Arrival of Big shots

The arena buzzed with energy as the second phase of the Sect Promotion Exams prepared to begin. Spectators from all walks of life filled the stands, their anticipation thick in the air. Among them, masters from other sects, prominent elders of renowned families, and independent cultivators exuded a commanding presence.

Voices from the crowd rose in excitement as figures of note were identified.

"Look! That's Elder Lei from the Crimson Thunder Sect. They say he's in the sixth stage of the Nascent Soul Realm!"

"And there's the Cloudheart Family's patriarch, Lord Yun. His daughter is rumored to be the most talented alchemist of this generation."

"The Emerald Blossom Sect's Master Lan is here, too. She rarely makes public appearances."

The murmurs continued until a hush fell over the crowd. The air grew heavy with the arrival of an extraordinary presence.

A procession adorned in gold and crimson entered the arena. At the forefront stood a young man, his robes embroidered with the emblem of a roaring dragon, signifying the royal family of the Han Dynasty. Beside him walked an older man clad in formal attire, his gaze sharp and authoritative-the royal envoy. Guards flanked them, their imposing figures ensuring the prince's safety.

The announcer's voice boomed, "Presenting His Highness, Prince Han Yi of the Han Dynasty, and the royal envoy, Lord Zhao."

The prince's youthful face bore a calm, regal demeanor, but his eyes held a glint of curiosity and amusement as he surveyed the arena. A quiet but palpable pressure emanated from him, a testament to his Final Stage Core Formation cultivation. Beside him, Lord Zhao's aura was far more intimidating-a powerful sixth-stage Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.

The crowd whispered in awe.

"The prince himself came? This must mean the Han Dynasty is interested in the sect's rising talents."

"I heard Prince Han Yi is a genius in his own right. He's said to have mastered the Crown Flame Art by the age of twenty."

"And the royal envoy... They say he can take down an army single-handedly!"

As the prince and envoy took their seats in the grand pavilion, the big shots exchanged quiet words.

Elder Lei from the Crimson Thunder Sect stroked his beard. "To think the Han Dynasty would send someone of Lord Zhao's caliber. The sect must have caught their attention."

Master Lan of the Emerald Blossom Sect nodded slightly. "It is rare for the prince to attend an event like this. Perhaps the rumors about some prodigies among the disciples are true."

Lord Yun chuckled softly. "True or not, it makes for a fine spectacle. Let's see if any of these young ones can truly impress the royal family."

Their conversations were cut short as Elder Jiang stood, his voice booming over the arena.

Elder Jiang addressed the gathered participants and spectators, his voice carrying authority. "Welcome to the second phase of the Sect Promotion Exams. This phase will test your combat prowess. Before you are eight arenas. You will draw lots to determine your opponent. The rules are simple-victory will advance you to the next round. Defeat will mean elimination."

The disciples exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from determined to anxious. Elder Jiang continued, "Each match will end when one competitor concedes or can no longer fight. Killing is prohibited, but serious injuries will not disqualify the victor. Let the results of these battles speak to your worth."

An attendant stepped forward with a box, and the disciples began drawing lots.

Hizu was among the first to draw. "Number four," he announced.

Makoto and Kazu also took their turns, with Kazu drawing "Number six." When Makoto revealed his number, his expression remained unreadable, though his calm demeanor didn't escape the notice of the nearby disciples.

The matchups were displayed on a glowing board. Hizu's opponent was revealed to be Lin Kai, an inner disciple with a fierce reputation.

"Lin Kai?" Kazu frowned. "He's no pushover."

Makoto's gaze was steady. "Hizu will win."

The crowd murmured as Lin Kai stepped onto the stage. His reputation preceded him, and many doubted an outer disciple could stand against him.

The buzz in the arena reached a crescendo as the second phase of the Sect Promotion Exams began. The crowd eagerly awaited the battles, their energy palpable. With the arrival of the Han Dynasty's young prince and the royal envoy, the excitement turned to reverence.

Hizu stepped onto Platform Four, his calm demeanor in stark contrast to the confident smirk of Lin Kai, an inner disciple known for his mastery of the Earth Shattering Fist.

"You should've stayed in the outer sect," Lin Kai sneered, flexing his muscles. His qi surged around him, forming the faint outline of a bear-a manifestation of his cultivation technique.

