The two forces collided with an earth-shattering impact. The arena was engulfed in a blinding light as the sheer power of the clash sent shockwaves rippling outward toward the sect.
The mountains surrounding the arena trembled, and spectators raised their own defenses to protect themselves from the rumbling energy waves.
When the dust finally subsided, a deep silence fell over the arena.
The ground where Lei Ming had stood was scorched and cracked. His body lay on the ground, his protective barrier completely shattered, his robes torn and burned. His body twitched from the residual thunder.
Shen Yuan stood straight with a calm smile on his face, his aura slowly calming as the residual lightning Qi dissipated from his body. He sheathed his Crimson Devourer while saying, “See? I took back my attack; otherwise, this arena would have been destroyed, and his body… well, let’s just say he will be one with thunder.”
Elder Yun Lan stepped forward. “The winner is Shen Yuan!” she announced, her voice echoing even outside the arena.
Cheers erupted from the disciples of the Radiant Lotus Sacred Sect. Each one of them was more excited than the last.
“SENIOR BROTHER, I LOVE YOU!!” one disciple screamed from the viewing stands. Enjoy new stories from empire
Other disciples soon followed as they all showed their appreciation for saving the reputation of the Radiant Lotus Sacred Sect.
Wan Ling and the others rushed to the edge of the arena, their faces filled with relief and excitement.
They hurried to meet Shen Yuan as he descended from the stage.
“You were amazing!” Wan Ling exclaimed, her eyes shining with admiration.
Chen Yue shook her head in disbelief. “Comprehending Thunder Intent mid-battle… that’s absurd!”
Ling Mei smiled warmly. “You truly are exceptional.”
Shen Yuan looked at Ling Mei with a playful smile. “Weren’t you going to challenge me once I entered the Inner Sect?”
Ling Mei’s face turned red as she lowered her head. “I was naive back then.”
“Haha, what are you talking about? It’s not even been a few months,” Shen Yuan shook his head with a laugh.
“But what was that technique that you used? Heaven and Earth Severance: Thunder Cleaving,” Zhao Lian tilted her head and asked.
“That’s my ultimate technique.” Shen Yuan smiled mysteriously and didn’t explain further.
Chen Yue looked at him in confusion. “Then how were you able to take back that attack?”
Shen Yuan leaned towards her and softly whispered in her ear, “That’s because I held back.”
She felt her face turning red due to his close proximity, but she didn’t step back and only nodded her head.
The rest of the girls giggled, looking at her bashful expression.
“Anyways, any of you know where Qingyu went? I haven’t seen her since I came here,” he asked while glancing around.
The girls looked at each other before Wan Ling took a step forward and said, “Umm… she went back to recover since she had utilized a lot of her energy during the battle.”
“Oh, that’s good. I thought she might have been injured by one of them.” Shen Yuan heaved a sigh and glanced back to see Elder Yun Lan walking towards the elders of the Ironwood Mountain Clan.
“No no, you worry too much, Senior Brother. She alone won two matches; her performance was truly exceptional,” Chen Yue smiled while saying.
“Good.” Shen Yuan smiled and turned around to see what Elder Yun Lan would say to them.
Meanwhile, the Ironwood elder glared venomously at them. “This isn’t the end,” he spat before turning to help Lei Ming.
Elder Yun Lan approached them; her expression remained stern. “Your disciple violated the rules by attempting a forbidden technique. Be grateful that he is even alive.”
The elder gritted his teeth but couldn’t come up with a retort, so he took his disciples away in defeat.
As the crowd continued the celebrations, Shen Yuan frowned while looking at the charred body of Lei Ming.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with Lei Ming, or rather, with his aura—it was ominous.
[You sensed it too, didn’t you?] Yue Lan’s voice echoed in his mind.
‘Yes,’ he replied inwardly. ‘I just hope it’s not what I’m thinking of.’
[I fear what you don’t want to happen will happen.]
He felt his eye twitching. ‘Don’t jinx it.’
Wan Ling noticed his lost expression. “Is everything okay?”
He turned to her with a reassuring smile. “Yeah, just wondering about Qingyu.”
She tilted her head thoughtfully. “You should head back and look after her then.”
He appreciated her concern. “Thank you. Perhaps I will head back to visit her after everything here is settled.”
She nodded her head.
Shen Yuan glanced back at Lei Ming one last time, but his body froze as he saw the blood moving and forming letters on the ground: ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
‘The Festival—’
But before he could read further, the word dissipated as the elder took away Lei Ming.
Shen Yuan felt his heart sinking. ‘It’s that abyssal bastard!’
[I fear so; looks like he won’t be leaving you alone.]
‘I will need to look at some old books on the history of the continent to figure out what these beings are,’ he silently thought.
Elder Yun Lan gathered the disciples. “Today, we have defended our honor and demonstrated our strength. Well done, everyone. Let us return to the sect and continue to strive for excellence.”
As they made their way back, the group was filled with chatter and laughter.
Yet, Shen Yuan remained silent as he knew something far larger than he had thought was coming soon. He left the group and headed back toward the mansion.
[You don’t need to worry so much right now, though. I can feel that the world barrier is still strong, so an invasion is pretty much impossible from a different world at this time.]
“Hmm… then I will just go ahead according to my plans. I should go to a region rich with Fire Qi to enhance my talent to at least King Grade to match my Thunder Talent,” he mused, rubbing his chin.
With that in mind, Shen Yuan decided to check on Han Qingyu. He made his way through the various peaks of the sect toward her residence.
The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden hue over the buildings and gardens.
Upon reaching Han Qingyu’s courtyard, he noticed the delicate flowers that blossomed beautifully at the entrance. He knocked gently on the wooden door.
A moment later, the door opened to reveal Han Qingyu, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. “Brother Shen Yuan! What brings you here?” she asked with a soft smile.
“I came to see how you were doing after the competition. I heard you expended a lot of energy,” he replied with a warm smile.
She stepped aside to let him in. “Please, come in. I’m feeling much better now.”
He entered the mansion as they both walked toward her cozy sitting room. They took seats by a table set near a window overlooking a tranquil pond.
“You really outdid yourself this time,” he remarked. “Winning two matches on your own is no small feat.”
Han Qingyu blushed lightly. “Thank you, but I couldn’t have done it without the information you provided.”