. The crowd roared in shock as Li Dong was finally forced backward two steps.
"She pushed him back!"
But Li Dong only steadied his breathing, his expression calm. "Good. Very good."
With a low roar, he erupted once more. His sixth-layer Iron Cloud Scripture flared, his sword techniques reaching their peak. His experience from years of training under experts outside the family began to show.
Where Li Yao's attacks carried momentum, his counters carried precision. He exploited every minor flaw in her rhythm, forcing her to burn internal energy faster and faster.
Their blades clashed one final time, internal energy exploding outward in a shockwave that rattled the martial field. Both staggered, but while Li Dong steadied himself instantly, Li Yao's knees buckled from exhaustion. Her internal energy had run dry, her breathing ragged.
The arena fell silent.
Li Dong lowered his sword, his eyes still sharp but his voice steady. "Cousin, your strength is extraordinary. But victory this time is mine."
Li Yao gritted her teeth, her sword trembling, but in the end she could not lift it again. She exhaled heavily, admitting defeat.
"Winner, Li Dong!" Third Elder Li Zhen's voice rang across the martial field.
"Li Dong won."
"Yeah, that was given. Nobody was at his level in the assessment."
"Do you think if Li Yun would have participated he could have won against Li Dong?"
"I think he might have a chance. That madman dared to battle even Senior Brother Li Xian. What is Li Dong compared to Senior Brother Li Xian?"
"It's a pity we won't get to see that battle."
The crowd erupted, cheers and disbelief mingling in the air. Many stared at Li Yao with awe, though she lost, she had revealed a talent that shook the entire family.
And Li Dong, standing tall with his sword in hand, claimed the title of champion.
Li Yao walked back slowly, her steps heavy, her head lowered in defeat. The fire in her eyes had dimmed, and for the first time that day, she looked more like a lost girl than the proud daughter of the Patriarch.
"Brother Yun… I lost." Her voice was soft, almost trembling.
Li Yun chuckled lightly, reaching out to pat her head. "What's there to be sad about? One battle doesn't decide your future."
His tone was calm, but there was a firmness beneath it. "Remember this, strength isn't built on victories alone. It's shaped by how you rise after defeat. Today you lost to Li Dong, but tomorrow… there will be countless chances to challenge him again. One defeat doesn't define you. Understand?"
Li Yao looked up at him, his words sinking into her heart. Her dim eyes slowly brightened, a faint flame returning to them. She nodded, her voice steadier now. "Yes, Brother Yun. I won't let this weigh me down. I'll become stronger… and one day, I'll defeat Li Dong."
"That's the spirit." Li Yun smiled, satisfied, though his gaze lingered on her as if silently reminding her that the path of cultivation was long and merciless.
Up in the raised seats, Patriarch Li Jinyun exhaled, his expression softening as he watched his daughter. "She is too stubborn. She's never truly tasted defeat before… perhaps this will temper her heart."
The Second Elder, Li Dong's father, chuckled from the side, his tone surprisingly unhostile. "Patriarch, you need not worry. From what we've seen today, her talent surpasses even my son's. Defeat may sting now, but it will only sharpen her edge. She'll rise higher because of this."
Li Jinyun nodded slowly, his sharp eyes falling back on the arena. "Let us hope so."
Yet, while the cheers of the crowd were beginning to fade, Li Dong remained in the arena, his figure tall and unmoving.
"Li Dong, why aren't you leaving?" Third Elder Li Zhen finally asked, a note of curiosity in his voice.
Li Dong turned, his eyes sharp with burning arrogance. "Third Elder, I have no intention of stepping down just yet. I want to challenge Li Yun. I know the Patriarch has excused him from the assessment because of his contributions to the family, but he and I are of the same generation. I want to see, here and now, who truly stands above the other."
Murmurs rippled through the disciples as his words echoed across the martial field.
Li Yun, hearing this, raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Li Dong's attention to fall on him.
"This…" Elder Li Zhen hesitated, his gaze shifting toward the Patriarch.
Patriarch Li Jinyun's expression grew thoughtful. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly. "If Li Yun is willing, then you may face him."
Li Dong's lips curled into a confident smile. He turned fully toward Li Yun, his voice loud and challenging. "Li Yun, do you dare step onto this arena and prove who is truly the strongest of our generation?"