The gong rang, signaling the start of the fight. Lin Kai wasted no time, dashing forward with a powerful strike aimed directly at Hizu's chest. The ground beneath him cracked as he unleashed his Earth Shattering Fist.

Hizu sidestepped the attack with practiced ease, his movements smooth and calculated. "You rely too much on power," he said softly, his voice almost lost in the roar of the crowd.

Lin Kai roared in anger, launching a barrage of punches. Each blow was accompanied by shockwaves that left cracks in the platform. Hizu dodged effortlessly, his footwork a display of precision.

"Stop running!" Lin Kai bellowed, slamming his fist into the ground. A shockwave erupted, forcing Hizu to leap back.

Finally, Hizu retaliated. His hand shot forward, and his palm connected with Lin Kai's wrist, redirecting the force of the inner disciple's punch. The crowd gasped as Hizu's movement sent Lin Kai stumbling.

"What technique is that?" someone in the audience murmured.

"It's Flowing River Palm," a spectator answered. "An outer sect technique. But how is he using it so effectively against an inner disciple?"

Hizu's eyes narrowed. "It's over."

He struck with a flurry of palm attacks, each blow precise and aimed at Lin Kai's joints. Lin Kai's movements became sluggish as Hizu disrupted his qi flow. Finally, with a powerful strike to Lin Kai's chest, Hizu sent him sprawling to the edge of the platform.

Lin Kai groaned, trying to rise, but his body refused to obey. "I... concede," he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Makoto watched Hizu's fight closely, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "He's growing stronger."

But his attention wasn't solely on Platform Four. His gaze swept across the other platforms, analyzing the techniques and strategies of the competitors. On Platform Two, a disciple wielded a spear with unparalleled precision, while on Platform Seven, an agile fighter overwhelmed their opponent with speed.

"Interesting," Makoto murmured to himself.

Kazu, standing beside him, grinned. "Hizu did well. But don't get too comfortable, Makoto. I'm next."

Kazu ascended Platform Six, his carefree demeanor masking the sharp focus in his eyes. His opponent, Wu Sheng, was an inner disciple renowned for his Wind Blade technique.

The gong rang, and Wu Sheng immediately attacked. His qi formed shimmering blades of air that flew toward Kazu at alarming speed. The crowd gasped as Kazu stood still, his hands behind his back.

"Kazu, move!" someone shouted from the crowd.

At the last moment, Kazu sidestepped, the Wind Blade slicing a strand of his hair. "Is that it?" he teased, his voice laced with mockery.

Wu Sheng's face darkened. "Don't underestimate me!" He unleashed a flurry of Wind Blades, each one faster and more precise than the last.

Kazu smirked, his movements fluid as he weaved through the attacks. His qi flared, and with a swift motion, he unsheathed his blade. The sound of steel slicing through air reverberated across the platform.

Wu Sheng barely managed to block the strike, his Wind Blade dissipating against Kazu's sword. "You're faster than I thought," Wu Sheng admitted, sweat dripping from his brow.

"And you're slower than I expected," Kazu retorted.

The battle intensified. Wu Sheng used the full extent of his Wind Blade technique, combining it with swift footwork to launch a relentless assault. But Kazu countered each move with precision, his blade dancing in the air like a living thing.

Finally, Kazu saw an opening. With a burst of speed, he appeared behind Wu Sheng, his sword resting lightly against the inner disciple's neck.

"You've lost," Kazu said, his tone calm.

Wu Sheng froze, realizing his defeat. "I... concede."

The crowd erupted into cheers once more.

Prince Han Yi, watching from the grand pavilion, leaned forward slightly. "These outer disciples are surprising," he remarked.

Lord Zhao nodded. "The Azure sun Sect has some hidden talents. That boy, Kazu, has potential. His swordsmanship is impressive for his cultivation level."

Elder Jiang, standing by the edge of the arena, nodded in approval. "Let the matches continue!" he declared.

Makoto glanced at Kazu as he returned to the waiting area. "Not bad," he said with a smirk.

Kazu grinned. "Not bad? I'd say it was perfect."

Hizu chuckled, joining them. "Don't let it go to your head."

Makoto's gaze shifted back to the platforms, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. "The real challenges are yet to come."