Chapter 35: First Round

As the moonlight illuminated Alexander's quarters, his sinister plan began to take full shape. For three weeks, he had meticulously plotted to ensure Xavier's defeat in the outer core tournament. Summoning a dozen capable outer core warriors to his chambers, Alexander laid out his scheme with a chilling precision.

"You all desire growth, don't you? Spiritual herbs, rare resources—everything you need for cultivation will be yours," Alexander began, his tone calm yet commanding. The warriors listened intently, eager for the rewards promised.

"Your task is simple," he continued, "Challenge Xavier during the open challenges. Force him to expend his spiritual energy and wear him down. We don't need to defeat him outright—just weaken him enough so he's a shadow of himself by the time he faces the top five."

One of the warriors, a Noble 10 rank, raised an eyebrow. "And what happens if he manages to defeat us? He's ranked second for a reason, after all."

Alexander smirked, his confidence unwavering. "That's where the numbers come in. One challenge may not exhaust him, but six? Ten? By the time he makes it to the finals, if he even does, he'll be finished. Xavier York is strong, but even he isn't invincible."

The group murmured in agreement, swayed by the promise of rewards and Alexander's calculated strategy.

"The tournament starts with open challenges, followed by the top fifty clashing, and finally, the top five battling for supremacy," Alexander reminded them. "It's the perfect system for this plan to work. Just follow my instructions, and Xavier's ranking will crumble under our combined effort."

As the warriors left to prepare, Alexander leaned back in his chair, a devilish grin spreading across his face. "Enjoy your glory while it lasts, Xavier," he muttered. "Soon, it'll be mine."

Not too far away from the inner core meeting Jessica still was undergoing her transformation.

In a serene spiritual chamber bathed in soft moonlight, Jessica Vice sat cross-legged, her aura calm but full of potential. The earth-grade pill Xavier had gifted her radiated immense energy, circulating through her body. With every deep breath, her cultivation base surged, breaking through barriers one by one.

As the first breakthrough occurred, a light snow flurry materialized around her, the icy particles dancing gently in the chamber. The atmosphere grew colder but not harsh—it was soothing, serene, like a gentle winter's embrace. A faint glow enveloped Jessica's body, her features softening yet becoming more refined. Her icy-blue eyes shimmered with an otherworldly beauty, and her skin radiated a faint, crystalline sheen.

With the second breakthrough, a stronger surge of energy erupted, and snowflakes began forming intricate patterns in the air. They twirled in harmony with her cultivation, exuding an almost hypnotic rhythm. Her figure grew more elegant, her strength and grace melding into one, as if the essence of winter itself was shaping her transformation.

The third breakthrough came with a wave of frost spreading across the floor, creating delicate patterns of ice. The cold no longer just filled the chamber; it felt alive, wrapping Jessica in an aura of majesty. Her hair glistened as if frost-kissed, her once-muted beauty now blossoming into a radiant presence that was impossible to ignore.

Finally, the fourth breakthrough erupted with a soft roar. A burst of snow and wind cascaded outward, swirling into a miniature blizzard before calming into a steady snowfall. Her aura stabilized at the 5th rank of the Earth realm, and the chamber returned to silence.

Jessica's transformation was complete. Her beauty had grown into something ethereal—her features sharper, her posture exuding an effortless grace, and her presence commanding yet tranquil. She opened her eyes, the icy-blue hue glowing faintly. Snowflakes clung to her hair, her breath visible in the frosty air, yet her warmth was undeniable.

Rising to her feet, she flexed her hands, testing the newfound power coursing through her veins. She could feel it—the sheer strength and elegance that accompanied her breakthroughs. With a calm smile, Jessica whispered to her self "Thank you Xavier." 

The snow around her slowly faded, leaving only traces of frost as a testament to her majestic rise. She exited the chamber, her steps light yet purposeful, ready for whatever awaited her.

The energy in the lounge was tense as Xavier, Jessica, and their friends sat together, each mentally preparing for the tournament that would decide the strongest outer core disciple. The atmosphere was filled with nervous chatter and the occasional glare from rival groups. Jessica sat close to Xavier, her newfound power radiating a calm confidence, while Eddie, Mara, and Felix exchanged strategies for their own matches.

