A new bright day fell over Crimson Sea Academy. And though countless hours passed, numerous students still felt like barely any time slipped by.
Everyone wanted to meet the quick uprising start that is Cain.
He left such a deep impression, casting near impossible to remove shadows over countless Martial Hearts.
Some had an overall positive effect from this. Their mental state touched upon the significant change Cain alone can bring to their Academy.
These students didn't think of trying to play catch up to Cain. Staying in his vast shadow was enough as long as their status could be raised to a high extreme.
And ironically enough, though these students were convinced of the disparity, they didn't have any thoughts criticizing their own cultivation.
Their Martial Heart stayed firm, allowing them to go into a cultivation state with a new outlook on upcoming days.
And, of course, many others simply weren't like this.
These were students who are supposed to be the pride of whatever Family or Clan background they resigned from. They've come to Crimson Sea Academy out of their Martial Heart for cultivation and to win status on their own.
But, when comparing whatever meager achievement they have towards Cain, everything seemed just so stale.
For them, this can be considered as both a test and an opportunity.
Perhaps if these students can rid the deep shadow cast on their Martial Hearts, their cultivation will significantly soar!
They'll be able to directly stimulate their Martial potential that's hidden deep within their Soul's Core. By defeating this shadow on their Martial Heart and thereby ridding it from their Mental Psyche, they can have a chance opportunity to enhance their Martial Talent. Or, at the very least, improve their Martial Hearts.
But nothing is set in stone for them.
A firm mental state can't be easily gained. Only crafted through numerous experiences, hardships, and grueling fights.
This is why today, the special Ranking Martial Arena Hall was packed with dozens of geniuses.
These students all had their eyes glued to various bulletin boards that were extensively wide. On these boards were the lists of every special Ranking student.
Given the massive volume of students, these bulletin boards weren't lacking in the number of challengers.
All students here had a blazing fighting spirit nestling in the depths of their eyes. To them, the thrill of battle would be their way of casting off this sense of inferiority Cain unleashed upon them all.
All special Ranking students were seriously considering who would be the best challenge to an extreme point. They all wanted a duel that'll push them to the very edge of their limits!
Only then could they perhaps receive sudden enlightenment in some manner of their various abilities.
The atmosphere was far more serious than the line to the other Martial Arena Hall.
These special Ranking students couldn't afford to make a mistake with their opponents. The consequences would be too devastating if they lose as terribly as Adam.
But as the students shuffled around the Martial Arena Hall, a loud commotion suddenly shattered the previous serious atmosphere.
"Ah! It's Senior Brother Cain! He's finally here after so long!"
"He's coming here….so does that mean he's actually going in for another duel? Is he possibly going to take on a full fledge Profound Soul genius?!"
"I wouldn't doubt it….Adam was basically a bug to him!"
A dam of voices stormed the entirety of the Martial Arena Hall!
Every student stared with wide eyes full of reverence as Cain calmly strolled the Martial Arena Hall. And right by his side was, of course, Kali.
Vivid memories of his duel flash inside all of their minds. It is evident to everyone that Cain barely used any strength to destroy Adam.
A flick of his finger was virtually the equivalent of stomping a human-sized cockroach.
With basically no effort at all, the weakest form of Profound Qi Energy was destroyed like fragile glass.
A power that no extreme peak Nascent Formation genius should be ever able to match.
But Cain's dense Energy was simply too overwhelming. His Martial Comprehension is simply a league on its own.
And since Cain's prowess could achieve this, shouldn't this put him above most Early Stage Profound Soul geniuses?
These special Ranking students already believed it.
But, they also found it hard to suppress the anticipation to see Cain actually go up on stage and stun the whole Academy!
Martial Heart or not, they all can admit that Cain has a captivating presence that's impossible to ignore when he fights.
Throughout all spirited discussions, barely anyone even noticed Kali by Cain's side. And if they did, they didn't have any significant thoughts about her.
At this time, Cain directly strolled up the Martial Arena Hall Elder. As he approached, the Elder cast a respectful gaze upon Cain.
The Elder's tone was polite as he greeted first. "Ah, if it isn't young Cain. What duel would you like to set up? Because it's you, the wait will be near instantaneous."
With promising talent like Cain, who wouldn't want to get in his good graces?
The Martial Arena Hall Elder could even pull slightly unique strings to make Cain's duel spread far into the public, further enhancing his status.
"If it's not any trouble, I would like to face Core Student Edison." Cain calmly spoke.
Before coming here, he had already scoped out who would be a perfect target to complete his uprising fame. And he got the reaction he expected.
