“Ashton of the White Tiger Sect versus Rai of the Black Heart Sect!”

Ashton stepped into the arena. At over seven feet tall, he was a giant, with bulging muscles that seemed ready to tear through the white robes straining to contain them.

Up in the waiting area, Zack's eyes lit up, the winner of this battle would face him in the next round!

Now that's more like it! No more wasting time with these weak sauce appetizers. I want the main course!

He could already feel his blood pumping faster at the thought of battling someone with Ashton's sheer physical prowess. Most cultivators relied too heavily on their techniques in Zack's opinion. He wanted to see what this dual cultivator could do with that monstrous body of his. Because Zack knew that when it came to hand-to-hand combat, no one could match him.

Let's see those tiger claws go up against my fists! Just try not to go down too quickly, big guy. I plan on putting on a good show for the crowd.

Across from Ashton, a lanky cultivator with flame-red hair entered the arena - Rai. He wore a cocky grin as he sized up his opponent, clearly unintimidated by Ashton's massive form. With a scoff, Rai produced a black rose from within his robes and tossed it at Ashton's feet.

"I'll lay you to rest on a bed of ashes, White Tiger," Rai declared, flames already dancing along his fingertips.

Ashton said nothing in response, settling into a solid ready stance, palms open and facing Rai. He had no need for flashy threats or posturing.

The time for talk was over.

"Begin!" Elder Fred shouted.

Rai instantly went on the offensive, hands flying as he threw waves of black fire at Ashton. But with startling agility for his size, Ashton twisted and turned, avoiding the attacks. He then countered by slamming both palms forward.

"Quaking Palm Blast!"

A powerful shockwave erupted from Ashton's hands, shattering the black flames and slamming into Rai. The Black Heart cultivator managed to cross his arms right before impact, shielding himself from the worst of the hit. But the force still sent him skidding back several meters, heels digging into the arena floor.

Undeterred, Rai pressed his attack once more. "Hellfire Dragon!"

The black flames swirled and expanded before him, taking the shape of a gigantic serpentine dragon. It reared back its head and shot towards Ashton, mouth opened wide, ready to swallow him whole.

But Ashton held his ground. Clenching his right hand into a fist, he punched out as the flaming dragon bore down on him.

"Ironbreak Fist!"

Empowered by a surge of qi, Ashton's fist ploughed straight through the Hellfire Dragon's head, dispersing it completely. Residual flames licked harmlessly across his White Tiger robes but failed to do any damage.

"Is that all you've got?" Ashton rumbled.

“Let's see you block this!” Rai snarled.

Drawing back both hands to his side, he concentrated his qi into a swirling vortex of black fire between his palms. The flames spun faster and faster, condensing down into an orb. With a shout, Rai thrust his palms forward, firing off the concentrated blast.

"Black Fire Cannon!"

The orb shot towards Ashton, but Ashton remained calm, clasping his hands together. A visible wave of qi radiated out from his body as all his muscles flexed at once.

"White Tiger's Fortitude!"

The black fire cannon struck Ashton head on, swallowing him in an inferno. The arena shook under the force of the detonation.

Slifer turned to see the White Tiger Supreme Elder’s reaction but found that there was not a flicker of concern on her face.

Yeah…I think that Rai fella is screwed.

As the smoke cleared, Ashton stood in the same spot, completely unharmed. He hadn't bothered moving or defending, simply relying on the durability granted by his qi enforcement technique and his physique.

Rai stared in dismay. Just what kind of monster was this guy? His strongest attack didn't even make him flinch!

Among the crowd, looks of astonishment crossed more than a few faces. For Ashton to so casually overpower a Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator's techniques with just the force of his body...very impressive.

"My turn," Ashton said. Crouching down, he slammed both palms flat on the ground.

"Tectonic Upheaval!"

A shockwave rippled out from Ashton's hands, cracking and buckling the arena floor. Caught off guard, Rai was knocked off his feet. He landed hard on his back with a grunt.

But Ashton wasn't done yet. As Rai lay there stunned, the White Tiger disciple suddenly crossed the distance between them in two huge strides. Before Rai could react, Ashton's massive hands clamped down on his shoulders.

Rai struggled helplessly as he was lifted clean off his feet. Ashton held him up with one hand as though he weighed nothing. Then with a roar, Ashton flung Rai straight up into the air.

"White Tiger Meteor Smash!"

Bouncing off the very tops of the arena barriers, Rai shot back down like a fiery comet, unable to stop or change direction. At the last possible second before impact, Ashton spun and delivered a devastating punch to Rai's stomach as he descended.

The Black Heart cultivator spat out a mouthful of blood from the massive blow. His body was sent rocketing across the arena in a high arc until he smashed upside down into the barrier wall, leaving a man-sized crater on impact. Then he slid down and collapsed on the ground.

Elder Fred hurried over to examine Rai. After confirming he was still alive, albeit likely nursing several crushed organs, the Elder raised his hand.

"Victory goes to Ashton of the White Tiger Sect!"

A deafening cheer rose up from the White Tiger section. Even disciples from the other sects looked impressed by the total domination displayed.

A team of Pure Soul Sect healers gently carried the whimpering Rai out on a stretcher. Ashton clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to his opponent.

"You fought well. I apologize for any excessive force. Please recover swiftly."

Up in the stands, Astrid smiled proudly as her disciple displayed the might of their sect for all to see. None could match the White Tiger Sect's bodily cultivation techniques when it came to pure physical toughness, and who better than a dual cultivator to showcase that.

In the waiting area, Zack was on his feet, clapping and laughing. "Now that's what I'm talking about! Skills and brawn, the total package!"

