Chen Ren sat cross-legged in the room that was allocated for him. The faraway muffled noise of the crowd in the arena could be heard and felt by him due to the sheer number of people cheering even before the fight had started.

Yet, he managed to ignore all of them. Instead, he focused on his dantian. His steadied his breath, his qi flowing smoothly through his meridians. He inhaled the herbal scent from his pills and slowly deepened his focus. His injuries had already healed, therefore, he had no physical distraction, leaving him powerful.

By now, the idea of losing to a sixth-star body forging realm cultivator would have been laughable. His strength, his techniques, his strategies—they had all carried him through countless battles. But he knew this wasn’t just any opponent.

It was Gu Tian.

The man carried surprises, much like himself.

Chen Ren could sense it—Gu Tian walked a unique path, just like him. His fight against Li Xuan had revealed glimpses of those secrets— Earth-grade techniques, the infamous thousand poison tongue. Regardless, there was something dangerous about him, something that gnawed at his instincts.

He tried to calm his thoughts, to focus on his breathing and to remind himself of his abilities. He had faced danger before—Cang Rui had been an annoying opponent, a formidable one at that, and Chen Ren had outmanoeuvred him with wit and tactics.

But this was different. Against Gu Tian, for the first time in a while, he wasn’t sure of his victory.

The faint sound of rustling broke his focus. His eyes snapped open, and he found Yalan sitting in front of him.

“The fight is going to start soon,” she said.

“Did you find anything more about Gu Tian?”

Yalan shook her head. “No. He kept to himself since the last fight, locked in his room. My senses picked up a conversation, but I couldn’t hear much from outside. He wasn’t alone, though. Whoever he’s talking to… it’s someone important. Right now, my theory is that he belongs to a major clan and that's why, he has Earth grade techniques in his arsenal.”

Chen Ren’s jaw tightened. “You think he’s from a major clan?”

“It’s possible. There’s a Gu Clan on the western side of the empire, but they don’t deal in poisons. And I doubt they’d be generous enough to grant Earth-grade techniques to a wandering member. He might have gotten those techniques from elsewhere.”

“Like a ruin or some legacy from a rogue cultivator?” Chen Ren suggested.

“Maybe,” she admitted. “Young cultivators with inherited legacies do appear from time to time. But knowing his background won’t give you much of an advantage. Focus on what you’ve seen. The man is cunning, and he’s not above using underhanded tactics.”

Chen Ren nodded at Yalan's words. "I know that. He uses poisons and Earth-grade techniques. It’s unfortunate I never practiced any body fortification techniques," he said, his tone tinged with regret.

Yalan gave him a small, encouraging purr. "Just be quick. You’re light on your feet, and unlike Li Xuan, you’re clever enough to keep an eye out for the poison. Use that to your advantage."

"I’ll handle it," Chen Ren replied and pushed himself up from his meditative stance.

Together, they walked to the arena grounds, the echoes of the crowd’s jubilant cheers growing louder with every step. The shouts and clamour swelled like a tidal wave as Chen Ren came into view, the energy of the audience washing over him. His eyes scanned the sea of faces, and he noticed something different this time—more people were cheering for him.

Was it his win against Cang Rui? His resourcefulness? Whatever the reason, he couldn’t let them down now.

As he approached the stage, his gaze locked onto Gu Tian, standing at the opposite end. The man offered a simple nod, calm and unbothered, as though this was just another sparring match.

Chen Ren returned the nod and turned his focus to the official in the center of the stage. The man raised a hand, signaling the crowd to quiet down.

"Before the final match begins, we are honored to hear a few words from our esteemed city lord, Li Baolong," the official announced, his voice booming across the arena.

All eyes turned to the city lord, who rose from his elevated seat. He looked over the crowd and waved at them, calming down the cheers that came his way.

"When this tournament was announced, Cloud Mist City was shrouded in dark clouds," Li Baolong began. "Demonic cultivator attacks had left us shaken. Many advised me to cancel this event, to avoid gathering so many people in one place. But I was stubborn. I believed in the resilience of the people and cultivators of Cloud Mist City and the surrounding regions. I believed that a mere demonic cultivator would not be able to scare us into submission. And all of you—every single one of you—have proved me right."

