Every contestant who reached the top eight was a rare genius handpicked from thousands. Their popularity was sky-high, and just showing up was enough to create a buzz. Glenn, Fenley, and Abigail, the favorites to win, were mainly in the spotlight.In addition to the matches, someone had secretly set up a betting pool. For many gamblers, the outcome of the tournament finals would decide whether they would win big or lose everything.The stands were nearly packed by the time Dustin and Grace arrived at the venue. When the audience spotted him, many rose to their feet and applauded to show respect.While his reputation and skill might not rival those at the top of the Legendary List, his performance had been impressive. He had defeated two foreign contestants and brought honor to Dragonmarsh martial artists. That was enough to earn him widespread admiration."Faith! Dr. Rhys! Over here!" Alicia called out from the reserved section for Celestial Alliance disciples. She stood and wa
"Just make sure you're ready. Let's show everyone what the Celestial Alliance is capable of today." Alicia was brimming with excitement."Exactly! If you can defeat Glenn, you'll be the unrivaled champion!" Aurora chimed in, equally enthusiastic.Fenley's improved skills significantly boosted the Celestial Alliance's morale. They all understood that today's outcome would impact the guild's future. Their prestige would soar to new heights if he won the championship title. But if he lost to the Sword Union or the Mystic Arts Order, it would deliver a significant blow to their reputation."Unrivaled champion?" Fenley murmured to himself as his eyes gleamed with determination. He had longed for that title for years, and now the opportunity was right before him.If he could defeat Glenn today, he would be the unrivaled champion among the younger generation. The thought ignited a fire within him as he subconsciously glanced at Glenn's direction.Glenn sensed something and turned his g
On the battle ring, Fenley and Dalen stared at each other from a distance. Both were geniuses who stood out among thousands, but Fenley had the edge in reputation and prestige. However, Dalen had more fans, and the reason was simple—he was handsome. As soon as he entered the ring, cheers erupted from the crowd. Most voices belonged to young women who had formed an energetic cheer squad. They encouraged and chanted his name like fans meeting their favorite celebrity.But it wasn't just the women that were drawn to him. Dalen's looks held a certain charm for another group as well. Some bold men, ignoring the awkward glances around them, openly declared their affection. Their behavior was bordering on wild obsession."Dalen! I love you more than a dog loves a good belly rub.""Dalen! I'd do anything for you.""Dalen! Do you know the difference between you and the stars? The stars are up there, but you're in my heart."The fanatical outbursts came from men holding banners and shou
It wasn't just the spectators that were stunned. Even Fenley, standing in the battle ring, was equally caught off guard by Dalen's sudden use of the Spectral Clone Technique.Since when did the Shadow Citadel have such an advanced technique? Even more surprising was Dalen’s skill mastery, which rivaled Jude's. Fenley's sharp eyes struggled to distinguish the real Dalen from the clones. It was clear that Dalen's proficiency in the Spectral Clone Technique had reached a near-perfection level, which couldn't be achieved overnight.No wonder Dalen had managed to defeat Jude. It turned out he was equally proficient in the same technique. As they said, "Understanding your opponent is key to victory." He leveraged his understanding of the technique to identify and exploit the weaknesses.Fenley had to acknowledge that Dalen was adept at masking his true talents. Yet, even with the surprise, he wasn't intimidated. The Spectral Clone Technique might be tricky, but it was nothing he could
Under the crushing force of the three-headed, six-armed ethereal divine spirit, the last of Dalen's clone immediately shattered into fragments.The crowd erupted in chaos, especially those women who had supported him. They screamed in anguish, and some even fainted. Watching such a handsome man reduced to dust felt like a tragic waste.Amid the stand uproar, Fenley remained unfazed in the battle ring. When the ethereal divine spirit struck Dalen, what had exploded wasn't a body but a ball of air.In other words, the figure who had just shattered was merely a clone. Where was the real Dalen hiding if those nine figures were all clones?Just as Fenley frowned in confusion, a sudden sense of danger prickled at his scalp. He instinctively looked up and saw Dalen diving toward him headfirst with a folding fan in hand.Dalen descended silently, like a meteor hurtling toward the ground. The tip of the fan was a half-sheathed sword, and its edge glinted menacingly."You're courting death
With his mind made up, Fenley no longer hesitated and began to build up his momentum. Soon, powerful internal energy surged from various vital points in his body.In an instant, his hair stood on end, his robe billowed, and a brilliant light emanated from him. Behind him, the ethereal divine spirit sharpened into a more defined figure, and its features were striking and imposing.Dalen's expression turned serious upon seeing that. He knew Fenley was preparing to execute his killer move."Split!" Without hesitation, he formed a series of hand seals with both hands. His body trembled and split into three identical figures. The process repeated as it multiplied into 27 clones in the blink of an eye.But creating those clones came at a cost. Dalen's breath grew noticeably heavier; he was at his limit. He would push his body beyond its breaking point if he continued to multiply."Just a flashy move." Fenley scoffed at the clones surrounding him. "Let me show you what real divine powe
A burst of blue light exploded, creating a dome of lightning that enveloped the battle ring. Waves of explosive energy hammered against the barrier like relentless tides. The shield trembled violently for several breaths before finally stabilizing.The spectators below exhaled in relief, but their hearts were still racing. If it weren't for Oron's quick reaction, the leaked energy from that explosion could have put them all at risk. After all, Fenley was an ultimate grandmaster. Even a casual strike from him could be lethal.On the battle ring, everything changed after the dust settled.Fenley stood tall and looked imposing. His robes billowed like the wings of an angel. The ethereal divine spirit behind him flickered to life, and its sharp gaze added an intimidating edge to his formidable stance.In contrast, Dalen was thrown back ten yards after the collision. His handsome face turned pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and his arms trembled uncontrollably."Th
Though Dalen had been defeated, his fanbase didn't seem to care. His female supporters were still going wild, chanting his name. It was a scene unlike anything the other contestants had experienced. Being good-looking definitely had its perks."Mr. Shade, are you alright?" Ruby asked with genuine concern as Dalen returned to his seat."It's just a minor injury. Nothing serious." He shook his head with a smile, though a hint of melancholy and regret lingered in his eyes.Dalen had entered the tournament to make a name for himself and prove he was as good as anyone. Finishing in the top eight was respectable, but he had aimed for more.Unfortunately, his strength had fallen short, and he stumbled at the threshold of the final four. Still, losing to Fenley was something he accepted wholeheartedly."You've done well, Mr. Shade. Many disciples from the major guilds are nowhere near your level. Don't be too hard on yourself," Crystal comforted him."Yeah. You're way better than me. I