The Grand Battle Begins

The imperial battle stage was set under the burning sky, its surface crafted from reinforced obsidian, enchanted to withstand the might of the Phoenix Cry prodigies. Around it, thousands gathered—elders, warriors, and nobles—each eager to witness the clash between the Empire's strongest youths and the outsiders who dared challenge them.

Huo Feng stood from his throne, his voice carrying through the arena.

"Let the world bear witness to the might of our Phoenix Cry prodigies!" His golden eyes gleamed as he gestured toward the eight warriors stepping forward. "These are the top eight of our younger generation! Their names shall be carved into history."

—

The Eight Strongest of Phoenix Cry

1. Huo Jian – The eldest son of the Emperor, wielding Infernal Tyrant, a pair of fire-forged gauntlets that turn his fists into molten weapons. His Explosive Phoenix Art grants him immense burst power, devastating his foes in close combat.

2. Yan Xifeng – A master archer, possessing Featherstorm, a bow that fires flaming spectral arrows. She is known for her Sky-Shattering Rain, overwhelming enemies with a barrage of undodgeable shots.

3. Feng Xuan – A dual-spear wielder with Emberfang Spears, designed for rapid, aggressive attacks. His Phoenix Claw Dance allows him to strike in a whirlwind of fire, making escape impossible.

4. Xue Lan – A master of flame-infused needles, using Crimson Silk, an array of ultra-thin, fire-threaded wires. She specializes in binding and cutting, controlling the battlefield like a predator weaving a web.

5. Hou Liang – Wielder of Molten Edge, a greatsword of lava, capable of melting through defenses. His Blazing Titan stance makes him nearly unmovable, turning him into an unstoppable wall of fire.

6. Huo Ren – A monk-like fighter using Phoenix Talons, fire-imbued tonfas that strike with explosive force. His Scorching Steps allow him to move at blinding speed, evading attacks and countering instantly.

7. Zhao Hui – A flame sorcerer with Solar Burst Orbs, floating spheres of condensed sunfire. His Phoenix's Wrath unleashes continuous burning destruction over a wide area.

8. Yan Feiyan – A specialist in counterattacks, wielding Blazing Mirrors, twin fans that absorb and reflect attacks. Her Rebounding Flame turns enemy power against them.

—

The Battle Begins

The arena erupts in fire as the eight warriors spread out, their flames illuminating the battlefield.

Across from them stood Raikai, Shinryu, and Xue Mor.

Despite being outnumbered, their confidence never wavered.

Raikai rolled his shoulders. "Eight? Not bad."

Shinryu adjusted his gloves. "This will be over soon."

Xue Mor's gaze sharpened. "Don't underestimate them."

—

Raikai: The Unstoppable Force

The battle began with a blinding explosion.

Huo Jian and Hou Liang charged, a wall of molten fury, their combined might capable of crushing any opponent.

Raikai met them head-on.

His Death Arms—Stormfang Scythes—flashed into existence, the chains rattling like a dragon's roar.

BOOM!

The moment they clashed, the entire arena shook.

Hou Liang's Molten Edge came down, but Raikai caught it mid-swing, muscles flexing as he held back the devastating blow with one hand.

"Too slow."

In an instant, his scythes coiled like serpents, wrapping around Huo Jian and Hou Liang.

With a vicious pull, he sent them crashing into the ground, their flames snuffed out for a brief moment.

Raikai thrived in group battles—his chains danced through the battlefield, striking multiple foes at once, knocking them back one by one.

—

Shinryu: The Absolute Gravity

Meanwhile, Feng Xuan, Yan Xifeng, and Xue Lan focused on Shinryu.

Feng Xuan lunged, his twin spears blazing with phoenix fire.

Yan Xifeng unleashed a rain of arrows, covering every possible escape.

Xue Lan's wires snaked toward Shinryu's throat, aiming to bind him.

"Foolish."

Shinryu raised a single hand—

And the gravity shifted.

A deafening CRASH sounded as all three were slammed into the ground.

Feng Xuan's spears, once moving at lightning speed, now felt like they weighed mountains.

Yan Xifeng's arrows froze midair before being crushed into dust.

Xue Lan's wires snapped under their own weight.

Shinryu walked forward at a casual pace, his presence alone suffocating them.

"Stay down."

With a flick of his wrist, the pressure intensified.

They had no choice but to collapse under the sheer weight of his might.

—

Xue Mor: The Deadliest Support

While Raikai and Shinryu dominated their respective fights, Xue Mor wove through the battlefield.

Yan Feiyan and Huo Ren targeted her.

Phoenix Talons rushed at her with blinding speed, while flaming mirrors tried to redirect her attacks.

But Xue Mor was already steps ahead.

With a precise flick of her Death Arms—Needle Fang Daggers— she released thin wires of venom, coating the battlefield in an invisible trap.

Yan Feiyan swung, but her own attack was redirected, a wire catching her wrist and twisting her into an opening.

A single dagger struck her pressure point—instantly paralyzing her.

Huo Ren was next.

He tried to overwhelm her with rapid strikes, but each one was deflected, redirected, or dodged at the last moment.

She wasn't trying to fight them directly—she was dismantling them.

A well-placed trap sent Huo Ren crashing into a poisoned wire.

His body froze.

Another down.

—

Victory Declared

One by one, the Phoenix Cry prodigies fell.

Raikai, the unstoppable force, had beaten Hou Liang and Huo Jian into unconsciousness.

Shinryu, the overwhelming might, left Feng Xuan, Yan Xifeng, and Xue Lan unable to move.

Xue Mor, the deadliest strategist, had outmaneuvered and disabled her opponents with precision.

Eight against three…

And yet, the battle was not even close.

As the dust settled, only Raikai, Shinryu, and Xue Mor remained standing.

A silence filled the arena—then a deafening roar of shock.

The Emperor himself stood, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he laughed.

"Worthy! More than worthy!" His eyes gleamed as he looked at the three warriors standing before him. "This generation will surpass the last."

With this battle, the world now knew—

The White Tiger, the Azure Dragon, and the Frost Phoenix stood at the peak of their generation.