Chapter 25 – Awakening the Dragon’s Might

The moment Tianming's sword strike forced Qian Zhen back, the entire arena fell silent.

No one had ever seen the heir of the Azure Dragon Pavilion take a single step back in a fight.

And yet, here he was, smiling.

"You truly are something, Li Tianming." Qian Zhen rolled his shoulders, his red eyes glinting with something between amusement and bloodlust. "I was hoping to test you—looks like I'll need to stop playing around."

A suffocating aura erupted from his body.

The air grew thick. Even the strongest elders watching from the pavilion leaned forward in anticipation.

One of the elders narrowed his eyes. "This pressure… he's about to unleash his Azure Dragon Bloodline."

The moment those words left his lips, a deep, resonant dragon's roar filled the air.

BOOM!

The ground shattered beneath Qian Zhen's feet as his body surged with draconic energy. A spectral Azure Dragon coiled around him, its translucent scales shimmering under the sunlight. His robes fluttered wildly as his hair turned a deep shade of blue, glowing faintly.

The entire battlefield shook.

Tianming's grip on his sword tightened. His instincts screamed danger.

Jiang Chen clenched his fists. "This is bad."

Lei Xueyan, her usual playfulness gone, whispered, "That's the power of an ancient dragon bloodline… Tianming, be careful."

The audience was deathly quiet. They weren't just watching a match anymore—this was a clash between two rising titans.

Qian Zhen smirked, his voice carrying the weight of thunder.

"Try surviving this."

He disappeared.

Tianming barely had time to react before a fist covered in draconic scales slammed into his sword, sending him flying backward.

The force was overwhelming.

Tianming flipped midair, stabbing his sword into the ground to stop himself.

But—

Qian Zhen was already there.

"Too slow."

A palm strike filled with condensed dragon force crashed into Tianming's chest.

BOOM!

A massive shockwave blasted through the battlefield.

Tianming coughed up blood as he was buried under rubble.

The crowd gasped.

"Is it over?!" someone yelled.

Dust clouded the battlefield, making it impossible to see inside the crater Tianming had been smashed into.

Qian Zhen crossed his arms. "Disappointing. I expected more."

The referee hesitated, stepping forward to check—

CRACK.

A golden glow flickered within the debris.

Qian Zhen's smirk faded.

Another CRACK.

Then, suddenly—

BOOOOM!

The rubble exploded outward, revealing Tianming standing tall, his wounds already closing. His sword pulsed with golden light, and a burning divine aura surged around him.

His Celestial Jade Art had reached its next stage.

Tianming exhaled, his golden eyes blazing. "You're not the only one with hidden power."

The entire battlefield shook again.

But this time—it was because of Tianming.

The energy radiating from Tianming's body wasn't just celestial energy anymore.

It was something ancient.

Something primordial.

The Storm Horizon Sect leader who was watching the match from a hidden location muttered in shock. "This aura… It can't be…"

Even the elders watching from the pavilions rose from their seats.

Qian Zhen narrowed his eyes. "What are you?"

Tianming smirked, raising his sword. Golden runes spiraled up the blade, pulsating with power.

"I am Li Tianming." His voice echoed across the battlefield. "And I will not lose."

The real battle was about to begin.

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What Comes Next in Chapter 26:

Tianming's Celestial Jade Art evolves into something unprecedented.

Qian Zhen's true Azure Dragon Form is unleashed.

A hidden figure watching the fight finally makes their move.

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