**Chapter 11: The Fierce Clashes Continue**
With the tournament intensifying, the remaining contestants stepped into the battlefield, each determined to carve their names into the rankings. The Star Lord continued observing through the void mirror, his eyes gleaming with intrigue as the clashes unfolded.
### **Battle: Wu Jian vs. Mo Chen**
Wu Jian, a master of the **Shadow Spear Technique**, faced off against Mo Chen, whose **Azure Water Serpent Arts** were a formidable force. As the gong sounded, Wu Jian lunged forward, his spear a blur of darkness, while Mo Chen countered with a spiraling surge of water, forming a protective barrier.
The battlefield shifted into a misty lake terrain, favoring Mo Chen's techniques. Waves rose as serpentine water constructs attacked Wu Jian from all angles. But Wu Jian remained composed, his shadow spear cutting through the illusions with pinpoint accuracy. With a well-timed feint, he bypassed Mo Chen's defenses and landed a decisive strike, sealing his victory.
### **Battle: Huang Xun vs. Ren Jia**
Next up was Huang Xun, wielder of the **Sun Flame Blade**, against Ren Jia, the **Mystic Illusionist** known for her deceptive combat style. The arena transformed into a labyrinth of shifting mirrors, distorting reality itself. Huang Xun's blazing sword cleaved through the illusions, but Ren Jia's illusions multiplied, making it nearly impossible to distinguish reality from trickery.
As Huang Xun's frustration grew, he closed his eyes, relying on his other senses. With a single powerful strike, he unleashed a sunburst slash, incinerating the illusions. The impact shattered the terrain, revealing Ren Jia, who barely had time to react before being pushed out of the boundary.
### **Battle: Lin Feiyan vs. Zhao Ming**
The next battle featured Lin Feiyan, renowned for his **Wind Phantom Steps**, against Zhao Ming, a formidable fighter wielding the **Thunderstorm Fist**. As soon as the battle began, Lin Feiyan moved like a blur, his speed unmatched, while Zhao Ming unleashed a barrage of thunder-imbued punches, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
Zhao Ming's strength was undeniable, his fists carrying enough force to shatter boulders. However, Lin Feiyan's agility allowed him to evade each strike effortlessly, his figure flickering in and out of sight like a phantom. Seeing an opening, Lin Feiyan unleashed a devastating **Cyclone Strike**, enveloping Zhao Ming in a violent whirlwind. Zhao struggled to regain his footing but was ultimately thrown out of bounds by the sheer force of the wind.
### **The Rise of the Dark Horses**
Amid the established powerhouses, five unknown contestants stunned the audience with their unprecedented strength. These fighters had no prestigious family backgrounds, yet their skills rivaled even the top ten families' elites.
1. **Xie Rong** – A mysterious swordsman whose **Phantom Blade Arts** could cut through space itself. His movements were unpredictable, and his blade left afterimages that confused his opponents.
2. **Lan Yichen** – A quiet yet deadly expert in **Silent Needle Technique**, able to disable an opponent's spiritual energy circulation with pinpoint strikes.
3. **Wei Shun** – A brute force cultivator with **Titan Strength Arts**, overwhelming adversaries with sheer physical might, capable of shattering weapons with his bare hands.
4. **Su Li** – A genius tactician wielding **Mirror Mirage Arts**, creating illusions so lifelike that even experienced cultivators struggled to tell reality from falsehood.
5. **Han Feng** – An elusive figure who specialized in **Void Step Techniques**, allowing him to teleport short distances, evading attacks with eerie precision.
The sect elders whispered among themselves as these five dark horses emerged from the shadows. Their origins were unknown, yet their power was undeniable. Could they be the hidden trump cards in this tournament?
### **Ranking Board Update**
With these intense battles concluded, the ranking board was updated once again:
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
5. **Lin Feiyan** – Wind Phantom Steps
6. **Wu Jian** – Shadow Spear Technique
7. **Mo Chen** – Azure Water Serpent Arts
8. **Huang Xun** – Sun Flame Blade
9. **Ren Jia** – Mystic Illusionist
10. **Zhao Ming** – Thunderstorm Fist
Unranked but highly dangerous were the five dark horses, whose performances in the coming rounds could change everything.
As the battles raged on, the next stage loomed closer, where only the strongest would stand a chance at claiming the coveted title of **Star Lord's True Disciple**. The sect elders murmured among themselves, and the Star Lord's gaze lingered on Feng Ruoyan, a knowing smile playing at his lips.
Would she overcome the trials ahead? Or would an unexpected challenger rise to seize victory?