The moment the Azuresteel Sword settled into Wei Yi's grasp, the aura surrounding him shifted dramatically.
His cultivation remained unchanged.
He was still the same man.
Yet the feeling he exuded had become utterly transformed.
Where once he seemed calm and composed, as gentle as jade and as carefree as drifting clouds, now he radiated a sharp and unyielding intensity—an aura as piercing as an unsheathed blade.
He was like a lone wolf, proud and aloof, his obsidian eyes devoid of emotion—no joy, no sorrow, no trace of sentiment.
A swordsman.
This was the true bearing of a sword cultivator.
The sword was not only in his hand—it was etched into his soul.
At this moment, Wei Yi's mind harbored no distractions.
"Thirteen Fatal Strikes."
He struck.
Gone was the evasive figure of moments before.
Neither the Heartpiercing Palm nor the Seven-Kill Fist had ever been Wei Yi's true strength—they were auxiliary skills, learned merely to diversify his repertoire.
From beginning to end, his true power lay in his sword.
The Thirteen Fatal Strikes—a mid-tier Profound-grade technique.
And not just any—this was a Level 12 manifestation of the art.
With one slash, light burst forth like a thunderclap.
Huo Tianlu's face twisted in alarm.
His Steel-Claw Devastation was also a technique that prized speed and power—designed for explosive, decisive attacks.
Yet now, he felt it clearly: the speed, the force, the terrifying precision behind Wei Yi's sword far outstripped his own.
More terrifying still was the fact that he couldn't find a single opening to dodge.
No matter which way he thought to evade—
That sword strike would find him.
"Damn it!"
"How is this possible...?"
"Break!"
Huo Tianlu was not one to shrink in the face of danger.
At the brink of disaster, he surged his cultivation without hesitation, flooding his arms with true energy before meeting Wei Yi's sword head-on.
Steel-Claw Devastation, near its perfected form, collided with the Thirteen Fatal Strikes.
Two Profound-grade techniques clashed.
Surging true energy. Blinding light.
The entire arena was engulfed in their violent storm.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as eyes widened in disbelief.
BOOM!
An explosion of sheer force rocked the platform.
A brilliant sword-flash erupted.
And Huo Tianlu was sent reeling.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
He staggered back seven or eight full paces before barely catching himself at the arena's edge.
His gaze lifted toward Wei Yi, and his expression contorted in disbelief.
He had never imagined that their exchange would leave him so thoroughly outmatched.
"This… this isn't possible. It can't be…"
Fury twisted his features. His eyes bulged with venomous hate.
"You little bastard—die!"
Unwilling to accept defeat, Huo Tianlu roared and lunged, launching a desperate flurry of attacks.
Every technique within his Steel-Claw Devastation was unleashed, nothing held back.
Claw shadows filled the air.
Vicious currents tore through the arena.
His aura peaked in one final crescendo of power.
"Good!"
Wei Yi's eyes lit with fervor, his sword slashing out to meet the charge.
Huo Tianlu's claws swept like a storm.
Wei Yi's blade danced like a dragon through the clouds.
Both were aggressive warriors—attack their only defense. Their battle was a spectacle of violence and grace.
Even the spectators below the platform had long forgotten to breathe.
No one saw Wei Yi as a mere novice now. No one thought he would be crushed.
Their duel had mesmerized every eye present.
…
Ding. Player Wei Yi has gained insight during combat. Thirteen Fatal Strikes EXP +200.
Ding. Player Wei Yi has gained insight during combat. Thirteen Fatal Strikes EXP +150.
Ding. Player Wei Yi has gained insight during combat. Thirteen Fatal Strikes EXP +220.
A chorus of system prompts rang in his mind.
Wei Yi hadn't expected this bounty of growth.
Ding. Player Wei Yi's Thirteen Fatal Strikes has reached full EXP. Upgraded to Level 13.
The moment he heard it, his heart surged with exhilaration.
After reaching Level 13, the notifications ceased.
Clearly, further advancement from this battle was impossible.
Yet this one-level gain was a gift in itself—Wei Yi was satisfied.
"In that case, it's time to end this fight."
He had long been capable of finishing it.
But he'd let it continue for the sake of harvesting experience.
Now that no more could be gained, there was no point dragging it out.
He looked at Huo Tianlu, who had descended into a near-manic frenzy.
A sneer crept across Wei Yi's lips.
Huo Tianlu had intended to maim him under the guise of a duel—to rob him of his chance in the inner sect examination.
But Wei Yi's true strength had shattered all expectations.
In the end, it was Huo Tianlu who had walked into his own trap.
To be defeated so publicly by a newcomer—news of this humiliation would soon spread through the entire outer court.
Wei Yi would rise to fame.
Huo Tianlu would become a laughingstock.
His long-built prestige would collapse overnight.
Wei Yi would ascend, treading on his broken pride.
"You brought this upon yourself. Blame no one else."
"Concede."
Wei Yi's voice was cold.
"No! I won't lose… You want me to yield? Dream on!"
Huo Tianlu roared in defiance, but his strength was spent.
His dantian was nearly empty, his aura fraying.
Wei Yi's smirk deepened, eyes mocking.
There was no pity in him for a man like Huo Tianlu.
Without another word, he moved.
The Azuresteel Sword came alive in his hands.
Wei Yi's figure blurred, his blade thrusting from an impossible angle.
Sword qi surged.
Huo Tianlu, caught off guard, had no time to defend.
Seven precise strikes—swift as dragonflies brushing water—landed across his body.
Blood spurted.
A scream tore from Huo Tianlu's throat as he was flung backward, collapsing on the platform.
He kneeled, trembling, unable to rise.
Blood pooled beneath him, staining the arena floor in crimson misery.
"Do you still wish to continue?" Wei Yi asked coolly.
"If so, I can't promise I'll hold back again."
Huo Tianlu's once-proud expression faltered.
Teeth clenched, head lowered.
He didn't dare bet his life.
Hiss…
The crowd gasped in unison.
Their gazes toward Wei Yi transformed entirely.
A newcomer—had defeated the Steel-Claw Tiger of the Black Tiger Society.
"A monster… He's a damn monster…"
Had they not witnessed it themselves, they would never have believed it.
"You can't leave!"
Just then, a voice rang out—the nasally young man from the Black Tiger Society shouted as Wei Yi stepped off the platform.
Wei Yi turned to him.
His gaze was glacial.
The youth trembled, swallowed hard, cold sweat pouring down his face.
His words caught in his throat. "I-I… I wasn't talking to you…"
The moment he finished, his legs quivered.
Regret washed over him.
Even Huo Tianlu had lost—what could he possibly do? Offer himself up as a sacrifice?
The rest of the Black Tiger Society instinctively shrank back.
None dared approach.
Wei Yi's final blow had left too deep an impression.
Sweeping his eyes across them, Wei Yi said calmly,
"If any of you still wish to challenge me—
I'll be waiting."
"And remember—
I'm no mere newcomer. My name is… Wei Yi."