The Shining Star Above The Heaven

The battle between Rick and Arentinus continued, and as time passed, it grew more intense, with increasingly varied techniques unleashed. As expected, their fight was far more destructive than any that had come before. The arena floor was littered with destroyed ground and craters, the result of their clashes and powerful techniques.

The arena floor was designed so that any contestant who comprehended earth laws could control it like normal ground, which is why destruction spread so easily across the arena. After the battle, the staff would return the arena to normal, as if nothing had happened.

Rick and Arentinus continued to clash swords, their movements so fast that cultivators weaker than them could not follow.

Trang! Tring! Trang! Donk! Rumble! Rumble!

With each clash, the ground beneath them shattered, and the wind swept across the battlefield. Wind and earth elemental attacks raged everywhere as both of them used everything at their disposal to gain an advantage over the other.

After ten minutes, one of them finally saw an opening. Arentinus, who seemed to be pushed back by Rick's relentless attacks, retaliated with one massive slash. Rick, knowing how powerful Arentinus's attack was, evaded it by a slight margin and took a step back to put some distance between them.

However, he suddenly stunned Arentinus, letting go of his sword and dashing at him with a speed he had never shown before.

He intended to use his movement technique, but Arentinus quickly closed the distance. With his palm already clenched, Rick had no time to react and took Arentinus's fist squarely in the gut.

"Ugh!" he spat out saliva as he struggled to breathe. The direct hit was devastating, with Arentinus's burly frame, his raw power was tremendous.

Rick immediately dropped to his knees, clutching his gut. In that moment, his fate seemed sealed. Arentinus struck again, hitting Rick directly in the face and sending him flying to the side. His body rolled several times before coming to a stop. Staff rushed over to check on him, but Rick was already unconscious by the time they arrived.

Orlav, who had already sensed Rick's condition, nodded to himself and shouted to announce the result of the battle.

"Because one of the participants is unable to continue the battle, the first match between Rick Saymond and Arentinus Corelis is won by Arentinus!" The spectators erupted in cheers. The battle had been intense, and Arentinus, who had initially seemed more passive, emerged as the victor.

Despite his victory, Arentinus showed little expression. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the arena. He knew he still had another battle ahead, and the fight he had just endured had been tough even for him. He had nearly unleashed his trump card, a technique he reserved for only the most necessary moments, as it took a heavy toll on his body. Fortunately, he had found a small opening in his opponent that he could exploit.

Arentinus then left the stage, while Rick was brought outside for treatment, and the arena returned to normal, ready for the next round.

"For the next battle, let us greet with cheers our next contestants, number three and number four: Mister Z and Tristan Arim! Contestants, please enter the arena!" Orlav shouted in excitement, and the spectators responded with an uproar so loud it caused the stadium to tremble slightly.

The battle they had been waiting for, the one involving one of the figures everyone had anticipated, was finally about to begin.

Zander and Tristan were already in their positions. Zander had unsheathed his sword, while Tristan had taken his stance with his spear. Zander's expression was focused but still relatively relaxed, while Tristan's expression was solemn. Unnoticed by him, a bead of sweat had already rolled down the side of his forehead.

Although Tristan's cultivation was stronger, at peak early stage, he did not take Zander lightly. He was wary of Zander's swordplay, combined with his sword intent or even his sword will. He considered his strategy for facing this abnormal cultivator and thought of using his ultimate move much sooner. However, he decided to test the man's skill first before surprising him with his ultimate technique.

"For the contestants, are you ready?!" Orlav asked energetically.

"I'm ready," Tristan answered, while Zander simply nodded.

"Alright, the battle begins!"

Without any warning, Tristan thrust his spear, having vanished from the spot where he had just stood. His speed was even faster than Rick or Arentinus, shocking the spectators. For anyone unable to follow his movement, all they saw was that he had disappeared.

However, for Zander, Tristan's movement was still within his capability to track. Although Tristan was incredibly fast, Zander was used to it, allowing him to follow his movement.

How could he not be used to it, when Aldrian himself had taught him about speed and how to counter it?

