It was a formation he’d never even heard of before.A formation where time flowed entirely differently from the outside world.He said he’d even created it himself.That’s impossible without a mind far beyond ordinary.With a brain sharp enough to craft such a wondrous formation, it truly felt plausible that he could learn an entire manual after a single read.And it didn’t end there.He was strong.Stronger than anyone here.They hadn’t crossed hands yet, but a martial artist’s intuition exists for a reason.No—there was no need to lean on intuition.Just watching the power of the arts he displayed while teaching the essence of the manuals was proof enough.It was equally astounding that despite such overwhelming strikes, the formation remained intact and the cavern didn’t collapse.“He told us to come early today, didn’t he?”“That’s right. He said from today we enter live-combat practice.”“You don’t say—learning martial arts like roasting beans on a lightning fire.”“My thoughts exactly. And not just any arts—these are secret manuals, learned this fast. It’s disorienting.”“True. The art I was training before this took a lifetime to barely complete. Yet we learned a secret art even harder than that in less than a day.”“Not less than a day. Four days passed in there.”“And it isn’t perfect. We’re only mimicking the form.”“Even if it’s just the form, that still counts as learning it. The rest is a matter of deep realization to raise attainment.”“Surely… you don’t mean we’ll achieve that realization in the short term, too?”“Come now. If that were truly possible, I’d pledge myself to Young Master Yeon.”At the Sect Leader of Mount Heng’s words, the Sect Leader of Mount Tai thought—That promise felt dangerously likely to come true.“Alright, alright—what’s the point of talking in circles here. Let’s «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» go tomorrow and see for ourselves.”“Agreed.” ****The next day.At last, the Round of Sixteen—where only the real elites gathered—was set to begin.The crowd was at a fever pitch.So many had waited so eagerly that more than a few passed the night with their eyes open, willing dawn to break.The spot drawing the densest throng was where the match board was posted.“Whoa! The very first bout is huge!”“Hebei Pang Clan versus the Hwangbo Clan. Those two have been rivals for ages, haven’t they?”“Starting off hot, I see.”“Whatever match it is today, it’s going to be fun.”“Come on, let’s get inside!”“Right—if we want good seats, we’ve got to hurry.”After checking the bracket, people hustled into the arena to secure the best views.If you were late, you’d end up standing in a bad corner where you could hardly see.Despite the early hour, the mass of people had already formed a long line.Seeing this, Cheongyang Jinin, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, wore a satisfied smile.“This Divine Dragon Tournament is a resounding success.”“Indeed. The profits from this tournament alone have surpassed our sect’s annual budget.”“Heh heh heh, is that so? And the matches aren’t even over yet?”“That’s correct.”At the mention of such immense gains, a smile broadened on Cheongyang Jinin’s lips.“Spread the word—redouble vigilance so nothing untoward happens. Our Mount Hua’s honor is on the line.”“Understood. The Plum-Blossom Swords are on constant standby for contingencies.”“Well done. We’re down to the last few days. Hold on just a bit longer, everyone.”“Yes, Sect Leader.”Once the reporting Taoist withdrew, the smile on Cheongyang Jinin’s face gradually stiffened.Because of a restless dream the night before.Of all times… why such an ominous dream.He had dreamed of Mount Hua engulfed in flames.The feeling that something bad would happen kept pricking at him, and he couldn’t shake it.We must heighten our guard even further. There’s no harm in caution.With worry creasing his brow, Cheongyang Jinin looked out over the swelling crowd. ****Waaaaah—!The spectators roared, greeting the two fighters stepping into the arena with wild enthusiasm.