The arena was still abuzz from the shocking display between Shen Yuan and Chang Peng. Though it was more of a conversation for those two, yet a strange, lingering silence persisted. Most spectators were still trying to process what had transpired in the previous match, while only a handful had truly grasped its depth.
But silence gave way to murmurs, and soon, a roaring buzz echoed through the colosseum.
The Thunder Mirror Sect, its members pale and shaken, stepped forward. Their leader gave a deep bow, fists clenched in frustration and shame. "We concede. The Thunder Mirror Sect yields to the Twin Soul Sect."
Gasps rippled through the audience. The Twin Soul Sect had advanced almost effortlessly. A single match had been enough.
"This Shen Yuan is really something."
"Yeah, he made two teams surrender already, and it hasn't even been an hour since he appeared."
"Well what did you expect from someone whom even the current King of Fengyue wants dead."
From the center of the stage, Steward Yan cleared his throat and raised his hand. His voice rang clear and strong, sweeping across the now crowded arena.
"With the Thunder Mirror Sect's surrender, the Twin Soul Sect has advanced. However, this round is not yet over. According to the rules of the singles round, they will face Dragonwood Valley next. The victor shall proceed to the team battles, where five other sects await. To avoid any delay and to test the cultivators while their blood is still hot, this match… begins now!"
The crowd exploded into excited cheers.
Bets began flying among the wealthier sect elders and merchant families. Bags of gold coins shifted hands, names were whispered fiercely, odds calculated. Twin Soul Sect had earned admiration, but Dragonwood Valley's reputation was unshaken.
Steward Yan raised his hand once more. "The next match: Guo Bohai of Twin Soul Sect versus Zhen Yu of Dragonwood Valley!"
The uproar intensified.
"A match between two strong 8th layer of Nirvana realm cultivators!"
"Zhen Yu, that brute! He'll smash Guo Bohai flat!"
"Pfft, Guo Bohai will run like he always does, his cultivation might be nice but not his mind!"
"No, You guys saw that Shen Yuan had joined the Twin Soul Sect. Guo Bohai might've changed!"
More and more murmurs among the audience buzzed with their own views.
Up in the Twin Soul Sect seating area, Guo Bohai slowly stood. His hand trembled slightly, but his eyes had a strange glint, a flicker of something he hadn't shown before, even when Shen Yuan had tested him.
Shen Yuan glanced at him, smirking. "Looks like it's your turn."
Guo Bohai exhaled and straightened his back. "I'll… I'll do my best. I'll try not to lose."
Shen Yuan feigned guilt. "Try not to get hurt too badly. Don't overdo it."
Guo Bohai smiled—awkward, but sincere. "Got it."
As he stepped toward the stage, Shen Yuan's eyes returned to a cold neutrality.
"He'll lose." Shen Yuan thought. "But that's fine. I need to confirm the technique behind Dragonwood Valley's supposed 'invincible body.' Guo Bohai's eyes were… honest. Makes me feel a little bad. But a small loss now ensures future victories."
Beside him, Tang Jiyan leaned over. "Are you sure about this, using him as the bet?"
"Yeah," Shen Yuan said without hesitation.
Then both turned their eyes back to the stage.
On stage, Guo Bohai had arrived.
Across from him, a tall, broad man strode in, Zhen Yu. His gait was steady, like a mountain moving. A thick, nearly cut beard and dark bronze like skin made him appear older, more seasoned. The contrast between the two was stark.
Guo Bohai cupped his fists respectfully. "Fellow brother… you probably hate that you were matched with me. But I'll prove I can fight too."
Zhen Yu studied him, then smiled faintly. "No need to say it. Prove it with your sword."
Guo Bohai nodded and then slapped his storage bag. From it he summoned an emerald colored sword, veins of lightning coiling along its blade like snakes.
Zhen Yu answered with a single move, summoning a giant iron hammer that glinted with faint golden inscriptions from his own storage bag. He held it as if it were no heavier than a bucket of water.
The defensive array activated. Steward Yan had already stepped down.
"Begin!" he announced.
