Chapter 96: Chapter 96
The next three battles sped by in a blur of clashing energies and fierce determination, their endings swift and decisive. Before long, the second round of the martial arts competition drew to a close in just half a morning—time seemed to warp beneath the weight of so many intense duels.
The twenty-four winners gathered again for the drawing of lots, reshuffling the fates of the contenders.
This time, Ethan drew the number nine.
The competition pressed onward without pause. The announcer, Dorian, his voice sharp and clear, called out the upcoming match with invigorating seriousness.
"The ninth match of the third round: Voidshade Peak’s Allen versus Azure Sky Peak’s Ethan!"
The arena instantly erupted into uproarious excitement.
The crowd had long anticipated a clash between these two formidable opponents. Finally, the decisive battle was here—the first true close contest since the tournament’s opening rounds. The tension coiled like a serpent ready to strike.
Though Ethan’s last fights had tested his skills, they had not faced an opponent of this caliber—Allen was not just any competitor.
He was a leading figure of Voidshade’s disciples, a powerhouse rumored to have stepped fully into the late stage of the Soul Formation Realm. His combat prowess was ranked among the very top three contenders, on par with the infamous Orin from Fire Phoenix Peak.
"Allen’s strength is undeniable," the spectators whispered.
"This battle will be thrilling."
Allen himself trembled with anticipation when he heard the pairings announced. His body pulsed with fierce excitement.
From his vantage point on the neighboring viewing platform, he sneered at Ethan with contemptuous confidence. "Ethan," he spat, "our turn has come. I hope you won’t disappoint me."
Ethan responded with poised calm, eyes flicking briefly toward Sam’s sharp gaze beside him. "I should be the one to say that."
Sam’s lips curled into a condescending sneer, dismissive of Ethan’s reputation.
To him, no matter how strong Ethan had become, he could never hope to rival the power of a Void Amalgamation Realm cultivator. Retracted with the help of the Blood Dragon Pill, his brother’s power peaked even higher.
"That kid stands no chance," Sam mocked quietly.
Allen, brimming with merciless confidence, leapt down from the viewing platform and hovered in the air with the grace of a soaring falcon before landing solidly on the stone platform below. His stance radiated casual mastery, the aura of a warrior born for battle.
All eyes turned to Ethan.
To some surprise, Ethan began to rise slowly from his seat—not in a flash of flying power or grand gesture, but by simply standing and calmly descending the ladder from the viewing platform. His footsteps were steady and serene as he approached the arena, free from any need for theatrical display.
"This is... different," whispered a spectator.
"Is that really Ethan? How plain!"
"Flying seems impossible for a physical cultivator, doesn’t it?"
"Of course! Physical cultivation focuses on bodily power; flying isn’t their specialty."
"Still... I kind of like it. There’s something genuine about this."
Even from across the arena, Althea watched with thoughtful eyes, murmuring, "That’s Ethan?.. subtle, mysterious... I wonder how he plans to win against Allen, who’s almost at the peak of Soul Formation Realm."
Seraphina’s gaze echoed the question silently. Then she turned to Lilith with a quiet inquiry. "Who do you think stands a better chance?"
Lilith answered without hesitation, "Ethan—thirty moves."
Seraphina countered confidently, "Allen—fifty moves."
Between these two esteemed judges, the tension of prediction was palpable.
Meanwhile, Ethan had already climbed the stone platform, standing motionless yet exuding calm unshakable focus.
Allen folded his arms with a wicked grin and declared loudly,
"No flight for a physical cultivator. The sky is your weakness, Ethan. You will lose here!"
Ethan only smiled down at him. "Enough talk. Let’s begin."
Dorian, his own excitement barely contained, stepped forward to declare,
"The ninth match of the third round, Azure Sky Peak’s Ethan versus Voidshade Peak’s Allen, begins now!"
The crowd fell into immediate silence, the air thick with anticipation. The solemnity was suffocating.
"Fight!" Allen roared, unleashing all his spiritual energy with a fierce cry.
Allen specialized in fire-attribute skills, his style brutal and relentless.
The platform trembled as waves of crimson flame and spiritual power radiated outward from him, undulating and fierce.
"He is nearly at the pinnacle of the Soul Formation Realm!" murmured several spectators in awe.
Sam, watching closely, smiled with certainty. His brother’s mastery combined with the Blood Dragon Pill made victory almost inevitable.
Nearby, two elders, Crimson Pine and Old Adyr, exchanged approving words.
"Adyr, your disciple is nearing the peak of Soul Formation at such a young age—impressive indeed."
Adyr replied calmly, "Still just a little behind his brother. But don’t be complacent. Ethan’s true power is a mystery, hidden beneath his calm exterior. He might have secrets."
Seraphina declared confidently, "With this momentum, Allen will win. Aunt Lilith, you will lose time."
Lilith’s expression remained unshaken. "Don’t count him out so soon."
On the stage, Allen drew a black spear from his ring—a top-grade spiritual weapon forged for instantaneous, lethal strikes. He grasped it firmly, every movement confident and brutal, sweat gleaming on his brow.
"No slacking—I need to fight with everything I’ve got," Allen growled under his breath.
Ethan recognized the serious shift in Allen’s demeanor and felt a smile curve his lips.
"You’re smarter than Kain—knowing when to unleash your true strength."
Allen growled again. "No tricks left, Ethan—this will end here!"
Suddenly, a devastating surge of spear intent exploded from Allen, coloring the arena with raw power. This spiritual force coiled around the spear, forming a vicious aura that cut through the air like the sharpest blade.
"It’s the Spear Intent! This kid has refined the prototype of the Spear Intent!" an elder gasped in shock.
The elders and peak masters on the viewing platform exchanged stunned glances. The presence of a top-grade spiritual spear together with such manifest spear intention was a fearful combination indeed.
Even the normally impassive Adyr’s lips twitched into a faint smile, pleased at his disciple’s unexpected growth.
"He’s cultivated the spear intent well—more than enough to shift the tide in his favor. How will Ethan counter this?" Althea commented inwardly, her admiration clear.
Born from the savage environment of Serene Mirror Lake, Ethan’s talent was undeniable. Althea’s optimism trembled on the edge of certainty.
From prototypes like this to full-fledged intents—there was a gulf as vast as heaven and earth. Few geniuses in the Soul Formation Realm even approached true intent cultivation. The Empress and Althea herself were among the rare, peerless examples.
Allen’s spear intent, though still only a prototype, was more than enough to unsettle even the most seasoned warriors.
Yet in Ethan’s eyes, this was but a beginning. He had cultivated many intents—Mahayana’s Scythe Intent, Sword Intent, and Spear Intent all within his reach.
Even lesser-known weapons like bows, arrows, halberds, axes and daggers were impressed with his mastery of intent, making him proficient with hundreds of weapons.
A/N:
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