Chapter 202: Cloud Empire (22)

The name echoed through the hall.

“Yun Hao.”

The principal disciple of the Cloud Academy rose calmly. His movement was simple and unhurried but immediately drew attention. Around them, several conversations ceased completely.

He walked to the arena without showing anxiety. Each step was steady, controlled. As he climbed the steps, his gaze briefly rested on Qin Luo, evaluating him with neutrality.

“I accept the challenge.” Yun Hao said, his voice firm.

Before Qin Luo could respond, Yun Hao closed his eyes for an instant.

Something changed.

Kyrian noticed immediately.

The Qi around Yun Hao retracted, as if being forcibly compressed. The pressure that had previously hovered subtly at the Core Formation realm disappeared, and his energy visibly dropped, stabilizing at the same level as Qin Luo.

“He reduced his own cultivation…” He Yun murmured.

Qin Luo did not seem offended. On the contrary, his lips curved into a restrained smile.

“Then let us fight on equal terms.”

Yun Hao nodded.

Qin Luo advanced first.

His sword cut through the air in a clean, direct arc, without waste. The sword intent followed the movement like an invisible blade, seeking to cut even before physical contact.

Yun Hao evaded with a precise lateral step. At the same time, he rotated his body and struck with an open palm, loaded with condensed Qi.

Qin Luo rotated the blade and blocked.

The impact made the air vibrate.

The two moved again.

Qin Luo advanced with short and long cuts, alternating angles, seeking to open gaps. Yun Hao responded with minimal steps, dodging by centimeters, counterattacking with precise punches and kicks, always at the exact timing.

There was no excess.

There was no waste in any strike from either side.

“They are on the same level, at least in battle experience.” Murmured a disciple of the Gray Blade Sect, somewhat tense.

“Indeed… for now.” Shi Kang replied, serious.

Qin Luo increased the pressure.

The sword’s intent intensified, becoming sharper and more present. Invisible blades of Qi streaked across the arena, leaving thin marks on the ground.

Yun Hao retreated two steps, absorbing the rhythm. Then he advanced.

His fist struck the side of Qin Luo’s sword, deflecting it slightly. In the same motion, his knee rose toward the abdomen.

Qin Luo twisted his body, narrowly avoiding it, and replied with an ascending cut.

Yun Hao crossed his arms, Qi concentrating in front of his body.

The cut was blocked.

“Impressive. He is blocking sword intent with Qi alone. His Qi is of superior quality compared to Qin Luo’s.” Yan Ling commented.

The fight continued like that for several moments.

Exchange after exchange.

Cut, block, dodge, impact.

Neither of them retreated more than necessary. Neither made clear mistakes.

Qin Luo breathed in a controlled manner, but the consumption of Qi was beginning to show. His sword intent remained firm but demanded constant concentration.

Meanwhile, Yun Hao seemed… far too stable.

Kyrian watched in silence.

Yun Hao was fighting as if this were merely an exercise. His Qi did not waver. His body showed no sign of fatigue.

“He is still holding back.” Kyrian said in a low tone.

Kai nodded slowly.

“Yes. Very much.”

Qin Luo felt it too.

His eyes narrowed. He retreated one step and then advanced with everything he had.

The sword cut in a straight line, carrying full intent. The air was torn apart, and the pressure made some spectators hold their breath.

Yun Hao did not dodge. He raised his hand. The cut struck the open palm. Qi collided.

For an instant, everything seemed frozen.

Then, Yun Hao pushed.

The blade was forced aside by brute strength. Qin Luo retreated two steps, surprised.

“That’s enough.” Yun Hao said calmly.

He took a deep breath. And then released a terrifying pressure.

Marks suddenly appeared.

Light-blue lines began to spread across his skin, starting from the chest and extending along his arms, neck, and face. They glowed softly like living circuits beneath the skin.

The entire hall felt it.

A crushing pressure descended like an invisible mantle. Some young cultivators swallowed hard.

Others widened their eyes.

“That is…” Mei Li murmured.

“The famous special physique…” Bai Zhu completed, his voice low.

Kyrian felt the air grow heavier. It was not merely pressure from Qi or elevated cultivation.

It was like a hierarchy.

It was as if Yun Hao existed on a naturally higher level, even with his cultivation reduced.

Qin Luo felt the impact directly.

His body stiffened for an instant. The sword intent trembled, almost imperceptibly.

“So that’s it…” he murmured, adjusting his stance.

Yun Hao raised his right arm.

Only the arm.

The blue markings concentrated there, glowing more intensely. The Qi of the environment began to converge, forcibly drawn to that point.

“He is drawing energy from the heavens…” Kyrian commented, with slight surprise.

Yun Hao extended his index finger.

“One strike.” He said.

“Defend yourself if you can.”

The beam was fired.

A thin, concentrated line of blue energy crossed the arena at extreme speed. There was no explosion. There was no exaggerated sound.

Only absolute advance.

Qin Luo roared. His Qi exploded.

The sword intent manifested completely. He gripped the sword with both hands, planted his feet into the ground, and cut straight ahead, releasing everything he had.

The intent took form. An invisible blade collided with the blue beam. For an instant, there was resistance. The arena floor cracked. The air screamed.

Then, the sword intent began to give way.

The beam pierced through.

Qin Luo’s energy shattered like glass under pressure. The sword was forced aside, vibrating violently.

The beam stopped centimeters from Qin Luo’s forehead.

Absolute silence took the hall.

Sweat ran down his face. His arms trembled. His Qi was in disarray.

Yun Hao lowered his hand.

The blue markings began to fade slowly, as if they had never existed. The pressure in the hall dissipated.

Qin Luo took a deep breath and then smiled, exhausted.

“I lost.” He sheathed the sword carefully and inclined his head.

“A clean defeat.”

Yun Hao nodded.

“Your sword intent is strong. If you had more experience… you could have resisted a little longer.”

Qin Luo laughed briefly.

“A little longer still would not have been enough.”

Meanwhile, Kyrian remained silent, his eyes fixed on Yun Hao.

The latter noticed Kyrian in his peripheral vision. And in his mind, he already knew whom he would challenge.

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