Official Showdown

The morning sunlight bathed the dueling platform, illuminating two figures facing each other.

The first match was Roy versus Jer—an encounter seemingly orchestrated by fate itself to pit them against each other once more.

Roy stood calm and composed, his spiritual energy completely restrained. Though devoid of any visible pressure, his mere presence on the platform resembled a drawn sword—sharp and unyielding, deterring direct confrontation.

Jer, however, wore an expression of frustration and defiance. Despite his level of 15, the gap between him and Roy felt like an insurmountable chasm.

Discussions erupted among the disciples below the platform.

"Will Jer concede?"

"Hard to say. His fighting spirit is decent, but going up against Roy leaves him little chance."

"Exactly. With Roy at level 17 and wielding a powerful thunder-based technique, Jer has no hope."

On the platform, Jer clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly. He struggled to maintain composure but couldn't ignore the overwhelming pressure emanating from Roy.

"Roy." Jer's voice was low, his gaze both resolute and unwilling. "I concede."

The entire square fell silent, stunned by Jer's sudden surrender.

"What? He just gave up like that?"

"Without even fighting? That's humiliating!"

Even the elders on the high platform frowned slightly.

"Conceding so easily will hinder his future growth," one elder sighed with disappointment.

Roy smiled faintly and responded calmly, "I respect your choice. But remember—on the path of cultivation, one should never give up."

Jer bit his lip in silence and stepped down from the platform with a bowed head.

"Roy truly is unbeatable!"

"He's guaranteed to win first place in this competition!"

Ignoring the chatter around him, Roy walked off the platform. He knew that the true battles were yet to come.

Time passed steadily, and soon it was Roy's turn to enter the stage.

This time, his opponent was a 16th-level disciple named Burs, a prominent figure in the outer sect.

"Roy's opponent is Burs? This will be interesting."

"Burs's strength is well-known; he's a formidable figure."

On the platform, the two figures faced each other as disciples watched with eager anticipation.

"Burs is a strong 16th-level fighter, and his swordsmanship ranks among the best in the outer sect."

"Even though Roy is 17th level, Burs's combat experience can't be underestimated. This match will be intense!"

Burs snorted coldly, brandishing his longsword. Silver streaks of sword light danced like serpents, crisscrossing the stage as his footsteps shifted unpredictably, bringing him swiftly within striking distance.

"Roy, I'll show you that a mere level advantage is meaningless against a true swordsman!"

The sword slashed through the air, its sharp energy aimed at Roy's vital points with precision and force.

Roy remained composed, his face expressionless. Raising his right hand, spiritual energy condensed, and a faint rumble of thunder echoed in the air.

"Thunderstorm Technique!"

With a low shout, Roy unleashed his thunder-element energy. Purple arcs of lightning crackled, neutralizing the incoming sword energy.

Burs's expression hardened as his sword attacks intensified. His figure blurred as he launched another flanking assault.

"Phantom Sword Slash!"

The longsword seemed to fragment into multiple afterimages, enveloping Roy from every angle.

"Child's play." Roy smirked coldly, moving like lightning to Burs's side. His fist, wrapped in thunderous energy, struck out fiercely.

Boom!

The punch, imbued with violent lightning force, landed squarely on Burs's chest. The impact sent him hurtling backward several meters, barely managing to stay on his feet.

Despite the searing pain and turbulent energy within his body, Burs gritted his teeth and steadied himself. His eyes blazed as his spiritual energy surged again. Raising his sword, he roared:

"Roy, I haven't lost yet!"

"But your chances are gone." Roy's voice resonated like thunder.

In a blur of movement, Roy transformed into a streak of lightning, appearing before Burs in an instant.

"Get off the stage!"

With a fierce shout, Roy struck out with an unstoppable palm strike that shattered Burs's sword stance. Burs felt a jolt of numbness in his arm as his sword flew from his grasp, and he was knocked off the stage by the overwhelming force.

The entire arena fell silent, save for the lingering echoes of dissipating spiritual energy.

"Roy wins!"

The elder judge's announcement triggered gasps of astonishment from the disciples below.

"Incredible! Roy truly lives up to his reputation as a 17th-level genius!"

"Burs is strong, but he stood no chance against Roy."

Burs, recovering from his fall, slowly rose to his feet. Despite the frustration in his eyes, there was also a hint of respect.

"Roy, you've won... I'm not willing to accept it, but I must admit your strength is undeniable."

"Keep training. The road is long," Roy replied calmly, showing no trace of arrogance.

After this match, Roy's name reverberated once again throughout the outer sect.

After several intense battles, the final match was about to begin!

On the training platform, the wind howled as a large crowd of disciples gathered, their eyes locked on the two figures facing each other. One was Roy, the rising genius; the other was Gary, the undefeated top-ranked powerhouse of the outer sect.

"Gary is a 20th-level intermediate warrior with giant bloodline power!"

