Chapter 89: Chapter 89
If Elden had known earlier that Ethan intended to participate in the martial arts competition, he would have halted the boy’s ambitions outright.
The thought of Ethan competing, rather than quietly observing from the stands, was a matter of great embarrassment to Azure Sky Peak. Even now, as his name was called, murmurs of doubt swirled through the crowd.
Ethan’s lips twitched into a faint smile—whether this turn of events was purely accidental or orchestrated by unseen hands, it no longer mattered to him. Fate had thrown Kain and him into the same contest: a costly encounter for Kain and a stage for Ethan’s resurgence.
Just as Ethan’s footsteps carried him towards the stone platform, a voice, as light and clear as a wind chime, floated from behind.
"Senior Brother Ethan, come on!"
Ethan turned to see Liana, her presence a balm amid the storm of spectators. Her arrival was unexpected but welcome.
A brief nod was all Ethan offered before making his way to the center of the arena.
Not far off, Allen’s fists clenched tightly. His lips twisted with frustration as he watched Ethan’s calm composure.
"Ethan!" he muttered under his breath.
His thoughts were bitter. "Forget it. You’ll lose to Kain soon enough. No need for me to dirty my hands. Just prepare to embarrass yourself before Liana."
At a nearby seating area, Liana settled.
"Your name is Flint, right? I’ve seen you before," Liana remarked.
"Junior Sister Liana, your memory is sharp," Flint replied politely.
"I heard Kain is very powerful," she added quietly.
"Powerful?" Flint smirked, "Compared to Junior Sister Liana? He is obviously stronger, You’re far from it."
Liana turned her gaze sharply. "Then what about Senior Brother Ethan?"
Flint raised an eyebrow. "Kain wouldn’t last a single move against him."
"Single move?" Liana laughed softly,
"Isn’t that an exaggeration? Kain is quite famous within Serpentwind Peak, after all. But I do believe Senior Brother Ethan will still win."
"Absolute strength can make such proclamations irrelevant," Flint said coolly.
"Absolute strength..." Liana mused, staring thoughtfully at the competition ring.
Though she had yet to witness Ethan’s true power, something deep within convinced her he was formidable.
When Ethan stepped onto the stage, he glanced at Elder Dorian, a confident smile ghosting his lips.
"Ethan, how are you hiding this time?" Kain scoffed, eyes glittering.
"You got me in the first round—that’s your end!" Kain taunted.
"Even a beaten dog dares speak arrogantly," Ethan replied with mock amusement.
Kain’s expression shifted suddenly, anger flaring. "You’ll regret that!"
"Elder Dorian, can we begin now?" Kain’s impatience erupted.
"A bit soon, don’t you think? I’ve never seen someone so eager to reincarnate," Ethan smiled, With an relaxed expression, noting the absence of any pressure.
Kain’s gaze grew solemn as he faced what might be his toughest opponent.
Dorian’s senses swept Ethan, observing the lack of spiritual power.
"A pure physical cultivator. To match the strength of the Core Formation Realm is rare. But his luck runs out against Kain."
He believed Ethan would soon pay for his frivolity.
"The final match of the first round—Azure Sky Peak’s Ethan versus Serpent wind Peak’s Kain—begins now!"
Silence flooded the arena. Every disciple’s eyes fixed on the two opposing figures.
Kain’s gaze sharpened as a long, gleaming sword manifested in his hand. Spiritual energy surged off it, slicing the air into shimmering waves.
Ethan’s hair lifted with the sudden gust, eyes narrowing calmly upon the approaching storm.
"What a sword worthy of Senior Brother Kain," murmurs fluttered through the crowd.
"His power could challenge a mid-stage Soul Formation warrior."
"Ethan won’t last ten moves, surely!"
"Ten moves? five moves at best!"
From the high platform, the master of Serpent wind Peak, Gale reed smiled knowingly, confident Kain would finish the match swiftly.
Kain’s eyes flared fierce as he lunged. Sword whistled through the air—a blur of black shadow.
The disciples gasped and murmured as Kain’s attack unleashed with breathtaking speed.
Ethan laughed softly, "Even a turtle crawls faster than you."
Kain approached within ten feet, a sneer playing on his lips.
"Are you frightened by my sword’s power? Even a mid-stage Soul Formation practitioner would find my sword unmissable."
"Prepare to lose!" Kain roared, slashing diagonally with his long sword.
A streak of translucent green sword energy whipped toward Ethan—sharp enough to slice the air.
Yet Ethan showed no fear.
The blade slashed his face, but before Kain could react, Ethan vanished—like mirage melting away.
Kain’s eyes darted madly, searching, but nothing met his gaze—only emptiness.
Frustration deepened into horror. "How can this be?"
Behind him, a cold voice echoed: "Ten years passed, yet you remain as weak as before."
Kain spun, spiritual energy roaring through his veins as he brandished his sword, ready for a counterstrike.
But to Ethan, Kain’s movements we as slow as a turtle.
With precision born of calm certainty, Ethan’s fist launched—a crushing blow cut through the air, a hunting wind trailing from his one strike.
Kain raised his sword to block, but the impact bent even a high-grade spiritual weapon into a terrifying arc.
A crack split the blade.
The defense shattered.
Kain was sent flying, body flipping through the air as blood sprayed crimson arcs from his mouth.
Ethan advanced, fist clenched for another strike—this time infusing essence and blood into his power to detonate upon impact.
Explosions shook Kain’s body as the force surged violently within.
His pupils dilated in agony; vital nerves seared as blood spilled anew.
Kain crashed to the ground with earth-shaking thuds, bouncing and sliding before coming to a slow halt.
Internally ravaged, ribs shattered, organs bruised—his face wet with blood and dripping with humiliation.
Struggling, his gaze met Ethan’s across the battlefield.
"How... is this possible?" His eyes burned with raw frustration and disbelief.
A/N:
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