Soon, Yu Tianlong's match began.
On the arena, Yu Tianlong stood with his hands behind his back. He hadn't even released his Martial Soul.
His opponent, a Flame Lion Soul Elder, saw how lightly Yu Tianlong regarded him, and his face immediately darkened.
"Kid, what's the meaning of this? You look down on me?" The Flame Lion Soul Elder gritted his teeth, a flash of anger in his eyes. "You won't even release your Martial Soul. Are you planning to forfeit?"
"I don't need to, not to deal with you." Yu Tianlong spoke calmly, as if stating an insignificant fact.
"You—!" The Flame Lion Soul Elder flew into a rage. He stopped wasting words and released his Martial Soul.
A scarlet Flame Lion phantom appeared behind him, radiating scorching heat. Two yellow Soul Rings and one purple Soul Ring revolved around him, displaying the optimal Soul Ring configuration.
"Since you're looking for death, I'll grant your wish!" The Flame Lion Soul Elder roared and lunged at Yu Tianlong. His right fist, wrapped in scorching flames, shot straight at Yu Tianlong's face!
The punch was astonishingly powerful. Flames trailed through the air behind it, and the temperature around them abruptly rose until the air itself began to ripple.
Gasps rose from the audience. Many people held their breath for the youth wearing the bronze mask.
Yet Yu Tianlong merely leaned slightly to one side and easily dodged the punch with an extraordinarily precise step.
The Flame Lion Soul Elder's fist struck empty air. His body pitched forward, and before he could recover his balance, he felt a tremendous force slam into his abdomen—Yu Tianlong's knee had somehow already driven into him!
"Thump!"
A dull impact rang out. The Flame Lion Soul Elder's eyes flew wide as he was sent flying, his body bent like a bow, as if a charging rhinoceros had hit him. He traced an arc through the air, crashed down at the edge of the arena, rolled twice, and went straight off the platform.
He struggled to get up, but the pain in his abdomen left him utterly weak. He had barely managed to lift his upper body before collapsing again, sour fluid spilling from his mouth. He couldn't even muster the strength to stand.
The entire arena fell silent.
Everyone was stunned. From the moment the Flame Lion Soul Elder attacked to the moment he was knocked off the platform, the whole thing had taken no more than two or three breaths.
It had happened so fast that many people hadn't even seen what took place. They had only caught a glimpse of the youth in the bronze mask casually sidestepping and raising his knee—and then the Flame Lion Soul Elder, who had seemed so imposing moments earlier, was sent flying.
"Th-that's it? It's over?"
"He didn't even use his Martial Soul..."
"Pure physical strength? How is that possible?"
"He's a level thirty-seven Soul Elder! He was finished with one blow?"
Gasps and cries rose one after another from the audience. Those who had mocked Yu Tianlong earlier fell silent, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.
In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's section, Ning Fengzhi was the first to leap to his feet. Pumping his fist, he shouted excitedly, "Well done! Tianlong, that was brilliant! I knew you could do it!"
Sect Master Ning Yuan sat nearby, watching the masked youth on the arena. A thoughtful glint flickered in his eyes.
He could tell that Yu Tianlong's strike hadn't been as simple as being fast and powerful.
The timing of his dodge and counterattack, his control over his body, and his ability to predict his opponent's movements were all at a remarkably high level. These were not the fighting instincts of an ordinary unaffiliated cultivator.
In the Clear Sky Sect's section, the casual expression on Tang Hao's face had turned more serious. He stared at the blue-haired youth on the arena and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Now that's interesting."
Tang Xiao nodded. "The speed and power of that kick were no joke. And he still hasn't used his Martial Soul, which means he's holding something back."
"Looks like there's another opponent worth keeping an eye on in this tournament, besides Yu Xiaogang." Tang Hao's lips curled into a battle-hungry smile.
In Spirit Hall's VIP seats, Qian Xunji sat in the main seat, his gaze fixed on Yu Tianlong. A trace of interest flickered in his eyes.
He gently stroked the armrest and spoke slowly. "Now that's interesting."
Standing beside him, Bibi Dong also kept her gaze on the blue-haired youth for a few seconds longer than usual. Her expression remained cold, but an almost imperceptible ripple passed through her eyes, still as a lake.
Meanwhile, in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's section, Yu Xiaogang stared fixedly at the masked youth, his brows tightly knitted and his expression shifting uneasily.
"Yu Tianlong... that name..." he murmured. His heart inexplicably began to beat faster. Was it just a case of them having the same name? Or...
He shook his head, trying to cast off the unease rising in his heart.
"Impossible. That person died five years ago, in the Star Dou Forest Core Area. There wasn't even a body left. He couldn't possibly still be alive... absolutely impossible..."
Yet for some reason, he couldn't take his eyes off the blue-haired youth. That silhouette, that bearing—it all felt strangely familiar, filling his heart with a vague unease he couldn't explain.
On the arena, Yu Tianlong lowered his knee and brushed off his trouser leg, though there wasn't a speck of dust on it, as if he'd just done something utterly insignificant.
He turned around and calmly swept his gaze over the audience, letting it linger for a moment on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's section.
He saw the uncertainty on Yu Xiaogang's face, and the unease and suspicion in his eyes. The corner of Yu Tianlong's mouth lifted in a faint, almost imperceptible smile. Then he turned and walked off the arena.
"First match, Yu Tianlong wins!" The judge froze for a moment before hurrying to announce the result.
Only then did thunderous applause and cheers erupt from the audience.
Most people still had no idea who the masked youth was, but they all realized that this dark horse would likely be the biggest wild card in the tournament.
When Yu Tianlong returned to the sidelines, Ning Fengzhi immediately came over and clapped him on the shoulder, brimming with excitement. "Tianlong, you're incredible! You won without even using your Martial Soul! You're going to give everyone one heck of a surprise!"
"It was just luck." Yu Tianlong smiled modestly.
"Luck, my foot! That was pure skill!" Ning Fengzhi didn't believe a word of it, but didn't press him. He only chuckled. "Still, you're wearing a mask. Do you have some special reason for it?"
"Yeah, some personal reasons. I'd rather not show my real face." Yu Tianlong offered a casual explanation.
Though Ning Fengzhi was curious, he didn't pry. He merely thumped his chest and said, "Don't worry. Whatever your reason for wearing the mask, I support you! If you run into a tough opponent later and need support, just let me know. I'll boost your stats!"
"Then I'll thank you in advance, Brother Ning." Yu Tianlong smiled.
He turned his head and looked once more toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's section, a cold glint in his eyes.
This is only the beginning, he said silently to himself. Yu Xiaogang, we'll meet on the arena soon.
And when we do, I'll show you what true despair looks like.