Chapter 20 — "THE FOUR ARENAS OF DOMINANCE"
The ground rumbled as the four colossal arenas finished rising from the earth, each encased in glowing azure dragon sigils. Their towering structures cast massive shadows across the plaza, and the crowd of 4000 successful candidates buzzed with anticipation.
The instructor walked forward, robes fluttering like a sovereign descending from the heavens.
He pointed at the arenas one by one.
⭐ ARENA 1 — RAW STRENGTH
Massive stone pillars.Thick tiles reinforced with ancient beast bones.Perfect for warriors who fought with sheer power.
⭐ ARENA 2 — EXTREME SPEED
A sleek circular platform.Wind runes carved into the ground.Designed for footwork, agility, and lightning-fast strikes.
⭐ ARENA 3 — TECHNIQUE MASTERY
A pristine marble-like platform.Intricate symbols etched across its surface.A battlefield for refined martial arts and pure skill.
⭐ ARENA 4 — MIXED COMBAT
Cracked terrain.Jagged edges.Uneven footing.A battlefield where anything goes.
The instructor raised his arms.
"Participants.Choose the arena that best suits your style, your techniques, and your fate."
A murmur rolled through the crowd.
"Choose...? We pick?!""This is insane!""How do we know where we belong?!""What if we pick wrong?!"
The instructor chuckled lightly — a cold, sharp sound.
"Pick.Or be trampled."
A brave but clueless NPC raised his hand.
"S-Sir, how exactly do we fight? Is it one-on-one? Do we challenge people? Or—"
The instructor smirked.
"Fight?" He tilted his head. "What do you mean fight?"
The NPC blinked.
The instructor’s expression turned wickedly amused.
"The last one standing wins, obviously.
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!""That’s crazy!!""Four entire arenas of battle royals?!""This academy is insane!"
The instructor lifted a brow.
"Azure Dragon Academy does not train children.Choose your battlefield."
Participants exploded into motion, running toward the arena that matched their body type, techniques, and pride.
But all eyes turned to the four monstrous geniuses.
Long Hao cracked his knuckles.
Xue’er tugged lightly at his sleeve.
"You’re going to Arena 1?"
He smirked."Yes."
"But that arena is for pure muscle. You’re more... balanced."
Long Hao shrugged."I want to stretch a bit."
Xue’er’s heart almost stopped at how casually he said it.
"You... you’re infuriating."
He smiled."You said that earlier."
She pouted.
Long Hao stepped toward Arena 1, his steps echoing like steady thunder.
Immediately—
Chen Wulian, the Mystic Rank martial god, stepped beside him.
The stone beneath Chen’s feet cracked slightly.
He grinned.
"Long Hao," he said with deep respect."I’ve been waiting."
Long Hao nodded."So have I."
The tension between them was so thick the crowd held its breath.
"Two monsters in one arena...""They’re going to flatten everyone else!""Run if you’re not them!"
The prince of the Ling Royal Family walked calmly toward Arena 2.
His diamond spear glowed softly on his back.
People whispered in awe:
"He’s going to be unstoppable there.""He’s built for speed and precision.""Arena 2 belongs to Ling Yifan alone."
Ling Yifan didn’t react.
But his eyes flicked once toward Long Hao.
Silent rivalry.
Xue’er stepped toward Arena 3, her white dress fluttering like snow petals.
Gasps filled the plaza.
"The Divine Princess is choosing Technique?""She’ll dominate so gracefully...""She’s too beautiful for a battlefield..."
Xue’er smiled softly at Long Hao before entering.
He nodded back.
Her cheeks turned faint pink.
Moonlit hair swaying, she floated toward Arena 4.
Cold.Ethereal.Unmatched.
"She chose Mixed Combat?""That’s dangerous!""No one knows how she fights exactly..."
Bai Qianlan looked once at Xue’er.
A silent challenge.
Xue’er narrowed her eyes.
A silent "stay away from Long Hao."
The rivalry had begun.
THE ARENAS BEGIN TO SHAKE
The instructor raised both hands.
"Each arena will now begin its combat phase.Your task is simple."
He smiled darkly.
"Survive."
People screamed.Some prayed.Some cracked their knuckles.
And then—
BOOOOOOOM!!
All four arenas lit up with dragon patterns.
The barriers around them sealed.
The ground beneath participants shifted.
A horn sounded.
BWOOOOOOOM—!!
"FIGHT!"
Arena 1 — Raw Strength
Dozens of muscular warriors immediately punched, charged, and grappled like madmen.
Long Hao stood still.
A huge brute rushed him.
Long Hao flicked a finger.
CRACK!!The brute flew three meters into a wall.
Everyone froze.
Chen Wulian grinned widely.
"This will be fun."
Arena 2 — Extreme Speed
Ling Yifan vanished the moment the horn blew.
Dozens dropped instantly with spear marks slicing the air.
"Is he even human?!""He’s too fast!"
Arena 3 — Technique Mastery
Ouyang Xue’er didn’t use frost for now.
She simply flicked her wrist.
Three men flew backward like puppets.
Every movement elegant.
Everyone stared in fear and awe.
Arena 4 — Mixed Combat
Bai Qianlan disappeared into illusion-like movements.
People fought shadows.People fought themselves.People fought nothing.
Half were knocked out in seconds.
The entire plaza roared with screams, cheers, explosions, and chaos as the geniuses unleashed themselves in their chosen arenas.
And at the center of Arena 1—Long Hao smiled slightly.
"Finally... something mildly interesting."
His eyes glowed faint crimson.
The real fight was about to begin.
[Chapter ENDS]