Hughie glanced up at the spectator stands, spotting Oliviare among the sea of faces. She gave him a small wave.

"Gotta give the people a good show!" Hughie said with a grin. "Especially with my number one fan watching."

Paddy followed Hughie's gaze up to Oliviare. "Ah, there is a jade beauty cheering you on. So, you do not wish to disappoint her?"

"You bet!" Hughie thumped his chest. "Nothing's gonna stop me from winning now that my lady is watching!"

Oliviare blushed at the declaration, clasping her hands together as she prayed for Hughie's safety. She knew he could be reckless in battle.

"Then come," Paddy said, settling into a graceful battle stance, palms outstretched. "Show me what you can do."

"Yeah, I'll show you all right!" Hughie shot forward, cocking back a fist. He aimed a punch straight at Paddy's face, putting his full weight behind the blow. But his fist passed harmlessly through empty air as Paddy's form flickered and vanished.

"An illusion?" Hughie realized too late. A sweeping kick to the ribs sent him sprawling.

"You must see through deception to land a blow on me," Paddy whispered, his body wavering like a mirage.

Hughie growled, bouncing to his feet. He didn’t need a lecture from his opponent, he got enough from the old man as it was!

He charged again, throwing a flurry of blows, but each one met only air as Paddy's illusionary form flickered around him.

A sharp elbow to the back of Hughie's head made him stumble. Hughie whirled, lashing out behind him, but again struck nothing.

In the spectator stands, Oliviare watched anxiously, hands clasped together. Be careful, Hughie!

Sensing her worry, Hughie gave a small wave. "No need to worry, Liv! I got this!"

Oliviare shook her head, but couldn't help a small smile. That fool...

"Do not divide your attention in battle," Paddy chided. "It will cost you dearly."

As he spoke, ten exact copies of Paddy suddenly appeared, surrounding Hughie in a wide circle. Hughie's eyes darted around warily.

"Let's see you find the real me now," the Paddys spoke in unison, their voices overlapping from all directions.

Reminds me of Senior Brother’s technique…but only a knock off version!

Hughie cracked his knuckles, a grin spreading across his face. "I'll just smash through all of you at once!"

Spinning rapidly, he unleashed a barrage of wild punches and kicks, ploughing through the ring of illusory Paddys. They flickered and vanished under his attack, but the real Paddy remained untouched.

Before Hughie could stop spinning, a heavy blow slammed between his shoulders, driving him down into the arena floor with a crash. Hughie groaned, momentarily stunned.

Up in the stands, Oliviare winced at the impact.

"Are you alright, Hughie?" she called down worriedly.

"Haha, I'm just getting warmed up!" Hughie laughed, flashing a thumbs up despite his stinging back.

He leapt back to his feet and dropped into a fighting stance. But internally, he was annoyed at himself.

Gotta take this more seriously or I'll end up embarrassing myself in front of Liv!

As the battle intensified, the ring on Hughie's finger suddenly pulsed, and a grumpy voice echoed in his mind.

"Pathetic! Is this the best you can do, boy?" the Immortal Li Fenghao scolded. "You fight like a brainless ox! Use your techniques!"

Hughie scowled. "I don't need advice from some old fart!"

Li Fenghao huffed indignantly. "Insolent brat! I was slaughtering enemies while you were still in diapers! You must exploit your opponent's weakness."

"Their only weakness is their ugly mug!" Hughie shot back, launching himself at the nearest Paddy.

He grappled with the illusion briefly before it dissolved into smoke. Li Fenghao sighed.

"His weakness is specialization," the Immortal lectured. "This boy relies too much on illusions. Find a way to break his illusions and he will fold."

Hughie paused, glancing down at the ring. "Huh, I guess you've got a point for once, gramps."

"Do not call me gramps!"

Hughie decided to change the flow of the fight, he would need to go big. Crouching down, he channelled his qi before exploding upwards.

"Black Wolf Transformation!"

