Chapter 33: Clashes of Pride
The Central Profound Arena remained electric as the third and fourth matches of the Top 16 Knockout Stage were announced in quick succession. The crowd was still buzzing from the previous brutal encounters, but the tension only grew higher with each new pairing.
The chief overseer’s voice rang out clearly across the island.
“Match 3: Huo Yan (Blood Flame Alliance) versus Xiao Chen (Eternal Heaven Pavilion).”
Huo Yan stepped onto the stage first, his muscular body radiating intense heat. Crimson flames licked across his skin as he cracked his knuckles, a savage grin on his face. He was a pure embodiment of the Blood Flame Alliance’s aggressive style, tall, broad shouldered, and radiating raw destructive power.
Opposite him stood Xiao Chen, a calm and refined young man from the Eternal Heaven Pavilion. His white robes were pristine, and his movements were measured and elegant. He carried a simple jade flute in one hand, his expression serene yet focused.
The moment the barrier dropped, Huo Yan exploded forward like a blazing comet. He roared as he unleashed a devastating flame fist technique, sending a massive fiery dragon roaring toward Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen remained composed. He raised his jade flute to his lips and played a single clear note. A wave of gentle yet incredibly firm sound energy rippled outward, colliding with the flame dragon and dispersing it into harmless sparks.
Huo Yan laughed wildly and charged straight through the remnants of his own attack. He closed the distance in an instant and began a relentless barrage of flaming punches and kicks. The arena floor cracked under the force of his blows as Xiao Chen dodged and deflected with precise, flowing movements.
The two fighters clashed violently in the center of the stage. Huo Yan’s brute force and explosive flames met Xiao Chen’s elegant sound-based techniques. Every time Huo Yan landed a heavy blow, Xiao Chen redirected the force with musical notes that disrupted the flames and pushed his opponent back.
The battle was fierce and evenly matched at first. Huo Yan’s raw power forced Xiao Chen to stay on the defensive, but the Eternal Heaven Pavilion disciple’s superior technique and calm mind allowed him to weather the storm and counter with precise strikes that targeted Huo Yan’s meridians.
After several minutes of intense exchanges, Huo Yan grew frustrated. He unleashed his strongest technique, “Crimson Flame Tyrant Body,” causing his muscles to bulge as flames covered his entire body. He charged like a blazing juggernaut.
Xiao Chen’s expression remained serene. He played a long, haunting melody on his flute. The sound waves formed into invisible blades that sliced through Huo Yan’s flame armor and cut deep into his body.
Huo Yan roared in pain but kept charging. He grabbed Xiao Chen and slammed him into the ground, attempting to crush him with sheer weight and flames.
Xiao Chen twisted at the last moment, using the force of the slam to spin around and drive his palm into Huo Yan’s chest. A concentrated sound wave exploded inside the brute’s body, shattering several meridians.
Huo Yan staggered back, coughing blood. Xiao Chen pressed the advantage, playing a rapid series of notes that formed a sonic cage around his opponent. The sound blades cut deeper and deeper until Huo Yan finally collapsed to his knees, defeated.
“Match 3 — Winner: Xiao Chen (Eternal Heaven Pavilion).”
The crowd cheered loudly, appreciating the elegant display of technique against raw power.
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Match 4: Feng Li (Golden Desert Palace) versus Han Xue (Profound Dao Alliance)
The fourth match followed immediately. Feng Li, the elegant young miss of the Golden Desert Palace, stepped onto the stage with graceful confidence. Her golden robes flowed around her curvaceous figure, and her sharp golden eyes gleamed with intelligence. She held her signature desert fan with casual elegance.
Her opponent, Han Xue from the Profound Dao Alliance, was a tall and dignified woman with long black hair and a calm, scholarly aura. She carried a simple wooden sword and exuded a steady, profound presence.
The fight began with a clash of domains.
Feng Li opened her fan, unleashing a massive golden sandstorm that filled the arena. The sand particles were razor sharp and infused with powerful illusions, creating multiple mirages of herself to confuse her opponent.
Han Xue remained calm. She drew her wooden sword and swung it in a simple, elegant arc. A profound sword intent erupted, cutting through the sandstorm and illusions like a hot knife through butter. The sand parted before her as she advanced with measured steps.
Feng Li smiled and engaged her in close combat. Her fan strikes were fast and deceptive, mixing physical attacks with sand based techniques. Han Xue countered with precise, profound sword moves that carried deep philosophical weight. Every swing of her wooden sword seemed to contain the truth of the Dao, making her attacks incredibly difficult to predict or block.
The two women danced across the stage in a beautiful yet deadly display. Golden sand met profound sword light in explosive bursts. Feng Li’s agility and illusion techniques clashed with Han Xue’s steady, unstoppable sword intent.
After a long, intense exchange, Han Xue found an opening. She stepped forward and delivered a single, profound sword strike that cut through Feng Li’s defenses and landed cleanly on her shoulder.