A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd, echoing his sentiment.

Li Baolong raised a hand to quiet them once more. "Hundreds of young cultivators gathered here to prove their mettle. We have seen great battles, acts of courage, and strategies that rival even the most experienced warriors. And now, only two remain. Two cultivators who have surprised us all and earned their place here today."

His gaze briefly swept over Chen Ren and Gu Tian.

"Whoever wins today, know this: both of you are talented and determined. I have no doubt that you will rise through the realms and make your names known across the Empire. With that, I leave the stage to you. May the final fight of this tournament be a spectacle that we will remember for years to come."

The city lord’s words hung in the air, the crowd roaring their approval once more. Chen Ren took a deep breath, his focus narrowing as he stepped onto the stage, ready for the battle that would define the tournament.

As the city lord took his seat, the official stepped forward, his voice calm but authoritative as he addressed the arena.

“The rules for the final round are clear, the same as before! Fatal strikes are allowed. You may cripple or kill your opponent, and any items the fallen cultivator possesses will be yours. Beyond that, the same criterias for disqualification apply: leaving the stage means defeat, surrender means defeat, and, of course, death means defeat. Now, let the final battle of this year's tournament begin!”

The gong rang, a deep, reverberating sound that seemed to shake the ground beneath Chen Ren's feet.

He barely had time to prepare when a wave of killing intent washed over him, freezing him in place for a heartbeat. It wasn’t just pressure; it was suffocating. Unlike anything he’d felt before—not even in Gu Tian’s fight with Li Xuan. The crowd let out a collective gasp, their cheers momentarily silenced.

Chen Ren’s instincts screamed at him as he met Gu Tian’s eyes. In that one second, every thought he had about his opponent changed.

No, this wasn’t some lucky cultivator who’d stumbled upon a legacy. This was someone who had killed—a lot. And now, Gu Tian looked at him with the same gaze a predator reserves for its prey.

That moment of hesitation nearly cost him. A glint of steel flashed in the air as Gu Tian's blade descended. Chen Ren barely managed to leap aside, the sharp edge carving through the spot where he had just stood.

But there was no reprieve. Gu Tian vanished and reappeared beside him in a blur, his Earth-grade movement technique making him impossibly fast. Chen Ren reacted on instinct, activating [Lightning Frenzy], unleashing crackling arcs of electricity in every direction.

Gu Tian jumped back with an almost casual grace, weaving through the chaotic lightning as though it were no more than an inconvenience. The gap he created was gone in an instant as he closed the distance again, his blade coming down in a relentless blur.

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Chen Ren gritted his teeth as he narrowed his eyes and tracked the sword’s peculiar, almost hypnotic movements. It wasn’t a simple attack—this was a sword technique, one designed to confuse and overwhelm. He deflected one strike, then another, each one coming closer than the last, until—

A sharp pain shot through his shoulder as the edge of Gu Tian’s blade grazed him, slicing through his robe and leaving a shallow wound. Blood trickled down, but Chen Ren didn’t flinch. Instead, he slammed his palm into his pouch, pulling out several fire talismans.

With a surge of qi, he activated them, channelling the power through his lightning. The air around him exploded in a wave of searing heat as flames erupted, forcing Gu Tian to stumble back.

The flames licked at Gu Tian’s robe, scorching his hand, but he didn’t falter. Instead, his expression darkened as he reached into his robes, pulling out three small blades. With a flick of his wrist, they shot toward Chen Ren, each one whistling through the air with deadly precision.

Chen Ren’s eyes widened, his mind racing. He had no time to dodge all three.

His reflexes kicked in as the daggers shot toward him. Instead of dodging, he reached into his pouch and flung a handful of white powder into the air, chanting quickly under his breath. A translucent barrier shimmered into existence just in time to block the incoming projectiles.

One dagger, however, phased partially through the barrier. The mystical shield slowed it just enough for Chen Ren to sidestep, snatching the weapon midair. His eyes darted to its edge—dripping with a slick, dark liquid. Poison. Fuck!

