Silver Sword vs. The Five-Leaf Shadow

The arena hummed with tension as Jian Yuren and Fang Lei faced each other. The contrast between them was stark—Jian Yuren stood like an unyielding pillar, his silver qi shimmering like moonlight, while Fang Lei's presence was wild and unpredictable, green mist curling around his fingers.

Elder Bai's voice cut through the silence.

"Begin."

The gong echoed.

"I'll kill you!" Fang Lei said in anger.

Fang Lei moved first. His fingers twisted in a swift gesture, and vines erupted from the stone beneath his feet—snaking toward Jian Yuren like living serpents. Each vine glowed faintly with a deep emerald hue, razor-sharp thorns glinting under the arena's light.

"Five-Leaf Art: Grasping Briar!"

Jian Mu's eyes narrowed. That speed—Fang Lei wasn't just talented, he was fast. Most opponents would already be trapped.

But not Jian Yuren.

With a flick of his wrist, Jian Yuren unsheathed his sword—a gleaming, curved blade pulsing with silver light. He didn't retreat. He didn't hesitate.

His sword flashed once.

SHING!

The vines fell in a heap, severed so cleanly they barely twitched before withering away.

Jian Yuren took a single step forward. His voice was calm. Dismissive.

"That's it?"

Fang Lei gritted his teeth. His hands blurred into a series of complex seals, and the air around him trembled as more vines surged upward—thicker, faster, and charged with fierce energy.

"Second Leaf: Binding Thorns!"

The vines whipped through the air, targeting Jian Yuren's limbs, their edges glowing like blades. This wasn't just to trap—this was to cut him apart.

Still, Jian Yuren didn't flinch. He moved with surgical precision, weaving between the strikes with minimal motion. Each step was deliberate, his silver qi flaring only when necessary.

"Your techniques are crude," Jian Yuren said coldly.

His sword blurred again—this time, five sharp arcs of silver light slashed through the air. The vines snapped apart before they could touch him.

Fang Lei's face darkened. Without pausing, he slammed his palm against the ground. The arena trembled.

"Third Leaf: Verdant Bloom!"

The floor cracked open beneath Jian Yuren as massive roots burst forth, twisting into jagged spears. At the same time, a thick, choking mist began to rise—limiting vision and suppressing qi flow.

A killing field.

Fang Lei's lips curled into a fierce smile. "You're not so untouchable now."

But Jian Yuren's expression remained blank.

He lifted his sword, silver light coalescing around the blade until it gleamed like pure moonlight. His aura surged—cold, vast, and utterly overwhelming.

"You're in my way."

In a single motion, Jian Yuren swung his blade downward.

"Silver Moon Art: Crescent Judgement."

A crescent-shaped wave of silver qi exploded from his sword. It cut through the mist, through the roots—through everything.

Fang Lei's eyes widened in disbelief. He raised both hands, summoning every ounce of his power.

"Fourth Leaf: Warden's Shield!"

A massive barrier of thick, green energy formed in front of him—layer upon layer of nature-forged qi. It was his strongest defensive technique.

The silver crescent struck.

For a heartbeat, it seemed like Fang Lei's shield would hold. But then—

CRACK.

The shield shattered.

Fang Lei barely had time to react before the force of the strike slammed into his chest, sending him skidding across the arena. Blood sprayed from his lips as his knees buckled.

Jian Mu felt a chill crawl down his spine. The gap between them was terrifying. Jian Yuren wasn't just stronger—he was on a completely different level.

And yet…

Jian Yuren still looked bored.

Fang Lei trembled as he forced himself to stand, his vision blurring. "I'm not… finished yet."

A soft sigh escaped Jian Yuren's lips. "Stubbornness from a second-rate clan… how pathetic."

Without another word, he blurred forward—too fast for the eye to follow. His sword gleamed again, this time aimed at Fang Lei's throat.

"Fifth Leaf—!" Fang Lei tried to activate his final technique.

But he was too slow.

Jian Yuren's blade stopped an inch from his neck. For a moment, everything was silent.

Then, with an elegant flick, Jian Yuren sheathed his sword. "I don't waste my blade on the weak."

Fang Lei collapsed to the ground, his energy completely drained.

Instructor Mei stepped forward, her voice cold and decisive. "Winner—Jian Yuren."

The hall erupted with murmurs. Some whispered admiration, others fear. But Jian Mu only clenched his fists tighter.

Power like that…

It wasn't just skill. It was domination.

As Jian Yuren stepped off the arena, his gaze swept across the room—until his eyes landed on Jian Mu. His lips curled into a faint smirk.

A silent message.

'You'll never catch up.'

Jian Mu's nails dug into his palm. 'Just wait... I'll tear that arrogance apart!'

The Path of Destruction had only just begun.

And he wouldn't stop until he stood above them all.

End of Chapter 16