Feng Li staggered back, blood flowing from the wound. She tried to summon one final sand domain, but Han Xue was already there. With a calm, decisive thrust, she pressed the tip of her wooden sword against Feng Li’s throat.
“Match 4 — Winner: Han Xue (Profound Dao Alliance).”
The crowd cheered appreciatively for the elegant display of swordsmanship.
The first four matches of the Top 16 had concluded, each one showcasing different styles and strengths. The tension in the arena only continued to rise as the tournament moved deeper into its final phase.
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The fifth match of the Top 16 Knockout Stage was announced amid rising tension in the Central Profound Arena.
Match 5: Su Qinglan (Primordial Void Immortal Clan) versus Zhao Wei (Blood Flame Alliance)
The crowd leaned forward with keen interest. Su Qinglan had become a subject of much discussion after advancing through the Battle Royale. Many remembered her as the quiet attendant who had suddenly grown much stronger. Now, she faced Zhao Wei, a fierce and aggressive fighter from the Blood Flame Alliance known for his explosive flame techniques and brutal close combat style.
Su Qinglan stepped onto the stage with quiet grace. Her long black hair was tied neatly behind her, and her dark purple attendant robes hugged her figure modestly yet elegantly. Her eyes were calm, filled with unwavering devotion and quiet confidence. The faint black-purple traces of void energy in her aura were visible to those with sharp senses; a clear sign of the power the Empress had bestowed upon her.
Opposite her, Zhao Wei stomped onto the stage, his muscular body radiating intense heat. Crimson flames licked across his skin as he grinned savagely, cracking his knuckles. He was a pure embodiment of the Blood Flame Alliance’s aggressive style, tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating raw destructive power.
The barrier dropped.
Zhao Wei attacked instantly. He roared and charged forward like a blazing bull, unleashing a powerful flame fist technique that sent a roaring fire dragon straight toward Su Qinglan.
Su Qinglan remained composed. She stepped forward gracefully and thrust her palm out. Black-purple void mists swirled around her hand as she met the flame dragon head-on. The fire was devoured instantly by the void energy, dissipating into harmless sparks.
Zhao Wei’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t slow down. He closed the distance and began a relentless barrage of flaming punches and kicks. Each strike carried explosive power, the air around him distorting from the intense heat. The arena floor cracked under the force of his blows as Su Qinglan dodged and deflected with precise void steps, her body blurring slightly as she avoided the heavy strikes.
The crowd watched in growing amazement. The once-quiet attendant was holding her own against a powerful Blood Flame fighter with elegant, almost effortless movements.
Zhao Wei grew frustrated. He activated his strongest technique — “Crimson Flame Tyrant Body.” His muscles bulged as flames covered his entire body, increasing his strength and speed dramatically. He charged again, throwing a devastating flaming uppercut that could shatter mountains.
Su Qinglan met it with a calm expression. She stepped into his guard using a precise void step and drove her palm into his chest. Void energy surged into his body, disrupting his flame circulation and causing his technique to falter. She followed up with a series of rapid palm strikes, each one precise and empowered by the Empress’s training. Her palms glowed with black-purple energy as she targeted his meridians, weakening his flames further.
Zhao Wei roared in anger and tried to grab her in a bear hug, intending to crush her with raw power and flames. Su Qinglan spun gracefully inside his reach and delivered a powerful elbow strike to his jaw, followed by a knee to his stomach. The impact sent him staggering back, blood spraying from his mouth.
The fight continued with Su Qinglan maintaining control. She used her enhanced speed and void techniques to stay one step ahead, striking at Zhao Wei’s weaknesses while avoiding his powerful but increasingly sluggish attacks. Her movements were elegant yet ruthless, a perfect blend of the training and dual cultivation she had received from the Empress.
After a long, intense exchange, Su Qinglan saw her opening. She blurred forward with a void step and delivered a devastating palm strike directly to Zhao Wei’s dantian. Void energy exploded inside him, shattering his flame core and draining his remaining power.
Zhao Wei collapsed to his knees, coughing blood as his flames extinguished completely.
Su Qinglan stood over him, breathing steadily, her expression calm and composed. She had not only won, she had done so with the grace and efficiency that pleased her Empress.
The announcer’s voice rang out:
“Match 5 — Winner: Su Qinglan (Primordial Void Immortal Clan)”
The crowd cheered loudly, many impressed by the quiet attendant’s impressive performance. In the Void Clan’s pavilion, the Empress watched with a faint, satisfied smile. Su Qinglan’s victory pleased her greatly, a clear sign of her loyal servant’s growth and devotion.
Su Qinglan bowed respectfully toward the Empress’s direction before stepping off the stage, her heart filled with quiet joy at having served her Mistress well.
The tournament continued, but the Void Clan’s momentum was undeniable.
End of Chapter 33