The Grand Hall, once the symbol of Obsidian Peak Sect's strength and unity, was now a desolate ruin. Cracks sprawled like spiderwebs across its walls, rubble scattered chaotically, and pillars stood cracked and charred, marking the ferocity of battle. Amidst this chaos stood Kai Feng—bruised, battered, but unbroken.
He faced Master Shen, a colossus of refined menace whose calm exterior betrayed no sign of mercy. The Heavenly Radiance Sect's leader stood poised, shimmering robes rippling under an aura of chilling radiance. His eyes narrowed as he raised his palm, gathering Qi for his final, most devastating blow.
"Heavenly Starfall Judgment!"
The words echoed ominously, summoning forth a celestial fury. A brilliant sphere of radiant Qi roared toward Kai like a descending comet, illuminating the hall with blinding white light.
Kai gritted his teeth, bracing for an impact he knew would devastate him. He had no intention of defending himself; honor bound him to accept this attack openly. The blow crashed into him with catastrophic force.
The very air around Kai fractured, erupting in a concussive shockwave. He flew backwards, body limp as a broken doll, slamming violently into the far wall. Stone shattered upon impact, burying him beneath debris. A thunderous silence descended upon the hall, broken only by the faint clatter of falling stones.
Liu Yue's heart froze, terror overtaking her as she screamed, "Kai!" Sprinting through the battlefield, heedless of danger, she reached his battered form, frantically digging through the debris. Her usually composed face was now a picture of raw panic. Liu Yu followed close behind, equally frantic.
They finally uncovered him. Kai lay pale and broken, barely conscious. His breath was shallow, each exhale tinged with crimson. His robes were shredded, his body littered with cuts and bruises.
"Master…" Liu Yue whispered, tears welling in her eyes as she clutched his trembling hand. Her pulse raced as she realized the extent of his injuries—his meridians were ravaged, his Qi circulation in chaotic turmoil. It was nothing short of a miracle that he still lived.
Master Shen stood over the crumpled form of Kai Feng, fully expecting to see a lifeless corpse. But as the dust settled and Kai stirred—however faintly—Shen's expression tightened. The smug confidence that had defined his posture faltered, his gaze narrowing with disbelief.
Impossible…
He had unleashed three of his most devastating techniques—attacks designed to cripple even seasoned Core Formation masters. And yet, the so-called "Evil Sect Librarian" still clung to life, bloodied but breathing.
A flicker of something unfamiliar passed through Shen's typically impassive face—something dangerously close to astonishment.
"How?" he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with irritation. "You should be dead."
Master Lin Zhou of Shifting Tides Sect stepped beside him, sneering. "Evil Sect vermin, you should count your stars. It must have been mercy that stayed Master Shen's hand. He likely spared you because you are his junior. You should kneel and thank him."
Kai coughed, a thin stream of blood slipping down his chin. With what strength remained, he raised his head, eyes sharp despite the pain radiating through his body. He met Shen's gaze with defiant clarity, his voice hoarse but unwavering.
"Then… honor your agreement…" He took a shallow, ragged breath. "Leave… the mountain."
Shen hesitated briefly before a cunning smirk returned. He turned toward the Alliance members, his voice smooth yet sinister. "While it is true I agreed to spare you if you endured my attacks, the agreement was between you and me alone. I have no authority over what others choose."
The crowd murmured uneasily, recognizing Shen's thinly-veiled treachery. Liu Yu trembled with rage, shouting furiously, "You despicable snake! You dare twist your own words?!"
But Master Shen merely smiled, calm and unruffled. "I'm merely clarifying the terms. Now, our fellow sects may choose for themselves. Perhaps a 'friendly' competition?"
Elder Gan Mo of Crimson Rain Sect sensing an opportunity, quickly stepped forward. "Indeed! Let us test martial prowess one-on-one. A friendly exchange to determine the truth!"
Kai, supported by Liu Yue, coughed violently, struggling upright despite the torment within his body. He slowly assumed a lotus position, eyes closing in silent determination. Liu Yue cast a worried glance toward Elder Kong, who stepped forward protectively. "Rest easy, Sect Lord. We will not falter."
The first duel pitted Elder Huo Jue against the Solar Light Sect's prodigy, Yan Ming. Fire met fire as explosive techniques engulfed the hall in scorching heat. Elder Huo fought valiantly, each punch igniting flames fierce enough to scorch steel. His opponent countered with brilliant arcs of blazing Qi. Each strike rattled the foundations, leaving both combatants burned and battered. In the end, Huo stood victorious but the victory came at a steep cost, his body scarred and energy nearly depleted.
Elder Kong entered next, facing the Iron Bell Monastery's champion, a mountain of muscle armed with a colossal axe. Kong took blow after brutal blow without flinching, his resilience legendary. Then, seizing an opening, he delivered his famous Mountain Crushing Palm, shattering his opponent's defenses in a single, thunderous strike. But Kong's triumph too was costly; blood seeped from wounds, and exhaustion carved lines of pain into his face.
Each match followed the same brutal pattern: hard-fought victory at great personal cost. The hall filled with the heavy silence of mutual suffering, both sides bleeding and battered, yet neither yielding ground.
As the last duelist fell, Master Shen stepped forward once more. His voice sliced through the lingering silence like a sharpened blade.
"This has gone on long enough. Your champions have fallen or stand barely breathing. Kai Feng, your sect lies broken. Hand over the Celestial Eclipse Manual. Do not force us to seize it by force."
Kai's eyes opened, piercing and unyielding despite the pain wracking his body. "It is not yours to take."
Master Shen's patience finally cracked. A fierce anger replaced his calm facade. "Then your foolishness seals your fate—"
Suddenly, an amused laughter echoed clearly through the hall, cutting Shen off mid-sentence. Everyone turned in astonishment toward the ruined entrance.