Chapter 10 The Third Test
**Chapter 10: The Third Test – Battle of Spirit and Strength**
With the elemental trial behind them, the competition entered its third phase—the **Battle of Spirit and Strength**. This was the phase that truly separated the gifted from the ordinary, testing both physical prowess and spiritual resilience.
### **Introduction to the Third Test**
This stage was designed to assess not only raw power but also combat adaptability, strategic thinking, and mastery of one's spiritual roots. The Sect Elders and even the Star Lord himself observed closely, for the outcome of these battles could determine the next generation's strongest cultivators.
### **Rules and Structure of the Third Test**
1. **One-on-One Battles** – Participants would be paired based on their performance in the previous trials.
2. **Victory Conditions** – A match could be won by forcing an opponent to surrender, knocking them unconscious, or pushing them out of the designated arena.
3. **No Fatal Moves** – While serious injuries were expected, fatal attacks were strictly forbidden. Any violation would result in immediate disqualification.
4. **Arena's Transformations** – The battlefield was no ordinary stage—it was imbued with ancient formation arrays that altered the terrain at random intervals. Fighters had to adapt to shifting landscapes, from scorching lava fields to bone-chilling tundras.
5. **Divine Mirror Projection** – The matches were projected across the sect grounds through a divine mirror, allowing disciples and elders alike to witness the unfolding battles.
### **The Arena and Its Challenges**
As the participants stepped into the arena, the formations hummed with power. Spectators watched in anticipation as the battlefield shimmered, its surface shifting unpredictably. One moment, the ground beneath them was solid stone; the next, it became a turbulent sea of flames. Fighters had to adjust swiftly, using their abilities to counteract the changing elements.
### **Battle Rankings**
A large golden ranking board hovered in the air above the sect grounds, constantly updating with the results of each battle. The top contenders were ranked based on their victories, techniques, and overall performance in battle.
#### **Current Top Four Rankings:**
1. **Feng Ruoyan** – Fire Dragon Spiritual Root
2. **Bai Zhen** – Golden Earth Strength
3. **Yue Ling** – Celestial Moonlight Energy
4. **Qin Hao** – Frost Blade Mastery
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### **Battle: Feng Ruoyan vs. Bai Zhen**
The arena trembled as Feng Ruoyan and Bai Zhen stepped into their positions. Fire and earth clashed in raw elemental energy as the two strongest competitors faced off.
Bai Zhen struck first, slamming his foot down. The ground cracked, sending a wave of jagged stone toward Ruoyan. She countered with a swirling wall of flame, melting the rock mid-air.
With a flick of her wrist, Ruoyan sent a spiraling dragon of fire toward Bai Zhen. He raised an earthen shield, absorbing the flames, but Ruoyan anticipated this. She dashed forward, her fists glowing with molten energy, striking at Bai Zhen's defenses with relentless force.
Bai Zhen was forced to retreat, his golden earth aura pulsing. With a roar, he stomped again, creating a massive fissure. Ruoyan barely evaded, launching herself into the air and hurling fire spears downward.
In a final move, Bai Zhen created a towering rock golem, but Ruoyan's flames burned so intensely that the construct crumbled. Seizing the opening, she unleashed a flaming kick, knocking Bai Zhen out of the boundary.
"Winner—Feng Ruoyan!"
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### **Battle: Yue Ling vs. Qin Hao**
The moonlight cultivator Yue Ling faced the frost wielder Qin Hao. As soon as the battle began, Yue Ling flickered like a ghostly shadow, weaving between bursts of ice energy.
Qin Hao sent razor-sharp ice shards toward her, but she countered with crescent-shaped moon blades, slicing through his attacks. With every movement, Yue Ling danced around Qin Hao, leaving him struggling to land a hit.
Realizing he couldn't match her speed, Qin Hao changed tactics. With a swift movement, he froze the entire arena, leaving no room for Yue Ling to move.
But Yue Ling simply smiled. As moonlight reflected on the ice, her energy surged, and she moved faster than before. She appeared behind Qin Hao in a flash, delivering a palm strike infused with celestial energy.
Qin Hao crashed into the frozen ground, unconscious.
"Winner—Yue Ling!"
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### **Tournament Updates**
The ranking board updated once again:
1. **Feng Ruoyan**
2. **Yue Ling**
3. **Bai Zhen**
4. **Qin Hao**
With only the final rounds remaining, the competition reached its peak. Who would emerge victorious and claim the coveted title of **Star Lord's True Disciple**?