Before he could react further, Gu Tian closed the distance, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Chen Ren countered, activating [Thundering Fist] as his fist crackled with lightning, surging forward to meet the attack. His punch landed squarely on Gu Tian’s chest.

But instead of the satisfying impact of flesh and bone, it felt like striking solid stone. Gu Tian didn’t so much as flinch. His grin widened, teeth flashing as he licked his lips like a dog.

"You won't get past my techniques," Gu Tian taunted. "I'll kill you and take the medallion."

Chen Ren’s brow furrowed. "Medallion?" he muttered, but there was no time to process the cryptic statement. Gu Tian's blade was already coming down on him.

Chen Ren darted back, only to feel the cold edge of the platform beneath his heels. Trapped—nowhere to dodge forward without meeting Gu Tian’s blade or throwing himself off the stage.

Gu Tian smirked, lunging for the kill.

Desperate, Chen Ren pulled out another talisman, its glowing edges catching Gu Tian’s attention. The grin on his opponent’s face widened.

"Another fire talisman?" Gu Tian scoffed, sidestepping smoothly. "Your tricks won’t work—"

Before he could finish, Chen Ren burned the talisman with his lightning. "I don’t only carry fire talismans," he muttered.

In an instant, a brilliant flash of blinding light engulfed the battlefield. Gu Tian cried out, staggering as he covered his eyes, momentarily disoriented.

Chen Ren, who had closed his eyes before activating the [Blinding Talisman], claimed the opportunity. He charged forward, his fist crackling with lightning again. This time, his [Thundering Fist] connected squarely with Gu Tian’s jaw, sending him flying back.

Gu Tian crashed heavily onto the platform, the force of the impact sending cracks spidering across the surface. But Chen Ren didn’t hold back. He surged forward and continuously punched his face. Each blow echoed across the arena, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Gu Tian gritted his teeth, forcing himself to regain his footing.

With a swift motion, he threw a flurry of daggers, the deadly blades gleaming as they shot toward Chen Ren.

Seeing the attack, Chen Ren propelled himself into the air. His movements were agile as he dodged the projectiles. Yet, as he hung momentarily in the air, his body twisted mid-flight, he realized the leap had left him wide open to a counterattack.

Gu Tian retrieved his blade, lunging forward to cover the distance between them. His speed was terrifying, but just as he closed in, Chen Ren’s eyes began to glow faintly.

Gu Tian froze mid-charge, his instincts flaring as he sensed an incoming attack.

Gu Tian muttered something incomprehensible under his breath, stepping back cautiously, his blade poised.

But nothing happened.

Chen Ren smirked. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the poisoned dagger he’d caught earlier straight at Gu Tian.

"Who said glowing eyes meant an attack?!" Chen Ren quipped.

The dagger flew true, striking Gu Tian square in the chest. For a moment, Chen Ren saw victory on the horizon. Without hesitation, he launched forward, his movement technique propelling him toward his downed opponent. His fist shot out, crackling with lightning, ready to end it.

But just as his first punch landed, Gu Tian’s body convulsed violently. A foul, dark liquid erupted from his mouth, spraying out in a torrent of poison. Chen Ren barely managed to twist away in time, but the poison splattered across his arm, sizzling against his skin.

He quickly jumped back, shaking his arm free of the venom. But Gu Tian wasn’t finished. The man almost seemed to revel in the chaos he created. The poison kept spraying, jetting from his mouth in a continuous stream, and the stage below them began to melt, the once sturdy stone now eating away into nothingness. Chen Ren’s eyes widened. There was nowhere to run.

Every inch of the arena was being consumed by the toxic spray. The crowd’s collective gasp echoed as the platform began to crack and decay, unable to withstand the powerful venom that Gu Tian expelled with such ease.

Chen Ren looked back at his opponent, and the sight almost froze his blood.

Despite blood dripping out from the wounds he had given him, Gu Tian’s grin only widened—a bloodthirsty, maniacal smile that radiated with a terrifying, almost psychotic rage. It was the kind of grin that made Chen Ren’s instincts flare with unease. Poison dripping down his mouth just added to the effect.

Something was really wrong with this man. Really, fucking wrong.

