Chapter 23 –The Final Battle Begins

The air was thick with tension as the final match of the tournament was announced.

Final Round: Li Tianming vs. Lei Xueyan

The crowd erupted into an earth-shaking roar. This was the battle they had all been waiting for—the strongest underdog against the Storm Horizon Sect's rising star.

Tianming cracked his knuckles, his gaze steady. Lei Xueyan stood across from him, her crimson robes billowing in the wind, her emerald eyes gleaming with excitement.

Jiang Chen smirked from the sidelines. "Try not to lose too badly."

Lei Xueyan chuckled. "Oh, don't worry. I won't."

Tianming let out a breath. "Let's just see who hits the ground first."

The referee stepped forward, raising his hand. "Final round—begin!"

---

Tianming vs. Lei Xueyan

Lei Xueyan moved first.

In a flash, she was gone.

The next moment, a streak of crimson energy shot toward Tianming, her twin daggers glowing with wind and fire essence.

Tianming barely had time to raise his sword before—

Clang!

The force of her attack sent him skidding back.

She was fast. Faster than Feng Yuan. Faster than anyone he had fought so far.

Lei Xueyan smirked. "You're strong, Tianming, but let's see how you handle this."

She flicked her wrists, and dozens of crimson slashes filled the battlefield, each one leaving a trail of burning energy in its wake.

Tianming's amber eyes flashed. He activated Celestial Steps, his form flickering through the storm of attacks.

One step. Two steps. Three—

But Lei Xueyan was already there.

She twisted midair, her dagger aiming for his throat.

Tianming reacted on instinct. He raised his sword, golden energy flaring around him.

"Heaven's Wrath—Third Form!"

A massive arc of celestial energy erupted, forcing Lei Xueyan to retreat.

The battlefield shook.

The crowd was silent, watching in awe.

Lei Xueyan landed gracefully, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "Not bad."

Tianming steadied his breathing. "I'm just getting started."

She grinned. "Good. So am I."

Then—

Her entire body erupted in crimson flames.

A terrifying aura spread across the arena.

Tianming's eyes narrowed. A trump card.

Lei Xueyan's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Bloodwind Dance."

In the blink of an eye, she vanished.

Tianming braced himself, but she was everywhere.

Slashes. Blades. Flames.

She became a blur of destruction.

Tianming barely parried the first few attacks before one of her daggers sliced across his arm.

Blood splattered onto the stone.

The crowd gasped.

Jiang Chen clenched his fists. "Tianming—"

But Tianming didn't waver.

Instead, he smiled.

"You're fast," he admitted, wiping the blood from his arm. "But I've seen faster."

Lei Xueyan narrowed her eyes. "Oh?"

Tianming took a deep breath. Then—

His aura exploded.

The golden light around him intensified, his hair whipping in the force of his own power. The cracks in his sword glowed, as if something deep within it had awakened.

Lei Xueyan's smirk faded.

Tianming raised his sword.

"Celestial Jade Art—Final Form."

BOOM!

A massive golden explosion filled the battlefield.

And then—

Tianming moved.

Lei Xueyan barely had time to react before—

SLASH!

A single, blinding strike tore through her defenses.

She staggered back.

Then—

She collapsed.

The entire arena fell into stunned silence.

The referee hesitated before raising his hand.

"…Winner—Li Tianming!"

The crowd erupted.

Tianming exhaled, lowering his sword. His body ached, his energy nearly spent.

Lei Xueyan groaned, sitting up. Despite her loss, she let out a laugh. "Damn… that hurt."

Tianming offered a hand. "You fought well."

She smirked, taking it. "You too."

---

As Tianming stood in the center of the battlefield, basking in the cheers of the crowd, he felt it again.

That presence.

Watching.

Waiting.

From the highest pavilion, the red-eyed man leaned forward.

"He's stronger than I expected."

The shadowy figure beside him chuckled. "Then it's time."

The red-eyed man smiled.

"Yes. Let's see if he's ready."

---

What Comes Next in Chapter 24:

A mysterious challenger appears.

Tianming receives a shocking offer.

The tournament's true purpose is revealed.

---