Chapter 91: Chapter 91
The words fell.
Dorian’s declaration was still echoing when the martial arts arena erupted into thunderous cheers.
All at once, the air became electric with excitement. Most disciples, even those seeing Ethan for the first time, threw aside their reservations and joined the celebration.
After all, Ethan was now a disciple of Azure Sky Peak. When one from their own peak rose as a dark horse—an unexpected contender who stunned the rest by seizing victory—the pride was infectious.
All around, the disciples buzzed with exhilaration.
"Didn’t you see that? He actually beat Kain in just one move!"
"Ethan is amazing! We may have a new champion in the making!"
Ethan felt a wave of stares from the crowd.
He was just about to step down from the stage when he sensed a pair of eyes as sharp as icy blades boring into him. Looking up, he saw Seraphina staring at him from the viewing platform.
A faint, calm smile curved Ethan’s lips.
"So pathetic," he whispered quietly, the words meant more as a reflection than a boast.
Seraphina, seated near Lilith, caught those words and bristled. Her brows knit tightly together as she clenched her fists under her sleeves, deeply wishing for the chance to teach this arrogant upstart a lesson.
Yet she was a Saint—she could not permit herself to lose control before the sect.
She masked her anger with a cold, contemptuous smile, though Lilith—ever perceptive—could see the tension beneath. Because Seraphina was not simply shocked, she was burning with a desperate desire to win.
Ethan had already turned and was making his way off the stage when Liana’s jubilant voice rang out, "Senior Brother Ethan, you are so awesome! You’ll be the champion for sure!"
Allen’s expression twisted darkly as he overheard. A sneer forced its way onto his lips.
"Ethan, I don’t know what trick you pulled to beat Kain—but you’re still far from being able to defeat me," Allen muttered, barely loud enough for others to hear.
Privately, Allen was unconvinced by Ethan’s seemingly overwhelming strength.
True, Ethan had defeated Kain—who was in the early Soul Formation Realm—with shocking speed, but Allen was different.
He’d trained himself to the late Soul Formation Realm and had an arsenal of powerful spiritual techniques at his disposal. He believed Kain had been careless, that Ethan had played possum, luring his opponent into a fatal misjudgment.
Allen was determined: This martial arts competition would not only be his claim to glory, but would also give him the chance to publicly humiliate Ethan, especially in front of Liana.
"My brother Sam won the championship; how could I do any less?" Allen thought, puffing up with confidence.
As Ethan passed Allen, Allen sneered, "Ethan, you’ve hidden your strength well, but against me you’ll need some healing elixirs."
Ethan chuckled lightly.
"Is your mouth as tough as your fists? I’m looking forward to the taste of it."
Allen’s eyes flashed.
"Big words. You’d better hope you don’t face me tomorrow. The sword has no eyes."
Ethan’s reply was calm. "Since you’re so eager, I won’t hold back. Just make sure your body survives two punches from me."
Ethan returned to his seat, his mood untroubled. Flint, ever reserved, nodded in acknowledgment.
"Congratulations," Flint offered in his understated way.
"Senior Brother Flint, it’s not such a big deal," Ethan replied.
"I just defeated an early-stage Soul Formation cultivator. There’s still a long way to go."
Liana could hardly contain her delight.
"Senior Brother Ethan, Senior Brother Flint said you’d win in a single move—and you did! You’re so strong and so nice. I can’t believe I only just got to know you!"
Ethan smiled at her. "It’s never too late to make new friends, Junior Sister."
His surprising victory had transformed Ethan into the arena’s main attraction. Whispers and exclamations about the dark horse lingered for half an hour, eclipsing every other match.
Female disciples found it hard to resist Ethan’s combination of strength and stoic handsomeness, while even male disciples admired his ability and sought his friendship, seeing alliances with rising stars as both prudent and exciting.
Finally, it was time for the drawing of lots for the next round.
The remaining sixty-four competitors lined up, anticipation mixing with anxiety as they drew from the box.
Ethan received number 29.
Liana, hovering excitedly nearby, asked, "Senior Brother Ethan, what number did you get?"
"Twenty-nine," Ethan replied. "It means my match is tomorrow. Rest well, Junior Sister. You’ll need your energy for cheering."
Before Liana could respond, a commotion arose just a few seats over.
An attractive female disciple—with a figure and bearing that caught the attention of those nearby—exclaimed, "Number 29?!"
Realizing she’d spoken too loudly, she quickly covered her mouth, her cheeks glowing with embarrassment. Gathering herself, she bowed respectfully.
"Senior Brother Ethan, I am Mira from The Azure Sky Peak. I hope you’ll show mercy in tomorrow’s match."
Ethan inclined his head with an easy grace.
"If you’re this polite, I promise I won’t use excessive force."
He meant what he said: If someone approached in peace, there was no need to crush them utterly. A gentle victory would suffice.
Not far off, Mira, another disciple, gazed at Ethan’s back starry-eyed. "He’s so handsome," she murmured, echoing the thoughts of more than one bystander.
Suddenly, it seemed everyone wanted to know Ethan better. Introductions, congratulations, and clumsy attempts at friendship rained down on him. Ethan managed it all with quiet composure, nodding politely, taking it in stride.
As dusk deepened and the crowd thinned, the focus of the martial world quietly shifted elsewhere.
—
Late at night, inside the shadowed halls of Voidshade Peak, the real storm was gathering.
Sam—Allen’s older brother, the previous martial competition champion—stood in the heart of the Voidshade Hall. His visage was stern as he peered intently at Allen, who sat across the room.
"Allen, are you sure this is the same Ethan from ten years ago?"
Allen shook his head.
"I never saw him before, but he seems familiar. He beat Kain in one move. Even allowing for Kain underestimating him, that’s impossible unless Ethan’s at the Void Amalgamation Realm."
Sam frowned, pacing. "How could a physical cultivator–someone with no spiritual roots, exiled with no resources for ten years, constantly eroded by the Ancestral Tomb’s yin energy—gain such strength?"
Allen was just as skeptical.
"Maybe he relied on some secret art, spent all his power in a single burst. I still trust my own cultivation. With my level and skills, I’ll defeat Ethan."
Sam stroked his chin.
"No one knows if he received a miracle opportunity in his decade at Serene Mirror Lake. Still, you can’t take chances." He produced a small jade vial, revealing a brilliant crimson pill. "Here—take this."
Allen’s eyes narrowed in surprise.
"Is that the Blood Dragon Pill?"
A/N:
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