Chapter 23:The Battle Begins
Chapter 23: The Battle Begins
"A true king does not wait for war. He brings it to his enemies."
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The Scarlet Moon Arena—A Stage for Battle
The Scarlet Moon Sect's grand arena was packed with cultivators from across the continent.
News of Xiao Tian's challenge acceptance had spread like wildfire.
From wandering warriors to hidden assassins, everyone came to witness whether the man who defied the heavens was truly invincible.
At the center of the stage stood Scarlet Moon Sect's strongest genius, Mo Wuji.
A towering man with crimson flames surrounding his body, Mo Wuji had the cultivation of a Half-Step Saint.
His eyes burned with battle intent.
"Xiao Tian, you finally arrived."
From the sky, golden light descended.
Xiao Tian landed softly, his white robes fluttering as if untouched by mortal air.
He gazed at Mo Wuji, unimpressed. "You issued a challenge. I came to end it."
The crowd exploded into cheers and whispers.
"His aura… it's even stronger than the rumors say!"
"But can he defeat Mo Wuji, who is backed by the Scarlet Moon Ancestor?"
Above them, hidden within the clouds, elders from various powerful sects watched.
One of them smirked. "Let's see if he truly is heaven-defying… or just another arrogant fool."
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The Battle Begins—A Clash of Monsters
Mo Wuji's crimson flames surged as he dashed forward, launching a fist that could shatter mountains.
BOOOOOM!
The very air burned as a firestorm erupted, swallowing Xiao Tian completely.
"It's over already?!" a spectator gasped.
But then—
A voice rang out, calm and untouchable.
"Too slow."
WHOOSH!
Xiao Tian appeared behind Mo Wuji, his hand glowing with golden energy.
Before Mo Wuji could react—
BANG!
A single palm strike sent him crashing through five stone walls, his body skidding across the battlefield like a broken ragdoll.
The crowd fell silent.
Even the hidden experts watching had their eyes widen in disbelief.
Mo Wuji coughed up blood, his face pale. "W-What…?"
Xiao Tian simply stood there, his gaze indifferent.
"Stand up. If you don't, this battle is over."
Mo Wuji roared, forcing himself up. His aura erupted to its peak, his crimson flames turning black as he activated his strongest technique—
"Scarlet Moon Demon Transformation!"
The sky turned blood-red, and demonic energy surged as Mo Wuji's body grew larger, his muscles expanding like a war god.
"Now, let's see you stop me!"
He vanished—
And reappeared in front of Xiao Tian, throwing a punch that could shatter mountains.
The crowd held their breath.
Would Xiao Tian block it? Dodge it? Counter it?
No.
He simply raised a single finger.
And stopped the punch effortlessly.
BOOOOOOOM!
The entire Scarlet Moon Arena cracked apart from the shockwave—
Yet Xiao Tian hadn't moved an inch.
The world froze.
Mo Wuji's eyes filled with horror. "This… This is impossible…!"
Xiao Tian looked him in the eyes.
"You've lost."
And with a casual motion, he flicked his finger—
Sending Mo Wuji flying out of the arena, unconscious.
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The Cultivation World Trembles
Silence.
Then, an eruption of chaos.
The Scarlet Moon Sect's elders stood up, their faces pale. "This… this can't be!"
The hidden experts in the sky muttered in disbelief.
"He didn't just win… he crushed Mo Wuji like an insect."
From the shadows, an assassin clenched his dagger.
"No wonder the heavens tried to kill him. This man is a monster."
The Scarlet Moon Sect Lord finally spoke, his voice trembling.
"Xiao Tian… just what kind of power do you possess?"
Xiao Tian glanced at him, completely calm.
"You challenged me to a battle."
He turned around, walking away.
"Next time, challenge me with something worth my time."
The Scarlet Moon Sect's humiliation was complete.
And across the world, countless powerful factions now saw Xiao Tian not as a rising genius… but as a force that could change the balance of power itself.