The crowd outside roared as Lord Cedric stepped onto the elevated platform overlooking the massive arena. His voice boomed with authority as he addressed the participants.

"Disciples, you stand here today not as students but as warriors. Though I have trained many of you, know this—I will not play favorites. Today, strength, skill, and willpower alone will determine who rises to the top. Let the challenge round begin!"

The moment his words echoed through the arena, a figure stepped forward from the crowd. "I, Darius Thorn, challenge Xavier York!"

The crowd gasped in shock. Darius, ranked 5th on the leaderboard, was a formidable opponent, known for his aggressive style and unrelenting stamina. Whispers filled the air as spectators speculated whether this was a coincidence or part of something larger.

Xavier, sitting calmly in the lounge, let out a soft chuckle and stood. "So, it begins," he said to his friends before stepping forward.

As he walked into the arena, the sun cast a golden glow over his crimson cloak, and his calm demeanor only served to unnerve his opponent. Darius tried to mask his fear, but his trembling hand gripping the hilt of his sword betrayed him.

Lord Cedric raised his hand. "Let the battle commence!"

Darius roared, charging at Xavier with his twin axes, the air around him vibrating with spiritual energy. But before he could even close the distance, Xavier disappeared in a blur.

In a flash, Xavier reappeared behind Darius, his sword sheathed. A deep gash appeared across Darius's chest, and blood sprayed into the air. The crowd gasped in awe as Darius stumbled, his weapons clattering to the ground.

Xavier turned to face him, his expression calm but commanding. "Yield."

Darius, clutching his wound, fell to his knees before collapsing entirely. Lord Cedric raised his hand. "Xavier York is the victor!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, though some murmurs of fear and admiration filled the stands. Xavier looked up at Alexander in the distance, his eyes narrowing slightly, knowing this was only the beginning of a long series of battles. With a smirk, Xavier stepped down from the arena, ready for the next challenge. 

As Xavier stepped down from the arena after his swift victory, the air around him buzzed with anticipation. He was about to take his seat when another warrior jumped into the ring.

"I challenge Xavier York!" the man shouted, his voice trembling slightly but laced with determination.

The crowd erupted in murmurs, and Xavier turned, his smirk growing wider. "Another one, huh?" he said under his breath, stepping back into the arena.

Lord Cedric sighed and raised his hand again. "Very well. Let the battle commence!"

This warrior, though determined, fared no better. Xavier moved like a phantom, vanishing from sight and delivering a precise strike before his opponent could react. The challenger collapsed, defeated in a single blow, as gasps and cheers echoed through the stands.

Before Xavier could even exit the arena, another disciple leapt forward. "I challenge Xavier York!"

The cycle repeated, challenger after challenger stepping forward. Each time, Xavier dispatched them with a single move, leaving them either unconscious or too injured to continue. The crowd's amazement grew, and whispers of awe began spreading.

"Is there no one who can even land a hit on him?"

"Xavier is unstoppable!"

By the time the tenth challenger fell, Xavier was still standing in the ring, barely breaking a sweat. He turned to the stands where Alexander sat, his face red with fury. Alexander clenched his fists, his plan unraveling before his eyes.

"How is he still standing?!" Alexander hissed to himself, slamming his hand on the armrest of his seat.

Xavier looked directly at Alexander, his dragon eye glinting under the sunlight, and gave a small smirk. He then raised his sword, pointing it toward Alexander as if silently challenging him.

The crowd fell silent, tension thick in the air. Lord Cedric, who had been silently observing the series of battles, finally spoke.

"Enough! Xavier York has proven himself in these challenges. Let the open challenge round continue with other participants!"

Xavier finally stepped down, his friends rushing to meet him with wide grins and praise. Jessica, watching from the sidelines, felt her chest swell with pride, while Liana crossed her arms, smirking as if expecting nothing less.

As Alexander sat seething in his seat, Xavier turned one last time to look at him, mouthing the words, "Is that all you've got?"