“Pang Kang of the Hebei Pang Clan!”“Hwangbo Gwang of the Hwangbo Clan!”As the two took their places, the referee introduced them in a ringing voice.Pang Kang and Hwangbo Gwang faced each other with the referee between them.“Kept you waiting, didn’t I? We settle the unfinished score today.”“Unfinished? Did you forget all the times you lost to me?”“Ever think I was holding back?”“Holding back? Ha! That’s rich.”“Today I won’t. Brace yourself.”“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”When their exchange seemed to end, the referee shouted,“Begin!”Zzzaaang—!At the cry, Pang Kang and Hwangbo Gwang collided.Crackle— crack-crackle—At their clash, thunder-light danced around them.“Tingling, aren’t we.”“Right back at you.”Pang Kang looked at the gauntlets on Hwangbo Gwang’s forearms.“Are those the clan treasure—the Heavenly Mountain Divine Gauntlets?”“You know your stuff.”“Then I can attack you without restraint.”“Even without these, stopping your strikes is nothing.”“Don’t kid yourself. Last time you only barely blocked thanks to those gauntlets.”Hwangbo Gwang didn’t rise to the bait.“I’ll send you flying along with your saber.”Vvvvvmmm—For an instant, the aura surging off Hwangbo Gwang’s body took the shape of a heavenly king’s image.“Heavenly King Single Fist!”His straight punch hurtled toward Pang Kang.Too late to evade.Pang Kang whipped his saber up from his instep, driving it up as a shield.THOONG—!“Ghhk!”Even though the blow struck the blade, the impact transmitted clean through.Grrrrk—From that crushing strike, Pang Kang’s saber was shoved back, then skated away, carving the bluestone floor.Hwangbo Gwang chased the retreat in a straight line, chaining attacks without pause.“Heavenly King Heart-Piercing Fist!”This time, a fist-shaped astral qi fired from his knuckles.Pang Kang sensed instinctively he must not take that head-on.He poured qi into his saber—and met the incoming fist-qi with a decisive swat.TWAANG—!KWA-BOOM—!Batted aside by Pang Kang’s blade, the fist-qi smashed into the arena floor and bored in.Vvvvmmm—He had deflected it, but Pang Kang’s saber still shuddered, shock lingering in the metal.Seeing that, Hwangbo Gwang grinned.“Well? How do you like big brother’s power.”“Not bad. Looks like you’ve been eating lots of good things while I was away.”“Right. Looks like you haven’t—judging by how flimsy you feel.”“I yielded the initiative. Now I’ll show you mine.”Crackle—Lightning flared along Pang Kang’s saber.“Northwind Thunder Sever!”Whooosh— whooosh— whooosh—Pang Kang simply hurled his saber straight at Hwangbo Gwang.The great blade spun fast, roaring toward him like a storm.Hwangbo Gwang ducked sharply and let it pass.The moment he rose—Pang Kang was already right in front of him.Crackle—Lightning leapt in Pang Kang’s palm.Knowing exactly what that was, Hwangbo Gwang crossed his forearms in a snap to guard.“Mixed-Primordial Thunderclap Palm!”ZZZANG—!Crackle—The palm slammed into the crossed gauntlets and drove his whole body backward.Skrrrr—And then—a chilling presence from behind.“Damn!”The saber Pang Kang had thrown earlier was arcing back.His body was off-balance.At this rate, he’d lose.“Thousand-Weight Drop!”Vwoom—Using the Thousand-Weight Drop to add a crushing weight, he halted his backward slide, then kicked off the floor, twisting up into the air.Whirrr—Whooosh— whoosh—He slipped past by a hair—the returning saber snipped the very ends of his hair.THUNK—The sound of Pang Kang catching the blade came as Hwangbo Gwang kicked off empty air and dived in.“Heavenly King Burning-Heaven!”Fwoooosh—A vast flame erupted from Hwangbo Gwang’s fists and rolled over the entire arena.Whooosh— whoosh—Pang Kang spun his saber, beating back the onrushing heat, eyes tracking Hwangbo Gwang’s movement without letup.The flames made it difficult.He won’t drag this out any longer, will he?He would be coming with the strongest form he knew.Pang Kang’s prediction proved true.Through the thinning fire, Hwangbo Gwang came into view.Above his head, a bright, surging radiance pulsed.Sumi Heavenly King Jade.The final technique of the Sumi Heavenly King Divine Art the Hwangbo Clan had reclaimed.To block that, Pang Kang would have to deploy his own final form.He gripped the saber in both hands and breathed all his strength into it.Evenly diffused qi flushed the blade’s surface a vivid blue.Pang Kang and Hwangbo Gwang traded tight grins.