"Roy is only at level 17—there's no suspense about the outcome."

"Don't forget, Roy has been winning all his matches so far. His true strength may be beyond what we know."

Amid the chatter, Gary strode onto the platform. His towering frame, corded with muscle, radiated golden spiritual energy. Each step caused the ground to tremble slightly.

"Roy, I admit you're strong, but your winning streak ends here," Gary declared, his voice like rolling thunder.

Roy stood motionless, his gaze cold and resolute. "Let's settle it on the battlefield."

Without further words, Gary charged forward, unleashing a surge of spiritual energy that roared across the stage. His fist, massive and formidable, tore through the air with a piercing whistle.

"Giant Wind-Breaking Fist!"

The punch aimed directly at Roy's chest, and the platform cracked from the sheer force before the blow even landed.

Roy's pupils contracted as his body moved like a bolt of lightning, narrowly dodging the attack. At the same time, his right fist gathered thunderous energy and struck out.

"Thunderstorm Technique!"

Boom!

The collision of their energies sent shockwaves rippling across the platform, forcing nearby disciples to retreat.

Roy staggered back a few steps before steadying himself, while Gary merely swayed slightly, clearly holding the advantage.

"Roy may be talented, but the level gap is too wide."

"Gary's giant bloodline grants him overwhelming strength and endurance—Roy is really in trouble this time."

"Roy, you're strong, but this battle is far from over!" Gary taunted.

Roy's expression remained unyielding as arcs of lightning crackled around him, his energy becoming increasingly fierce. "I'll go all out!"

Gary pressed the assault, his fists hammering down like giant hammers. Roy took a deep breath, his spiritual channels trembling as if on the verge of a breakthrough.

"Break through now!"

With a low roar, Roy's spiritual energy surged like a torrential flood. Thunderous lightning erupted, filling the air with deafening cracks.

"Level 18!"

The disciples gasped in shock. "Roy broke through!"

Roy's energy surged to a new peak, his lightning aura growing brighter and more fearsome, like a spear of thunder aimed directly at Gary.

"Come again!"

Gary roared, unwilling to yield. He lunged forward, fists gleaming with golden energy.

Roy met him head-on, his right fist glowing with blinding purple lightning.

"Thunderstorm Technique!"

"Giant Fury Fist!"

Boom!

When their fists collided, a deafening explosion echoed through the platform, creating a deep fissure as fierce winds swept outward. The watching disciples struggled to keep their footing amidst the chaos.

Amidst the dust and debris, two figures stood barely visible.

"Who won?"

Suddenly, with a resounding thud, their fists clashed once more. This time, Roy stood firm while Gary was driven back, his feet carving deep grooves into the ground as he stumbled.

All eyes were fixed on the stage, tension palpable.

As the dust settled, Gary knelt on one knee, breath ragged, face pale. His trembling fists could no longer sustain battle.

In contrast, Roy, though visibly fatigued, maintained a sharp gaze. Despite his heavy consumption of energy, the remnants of his thunderous power still lingered.

Gary's voice was hoarse but resolute: "I lost…"

Roy slowly withdrew his fist, his expression calm. "Though you were defeated, your strength is worthy of respect."

The disciples erupted in astonishment.

"Roy won! Unbelievable!"

"Gary was 20th level, and Roy managed a narrow victory at only level 17! Incredible!"

"This guy's a monster!"

Even the elders on the high seats rose in acknowledgment.

"With such talent, the ability to challenge higher levels, and the will to break through in battle, Roy's future potential is limitless," one elder declared.

As the grand competition concluded, Roy stood at the center of the arena, with every disciple's gaze focused on him.

The elder walked up to the stage, holding a jade box in his hands. He spoke slowly:

"In this outer sect competition, Roy has claimed the championship, not only demonstrating immense strength and talent but also setting an example for all outer sect disciples in their cultivation efforts!"

Thunderous applause filled the square. The elder handed the jade box to Roy and announced, "This is your reward—a third-tier lower-grade pill, the Enlightenment Pill. It allows one to enter a temporary state of enlightenment, accelerating comprehension of techniques and martial skills. It is an incredibly valuable item."

Roy accepted the box respectfully. "Thank you, Elder."

Noticing the curiosity in the disciples' eyes, the elder explained further:

"Pills are classified from the 1st to the 15th tier, with each tier divided into lower, middle, and upper grades. Though Radiant Academy has alchemists, as a one-star academy, the highest-grade pills we can produce are fourth-tier upper-grade.

"However, even a third-tier lower-grade pill is extremely precious for outer sect disciples. If you continue to cultivate diligently and advance to the inner sect, you will gain access to higher-tier resources."

The disciples were filled with determination, while Roy remained calm as he stored the jade box away. He understood that greater than present honor was the relentless pursuit of higher cultivation realms.

As Roy descended from the stage, several outer sect elders nodded in approval.