Read Novel Full Chapter 206: Cloud Empire (26)
Chapter 206: Cloud Empire (26)
The silence in the hall was absolute, broken only by the distant sound of restrained breathing and the occasional crackle of melting ice in the arena.
Yun Hao’s energy fist still echoed in everyone’s mind, just as Kyrian’s unshakable defense did, which had turned the arena into a frozen battlefield.
A murmur began to arise, low at first, but growing like a wave.
"A draw... against Yun Hao?" whispered a young man from the Earth Forge, his eyes wide.
"That kid from the Blood Court... he hasn’t even reached the peak of Qi Liberation realm. How did he endure it?"
"It wasn’t just enduring," replied another, from the Blue Mountain Alliance, leaning forward.
"He forced Yun Hao to use his special physique to the limit. If it weren’t for the difference in cultivation, I think Yun Hao would have lost."
The local nobles, watching from more distant tables, exchanged nervous looks.
"The Blood Court always sends monsters... Remember their master. That kid must be the next one."
At the Cloud Academy’s table, the disciples beside Yun Hao were motionless. One of them murmured.
"Young Master Yun... did he really draw with you? With those eyes... that must be a celestial physique. It has to be..."
"Why don’t we consider it a draw?" Yun Hao said, looking into Kyrian’s eyes.
His gaze, fixed on Kyrian, carried a mixture of respect and deep analysis.
"It was a good fight," he said at last, inclining his head slightly.
Kyrian returned the gesture, his blue eyes with snowflake pupils blinking once before returning to their usual crimson. The ice around them began to dissipate, melting into harmless puddles. He said nothing, merely turned around, and descended the arena steps with the same calm with which he had climbed them.
Yun Hao followed shortly after, leaving the arena empty. The hall erupted into conversation.
"Unbelievable... Yun Hao, the genius of the academy, drew with a foreigner of lower cultivation."
"Those eyes... they changed color. It must be an ancient bloodline inheritance. Or a celestial physique!"
"The Blood Court will dominate another era if it has someone like him."
Tao, the host, smiled broadly as he saw everyone’s excitement throughout the hall.
"Well, I understand that everyone is excited, after all, that was quite a spectacle. But who wants to be the next to exchange ideas?"
...
With Kyrian and Yun Hao’s departure, the arena did not remain empty for long. The hall was stirred, and several young people saw the opportunity to shine after the previous spectacle.
The first to step up was Nan Feng Yu, from the Southern Wind Dynasty. With a confident smile, he challenged a disciple of the Scarlet Rock Sect.
The fight was quick.
Nan Feng Yu used agile movements, creating gusts of wind to unbalance his opponent, who counterattacked with heavy punches and rocky defenses. In the end, Nan Feng Yu won with a gust of wind from his fan that hurled the opponent out of the arena without serious injuries.
Next, Lin Qiao, from the Deep Roots Sect, was challenged by a disciple of the Celestial River Alliance.
The exchange involved spiritual roots sprouting from the ground to bind the opponent, while the other responded with waves of water that eroded the roots. Lin Qiao won by immobilization but praised the rival’s technique.
Mo Qian, from the Blue Mountain Alliance, challenged a local noble. The fight was more physical, with punches reinforced by energy. Mo Qian dominated but allowed the opponent to surrender gracefully.
Gu Tian, from the Radiant Heaven Sect, went up next and challenged Qin Luo, who was still recovering from the previous fight.
Gu Tian used beams of golden light to blind and attack, while Qin Luo responded with rapid sword cuts. The fight ended in a draw after several intense minutes, with both laughing at the end.
Then came the moment for the Blood Court group. Mei Li was the first to be challenged by a female disciple of the Gray Blade Sect.
Mei Li used graceful and precise movements, focused on imbalance and gentle counterattacks, revealing nothing beyond what was necessary.
She won by surrender, remaining within the average of the other forces. Efficient, but not dominant.
Yan Ling faced a disciple of the Earth Forge. Yan Ling, with her whip, won by attrition, using intelligence to exploit weaknesses, but without standing out beyond what was expected for a core disciple of 4° level force.
Kai was challenged by Luo Feng. The exchange was tense and practical. Kai used short daggers and evasive movements, while Luo Feng attacked with a long sword and precision. Kai lost by a hair but gained respect for his resilience. His strength was judged once again to be average.
Li Fen faced a noble from the Cloud Academy. His fight was silent and direct, with quick strikes and manipulated blood shadows against cloud techniques.
Li Fen drew, demonstrating solid skill, but nothing that drew excessive attention.
The sequence of fights continued at a fast pace, with several challenges following one another.
Han Mu, from the Earth Forge, challenged Shi Kang, from the Scarlet Rock Sect. The fight was brutal and physical.
Spiritual hammers against rocky fists. Han Mu won through brute force but praised his opponent’s endurance.
He Yun, from the Celestial River Alliance, faced a disciple of the Radiant Heaven Sect. Waves of water against beams of light resulted in a victory for He Yun.
Qin Luo, recovered, challenged Nan Feng Yu. It was sword against wind. A dance of cuts and gusts that ended in a draw, with both exhausted and satisfied.
Then, Bai Zhu was challenged by Mo Qian.
Bai Zhu stepped into the arena with a fierce smile, his imposing presence drawing immediate attention. He used brute force reinforced by blood Qi, crushing his opponent’s defenses with punches that made the air tremble.
The fight was intense, and Bai Zhu won by a clean knockout, demonstrating a strength that placed him on the level of the strongest leaders present.
Murmurs arose after his fight.
"That big guy from the Court... he’s a physical monster."
"On the same level as Tao or Yun Hao in terms of brute strength."
Other fights followed quickly.
A local noble against a disciple of the Southern Wind Dynasty and several smaller exchanges between nobles and weaker disciples, keeping the pace lively.
Kyrian watched everything in silence, seated at the table, analyzing techniques and weaknesses without getting further involved.
After hours of challenges, with the arena marked by cracks, melted ice, and traces of energy, Tao once again stepped into the center. His face was flushed with excitement, but fatigue was visible in everyone.
"What an incredible night!" he announced, raising his hands.
"We exchanged ideas, saw talents, and learned from one another. But everything has an end. I declare this celebration concluded. Thank you all for making my birthday memorable.