The air grew heavier as Gu Tian, blood dripping from his wounds, lunged forward again.

His movements flickered like a shadow, impossibly fast and hard to follow. Chen Ren struggled to track him, but he didn’t waver. His mind sharpened, blocking out the pain and the poison that surrounded him.

He thought of a way out of it. There was no way to run with the poison melting the stage and it gave Gu Tian a big advantage. As his mind ran to find a way out, a plan formed.

Chen Ren quickly pulled out a handful of talismans, his fingers moving with precision as he threw them into the air. The paper strips fluttered before igniting with flashes of lightning as their power activated. Energy surged in the air, crackling like a brewing storm. Just as Gu Tian’s blade swept toward him, Chen Ren acted.

He dashed forward, stepping onto the talismans, which solidified into stone under his feet. Without pause, he used the makeshift platforms to launch himself high into the air. The crowd erupted as he soared over Gu Tian, who looked up in surprise.

Chen Ren didn’t waste the opening. From above, he unleashed [Lightning Frenzy], a rapid flurry of electric strikes that rained down on Gu Tian. Lightning crackled as the blows landed. And it left Gu Tian stunned and struggling to defend himself. His hands came to his face, trying to avoid the attacks, but his body convulsed with each hit.

Before the latter could recover, Chen Ren landed in front of him, his fist crackling with raw energy.

With one swift motion, he drove it into Gu Tian’s stomach. The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the platform, hurling Gu Tian through the air.

He crashed past the edge of the arena, falling hard and motionless.

The crowd roared as Chen Ren stood at the center of the stage, breathing heavily but victorious. The poison sizzling on the platform no longer mattered. Gu Tian lay outside the ring, bloodied and defeated.

Chen Ren, though battered, stood tall, a rare sense of calm washing over him.

It had been a difficult fight, but he had won. Yes, he had finally won.

The arena trembled, the ground beneath them shaking as the official's voice rang out. "Gu Tian is out of bounds and disqualified. Chen Ren wins the match and the tournament! Give a loud applause for him!"

The roar of the crowd surged around him again, deafening in its intensity. The applause was overwhelming, each clap like a thunderous wave crashing against the walls of the arena. The stadium was alive with jubilant celebration, the energy of thousands of voices echoing through the air.

But for Chen Ren, it all felt distant. His legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, exhausted beyond belief. The adrenaline that had carried him through the battle was beginning to wear off, leaving him with the weight of his own fatigue. His chest heaved with shallow breaths, the aftershocks of the fight still rippling through his body.

Slowly, his eyes drifted across the arena. The cheers. The people celebrating. The knowledge that he had won. His mind tried to catch up with the reality of it, and a small, disbelieving smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He had done it. He had won the tournament.

But then, a faint whisper reached his ears, something cold and malicious. "No, it can't be like this. I can't lose. Not to you. Not to such trash."

Chen Ren’s heart skipped a beat, and his gaze snapped downward. His eyes locked onto Gu Tian, lying in a pool of blood and poison, the remnants of their fight still hanging heavy in the air. Despite the state he was in, Gu Tian's eyes burned with a hatred so intense it felt like it could consume everything around him.

Chen Ren’s blood ran cold as he watched the man, whose body should have been limp and unconscious, begin to twitch.

A low growl escaped from his throat, and before Chen Ren could react, something inside him snapped.

The man's eyes, once dark and full of malice, shifted—turning a deep crimson. An immediate wave of energy seemed to ripple out from Gu Tian's form, extremely dark and repulsie like an entire storm brewing beneath his skin. The bloodied figure stood, impossibly, his robes simmering as dark chains erupted out of it, wrapping around Chen Ren like tendrils of doom.

Dark energy emanated from Gu Tian, rolling outward in waves, coating everything with an oppressive aura. The entire arena seemed to freeze for a moment, the temperature dropping, and Chen Ren’s skin prickled as though he were standing in the presence of something he shouldn’t.

His eyes widened, his body instinctively tensing. "What... is this?"

Before he could make sense of it, a familiar voice cut through the air. Yalan. "Chen Ren, get back! He's a demonic—!"