The name Shadow was now spoken with awe, with fear, with curiosity.
His last match had burned a permanent mark in the hearts of all who witnessed it. Thunderous power, silent execution, a ghost who left blood and steel in his wake.
But the next match would not be easier.
It would be the most difficult yet.
Because his opponent was not some random outer disciple—but Ren Jue, ranked fourth among the outer court disciples. And more than that, he was the blood of the Ren family, the cousin of Ren Qiu, an inner sect disciple.
The sun cast long shadows across the dueling platform as Ren Jue stepped forward. His robes were immaculate crimson, embroidered with the Ren family crest—a coiled serpent around a rising flame. His eyes were sharp, and his stance was confident.
Across from him stood Shadow. Calm. Focused.
No words were exchanged.
Ren Jue, however, broke the silence first.
"You should be grateful. Most insects don't get the chance to die beneath the foot of a dragon."
Shadow's expression didn't change. "Funny. You sound more like a snake than a dragon."
The crowd roared with amusement.
Ren Jue's face darkened.
Up in the high pavilion, Ren Qiu clenched his fists.
"That bastard..."
Xue Lian chuckled beside him. "Your cousin better not lose. He'll make you look bad."
Ren Qiu said nothing.
The gong rang.
The battle began.
Ren Jue activated his movement technique—Blazing Wing Step—and vanished from sight for a breath. When he reappeared, he was already striking with a mid-tier wood technique known as Verdant Fang Spiral.
Dozens of emerald blade arcs surrounded Shadow.
The audience held its breath.
Shadow moved.
Thunder Step.
He danced between the spirals, his figure blurring, arcs of faint lightning curling at his heels. In the middle of that chaos, he closed in.
Ren Jue was fast.
But Shadow was faster.
With one flash, he was in front of Ren Jue.
Their eyes locked.
Both struck.
Blades collided, energy screamed.
Ren Jue tried to retreat, but Shadow was already there.
Modified Thunder Slash.
A burst of violent energy surged through Shadow's sword, crackling lightning racing across the steel. He didn't need the full burst. Not for this.
One clean arc.
The blow struck Ren Jue directly across the chest.
BOOM!
The air cracked.
Ren Jue flew backward, crashing into the arena wall.
The crowd erupted.
The judge immediately appeared beside Ren Jue, checking his pulse. He raised a hand.
"Ren Jue has been incapacitated! Winner: SHADOW!"
The cheers were deafening.
Shadow lowered his sword. His breathing was steady, but his eyes were steel.
Above, Ren Qiu stood, face pale.
He turned.
"He dared to strike down my blood... in front of the whole sect."
Xue Lian raised an eyebrow. "And he won."
Ren Qiu clenched his jaw.
"This insult will not be forgotten. I swear, one day, I will carve his name into dust."
Without another word, he turned and left the pavilion.
Xue Lian followed.
"You Ren men are always so dramatic. Still... he's interesting."
On the arena floor, Shadow turned his gaze to the next match. His expression remained still.
But inside—
He knew.
The Ren family would not forget.
And neither would he.