The clearing had become a battlefield of pure destruction. Cracked earth spread outward like spiderwebs, shattered trees lay scattered across the ground, and the air itself trembled from the violent clashes of power. In the center of it all stood three figures whose movements had long surpassed the level of ordinary outer disciples. Lin Ye, Gu Chen, and Zhao Tian—three rising geniuses locked in a brutal contest that would determine the final outcome of the Inner Sect Trial.
Zhao Tian moved with terrifying confidence, his attacks flowing one after another without hesitation. His aura surged like a powerful tide, pressing down on the entire clearing. Each time he struck, the air exploded with force, forcing both Lin Ye and Gu Chen to retreat or deflect carefully. It was obvious now why Zhao Tian had already defeated so many disciples earlier in the trial. His strength wasn't just raw power—it was control, experience, and overwhelming dominance.
Lin Ye slid across the broken ground after blocking a palm strike that nearly shattered his guard. His arms trembled slightly from the impact, but his eyes only grew sharper. Fighting Zhao Tian felt completely different from fighting Gu Chen. Gu Chen was disciplined and precise, but Zhao Tian fought like a king who had never doubted his superiority.
"…You're holding back," Zhao Tian said calmly as he stepped forward again. His gaze moved between Lin Ye and Gu Chen as though evaluating them. "Both of you."
Gu Chen frowned slightly but didn't respond. Instead, he attacked immediately, his movements smooth and refined. His fist cut through the air with a precise strike aimed directly at Zhao Tian's chest.
Zhao Tian blocked effortlessly.
But that was only half the attack.
Lin Ye appeared behind him instantly, activating Blood Shadow Step to close the distance in a flash. His fist shot toward Zhao Tian's spine with lethal intent.
For the first time in the battle—
Zhao Tian's expression changed.
He twisted his body just in time, deflecting Lin Ye's strike, but the impact still forced him one step backward.
The ground cracked beneath his foot.
Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"…You moved."
Zhao Tian looked down briefly at the fractured earth, then back at the two of them.
"Good coordination," he admitted.
Then his aura surged again.
"But still insufficient."
The pressure intensified instantly.
A powerful shockwave burst outward from Zhao Tian as he unleashed more of his strength. Lin Ye and Gu Chen were forced to retreat several steps, the sheer force of the aura pushing against their bodies like a storm wind.
Lin Ye narrowed his eyes.
"…He wasn't serious before."
Gu Chen nodded slightly.
"Now he is."
Zhao Tian stepped forward slowly, his expression calm but his presence overwhelming. "If you want to defeat me," he said, "you'll need more than clever timing."
Lin Ye exhaled slowly.
Then he laughed.
"…Alright."
His eyes flickered red again.
The pressure inside him surged violently as the demonic energy within his bloodline responded to the intensity of the battle.
[Bloodline Awakening: 67%… 69%…]
The system notification flashed briefly in his mind.
Lin Ye didn't look away from Zhao Tian.
"You wanted to see more, right?"
Zhao Tian's gaze sharpened.
"…Show me."
Lin Ye's aura changed.
The calm, controlled energy surrounding him suddenly deepened, becoming heavier and darker. The air around him felt thicker, almost suffocating. His pupils turned slightly crimson again as the dormant power within him began to stir.
Gu Chen noticed immediately.
"…Careful," he said quietly.
Lin Ye chuckled.
"Relax."
But his voice sounded slightly different now.
Rougher.
Zhao Tian stepped forward again, his movements faster than before.
"Let's see how long you can hold it."
He attacked without warning.
Lin Ye vanished instantly.
The two clashed again in the center of the clearing, their fists colliding with explosive force. Shockwaves rippled outward as their attacks connected, tearing new cracks across the ground. Gu Chen joined the fight a heartbeat later, striking from the side with precise timing.
For a moment—
The balance shifted.
Lin Ye's speed had increased dramatically as the bloodline energy flowed through his body. His attacks became faster, heavier, more relentless. Zhao Tian was forced to defend instead of dominate, his movements sharp as he blocked strike after strike.
Then Gu Chen found an opening.
His palm strike slammed into Zhao Tian's shoulder, forcing him back two full steps.
The clearing fell silent for a brief moment.
Zhao Tian looked down at the faint tear in his robe.
Then he laughed.
Not angrily.
But excitedly.
"…Now this is a fight."
His aura exploded again.
Even stronger than before.
The pressure forced both Lin Ye and Gu Chen backward as the air itself seemed to tremble around Zhao Tian's body. His spiritual energy condensed around him like armor.
Lin Ye wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"…He's still stronger."
Gu Chen's expression remained calm.
"But not untouchable."
Lin Ye smiled.
"Good."
Because he wasn't planning to stop.
The power inside him surged again, responding to the rising tension of the battle.
[Bloodline Awakening: 70%]
His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
His vision sharpened.
His body felt lighter, faster, stronger.
But the darkness inside him stirred as well.
The temptation of releasing everything.
Of abandoning restraint.
For the first time in the fight—
Zhao Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Demonic bloodline."
Lin Ye tilted his head.
"Problem?"
Zhao Tian smiled.
"No."
His aura flared violently.
"It just means I don't need to hold back anymore."
The ground beneath his feet shattered as he launched forward again.
Lin Ye and Gu Chen moved at the same time.
Three figures collided once more in a storm of fists, kicks, and spiritual energy that shook the entire forest.
Above them, the sky had begun to turn orange as the sun slowly approached the horizon.
The final moments of the trial were approaching.
And none of them intended to fall.
High above the battlefield, Su Qingyue watched silently from her vantage point.
Her expression had grown more serious now.
"…Seventy percent."
The demonic energy surrounding Lin Ye had grown stronger with each clash.
If it reached full awakening—
The consequences would be unpredictable.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
But she didn't intervene.
Not yet.
Because she also wanted to see the result of this battle.
Three geniuses.
One trial.
And only the strongest would stand when the sun finally set.