WHAT! I Have To Kill Heaven's Son To Live!

Reon narrowed his eyes, locking his gaze on Yi Ran.

With a swift thought, he activated Identify, and her Status Window instantly appeared before him.

...

[Name:] Yi Ran (Chu Ming)

[Cultivation Realm:] Stage-1 Golden Core Realm (Heavenly Core)

[Titles:]

🔹 Cunning Bitch (Click to reveal details)

🔹 Monstrous Saber Genius (Click to reveal details)

🔹 [Hidden Titles] (Click here to reveal more)

[Physique:] Ethereal Lotus Saber Physique (Sacred-Grade)

[Physique Stage:] Lesser Perfection

[Spiritual Roots:] Peak-Tier Grade-9

[Spiritual Bones:] Not awakened

[Constitution:] Not awakened

[Weapon Cultivation Realm:] Saber Qi (Awakening-Stage)

[Weapon Cultivator Rank:] Novice Saber Elite

[Favorability:] (Click here to see)

...

Reon scanned the status window carefully, his expression gradually tightening—until his eyes flew wide in shock.

'…She's already stepped into Stage 1 of the Golden Core Realm—and with a Heavenly Core?! As expected of a Daughter of Heaven…'

His gaze flicked across the details, line by line, absorbing every bit of data.

A low breath escaped him.

"Damn…"

'She's even awakened her Spiritual Root… and it's a Peak-Tier Grade 9?!'

'That means her cultivation talent is just as terrifying as her Saber Dao—perhaps even more so.'

He clenched his fist slightly, his mind racing.

'What do I do now?! Should I use the Lightning Qi I got from Nira?'

'But I don't even have any Elemental Energy to wield it properly… so I'll have to rely on Spiritual Energy instead!'

'The destructive force will be heavily reduced—still if I combine it with the Nine Yang Sword Technique, it might still rival, or even surpass, the power of her Saber Qi at the Awakening Stage!'

'If I use all of that together, I might be able to defeat her easily… but wouldn't that just draw even more attention to myself than I already have?'

Before he could reach a decision—

Whoosh!

A burst of air ripped through the silence as Yi Ran lunged forward again like a streak of silver.

"What are you dazing out for?! Are you underestimating me?!"

Swoosh!

Another blinding slash cut through the air, this time an upward arc shimmering with violent Saber Qi, aimed directly for his chest.

But—

At the very last moment, the sword slash veered—its trajectory shifting unnaturally toward Reon's left arm.

Reon's eyes gleamed as a smirk tugged at his lips.

'Heh, I won't fall for those cheap tricks again. I've studied your every move since our last fight.'

With a sharp breath, he launched himself sideways, narrowly evading the slash with ease and grace.

BOOOOM!

The attack crashed against the Grade-5 Protective Formation surrounding the Grand Platform.

A thunderous quake rippled through the air as golden runes flickered across the barrier, straining to contain the overwhelming force.

The very platform trembled beneath everyone's feet.

Gasps echoed across the male side of the arena.

"D-Did you see that?! That attack just made the entire Grand Platform shake!"

"That protective barrier was designed to withstand attacks from even an Element Refining Realm cultivator—and it nearly cracked just now!"

"Of course it did! That's Yi Ran for you—our Deceptive Goddess! She's already awakened Saber Qi. Her attacks are on another level!"

"Hmph! Xue Taiyang's nothing compared to her. He just got lucky last time."

"This time, she'll prove she's unmatched! No one can compete with her!"

"He deserves to be crushed!"

"He's finished!"

"Serves him right!"

Meanwhile, on the opposite side, softer voices of admiration rose—this time from a group of female disciples, their eyes fixed on Reon with dreamy anticipation.

"Brother Taiyang~ You're so cool!"

"Brother Taiyang's smirk… it's illegal!"

"Please crush that arrogant Yi Ran again like last time!"

"It's all because of that bitch Yi Ran! My Dao Partner left me for her. Brother Taiyang, you have to defeat her!"

"Same here. But I was the one who left him. He wouldn't shut up about 'Goddess Yi Ran this, Goddess Yi Ran that,' even though I was right there always by his side."

"Me too!"

"Brother Taiyang, avenge us!"

Even the Elders were watching the duel intently now.

Among the many other battles erupting across the Grand Platform, this clash between Yi Ran and Xue Taiyang had seized their attention more than any other.

Why?

Because both individuals were enigmas—rising stars whose potential could reshape the very future of the sect.

Their strengths… were still unknown.

Elder Qin Shi of Starlight Spear Peak spoke thoughtfully.

"I must admit, I'm quite eager to witness Xue Taiyang's full strength."