Fur sprouted across Hughie's body as he morphed into a giant black wolf. Letting out an earth-shaking roar, Hughie swiped his clawed hands in wide arcs, shredding two of the illusion Paddys. But once again, the real Paddy evaded by a hair's breadth.

Hughie bared his fangs in annoyance. "Stand still, will ya!"

"If you insist," Paddy replied. He stopped moving as Hughie charged towards him.

At the last second, Paddy thrust out his palms. "Spirit Shackling Chains!"

Glowing blue chains materialized around Hughie, their spectral links clanking as they wrapped around his limbs and torso. The sudden stop sent Hughie crashing face-first to the ground with a yelp.

He thrashed violently, but the spirit chains held fast. Paddy glanced down at him impassively.

"Do you submit? This battle is over."

"Like hell it is!" Hughie snarled. With a roar, he poured all his strength into shattering the chains. They cracked and splintered until they gave way.

Hughie jumped to his feet. His earlier playfulness had vanished, replaced by a ferocious glare.

"No more playing around. I'm taking you down!"

He charged, claws outstretched towards Paddy's throat. But faster than he could blink, Paddy disappeared, reappearing twenty meters away.

"My apologies, but it seems like you will not give up, so I must end this for both our sakes," Paddy sighed.

He formed a diamond with his thumbs and forefingers. "Soul Crushing Prison."

A blue pyramid materialized around Hughie. The translucent walls rapidly closed in, trapping him within the tiny space.

Hughie panicked, his wolf form scrabbled desperately as he tried to escape but his claws simply slid off the walls of solidified spiritual energy.

Sweat beaded Hughie’s brow as his breaths came in shorter, harsher gasps. It felt like the very life was being squeezed from his lungs. He could hear the cheers and shouts from the spectators, but they sounded strangely muted and distant, as if he was hearing them from underwater.

Suddenly, a clear voice cut through the haze in his mind.

"Come on Hughie, you can do this! I believe in you!"

Oliviare!

Hughie’s gaze snapped up, meeting Oliviare’s from across the arena. Her hands were clasped worriedly against her chest, eyes brimming with concern. But she kept her focus fixed on Hughie, mouthing silent words of encouragement.

Hughie clenched his jaw. No way was he going to fail and embarrass himself in front of his girl!

Mustering every ounce of power, Hughie slammed his palms against the pyramid’s walls. “Get...OFF!”

With a final explosive push, the prison shattered into fading wisps of spiritual energy. Hughie collapsed to his hands and knees, sucking in deep gulps of sweet air. His black fur was matted with sweat, but his amber eyes still burned fiercely.

Across from him, Paddy’s eyes widened in surprise. “How? You should not have been able to break that technique...”

Hughie barked out a strained laugh as he struggled back to his feet. “Never underestimate a Black Rose disciple!”

His legs wobbled dangerously and he had to dig his claws into the stage floor to remain standing. Dark splotches blossomed across the front of his robes where blood seeped from numerous gashes and lacerations on his chest and limbs, caused by the prison’s crushing force.

“You are gravely injured. Let us stop this pointless battle so you can receive medical aid.”

Hughie scowled. “Ain’t...pointless,” he panted out. “We got spectators...relying on us for a good show. And I aim...to deliver!”

"Bloodforge Ascension!"

Hughie’s veins bulged and skin flushed an angry red as the Berserker transformation overtook him. Muscles swelled until he was a hulking beast of a man. The wolf features of his previous transformation had mutated into something closer resembling an ogre, though somehow even more terrifying.

"I'm gonna take your head!" Hughie roared. Faster than before, he dashed at Paddy in a red blur.

Paddy's calm expression finally broke into one of surprise as he frantically blocked and evaded the onslaught of crushing blows. Even he was forced onto the defensive against such overwhelming power.

But Hughie's strikes came even faster, Paddy's guard began to slip. A particularly devastating punch broke through and caught him full in the stomach.

"Gah!" Paddy cried out, slamming backwards into the arena barrier so hard it cracked. He slid to the ground, clutching his midsection in agony.

