Two months had passed, and whispers about Eren's rise had grown louder. No longer just another disciple, his cold silence and mysterious victories had earned him a reputation.
Now at the 8th level of Soul Practitioner, his presence alone made weaker disciples flinch.
One morning, bells rang across the Shadow Sect, thunderous and urgent. A message echoed through the valley:
> "Disciples of the Outer Sect. Come forth.
The Path to the Inner Sect has opened.
Main Arena. Now."
Eren tilted his head toward the noise and smirked.
"Time to collect some treasures…" he muttered with a gleam in his eyes, his cloak swaying behind him.
---
Main Arena – Shadow Sect Outer Ring
Massive stone platforms stretched under the open sky, filled with hundreds of outer disciples. Elders watched from the high towers, robed in black, their expressions hidden by deep hoods.
A deep voice thundered from the sky.
> "The rules are simple: Stay standing for 30 minutes.
Form alliances. Crush others.
Defeat more, earn more."
> "Let the exam begin!"
---
Chaos Unleashed
As the bell tolled, the entire arena erupted into madness. Swords clashed. Spells exploded. Screams echoed.
---
1. Kairo – Flameborn Warrior
With a snarl, Kairo slammed his foot down, igniting a ring of flame.
"Burn, you weaklings!"
A massive blade swung in a fiery arc, slicing through the air with a roar. Three disciples jumped to evade—but it was too late. The flame burst mid-swing, forming a shockwave that sent them flying.
BOOM!
Kairo's eyes glowed. "Next."
Another charged him—a spear-user—but Kairo caught the spear with one hand and headbutted the boy, breaking his nose with a crunch.
---
2. Selene – Ice Witch of the North
On the opposite side, Selene floated mid-air, her long robe fluttering like frost in the wind.
She extended both hands. A cold mist swirled out and formed a dozen ice spears, all pointed forward.
"Pierce them all—Glacial Reign."
The spears rained down like divine punishment.
Five disciples raised barriers—useless. The spears shattered their defenses and knocked them flat. Frost crept over their bodies, paralyzing them instantly.
Selene's face was emotionless, like a queen of winter.
---
3. Darius – Shadow Wolf
From within the chaos, Darius melted into shadows. He vanished from plain sight, only a faint shimmer of smoke showing his movement.
A group of disciples stood back-to-back, ready.
"Stick together!"
But it didn't help. One by one, they felt a sharp sting at their necks, then darkness. Darius appeared behind them briefly, blood dripping from his dagger.
His voice was a whisper, cold as death:
"You never saw me."
He faded back into shadow again.
---
4. Mei Lin – Spear Dancer
A gust of wind blew through the arena.
Mei Lin spun like a cyclone, her twin braids flying. Her long spear traced silver arcs in the air as three attackers circled her.
"Dance of the Wind Fang."
She slid low, swept one enemy off their feet, then thrust upward, sending him spinning through the air. Another tried to catch her from behind, but she twirled, slamming the spear butt into his gut.
"Don't blink."
She vanished and reappeared mid-air, her spear falling like lightning on the third.
---
5. Rago – The Feral Claw
A guttural howl echoed. Rago stood shirtless, claws out, fangs bared.
He leapt onto a disciple, biting into his shoulder, then ripped the boy's robe open with one claw.
Another screamed and fled. Rago dashed on all fours, caught him by the leg, and dragged him back, laughing.
"Run! Run harder!"
His wild eyes scanned the arena.
"More prey...!"
Even Kairo paused at the sight of him.
---
6. Haneul – Silent Fortress
While chaos roared, Haneul stood perfectly still inside a glowing circle of runes. A floating grimoire hovered in front of him, pages flipping on their own.
Dozens attacked—but every strike was blocked by a transparent shield.
"Try harder," Haneul muttered.
Suddenly, his book flashed, and magic missiles launched in a perfect ring, knocking out every attacker within five meters.
A perfect defense—backed with calculated counterstrikes.
---
Eren – Water Phantom
Then, from the mist of combat, Eren stepped into the light.
No roar. No flashy entrance. Just quiet footsteps.
One group of five spotted him and moved to surround.
"Get him! That's Eren—he's only at the 8th level!"
Eren didn't move.
One charged. Eren raised a hand. A pulse of water rippled out, shoving the attacker to the side.
Another swung from behind. Eren spun, grabbed his arm, and smashed him face-first into the ground—hard.
Two left.
He let water spiral around his feet, boosting his movement.
"Wave Step."
He blurred—appeared behind both, palm glowing.
"Twin Dragon Pulse!"
Two torrents of pressurized water erupted from his hands like coiling dragons, blasting both opponents into the arena wall.
Crowd gasped.
"He didn't use a single weapon…"
"What kind of martial arts is that?"
Blood ran down Eren's cheek from a small scratch—but he grinned.
"This is fun."
He turned toward Mei Lin's side of the arena—and began walking.
A challenge? An alliance? Or both?
---
Elders Above – Watching
An elder stroked his beard.
"He's not just strong—he's precise."
Another nodded.
"His eyes never lie. He calculates. Controls the pace. He's calm in chaos. That's dangerous."
---
FINAL MOMENT OF BATTLE ---
With only ten minutes left, the battlefield had changed.
From over 900 disciples, only less than 70 remained.
Kairo clashed violently with Rago, flame against claw.
Selene hovered above like a goddess of frost.
Darius and Haneul eyed each other from afar, shadows against light.
Mei Lin twirled her spear and narrowed her eyes.
And Eren walked alone—stepping over bodies, blood, and broken dreams, toward the center.
The crowd held its breath.
The countdown continued.
---
To be continued…
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