The Clash of Sect Masters

The arena floor was silent, the crowd holding its breath as the two Sect Masters stepped forward.

The air crackled with an almost unbearable tension. My heart hammered against my ribs.

Sect Master Gu Ran's robes fluttered lightly in the air, his calm eyes locked on Kael.

He looked like a serene mountain, unmoving.

Opposite him, Grand Elder Kael of the Blazefury Sect.

He looked like a volcano, perpetually on the verge of eruption.

"So… you're the Azure Cloud worm?" Kael sneered.

He clearly wasn't a fan of polite greetings.

Gu Ran didn't answer. Instead, he raised his hand slowly, golden Qi beginning to coil around his palm.

It wasn't flashy, but it was incredibly dense, like liquid gold.

Fwoosh!

Kael's body erupted in flames, his aura swelling like a blazing inferno.

The very air shimmered from the heat, making my eyes water from our viewing box.

It was like standing next to a dragon-sized barbecue.

The bell rang.

Boom!

Kael struck first, not holding back. He hurled a massive arc of fire shaped like a dragon's maw.

It roared through the air, a terrifying, scorching projectile that seemed to consume everything in its path.

Gu Ran responded instantly. He slammed his palm into the ground.

Shhhhhh! Emerald vines, thick as tree trunks and glowing with vibrant spiritual wood energy, erupted upward from the arena floor. They twisted and coiled, forming a towering, intricate barrier of spiritual wood that absorbed the fiery dragon's maw.

Crack!

The fire clashed violently with the barrier, splintering it and sending embers raining across the arena. The wood sizzled, but the dragon's maw was stopped, dissipating into smoke. Gu Ran had defended, but it had clearly taken a toll.

Gu Ran didn't hesitate. He darted forward, his figure blurring.

Whoosh! He closed the distance in a flash, moving with a speed that belied his calm exterior. His hand glowed with concentrated Qi, not golden anymore, but a sharp, piercing white.

"Azure Palm – Seventh Form!" Gu Ran's voice was a sharp command, cutting through the lingering heat.

Thwack!

His palm strike collided with Kael's flaming gauntlet. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the arena, making the protective arrays shimmer wildly.

Rumble! Rumble!

Stones cracked on the arena floor. Dust exploded outward in a perfect circle, momentarily obscuring the two masters. I felt the vibrations even in our box. This was raw, unadulterated power.

When the dust cleared, Kael stood his ground, a wide, almost manic grin on his face.

He was unbothered by the impact, his fiery aura still blazing.

"Let's turn up the heat, Gu Ran!" Kael roared, his voice crackling like a bonfire.

His aura flared violently.

Glow… Glow…

Glow….!? The crowd gasped as a colossal pillar of flame burst around him, reaching towards the heavens. It wasn't just fire; it was pure, concentrated spiritual energy, forming the unmistakable silhouette of a majestic Fire Phoenix with wings spread wide, ready to consume the world. The heat radiating from it was immense, making our viewing box feel like an oven.

"Blazefury Sect's Forbidden Art – Phoenix Rebirth!" Kael roared. The Phoenix seemed to scream, its fiery eyes fixed on Gu Ran.

Gu Ran narrowed his eyes. His calm façade remained, but a bead of sweat trickled down his temple. This was a true ultimate technique, a last resort.

"Then I'll answer with this…" Gu Ran's voice was low.

He slammed his hands together.

Thrum! Pulse!

Golden lotus petals, shimmering with an ethereal light, materialized around him. They swirled faster and faster, growing in size, until they formed a massive, glowing lotus beneath his feet. It was beautiful, serene, yet radiating an immense, protective power.

"Azure Cloud Sect's Ultimate Art – Lotus of Eternity!" Gu Ran declared, his voice rising, imbued with the full power of his Sixth Layer cultivation.

Vrrrm! The lotus shot upward, not as an attack, but as a defensive counter, clashing with the blazing fire phoenix in a blinding explosion of gold and crimson.

SMMASSH!

The sound was deafening, a thunderclap that shook the entire arena to its core. The protective arrays shimmered desperately, groaning under the immense force, barely holding against the combined power of two Sixth Layer ultimate techniques. Smoke, fire, and golden light engulfed the entire combat stage.

My dashboard was silent, probably too busy processing the sheer amount of energy being unleashed.

As the smoke slowly cleared, the arena fell silent once more. Everyone strained their necks, holding their breath, waiting to see who remained standing.

And then, the figures emerged from the dissipating smoke.

"...."

Kael was kneeling on one knee, his crimson cloak burned away in patches, his fiery aura fading fast.

His chest heaved, and a thin Flicker of golden light could be seen. A drop of blood dripped from Kael's lips, staining his chin.

He looked utterly exhausted, his arrogant grin replaced by a look of strained agony.

Gu Ran remained standing, chest heaving, but still surrounded by faint lotus petals glowing in gold. His robes were singed, his hair slightly disheveled, but he was on his feet. He looked tired, but victorious.

Then—

Thud!

Kael fell fully to both knees, clutching his chest and gasping for air. "Damn it… that technique… drained too much Qi…" he rasped, his voice barely a whisper. He had burned through everything.

Vrrrm!

King Theron's voice boomed from above, clear and absolute.

"The winner: Gu Ran of the Azure Cloud Sect."

"...."

"HE'S STILL STANDING! Azure Cloud WINS!"

The roar of the crowd was deafening, a wave of triumph and excitement. Sect Master Gu Ran, though visibly exhausted, raised a hand in acknowledgment. He had won. The Azure Cloud Sect had won the first match!

"Sect Master Gu Ran!" I cheered, utterly exhilarated. "That was incredible! You were amazing!"

Gu Ran managed a tired but proud smile. Lyra gave him a rare, genuine look of admiration. Urg let out a triumphant roar. Zephyr, for once, was speechless, his eyes wide with awe.