Yu Xuan stood in the arena. The goblin’s club, though not shattered, was now scarred. The victor was clear.
"I still have one match left," Yu Xuan announced, voice steady and unbothered. "Who will challenge me?"
Once again, he commanded the arena’s attention.
But this time, no one stepped forward.
They had witnessed his sword intent — clearly not just a fluke but something far beyond their current level. No one wanted to lose face by walking into a one sided defeat.
Just then, a hush swept through the crowd as a pale, sickly looking youth stepped onto the stage. He had messy hair, tired looking eyes with heavy dark circles beneath them, and the kind of energy that felt... off.
"That’s the new rank one, isn’t it?"
"Yeah. He climbed the Foundation Establishment rankings in just one day too."
"And he’s just in early stage Foundation Establishment realm."
"Are we really about to see this?"
"Two newcomers battling for the top spot... this is insane."
Now, standing opposite Yu Xuan was the same eerie youth who had previously defeated Lan Hao. Get full chapters from 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
He didn’t look imposing. If anything, his frail appearance almost made him look sickly. But Yu Xuan wasn’t fooled.
No one reaches rank one by luck alone — not here.
And standing across from him now, Yu Xuan could feel it.
Pressure. Not overwhelming, not obvious, but he definitely felt it. This youth was hiding something. Power. Skill. Maybe even something darker.
Yu Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
’He’s strong... and he’s not showing his full hand.’
This wasn’t going to be just another flashy victory.
This was going to be a real fight.
Or so Yu Xuan thought.
Across the arena, Gu Yifan, his opponent had entirely different thoughts racing through his mind.
’Should I lose quickly so he develops a favorable impression of me?’ the sickly looking youth mused, eyes half lidded in thought.
’No... that would make me look weak. And judging by that arrogant tone earlier, he probably despises weaklings. Better to give him a proper fight and lose at the end, just enough not to raise suspicion.’
Because there was no way in hell he was going to destroy someone who was his prey.
’Besides, this body’s talent is trash. I’ll need to upgrade it soon.’ His gaze sharpened eyeing Yu Xuan, and with a slight nod, he signaled the referee to begin.
"The match for the first rank, Gu Yifan versus Yu Xuan begins now!"
Yu Xuan raised an eyebrow at the name.
Gu Yifan... A strange chill ran down his spine.
’That surname... Gu. Aren’t they always villains in stories?’ he wondered. ’Nah, probably just a coincidence... or is it?’
He shook the thought away. Now wasn’t the time for fiction fueled paranoia.
Without batting an eye, he summoned his sword. Immediately, a refined red aura enveloped the blade, his Intermediate Sword Intent in full display.
Gu Yifan didn’t summon a weapon.
Instead, he calmly stepped forward, raising only his fists.
Then his hands began to glow.
First a golden shimmer... and then, dragon heads, ethereal but clearly powerful — materialized around his fists.
The crowd rippled with murmurs.
"Wait—last time his fists only glowed..."
"Did he go easy on the current rank 2?"
"The dragon heads are sick, but I still say Red Sword Boy has the edge!"
Meanwhile, in a corner of the challengers’ area, a young woman stood with her arms crossed, a storm brewing in her eyes.
She stared at Gu Yifan, expression dark.
’He didn’t go all out when he fought me...’ The realization hit like a slap. ’He held back.’
Humiliation crept up her spine like a cold snake.
Yu Xuan narrowed his eyes, carefully observing Gu Yifan’s technique.
’That’s a great technique,’ he admitted inwardly.
While the crowd only saw the flashy glow and dragon imagery, Yu Xuan and a few sharp-eyed spectators, saw something more refined, more dangerous.
’He’s combining beginner-level Fist Intent with a Qi-based technique... probably something complementary, not standalone. But how did this guy develop Fist Intent?’
The opponent was clearly human. That meant he had to be from some reputable clan. The technique wasn’t something a nobody could casually find and master.
Yu Xuan’s old suspicion came bubbling back to the surface.
’Gu..., that surname’s cursed. Villain energy through and through.’
Without hesitation, he slashed forward, and a crimson arc blazed across the stage, crackling with Sword Intent as it tore through the air toward Gu Yifan.
Gu Yifan didn’t panic. Instead, he calmly poured more Qi into his fists.
The golden dragon heads flared brighter, as if awakened and then they collided with the red sword arc in a brilliant burst of light.
Dust was scattered. But Gu Yifan remained standing only his robes bore a few shallow scratches.
Yu Xuan pressed in, vanishing in a flash-step and reappearing right in front of his opponent. He brought his sword down in a clean, diagonal arc.
But Gu Yifan met it head-on — literally catching the blade with one hand, the golden dragon head around his fist gripping the weapon like a serpent’s maw.
From the other fist, Gu Yifan retaliated with a sudden punch to Yu Xuan’s abdomen.
Yu Xuan twisted at the last second, deflecting the force just enough to avoid taking the full brunt. With a quick pivot, he drove his knee into Gu Yifan’s side, then kicked toward the inside of his opponent’s leg.
Gu Yifan staggered backward, but didn’t fall.
Yu Xuan used the distance to his advantage, landing gracefully. His fingers flexed around his sword as he contemplated something.
’I could use the second form of Avalon Swordsmanship... but that might kill him.’
He sighed, opting for restraint. With a flick of his wrist, another crimson arc tore forth a swift, wide slash aimed directly at Gu Yifan’s torso.
Gu Yifan barely managed to guard against it, his dragon-infused arm shimmering with golden Qi as it absorbed the strike.
The audience was silent for a beat, tension thick in the air.