"He really is going to fight a full-fledge Profound Soul genius! This will be exciting!"
"Not only that, but he's also fighting Senior Brother Edison! His record is near spotless, only losing a few times to the peak Early Stage geniuses. No doubt he could force Senior Brother Cain to fight seriously!"
"Screw choosing my match; we all have to see this!"
The special ranking students felt their anticipation vigorously surge. Compared to Half-Step Profound Soul, this will be an actual heaven-defying battle!
They are about to witness an ancient legend in the making. A young genius who can directly contend with powerful Early Stage Profound Qi Energy with just Nascent Qi!
Absolutely nobody wants to miss this.
Hearing all this storm of noise, Cain nearly smirked. For sure, the news of this match will surpass even his previous one.
Admittedly, Cain thought he should go directly for Middle-Stage Profound Soul genius. But when thinking deeply about it, that would actually be too much of an overkill.
Early Stage Profund Soul is enough for his plan to complete. Now, the only thing Cain hoped was that Edison could provide him with a good workout.
….
Hours later, at the special Ranking Martial Arena, fervent excitement burned through the atmosphere.
Even more students were here compared to Cain's last duel.
Everyone there intently observing the Martial Stage, waiting to see the true strength of a heaven-defying Martial Talent!
Nobody here had even an ounce of disdain. Just days ago, a showdown between a Profound Soul and Nascent Formation genius would be the source of utmost mocking laughter.
But now, students were expecting it to be one of the greatest fights of this year!
High up in the skies, practically out of everyone's Spirit Senses, were two extraordinary figures.
One was a fierce cold-looking man whose very presence can cause the temperature to freeze over.
This man was Protector Elder Luang. He was casting a questioning gaze towards the other figure just several feet apart from him.
The other figure was a charmingly beautiful woman whose own radiant sunny presence directly clashed against Protector Elder Luang.
This woman's whole Aura emitted a mesmerizing hypnotic sensation that no average mortal can defend against. A simple look at her could make even the coldest of stone hearts instantly melt, causing flames of desire to brightly burn within them.
Her eyes were pitch black like an abyss and seemed to contain an mysterious glow energy swirling within.
Her long, flowing black hair had seemingly wrapped around her waist, blending into her luxurious dark-robe clothes.
This seemingly black-haired fairy-like woman was one of the Discipline Lord, Discipline Lord Alisha!
And her entire focus was on the Martial stage, basically ignoring Protector Elder Luang's questioning gaze.
"I will admit that I'm a bit surprised. I surely expected you to write off even a heaven-defying Talent. Something changed?" Projector Elder Luang couldn't hold in his question anymore.
Hearing this, Discipline Lord Alisha's only response was to faintly smile. This beautifully sunshine smile showcased a genuine favorable interest as if she had been looking forward to this for a long time.
She then simply said, "It's just….well….you'll see. Things are about to get very hectic."
Protector Elder Luang furrowed his brows but didn't speak further. In the end, he couldn't question Alisha's interest that much.
He was nearly the same after all. After dozens of years, a young Martial Talent has managed to spark his curiosity to such a high degree.
Naturally, he needed to see him in action with his own eyes.
….
At this time, upon the Martial Stage, two youths stood around fifty feet apart from each other.
One side was Cain, standing proudly tall, emitting an unwavering firm Aura. His indifferent gaze made it seem like nothing could ever touch his mental state.
No matter the storm or hell he has to endure, it truly felt like Cain would easily rise right above it, carving out a legend surpassing all!
"Seriously, just how is Senior Brother Cain still in the Nascent Formation Realm?"
Without even making a move, Cain already swayed the crowd to his side. This was a momentum only extraordinary geniuses can naturally obtain.
On the other side of the stage was a dashing youthful genius who usually would be looked upon favorably by everyone.
However, as of now, all of this youth's previous momentum didn't matter.
All attention was taken by Cain, and he is just someone used to carve his legend. However, Edison didn't care in the slightest about his momentum getting greatly overshadowed.
His expression was of the utmost focus as if he was facing the greatest challenge of his entire life.
All of Edison's nerves were on high alert. Across from him was no mere Nascent Formation youth.
But a demonic genius who can directly match with him!
After Adam's humiliating loss, it was unanimously decided that Cain must be treated with the utmost severity.
If not, a loss just like Adam would be heading their way!
Even if he couldn't win this fight, Edison was determined to fight as hard as he could. In this battle, he'll push himself to the absolute limit!
When a few seconds passed, and the anticipation couldn't grow any higher, the referee Elder in the skies slowly raised his hand.
Then, in one swift motion, he brought it down, shouting out, "Begin!"