The arena still shivered from Jiang Chen's last duel. Dust and debris hung thick in the air, the cracked stone beneath his feet a testament to the overwhelming force that had just clashed. Li Qian lay unconscious at the edge, and whispers of astonishment rippled through the gathered disciples.
Then, a deep, resonant gong echoed.
"Inner Clan Ranking Battle—commence!"
The words struck like lightning, vibrating through every heart. Hundreds of elite disciples surged forward, forming a sea of radiant qi that made even seasoned cultivators step back.
Jiang Chen's golden aura flickered as the Primordial System pulsed urgently:
[Ranking Battle Detected]
[Eligible Opponents: 100+]
[Threat Level: Variable]
So it begins…
Elder Zhao's voice rang across the arena, cutting through the tension.
"These ranking battles are not merely tests of strength—they are trials of strategy, instinct, and adaptability. Only the elite will survive and claim their place in the Inner Clan hierarchy. Fail… and your weakness will be exposed."
Whispers filled the crowd like wildfire.
Jiang Chen's gaze swept over the battlefield. A hundred pairs of eyes burned with ambition, but his mind moved faster than they could perceive.
Top 50… manageable.
Top 30… dangerous.
Top 10… where life and death start to blur.
Then he noticed the faintest stir at the edge of the stands. A figure cloaked in shadow, calm, observing every movement. Golden qi seemed to bend subtly around him.
Luo Tian… Jiang Chen thought. He's here, watching.
The man made no move to step forward. He simply calculated, silent as a predator, as if the entire arena existed inside his mind before he even moved a muscle.
Jiang Chen's lips curved into a faint smirk.
Good. A challenge right at the start.
The first match was called. His opponent, ranked forty-fifth, stepped onto the arena. Aura sharp, eyes narrowed, he radiated confidence bordering on arrogance.
"Jiang Chen, don't think your last victory will save you!"
Jiang Chen didn't respond. Golden qi flowed naturally through his body, activating Primordial Body Layer 2, Golden Shadow Step, and Primordial Strike.
Let's see how sharp your instincts truly are.
The battle began.
The disciple attacked first, fists blurring like meteor showers. Jiang Chen dodged, analyzed, and countered, subtly probing for patterns. The system pulsed in his mind:
[Weakness Detected: Slight Overextension, Predictable Feints]
He focused his qi, compressing energy into a single point.
Primordial Strike — Focused Convergence!
BOOM!
The prodigy flew backward, colliding with the arena's edge. The ground cracked under the impact. The crowd gasped, then erupted into cheers.
The system flashed:
[Victory Recorded]
[Primordial Points +50]
[Technique Mastery Increased]
Before Jiang Chen could recover, a subtle disturbance caught his attention. Faint traces of qi flickered unnaturally—too quick, too precise to be an ordinary observer.
An assassin… in the arena.
Suddenly, a shadow darted toward him, a dagger gleaming under the sunlight. Reflexively, Jiang Chen vanished in a swirl of golden light.
Phoenix Shadow Step!
He intercepted the attacker midair, the dagger clattering harmlessly to the ground. The crowd froze, awe-struck. Even the ranking battle's excitement dimmed for a moment.
In the stands, Luo Tian watched silently, unshaken. His expression betrayed no surprise, only calculation.
Interesting… he reacts not only to combat but to chaos itself, Jiang Chen thought.
The system pinged urgently:
[Hidden Threat Neutralized]
[Primordial Points +50]
Another gong rang, signaling the next challenger. Jiang Chen's pulse quickened—not from fear, but anticipation. His golden aura flared brighter, flowing through every muscle. Every battle, every movement now carried weight.
He rose to meet the next opponent, higher-ranked, stronger, more cunning. Each fight would test not only his skill but his intuition, strategy, and ability to evolve mid-battle.
And all the while, the shadow in the stands remained, watching, calculating, measuring.
Luo Tian… I can feel him analyzing every move I make. He's waiting… for the right moment.
Jiang Chen clenched his fists. His Primordial System pulsed in response, as if recognizing the true challenge ahead.
Finally… a true opponent. And this ranking battle isn't just about climbing the ladder—it's survival, strategy, and proving who can truly dominate the Inner Clan.
The crowd leaned forward, holding their breath. Jiang Chen's golden aura glowed like the rising sun. The Inner Clan's ranking battle had officially begun, and no one would leave unchanged.
Every match, every move… this is only the beginning.