The Tyrant Sect's Outer Court Annex was remarkably well-equipped, boasting a comprehensive array of martial training instruments and facilities.
Naturally, combat arenas were in no short supply.
In fact, they were by far the most frequented places in the entire annex.
Feeling restless? Step into the arena.
Fighting over pride or passion? Settle it on the platform.
Disagree with a word? Resolve it with fists.
"Brother, have you fought in the arena today?"
Arena duels had become an inseparable part of daily life for outer sect disciples.
This constant culture of combat bred a generation of veterans with extraordinary battle experience.
As soon as Wei Yi and Huo Tianlu stepped onto the stage, a crowd swiftly gathered.
"Huo Tianlu? What's he doing here?"
"Who's the guy challenging him? That can't be a newcomer, can it?"
"I think he is. Damn, the kid's got guts—he dares to go up against someone as ruthless as Huo Tianlu?"
"Bet he doesn't know who Huo is. If he did, he'd know most people who fight him end up half-crippled. He'd never have shown up…"
Laughter and whispered chatter erupted among the watching disciples.
Hearing their words, Zhu Ling'er and the others grew increasingly uneasy.
"What should we do?" Zhu Ling'er looked anxiously to Liu Huan.
"I… don't know," Liu Huan replied helplessly.
What could she possibly do? If she had any solutions, they wouldn't be standing here like this.
"Don't worry too much, Junior Sister Zhu. Since Wei Yi dared to step onto the platform, he must have a plan," Zhou Heng offered, trying to reassure her.
"But his opponent is Huo Tianlu. Steel-Claw Tiger Huo Tianlu. That man is vicious and ruthless—he won't show any mercy," Pei Qinghe interjected anxiously.
Her words only drained the color from Zhu Ling'er's face.
The others gave Pei Qinghe a sharp glare, but then sighed in quiet agreement.
For they all knew the truth.
Wei Yi was fighting in their stead. If he were to be severely injured and miss the inner sect assessment a month from now, they would struggle to face him again.
"Either way, let's watch the fight. It's not over yet," Zhou Heng murmured.
Their gazes turned to the arena ahead.
…
"Well, newcomer… do you truly believe yourself worthy of being my opponent?"
Huo Tianlu stood tall on the stage, staring down at Wei Yi with a mocking smile.
"To be honest, I admire your courage. But you clearly haven't adapted to life in the Tyrant Sect. This is no backwater village."
Perhaps it had been a while since he'd encountered such a brazen "suicide seeker." Huo Tianlu made no immediate move, savoring the moment like a cat toying with its prey.
"You talk too much."
Wei Yi's voice was calm and direct.
Huo Tianlu's expression darkened.
"Hmph!"
"You'll be crying soon enough, mark my words."
His eyes narrowed into slits, interest replaced by icy contempt. Slowly, true energy began to surge from his core. His fingers curled like claws.
Steel-Claw Tiger—that was his moniker.
So named for the iron-hard hands that had earned him countless victories.
A fearsome aura erupted from him, transforming his entire presence.
"Interesting…" Wei Yi murmured, his gaze sharpening. A flicker of gravity entered his expression.
Grand Martial Master realm.
Second tier.
Yet the pressure exuding from Huo Tianlu far surpassed that of even Instructor Xu, a fourth-tier Grand Martial Master from the True Martial Academy.
"No wonder he's made a name for himself here in the Outer Court Annex."
Wei Yi cast aside his initial underestimation.
His demeanor turned solemn.
"Come."
Activating the Violet Mist Heart Technique, a surge of true energy burst from his dantian. Though only a tenth-tier Martial Warrior, the purity and quantity of his energy rivaled that of any Grand Martial Master, thanks to the profound technique he cultivated.
Combined with the subtle activation of his bloodline power, the resulting aura erupted like a tidal wave, spreading in all directions.
Not an inch inferior to Huo Tianlu.
The onlookers widened their eyes in disbelief.
Even Huo Tianlu's face twitched with surprise.
"So, you've got some strength after all. No wonder you've been so arrogant."
"But this… is still far from enough!"
"Come, boy—take this!"
With a thunderous shout, Huo Tianlu dashed forward, his speed blinding. Both hands lashed out like hooked talons.
Wei Yi didn't flinch. He struck out with a fist.
Boom!
The clash of fist and claw echoed across the arena—perfectly matched.
Neither was satisfied with the result.
"Again!"
A flurry of blows followed in the blink of an eye.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each strike echoed with dull thunder, waves of energy colliding and scattering into the air.
Wei Yi's heart clenched slightly.
Huo Tianlu's power far exceeded his initial estimation.
His foundation was solid, his combat instincts honed to a razor's edge. Wei Yi found no easy opening.
Yet it was Huo Tianlu whose expression darkened further.
To be matched—by a mere newcomer? For a veteran like him, it was humiliation. A disgrace.
"Steel-Claw Devastation!"
With a furious cry, Huo Tianlu's eyes flashed crimson.
His aura turned savage, violent.
He was done holding back.
Time to unleash his trump card—his most devastating technique: the Steel-Claw Devastation.
It wasn't a sect technique, but a fearsome secret art passed down in his family.
A Profound-grade lower-tier skill—infamously difficult to master, but devastating in its power.
Through sheer will, Huo Tianlu had pushed it near perfection.
A technique at near-masterful stage, Profound-grade—it could overwhelm even most Grand Martial Masters.
This was the weapon that had earned him his fearsome reputation—and the title of Steel-Claw Tiger.
"Let's see you survive this!"
True energy surged into his hands. A dark cyan glow lit up his fingers, which now resembled deadly steel blades. Energy crackled at his fingertips, sharp and deadly.
He lunged forward—blindingly fast.
Even Wei Yi struggled to keep up.
Swish!
He activated his Blackwater Step to evade—but a heartbeat too late.
His chest tore open. Blood welled across his robes, the burning pain sharp as flame.
Wei Yi narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. This was the first wound he had sustained since his rebirth—and it had come from Huo Tianlu.
Unexpected.
"An impressive technique," he muttered, smiling through the pain.
He nodded, acknowledging the strike.
"You won't walk away from this alive," Huo Tianlu growled, his eyes murderous.
Without pause, he surged forward once more.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
His movements blurred into a cascade of claws. The crowd could barely follow—phantom talons filled the arena like a deadly storm.
A cold, suffocating pressure settled over the spectators.
Wei Yi couldn't even unleash his Crippling Palm or Seven-Kill Fist.
Only by pushing his Blackwater Step to its limits could he barely avoid defeat.
There was no denying it—Steel-Claw Devastation was terrifying.
"Looks like I'll have to go all out…"
He whispered to himself.
In the next instant, a flash of sword light pierced the air.
The Azuresteel Sword was now in Wei Yi's hand.