Guo Bohai moved almost instantly, lightning streaked across the stage as he shot forward. His blade roared with thunder as he slashed at Zhen Yu's midsection.
BOOM!
The explosion shattered a portion of the stage, but Zhen Yu stood firm. The blast had singed his clothes and left scratches on his skin. Nothing more.
Gasps echoed. Even among Nirvana Realm cultivators, such defense was rare.
"Solid Blood Body…" murmured a few knowledgeable cultivators.
Shen Yuan smirked. "So it really is that art. Turning blood into a hardened layer over the skin. To most, it's formidable… but to me, it's flawed."
However he still knew, he shouldn't be too obvious, after all it would be a problem for him if he had to tell everyone that his knowledge comes from his clone getting the Asura inheritance.
Onstage, Guo Bohai cursed under his breath and launched a barrage of lightning-infused strikes. Each impact cracked the stone beneath them. Zhen Yu tanked every blow, his skin growing redder but never truly injured.
Guo Bohai gritted his teeth. "That technique… forming blood into skin, and enhancing it with qi. It's strong."
Zhen Yu nodded. "You know your stuff. And you're not weak either. But this is where it ends."
He raised his hammer, which now vibrated with a green glow. With a leap, he brought it down, faster than expected.
Guo Bohai narrowly dodged, but his left arm was clipped. He staggered, feeling nothing from the limb now.
More of the arena shattered.
Even Nirvana experts in the crowd narrowed their eyes at Zhen Yu's power.
Guo Bohai then switched tactics. Drawing in a deep breath, he infused his blade with qi, then lightning. Then something else. Heat.
Zhen Yu's eyes narrowed. "Clever…"
The blade began to glow red-hot, lightning buzzing with volatile intensity.
In response, Zhen Yu's body shone crimson, blood qi forming armor around him, runes flickering along its surface, grade 5 defensive arrays.
The arena erupted in gasps. Some stood. Shen Yuan's eyes sharpened.
"Solid Blood Body… enhanced by external formations. That's why it was harder to see through at first, there was also an array that can block the perception of divine sense and it's grade 6, while the others are enhancement types of grade 5. Good to know."
Then Zhen Yu discarded his hammer and crossed his arms, taking a stance of absolute defense.
Guo Bohai lunged, lightning and heat fusing on his blade. They clashed—two lights, red and gold, colliding in a thunderous explosion.
A moment passed.
When the smoke cleared, all eyes widened.
Zhen Yu's blood armor had shattered.
His left arm and belly were cut open.
He bled.
The crowd erupted.
Zhen Yu's eyes widened slightly. Then he laughed. "To think… you managed that. You're no coward, Guo Bohai. And instead of just hitting, you used the litting to heat up your sword to burn my armor. I like it."
Guo Bohai grinned, sweat pouring down. "Thanks…"
But then Zhen Yu gave a sorrow look and his fist poised to strike, but then Guo Bohai spoke.
"I surrender!"
Zhen Yu's fist stopped, just an inch from the back of Guo Bohai's neck. And then Guo Bohai stepped back.
Silence.
Then quiet murmurs. Understanding dawned in many.
Guo Bohai proved himself as brave and strong, yes. But he was not suicidal, he knew his current limits.
Zhen Yu lowered his arm and cupped his fists in respect. "Let's have a drink after this is over."
"Yeah," Guo Bohai replied with a weak laugh.
Zhen Yu looked toward Shen Yuan. "Will your leader allow it?"
Guo Bohai followed his gaze. "He doesn't mind things like this. Actually he probably wouldn't even care."
Then the two shared a few more words before returning to their teams.
As Guo Bohai stepped into the Twin Soul Sect seating area, his head lowered.
He looked at Shen Yuan with a wry smile. "I had to surrender..."
Shen Yuan nodded. "You did well, overcoming your running away."
Guo Bohai's eyes sparkled at the praise and quickly took his seat.
Tang Jiyan raised an eyebrow. "That was your plan all along, huh?"
Then Shen Yuan leaned in and whispered something into his ear.
Tang Jiyan's expression lit up with excitement.