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Finally, a real challenge! None of those squishy robed weaklings. Soon it’ll be time to see who the real dual cultivator is around here! He eyed Ashton hungrily as the White Tiger disciple left the arena.

Slifer observed his avatar's eager reaction and suppressed a sigh. He knew nothing he said would make a difference once Zack got all fired up. That bull-headed enthusiasm of his was a strength in its own way, but Slifer didn’t want his avatar throwing caution and strategy to the wind.

From his memories of stage one, he was quite cautious, maybe I’m underestimating him…

***

"Arkan of the Heavenly Light Sect versus Surian of the White Tiger Sect!"

The two disciples stepped into the arena.

While Surian may not be as large of a giant as his Junior Brother, he was still a towering slab of muscle compared to normal sized humans. He flexed his muscular arms and cracked his neck from side to side.

"You saw what happened in my Junior Brother Ashton's match, didn't you?" he chuckled. "That Black Heart fool was crushed within minutes. You'd be smart to surrender now if you don't want to be carried out on a stretcher."

Arkan gave a flick of his long blonde hair and smiled. "You’re not at my level, you should take your own advice."

Up in the stands, the female Heavenly Light disciples were going crazy, screaming Arkan's name.

"He's so dreamy!" one squealed.

"And that gorgeous hair! I just want to run my hands through it all day!" another fanned herself.

Arkan paid them no mind, his gaze moving to the participant's area where it locked with Ziven's. The Son of Heaven stared back at him, eyes narrowed.

In the Heavenly Light Sect, Ziven was a newcomer who had swiftly defeated many core disciples to become a Legacy Disciple. Arkan wished to face him in the tournament, to show everyone the difference between a newly raised Legacy Disciple, and one born into the role like himself.

Surian grunted in annoyance as he realized his opponent wasn't even looking at him anymore.

"You underestimating me, pretty boy?" he growled. "I'll claw that smug look right off your face!"

Arkan just sighed in response, he saw no benefit in arguing with a beast.

"Begin!" Elder Fred shouted.

Immediately, Surian attacked. "Wind Blade Palm!" He thrust out both hands, generating twin gusts of cutting wind. The razor-sharp air blades shrieked towards Arkan.

But Arkan didn't move. As the wind blades neared, rays of dazzling light materialised around him to form a barrier. The Wind Blade Palms glanced off harmlessly.

Surian's eyes narrowed. So, it wouldn't be that easy. With a shout, he leapt into the air, qi surging as his body expanded and morphed. White fur sprouted across swelling muscles as claws and fangs elongated. Within seconds, the White Tiger cultivator's transformation was complete, leaving an enormous white tiger in his place.

The tiger slammed back down, arena floor cracking under its weight. Lips peeling back from saber-like teeth, it let loose an earth-shaking roar and pounced at Arkan, seeking to tear through his defences through sheer brute force.

The heavenly shield rippled under the blow, but held firm. Arkan didn't even blink.

Snarling in frustration, the white tiger began circling the barrier, searching for any weak points to exploit.

Finding none, it came to a stop directly in front of Arkan and opened its mouth. Then, drawing in a deep breath, the tiger let out another roar, this one concentrated with sonic qi vibrations projected straight towards Arkan's head.

The sound-based attack pierced flawlessly through the light shields, wreaking havoc on Arkan's equilibrium as it hammered his eardrums.

For the first time, cracks appeared in the Heavenly Light disciple's tranquil facade. Face contorting in irritation, Arkan raised one hand, fingers poised to snap.

“Be quiet, beast!"

Snap.

A circle of glowing light daggers formed around himself.

"Heavenly Barrage."

At his command, the daggers shot forward, impaling themselves into the white tiger's limbs. The tiger roared in pain, the sound attack breaking off as blood poured from its wounds.

Arkan summoned another object into existence - a whip of sunlight. He wrapped it around the injured tiger's neck, making the creature yowl and thrash, but no matter what it did, it could not break free.

Seconds later, it went limp, reverting back to Surian's human form as he slumped to the ground, unconscious.

"Should have taken your own advice," Arkan yawned, dismissing the light whip.

The Heavenly Light female disciples broke out in excited squeals again.

"So strong!"

"He's amazing!"

"Senior Brother, I'll be your pet next!"

"No, use that whip on me next time!" another cried out boldly. This drew gasps from the others.

Arkan paid them no mind, elegantly sweeping his hair back as he turned to leave the arena. But not before his eyes passed briefly over Ziven once more. The message was clear – your time will come.

"A flawless display of power, as expected of a Heavenly Light disciple," Zofia praised from the spectator stands once Arkan had left. "Perhaps only Ziven could hope to match him in this tournament."

Beside her, Vowron made a thoughtful noise. "The boy shows promise, I grant you that."

“As usual, the Heavenly Light disciples cannot be underestimated,” Leontius nodded.

In contrast, Astrid sat stiffly, lips pressed thin. After Ashton's dominating performance earlier, she had been riding high. But now, after her own sect member was toyed with and defeated without Arkan even needing to move, her pride had taken a hit. However, she swallowed down her bitterness and held her tongue. Getting emotional would not change matters.

As for Slifer, he kept his face impassive. But internally, he was contemplating. Soon, his avatar would face off against both Arkan and Ziven inside the Sealed Realm.

And he knows just how to make those arrogant peacocks turn on each other. Slifer suppressed a sly smile.

"Next match! Ironius of the Black Death Sect versus Powl of the Pure Soul Sect!" Elder Fred announced the last match of the second round.

Slifer sat up straighter, watching with interest as a pale, red-eyed youth stepped into the arena. According to Ironius' status window, he was also a hidden demon like the one who attacked Hughie.

Let’s see what tricks this demon has up its sleeves…