The arena had fallen completely silent.
No whispers.
No cheers.
Only the heavy pressure of two powerful auras clashing in the center of the battlefield.
Lin Ye stood facing Wu Shan, his chest rising and falling slowly as the demonic bloodline inside him stirred violently. The air around him had begun to distort slightly, thin strands of dark crimson energy drifting from his body like smoke.
Across from him, Wu Shan watched calmly.
His eyes gleamed with interest.
"…So the rumors weren't exaggerated."
Lin Ye rolled his shoulders slowly.
The faint red glow in his pupils flickered.
"Still time to walk away," Lin Ye said quietly.
Wu Shan chuckled.
"You think that scares me?"
The crowd surrounding the arena felt the atmosphere grow heavier.
Some disciples instinctively stepped further back.
Others watched with wide eyes.
Because the aura surrounding Lin Ye no longer felt normal.
It felt…
Demonic.
Inside Lin Ye's mind, the system flickered violently.
[Bloodline Awakening: 92%]
The demonic energy surged through his veins, amplifying his senses and sharpening his instincts. His heartbeat slowed, yet every movement around him felt clearer.
Stronger.
Faster.
More dangerous.
Wu Shan narrowed his eyes.
"…Interesting."
Then he moved.
Faster than before.
His figure blurred across the arena as his palm shot toward Lin Ye's chest with crushing force.
But this time—
Lin Ye didn't dodge.
Instead—
He stepped forward.
Their fists collided.
BOOM.
A violent shockwave erupted across the arena, sending cracks racing across the stone floor.
The watching disciples gasped.
"That impact…"
"They're evenly matched now!"
Wu Shan slid back half a step.
His smile widened.
"So the demon gives you strength."
Lin Ye tilted his head slightly.
"…Just a little."
Then he disappeared.
Blood Shadow Step.
This time his movement was even faster, the demonic energy enhancing the technique beyond its previous limits.
He appeared behind Wu Shan and struck.
THUD.
Wu Shan blocked instantly, but the force pushed him several steps forward.
The crowd stirred again.
Because the balance of the fight—
Had shifted.
Wu Shan straightened slowly.
"…Good."
Then his aura changed.
The spiritual energy surrounding him grew denser, darker, as if condensing into something sharper.
His eyes hardened.
"Let me show you something."
He raised both hands.
The air around him began to vibrate.
"Black Fang — Shadow Crushing Palm."
A massive surge of spiritual energy erupted from his body, forming a dark aura around his arms like fangs of shadow.
The pressure alone made several nearby disciples stagger.
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed.
"…Now that looks dangerous."
Wu Shan moved.
This time his speed matched Lin Ye's enhanced movement.
His palm strike tore through the air like a blade.
Lin Ye barely dodged.
The attack slammed into the arena floor behind him—
BOOOOM.
The stone exploded.
Chunks of shattered rock flew across the battlefield as the impact carved a deep crater into the arena.
The crowd erupted in panic.
"That technique—!"
"The arena can't handle that!"
Wu Shan attacked again.
Another crushing strike.
Lin Ye dodged with Blood Shadow Step, but the destructive force of the technique continued tearing apart the arena floor.
Cracks spread everywhere.
Stone shattered.
Dust filled the air.
Within seconds—
The arena was collapsing.
Lin Ye appeared several meters away, breathing slightly heavier now.
"…Okay."
He wiped dust from his shoulder.
"You're serious."
Wu Shan's voice was calm.
"You forced me to be."
Then he charged again, the dark energy around his arms growing even sharper.
Lin Ye's demonic aura surged in response.
His eyes flashed red.
The system flickered again.
[Bloodline Awakening: 95%]
The power inside him roared.
Begging to be released.
Lin Ye clenched his fists.
"…Not yet."
But Wu Shan's next attack came like a storm.
The crushing palm technique slammed toward Lin Ye with overwhelming force.
Lin Ye reacted instantly.
This time—
He didn't dodge.
He unleashed the demonic power.
A wave of crimson energy exploded from his body as he met the attack head-on.
BOOOOOOM.
The collision shattered the remaining stone beneath them.
The entire arena collapsed.
Massive cracks split the ground as debris scattered across the battlefield.
The watching disciples fled backward in shock.
"Are they trying to destroy the sect?!"
Dust filled the air as Lin Ye stood at the center of the destruction, crimson energy swirling around him like a living storm.
His eyes glowed bright red now.
The demonic aura surged violently.
Wu Shan stared at him with intense excitement.
"…Now that's power."
Lin Ye's breathing grew heavier.
The energy inside him was spiraling.
The system flashed urgently.
[Bloodline Awakening: 98%]
[WARNING: Loss of Control Imminent]
Lin Ye's vision blurred slightly.
"…Not good."
Wu Shan raised his hand again.
"Let's finish this."
But before he could attack—
A sudden wave of icy spiritual energy swept across the battlefield.
CRACK.
Frost spread across the shattered arena floor.
The pressure forced both fighters to freeze.
A calm, cold voice echoed across the courtyard.
"That's enough."
Everyone turned.
Su Qingyue stood at the edge of the destroyed arena, her white robes fluttering in the wind.
Her aura filled the entire battlefield.
Even Wu Shan frowned slightly.
"…Senior Sister."
She stepped forward slowly.
Her cold gaze locked onto Lin Ye.
The demonic aura surrounding him trembled under her presence.
"…Stop."
Lin Ye blinked, his breathing uneven.
"…Trying."
But the demonic energy inside him continued surging.
Su Qingyue moved instantly.
In a blur of motion she appeared in front of him and placed her hand against his chest.
A wave of icy spiritual energy flowed into his body.
The demonic power trembled.
Faltered.
Then slowly—
Calmed.
The system flickered again.
[Bloodline Stabilized]
[Awakening Halted: 98%]
Lin Ye exhaled heavily.
"…Thanks."
Su Qingyue didn't respond immediately.
Her cold eyes studied him carefully.
"…You nearly lost control."
Lin Ye chuckled weakly.
"…I noticed."
Behind them, Wu Shan lowered his hands slowly.
His hidden technique faded as he looked at the destroyed arena.
"…Seems the fight is over."
The elders overseeing the challenge finally stepped forward, their expressions grim as they surveyed the massive damage.
"This duel ends here."
Their gaze moved between the two fighters.
"No winner."
The crowd erupted into chaotic whispers.
But Lin Ye barely heard them.
Because Su Qingyue was still standing very close.
Her hand still resting against his chest.
Her voice was quiet.
"…Next time."
"…Don't push yourself that far."
Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"I'll try."
But deep inside—
He knew.
The next time might be even worse.
Because the demon inside him—
Was getting closer to awakening.