“Let’s end it.”“Good.”“Sumi Heavenly King Jade!”“Mixed-Primordial Thunderbolt Blade!”Zzzaaang—!KWO-WA-WA-WA—!As the two forces collided, a colossal shockwave exploded—and a storm blasted out.In an instant the storm engulfed the stands.“Uwaaah!”“Insane! That kind of power!”“They’re throwing that around like it’s nothing? Are they actually fighting a duel of life and death?”It was unbelievable.In friendly matches like these, it was customary to hold back enough to keep the opponent from serious injury; there was no sign of that in Pang Kang or Hwangbo Gwang.“What did he just call it? I think he said Sumi Heavenly King Jade?”“And the other shouted Mixed-Primordial Thunderbolt Blade.”“Good lord! Then that’s the Hwangbo Clan’s secret, the Sumi Heavenly King Divine Art—and the Pang Clan’s secret, the Mixed-Primordial Thunderbolt Divine Art!”“I’ve only ever heard of them by name!”“To see them for real! This Divine Dragon Tournament is truly the best!”As the storm passed, every gaze snapped back to the arena.Pang Kang stood barely upright, braced on his saber; Hwangbo Gwang stood firm.By any eye, it looked like Hwangbo Gwang had won.But—Hwangbo Gwang gave a crooked grin and offered congratulations.“You won, you bastard.”Kuh-ruck—He coughed blood and collapsed.Startled, Pang Kang staggered over and checked him.Fortunately, it didn’t look like a grave injury.Like himself, he’d burned too much vital force and his qi and blood were roiling.The referee ran up and checked as well.Then the shout rang out:“Pang Kang of the Hebei Pang Clan—victory!”As Pang Kang’s win was declared, a roar thundered from the stands.“Wooooo!”Those awaiting their turns, having watched the duel, wore stunned faces.Everyone thought the same thing—This Divine Dragon Tournament would be brutal.An Ho of Mount Hua thought so as well.He realized, clearly and at last, how arrogant he’d been living.When Master said the Central Plains is vast and full of hidden geniuses, I didn’t believe it. There are this many hidden masters…An Ho reflected on himself—strutting on small strength. ****Before the heat of the first bout had even cooled, the second match began.“Jang Woon of Shincheon Manor!”“Sa Soho of Bukcheon Gate!”When Shincheon Manor was called, the cheers swelled again.“It’s Shincheon Manor!”“Ha ha ha! I’ve been waiting!”“Will he win again this time?”“Go, Shincheon Manor!”Jang Woon raised a hand to acknowledge the flood of support—Then fixed his focus on his opponent.Sa Soho spoke to him.“I’ve heard much about you. My father warned me never to let my guard down.”“My skill is lacking. I ask your guidance.”“The same to you.”With that, both took their stances.As they settled into fighting form, the referee shouted,“Begin!”At the instant of the call, Jang Woon’s body blurred—leaving only an afterimage.Sa Soho tried to track him with his eyes, but it was useless.By the time he found him, Jang Woon was already in front of him.“Radiant Heat Palm!”Sa Soho judged he had no choice but to take it.He concentrated his inner power all at once into the point of impact, raising his defense.Szzzeear—“Ghhk!”A pain like scalding water poured over his abdomen.But Sa Soho was not one to only take a hit.At the very moment Jang Woon struck him, he latched onto Jang Woon.Enduring the pain, he launched a vicious counter.“Air-Rending Slash!”Sa Soho’s sword scattered toward Jang Woon in a ruthless spray.He thought there would be no way to evade.But Jang Woon was no pushover.He didn’t try to dodge—he met it head-on.“Lightning Ascending Kick!”

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.