Yu Tianlong's Might

Soon, Yu Tianlong's match began.

On the arena, Yu Tianlong stood with his hands behind his back, not even bothering to manifest his martial soul.

His opponent, the Flame Lion Soul Elder, saw Yu Tianlong's blatant disregard and his expression turned incredibly ugly.

"Kid, what's the meaning of this? Looking down on me?" The Flame Lion Soul Elder gritted his teeth, a flicker of rage in his eyes. "You aren't even releasing your martial soul—are you planning to forfeit?"

"To deal with you, it isn't necessary," Yu Tianlong said faintly, his tone as calm as if he were stating an insignificant fact.

"You—!" The Flame Lion Soul Elder was furious. Without further ado, he released his martial soul.

A crimson phantom of a Flame Lion emerged behind him, radiating a scorching heat. Two yellow and one purple soul rings swirled around him, showcasing the strength of an optimal soul ring configuration.

"Since you're seeking death, I'll grant your wish!" The Flame Lion Soul Elder roared and lunged at Yu Tianlong, his right fist wreathed in blazing flames, striking directly at Yu Tianlong's face!

The power of this punch was astonishing; the flames dragged a long tail of fire through the air, causing the surrounding temperature to spike and the very air to distort.

Gasps erupted from the spectator stands, and many broke into a cold sweat for the youth in the bronze mask.

However, Yu Tianlong merely tilted his body slightly, dodging the punch with an incredibly precise movement.

The Flame Lion Soul Elder's punch missed, his body leaning forward. Before he could recover his momentum, he felt a massive force strike his abdomen—Yu Tianlong's knee had connected with his gut before he even realized it!

"Thud!"

A muffled sound echoed. The Flame Lion Soul Elder's eyes bulged wide. He was sent flying backward, curled up like a shrimp as if struck by a charging rhinoceros. He traced a parabola through the air before crashing onto the edge of the arena, rolling twice, and tumbling right off the stage.

He struggled to climb back up, but the excruciating pain in his abdomen left him completely powerless. As soon as he propped up his upper body, he collapsed again, bile spilling from his mouth; he didn't even have the strength to stand.

The entire arena fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone was stunned. From the moment the Flame Lion Soul Elder launched his attack to the moment he was sent flying off the stage, only two or three breaths had passed.

It was so fast that many hadn't even seen what happened; they only saw the masked youth casually sidestep, raise his knee, and then the previously imposing Flame Lion Soul Elder went flying.

"Th-that's it?"

"He didn't even use his martial soul..."

"Pure physical strength? How is that possible?"

"That's a level 37 Soul Elder! He finished him in one hit?"

Exclamations rose and fell in the stands. Those who had mocked Yu Tianlong moments ago now shut their mouths, their faces etched with shock and disbelief.

In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's camp, Ning Fengzhi was the first to jump up, waving his fist and shouting excitedly, "Good! Brother Tianlong, well done! I knew you could do it!"

Sect Master Ning Yuan sat to the side, watching the masked youth on the arena, a thoughtful glint flashing in his eyes.

He could naturally see that Yu Tianlong's strike wasn't just about speed and power.

In the instant of dodging and countering, his grasp of timing, his control over his body, and his anticipation of his opponent's movements had reached an exceptionally high level. This was definitely not the combat proficiency of an ordinary rogue cultivator.

In the Clear Sky Sect's camp, Tang Hao's previously indifferent expression turned serious. He stared at the blue-haired youth on the arena, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Interesting."

Tang Xiao also nodded. "The speed and power of that kick are no small matter. And he hasn't even used his martial soul, which means he still has trump cards."

"It seems that in this grand competition, besides Yu Xiaogang, there is another opponent worth watching." A battle-hungry curve tugged at the corner of Tang Hao's mouth.

In the Martial Soul Hall's VIP box, Qian Xunji sat in the main seat, his gaze fixed on Yu Tianlong with a look of interest.

He gently rubbed the armrest and spoke slowly, "Interesting."

Bibi Dong, standing beside him, rarely allowed her gaze to linger on the blue-haired youth for more than a few seconds. Although her expression remained cold, a subtle, imperceptible ripple passed through her calm, mirror-like eyes.

Meanwhile, in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's camp, Yu Xiaogang's gaze was locked onto the masked youth, his brows furrowed, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

"Yu Tianlong... this name..." he muttered under his breath, his heart inexplicably racing. "Is it just a coincidence? Or..."

He shook his head, trying to cast off the sense of unease in his heart.

"Impossible. That person died five years ago in the Star Dou Forest Core Area, leaving no remains. It is absolutely impossible for him to still be alive... absolutely impossible..."

But for some reason, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the blue-haired youth. That back, that temperament—it gave him an indescribable sense of familiarity, leaving him feeling vaguely unsettled.

On the arena, Yu Tianlong retracted his knee and brushed the non-existent dust from his pant leg, as if he had just performed a trivial task.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping calmly across the crowd before pausing for a fleeting moment in the direction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's camp.

He saw Yu Xiaogang's shifting, uncertain face and the flicker of unease and suspicion in his eyes. A faint, imperceptible curve touched the corner of Yu Tianlong's mouth before he turned and walked off the stage.

"First match, Yu Tianlong wins!" The referee paused for a moment before hurriedly announcing the result.

Only then did thunderous applause and cheers erupt from the stands.

Although most people still didn't know who the youth in the bronze mask was, everyone realized that this dark horse would likely become the biggest variable in this grand competition.

As Yu Tianlong returned to the sidelines, Ning Fengzhi immediately rushed up, patting his shoulder with great excitement. "Brother Tianlong, you're amazing! You won without even using your martial soul! You're going to give everyone a huge surprise!"

"Just luck," Yu Tianlong smiled, acting humble.

"Luck, my foot! That was clearly pure skill!" Ning Fengzhi didn't buy his nonsense but didn't press the issue, just chuckled. "But do you have some special reason for wearing that mask?"

"Mm, some personal reasons. It's inconvenient to show my true face," Yu Tianlong explained casually.

Though curious, Ning Fengzhi didn't pry, instead patting his own chest.

"Don't worry, no matter why you're wearing a mask, I support you! If you run into a tough opponent later and need support, just let me know—I'll buff you!"

"Then I thank you in advance, Brother Ning," Yu Tianlong laughed.

He turned his head, his gaze once again cast toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's camp, a cold, sharp light flashing in his eyes.

This is only the beginning, he thought to himself. Yu Xiaogang, we will meet on this arena soon enough.

And when we do, I will show you what true despair feels like.