Hughie paused, chest heaving as he regained control over his bloodlust. He really hoped he hadn't overdone it and seriously injured the guy.

Slowly, painfully, Paddy climbed back to his feet. Swaying slightly, he gave Hughie a weary smile.

"It seems...I underestimated you," he panted.

As Paddy prepared himself to continue, Hughie suddenly had an idea.

"Check out my next trick!" He announced. There was a burst of black smoke, and when it cleared, a gigantic three-eyed toad croaked on the arena floor, a large tongue lolling from its mouth.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

"Pretty cool, huh?"

Before Paddy could respond, the toad's tongue shot out quicker than the eye could follow, looping around him. With a sharp yank, it hoisted Paddy high into the air, leaving him dangling upside down by one leg.

"Do you submit?" the toad croaked at the struggling cultivator trapped in its tongue.

Paddy wheezed helplessly. Seeing no escape, he reluctantly nodded.

Hughie released him and transformed back into human form, pumping his fists. "Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!"

Up in the stands, Oliviare breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.

Elder Fred stepped forward. "Victory goes to Hughie of the Black Rose Sect!"

The crowd erupted into applause as Hughie took a bow. Paddy picked himself up off the ground, brushing dirt from his robes with as much dignity as he could muster.

"You beat me fairly," Paddy conceded, offering Hughie a bow. "Well played, friend."

Hughie slapped him on the back with a grin. "You put up a good fight too, buddy! No hard feelings, eh?"

Paddy managed a small smile in response before limping from the arena, massaging his sore ribs. Hughie waved cheekily until his opponent was out of sight.

As Hughie walked back to the waiting area, Li Fenghao spoke up once more.

"What kind of harebrained fighting was that? You made a complete fool of yourself out there!"

"I still won didn't I?" Hughie grumbled under his breath.

"Winning through sheer dumb luck and transforming does not make you a skilled fighter," Li Fenghao lectured. "You were appallingly slow to enter your Bloodforge state despite struggling earlier. And your blows had no finesse or strategy, you were just flailing around blindly!"

"Hey I kept him on his toes, didn't I?" Hughie argued. "Unpredictability is my style!"

Li Fenghao scoffed. "That was not unpredictability, that was just sloppy improvisation and wasted energy. You must have a clear plan of attack tailored to your opponent's weaknesses. Never show your full hand right away either, make them underestimate you first before striking the finishing blow."

"Ugh whatever, backseat battling is real easy," Hughie rolled his eyes. "I'd like to see you do better from inside that dinky ring, oh mighty one."

"Why you arrogant little—!"

"--Next match, Caelum versus Antonio!" Elder Fred announced.

----------------------------------------

Ding! Your Disciple Hughie Has Won! 150 Karmic Credits x3 450 Karmic Credits Gained!

That 100% loyalty multiplier coming in handy.

Slifer watched as Hughie pumped his fists, celebrating his victory over Paddy. While the battle had been entertaining for the spectators, Slifer couldn't help but feel that Hughie's reckless fighting style had mostly been down to luck.

If it had been Slifer's avatar in the ring instead, such carelessness could have easily led to defeat or knowing his luck, death. Zack couldn't rely on blind luck to win his fights.

Now if only my other self took the fights more seriously…

"Next match, Caelum versus Antonio!" Elder Fred announced.

The two disciples stepped into the arena. Caelum stood with his hand resting on the hilt of Bloodthorn.

"Try not to embarrass yourself too badly," The Heavenly Light disciple taunted Caelum. "Wouldn't want that pretty face of yours all bruised for the victory ceremony."

Caelum didn't respond, ignoring the jab. He knew words were meaningless here - only strength mattered.

"Begin!" Elder Fred declared.

Antonio immediately blasted towards Caelum in a blur, cocking back a meaty fist. Just before it could land, Caelum side-stepped, the blow sailing past his cheek. Antonio's momentum carried him stumbling several feet beyond. He whirled with a growl.

"Don’t run away, dammit!"

