On the stone platform, Luke took the lead. His body tensed, and in the next instant, he vanished like a compressed spring let loose.

Ethan responded instantly. He leaned forward, power winding through his frame before he stepped out—his movement explosive, like a cannon roaring to life.

Boom!

The two figures collided in midair.

There was no flash of spiritual light, no elegant movement or complex technique—just a brutal, visceral exchange of flesh against flesh, bone against bone. Two humanoid beasts clashed with nothing but pure physical strength.

The shockwave thundered across the square, shaking the entire arena.

Ethan's body was covered in a crimson hue—blood and essence condensed into an armor that glimmered faintly under sunlight. Luke's was similar, his own blood forging defense and offense alike. When their fists met, the air shrieked under the pressure, light fracturing as small cracks rippled through the very space around them.

The sight left even the most seasoned cultivators breathless.

"Look! The space—it's cracking!"

"This pressure… It's like a Mahayana realm battle!"

"At our level, even witnessing that clash from too close would have turned us into paste!"

"People said physical cultivation was a dead path. Whoever said that, I'll beat him senseless!"

"It's an honor to see a fight of this caliber."

The murmurs were endless. None dared even blink as the two men exchanged blows once more, each strike echoing like thunder in their bones.

"They're beyond the Tribulation Transcendence realm," someone breathed.

Ava, from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, leaned forward, unable to hide her awe. "His power… That Aether can actually fight Luke evenly! How can he be so strong?"

Oswin's voice was calm, though his eyes shone with faint approval. "Impressive, yes. But Luke hasn't yet used his true strength."

Luke was cultivated by the Pavilion's Sun Moon branch. His physical training has been refined with countless resources and techniques. He was born to fight beyond his realm. As strong as Aether is, this duel is nearing his limit.

Even so, Oswin's brow furrowed. "And yet… I can't see through this boy's cultivation at all."

Luna watched silently, her chest tightening at the sight of their power shaking the air itself.

Luke and Ethan broke apart simultaneously, their feet skidding against the stone until they halted several meters apart.

Luke rotated his neck, a faint grin forming. "Aether, it's been years since I've met a physical cultivator who could last more than a dozen blows against me. You should feel honored."

Ethan smiled faintly beneath his mask.

"But," Luke continued, raising a single finger, "the warm-up ends here. I'll finish you within ten moves."

"I doubt you'll last that long." Ethan's tone was calm, steady, his voice carrying no trace of exertion.

At that, Luke's grin faltered briefly. He inhaled slowly, steadying the irritation in his chest. Ethan, meanwhile, showed no sign of disturbance; his breathing was flawlessly even, while Luke's had subtly deepened—a sign not many would notice.

In that quiet rhythm, the truth of their power difference already whispered itself.

"Heh, arrogance suits the naive," Luke said coldly. "You'll regret your words soon enough."

Green light shimmered in his palm, coalescing into a long sword engraved with flowing patterns, its aura howling like wind through canyons.

"Wind Sword, respond!"

The sword intent roared to life with his cry, rising in spirals that twisted the air. The storm of intent sharpened, and in the next breath, it merged into a field of invisible blades.

"The Sword Intent Domain," someone gasped.

"Impossible! He's controlling a full domain!"

Luke's lips curled upward as the air around him transformed, the domain sealing Ethan within. Countless thin blades of energy began cutting toward him, slicing every particle of air, every inch of the earth.

"Go! Wind-Cutting Blade!" Luke shouted, and the green sword flew from his grip like lightning. Space warped as it flew, leaving a trail of cleanly severed lines in the air.

Immediately after, Luke's figure blurred, following his sword at an immense speed.

Ethan exhaled once, his eyes narrowing.

The sword intent storm crashed against him. The wind hissed, but his skin did not break. Each razor-edged slash merely left a pale mark, fading as quickly as it appeared.

It was like striking steel with twigs.

Ethan's aura deepened suddenly, his voice a calm whisper amid chaos. "Fist Intent Domain—open."

The ground trembled.

A torrent of soul-stirring energy burst from his body. His fist intent expanded outward in a perfect circle, compressing the world around him. Within three feet of his body, all blades of wind were crushed into nothingness, torn apart by sheer intent.

Luke's eyes widened. "Fist Intent Domain?"

Ethan stared at the sword in Luke's hand and two blade wheels manifested around his hands. They were like halos of silver lightning, humming with barely restrained violence. When he clashed them together, sparks of pure electric essence crackled through the air.

Blood essence flowed into the weapon, power of thunder threading through the steel.

"Break!"

Ethan's arm swung forward, and the blade wheels fused into one, slicing through the air like a rising storm.

Bang!

The spinning disk met Luke's wind-sword mid-flight. A deafening shriek echoed as thunder met hurricane, the air screaming from the impact.

Sparks flared in a cascade as both weapons were blown apart, spinning out in opposite directions. Bits of shattered energy rained like petals across the platform.

The two men lunged again, abandoning weapons completely, their fists colliding in a series of resounding impacts.

"The Fist Domain? Hah, Aether, you really are interesting!" Luke laughed roughly, his blood burning with battle intent.

Ethan answered, his voice low and sharp. "Then let me make it more interesting."

His gaze sharpened.

This time, he didn't hold back.

Bang!

The instant their fists met again, Luke's pupils constricted. Ethan's power erupted, multiplied tenfold compared to before—a sudden, increase in power that broke through Luke's guard.

What?!

He didn't even have time to think before his arm went numb, his fingers trembling violently. Crackles of lightning ran up his elbow.

His body was thrown backward, scraping deep grooves across the stone floor as he staggered to stay upright.

Shock and disbelief contorted his face.

"How… how can this be?"

He stared at his arm, still trembling. His essence surged to dispel the residual electricity, blue veins pulsing violently beneath his skin.

"This kind of power?!"

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Capsule - 1 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 3 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

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