His gaze didn't waver from the arena floor.

Beside him, Elder Jin Shin of Azure Sky Peak chuckled.

"Same here. I'm more curious about that rumored artifact of his—the one said to copy techniques. I want to see if it truly exists, or if it's just another Outer Sect fantasy."

Elder Lain Jing from Beast Garden Peak leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowed.

"As for me, I'm more curious about his beasts. I want to see what bloodline they come from."

"If they truly descend from a higher lineage, even the Beast Garden Peak will have to take notice—and might even invite him to join their ranks."

Meanwhile, Elder Lin Taishin of Yellow Spring Peak crossed his arms, his sharp eyes locked onto Yi Ran.

"As for me, it's the girl I'm watching. Yi Ran has grown remarkably. Her Saber Qi alone is enough proof. I want to see her go all out—no holding back."

Though many Elders were focused on evaluating other disciples they wished to take in as direct disciples, their interest in this particular battle was undeniable.

The anticipation in the air was almost tangible.

As the dust from the previous attack finally settled on the arena floor, a lone figure emerged—Reon.

He stood tall and still, calm as ever. Not a scratch on him.

Yi Ran's eyes twitched.

Her clenched fists trembled ever so slightly.

Despite launching a powerful slash imbued with Awakening-Stage Saber Qi—one strong enough to shake the barrier—he hadn't even drawn his sword.

"Why…?" she muttered, teeth grinding.

Then she shouted:

"Why won't you even draw your sword?! Damn it—take me seriously, you bastard!"

Her voice echoed through the Grand Platform, laced with fury and frustration.

Reon merely stared at her, quiet and composed, the hint of a smirk on his lips.

Yi Ran's thoughts seethed with anger as she stared back at him.

'Hmph! This time… I will defeat you for sure!'

'If you dare take me too lightly, that's your own mistake! I've grown far stronger than the last time we fought!'

Her grip on the saber tightened.

'Even with the help of that strange artifact of yours… you might not win now!'

In a flash, her figure vanished—reappearing just a few feet in front of Reon, purple eyes locking with his calm black ones.

Her voice was cold and proud.

"If you don't use your artifact now, you'll regret it. You'll be humiliated in front of everyone."

Then—she moved.

Her hand extended with blinding speed, saber gleaming with violet energy as she whispered:

"Dancing Mirage Saber Technique…

First Form—Mirage Scale Thrust!"

Swoooosh!

A shimmering saber thrust shot forth, its edge trailing ghostly mirages that danced in the air—aimed directly at Reon's neck.

But—

At the last instant, the attack curved downward—veering straight toward his chest!

Yi Ran smirked inwardly.

'Heh, You won't be able block that—!'

But instead of panic or fear—

Reon… smiled.

A faint, knowing smile.

'Heh… enough games. I don't care about attention anymore.'

Suddenly—

Whoooosh!

The blade stopped mid-air, frozen in place.

A calm voice echoed:

"You're wrong, Yi Ran. I don't need my artifact to defeat you."

'...What?!'

Yi Ran's eyes widened in disbelief.

Her blade—coated in Awakening-Stage Saber Qi—was caught… held effortlessly between two of Reon's fingers.

'H-How did he stop it so easily?! My Saber Qi attack… completely neutralized—with just two fingers?!'

Her gaze dropped instinctively—and what she saw sent a chill down her spine.

Beads of sweat formed along her forehead.

Crackling, violent Dense White Energy surged in Reon's hand, lashing the air like chained lightning.

Its very presence distorted the space around it.

Her breath hitched.

'T-That's… Lightning Qi?!'

'H-He awakened Lightning Qi?! But… isn't he supposed to be a Weapon Cultivator?!'

'D-Don't tell me… he has a special constitution related to Lightning?!'

But she had no time to think further.

Swoooosh!

With a casual flick of his hand, Reon pushed her saber back—and her entire body with it.

"Ugh!"

BOOOOM!

Yi Ran was hurled backward, crashing into the protective barrier.

The impact rippled across the arena like thunder.

Though the attack didn't injure her physically thanks to the platform's safeguards and her resilient body, the blow left a deeper wound—in her spirit.

Panting, she slowly rose, her heart pounding.

Her eyes locked on Reon once more, now wreathed in crackling lightning.

'Can I… really defeat him now? Against someone who wields Lightning Qi… and caught my Saber Technique with just his fingers…?'

Doubt gnawed at her resolve for the first time.

A stunned silence swept through the audience, broken only by the collective gasp at what they had just witnessed—even the Elders were visibly surprised.

But then—

"Yi Ran, you're thinking too much! That's not like you."

A sudden attack came from the side, swift and unexpected.