Caelum remained silent, hand still resting casually on his sword hilt.

With another roar, Antonio launched a frenzied series of punches and kicks. But Caelum flowed between the attacks like water, barely exerting himself as he ducked and wove with minimal movement. Antonio struck nothing but air, his frustration visibly growing.

Finally, Caelum went on the offensive. His sword sang as he drew it faster than the eye could follow, slashing across Antonio's chest.

"Gah!" Antonio cried out at the sudden blaze of pain. He leapt backwards, clutching the deep gash now marring his chest.

"You bastard!" Antonio spat. "I'll kill you!" Face twisted in rage, he lifted one hand towards Caelum, palm outstretched. Yellow qi coalesced rapidly before him.

"Vajra Fist!"

A massive projection of a golden fist rocketed towards Caelum. But Caelum didn't flinch. With a single upwards sweep of his sword, the fist split cleanly in half, dissipating harmlessly.

Antonio gaped at the casual display of strength. He desperately channelled more qi, materializing four huge fists that hovered around him defensively.

"Try getting through this!" He challenged.

Caelum's features remained impassive. Without a word, he stabbed his sword into the ground before him.

"Thorned Lash."

Before Antonio's eyes, Bloodthorn seemed to come alive. Its blade lengthened impossibly as it shot out in Antonio's direction. It wrapped around two of the golden fists, constricting tightly. The fists warped and cracked under the pressure before shattering.

"Shit!" Antonio dispelled the remaining fists and tried to dodge, but the sword was too quick. It coiled around his limbs and torso, razor edge digging into his skin as it lifted him up. Antonio thrashed helplessly several feet above the ground.

"Le me go!" He roared.

Caelum made a slight pulling motion with one hand. Bloodthorne instantly retracted, slamming Antonio down hard enough to leave cracks in the stage floor.

Elder Fred hurried over and checked Antonio's condition before raising his hand. "Winner, Caelum!"

Ding! Your Disciple Caelum Has Won! 150 Karmic Credits x3 450 Karmic Credits Gained!

As expected of Caelum. Efficient, controlled, and not toying with his opponent like Hughie. Slifer nodded approvingly from the stands as he noted the similarity between his disciples’ battles. I just hope Hughie realises that Caelum was teaching him a lesson there.

“Next match – Olive vs Kuwi”

While half-listening to the other matches, Slifer opened up the System Shop. He needed an antidote for Zack's injured shoulder. That Black Death cultivator's corrosive death technique was still causing issues for Zack. Slifer had initially wanted Zack to deal with it himself, but his avatar had made it clear that he was making no progress.

The attacks of the Black Death disciple were not simple.

Hmm, what do we have here...

The first antidote that popped up was called Rejuvenating Phoenix Balm, a medicinal paste that could cleanse all wounds and regenerate destroyed meridians.

Useful, but Zack’s meridians are fine…Slifer swiped to the next option as he purposely ignored the 10,000 Karmic Credit price tag.

Next was Life-Sealing Pill, at only 100 Karmic Credits, it was able to forcefully suppress any malicious qi or toxins within the body.

Tempting, but I’m not trying to supress anything, I need the problem gotten rid of!

Finally, Slifer found what he was looking for - Essence Cleansing Serum. This liquid could purge both external and internal injuries by liquefying them and flushing the corruption from the body's essence channels.

500 Karmic Credits, not bad. Slifer quickly purchased the serum and had it sent to his storage ring.

Perfect. Now to inform Zack.

Slifer closed his eyes and delivered a message directly to his other self.

“Hey, I got you something to fix that messed up shoulder. It's in the ring.”

In preparation for the Sealed Realm, Slifer had spent a handsome amount of Karmic Credits to link two rings so that they shared the same pocket dimension.

1000 Karmic Credits is definitely worth it! Whilst Zack is in the Sealed Realm, I can just buy items and send them over. We’ll see how the other protagonists deal with that, ha!

With his job done, Slifer returned his full attention to the tournament stage as the next match was announced.

"Ziven versus Katherine!"