'This kind of speed is nothing compared to Master,' Zander thought. Sometimes, his master would show his true speed, which was impossible to follow. Most of the time, however, his master reduced his speed so Zander could train against quick opponents. If his master moved at full speed, Zander would not have been able to learn anything.

When the spear nearly reached him—

Tang!

He blocked it with his Jian sword, a peak Heaven-grade artifact. Since yesterday, many had assumed Zander came from a noble family, not only because of his talent but also because of the sword he wielded. Normally, only someone from a noble family could be so extravagant with their artifact in an event like this.

Tristan was slightly taken aback as his attack was blocked, but he was not too shocked and immediately attacked again. He directed his spear toward Zander's chest. Zander blocked it, but Tristan followed up with a kick aimed at Zander's body, trying to make him lose balance.

Zander evaded the kick with his nimble body, taking a quick step back. Tristan pursued him with another spear attack, raising the weapon with both hands and delivering a chopping motion toward Zander. His movements were faster now, and strands of lightning appeared around his body, accompanied by the crackling sound of electricity.

Seeing the powerful and rapid attack, Zander jumped backward before it could reach him.

Rumble! Crack! Crack!

The spear smashed into the ground, creating a crater with a diameter of five hundred meters. Strands of lightning spread outward, forming a wall that threatened anyone within its range. The sheer power of this strike had already reached a low Marquess-level attack!

Seeing the strike, Zander decided to stop retreating. He focused his power into his sword and finally unleashed his technique.

Meteorite Slash!

He slashed with his sword, and the slash energy effortlessly cut through the incoming lightning. Tristan, seeing this, was shocked, not only by how easily his technique had been sliced, but also by the sheer power behind Zander's attack. This incoming slash energy was actually nearly equivalent to the attack power of a middle Marquess-stage cultivator!

Tristan instantly dodged to the side, but Zander followed with his speed. The slash passed Tristan by only a small margin, and Zander was already closing in. It was now his turn to attack. Tristan gritted his teeth and decided to use his trump card. Although it was earlier than he had planned, with how agile and strong the masked man was, this might be his only chance.

Suddenly, his body burst with lightning, forcing Zander to halt his advance. Tristan channeled his energy into his spear, which began to glow with a brilliant blue light. The air grew heavy, and the crackling of lightning echoed throughout the stadium. The ground of the arena trembled under the pressure of the technique, and even the weather outside was slightly affected, turning the sky slightly cloudy.

Tristan lifted his spear with both hands, its power already reaching the level of a middle Marquess-stage cultivator. Zander, who had almost prepared to strike, fixed his gaze on him with sharp focus. Pointing his sword forward, he slowly closed his eyes.

Spear of Thunder Judgment: The Lightning of Destruction!

Tristan finally unleashed his technique, sweeping his spear toward Zander. Countless bolts of lightning, each carrying the force of a middle Marquess-stage attack, shot toward him. Yet Zander remained calm, still focused.

A split second later, he suddenly opened his eyes, and his sword intent erupted, filling the arena with its overwhelming presence. In that instant, he unleashed his technique.

Third Movement of the Valiant Sword: Severing Spirit!

He delivered three slashes with his sword, and each one carried power greater than the incoming lightning strikes. The first slash tore through every bolt it touched, opening a path for the slashes behind it. The energy traveled at frightening speed, and Tristan could only stare in shock as his ultimate technique was shattered with ease.

A chill ran down his spine as the slashes nearly reached him.

'I have to evade!' He knew this strike was truly dangerous and tried to jump away, but his body refused to move. It was as if he were frozen in place, forced to stare at the incoming attack.

'No!' He wanted to shout, but before the slash energy could reach him, it suddenly dissipated. His legs gave out, and he slumped to the ground, feeling weak. He could move his body again, and sweat was already pouring down his face.

Gasping for breath, he looked at Zander with trembling eyes. He had almost died! If that strike had landed, it would have cut him down with ease. And from the way the masked man had unleashed it so effortlessly, it was clear he possessed techniques far stronger than this.

Tristan let out a weary sigh. It was simply too much for him to fight against this man.

"I lost," he admitted, his words met by an uproar from the spectators.

Orlav smiled as he raised his hand.

"The winner of this battle is Mister Z!"

"UWOO!"