Zero Threat

Rudhra felt a pang of disappointment as he observed his fellow competitors. Most were strong, but none posed a real threat to him. His attention was drawn to the two sturdy head judges, from whom he felt a faint but unmistakable sense of danger. Despite not having begun his mental cultivation formally, Rudhra unconsciously used his mental power to gauge their strength. They exuded a menacing aura, reminiscent of the dangerous beasts he had encountered, a stark contrast to the relatively benign presence of the outer sect elders.

The competition began with much fanfare. Rudhra watched as disciples battled fiercely. Aelina fought valiantly against numerous seniors, showcasing her grace and skill. She made it to the semi-finals but was ultimately defeated by a more experienced opponent.

As the matches progressed, Rudhra stepped into the ring, effortlessly dispatching his opponents without using his Qi. His physical prowess and combat skills were more than enough. Each of his matches was swift and decisive, leaving the spectators and elders in awe. Whispers filled the arena, questioning the origin of this prodigious twelve-year-old.

Aelina, having seen Rudhra's strength firsthand, watched his fights without surprise. She knew just how powerful he was and marveled at his restraint.

In one of his earlier matches, Rudhra faced a tall, muscular senior known for his brute strength. The senior charged at Rudhra with a roar, swinging his massive fists. Rudhra sidestepped effortlessly, delivering a single, precise blow to the senior's ribs, sending him sprawling to the ground, gasping for air.

"You... you're a monster," the senior wheezed, clutching his side.

Rudhra merely shrugged, "I'm just here to fight."

Another match saw him up against a nimble and quick disciple who specialized in speed and agility. The disciple darted around Rudhra, launching rapid strikes from all directions. Rudhra's eyes tracked his movements calmly. With a sudden burst of speed, he caught the disciple's wrist mid-strike, twisted it, and gently but firmly threw him out of the ring.

"You rely too much on speed," Rudhra remarked as the disciple groaned on the ground. "Balance it with strength."

Aelina's matches were equally impressive. She faced a senior who wielded dual blades with lethal precision. Their fight was a dance of steel and skill, Aelina's elegance matched by her opponent's ferocity. She managed to disarm him with a well-timed maneuver, but his superior experience and raw power eventually overwhelmed her, though she conceded gracefully.

In the semi-finals, Rudhra's opponent was a formidable swordsman, a sixteen-year-old senior known for his sword Qi. As the match began, the senior unleashed a flurry of sword strikes, each one imbued with fierce Qi.

Rudhra decided to test his resilience. He stood still, letting the first few strikes hit him. The sword Qi grazed his skin but failed to penetrate. With a smirk, he caught the next strike with his bare hand, the blade stopping inches from his face.

"Is that all you've got?" Rudhra taunted, his eyes glinting with amusement.

The senior's eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, Rudhra sprinted forward, his spear flashing in the sunlight. With a single, fluid motion, he disarmed the senior, his spear knocking the sword out of his hands. The crowd gasped as Rudhra's spear hovered inches from the senior's throat.

The head judges exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. They hadn't anticipated such raw power and skill from a twelve-year-old.

The senior stumbled back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How... how did you...?"

Rudhra lowered his spear and shrugged. "You rely too much on your weapon."

The crowd erupted in applause, the elders murmuring among themselves. The head judges approached Rudhra, their expressions a mix of curiosity and respect.

"You have exceeded our expectations," one of the judges said, his voice deep and resonant. "This year's king competition ends with a new champion. Rudhra, your strength and skill are unparalleled."

The inner elder stepped forward, presenting Rudhra with a vial of shimmering liquid. "This is the Elixir of Transcendence. It will help you reach the peak of the Tempered Realm, shedding your mortal limitations."

Rudhra accepted the elixir with a nod, his eyes gleaming with determination. The two head judges then addressed the top ten finalists, including Aelina.

"You have proven yourselves worthy," one judge announced. "At year's end, you will enter the Mystic Dimension to form your spirits. Prepare yourselves, for this journey will be your greatest challenge yet."

As the crowd dispersed, Aelina approached Rudhra, her eyes shining with admiration. "You were incredible, Rudhra. I've never seen anything like it."

Rudhra shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I just did what I had to. The real challenge lies ahead."

Aelina nodded, determination burning in her eyes. "Then let's face it together."

The top ten finalists, including Rudhra and Aelina, were asked to stay behind. The head judges began to explain the intricacies of the Mystic Dimension, the trials they would face, and the rewards that awaited them. Rudhra listened intently, his mind already set on the next challenge.