Chapter 237: Cloud Empire (57)

“Victory of Kyrian.”

Elder Tian’s voice echoed through the Coliseum as the name on the golden panel flickered once more.

Su Lian stepped down and left the arena in silence, her expression still serene despite the cuts scattered across her body. She slightly bowed her head to Kyrian before leaving. He responded with a minimal nod.

Above, on the ranking wall, the names began to reorganize.

Kyrian took Rank 74.

Kyrian’s name shone intensely before settling into its new position.

The crowd exploded into voices.

“He won again… and without any effort at all. He didn’t even seem pressured.”

“And it was against the 2° stage of the Core Formation.”

“If he keeps this up, he’ll reach the Top 50 before the auction.”

“I lost money on the first fight… but I recovered in the second and third. Haha. That kid is gold!”

Kyrian ignored the shouts. He walked to the betting counter reserved for challengers. The attendant was already waiting for him, payment crystal ready.

The gazes turning toward Kyrian no longer saw him as merely a strange talent. He had crossed a threshold. He was firmly within the territory of the Coliseum’s true competitors.

Many wondered what his limit would be. Whether he could enter the top 60.

The more attentive ones remained silent. They had noticed something important. Kyrian did not seem to have used everything, in fact, he was far from it.

Kyrian received his spirit stones, the ones he had bet and those from his victory in the fight. The odds had been balanced, but he had still earned a good amount. The return was generous.

This time, many had trusted him in their bets. He stored the stones in his spatial ring without much expression, but he was satisfied.

He returned to the challengers’ stands.

Nan Feng Yu greeted him with a wide smile.

“Already at Rank 74… you’re getting annoying.”

Mo Qian crossed his arms, but there was approval in his gaze.

“She was strong. But you completely dismantled her.”

Bai Zhu shook his head, still impressed.

“I fought almost twenty minutes to reach 83… but you seem to finish everything before we even realize it.”

Yun Hao merely observed.

Kyrian sat down.

“They still haven’t forced me enough. That’s all.”

The fights continued. Other challenges were announced. Some ranked cultivators lost positions. Others climbed a few steps. The rhythm of the Coliseum did not slow down.

But the daylight began to change.

The golden hue of late afternoon passed through the upper openings of the structure, tinting the arena with warmer tones.

The last fight of the day was intense, with two cultivators from the middle of the ranking exchanging heavy blows for nearly half an hour.

When the winner was decided, Elder Tian raised his hand once more.

“The first day of challenges ends here. The Coliseum reopens tomorrow at noon.”

A mixture of frustration and excitement spread through the audience. People began to stand, discussing results, bets, and predictions for the next day.

Among the challengers, the atmosphere was different.

They had gained ground.

In the challengers’ stands, Nan Feng Yu stood and stretched his arms.

“So that’s it for today.” He looked at the group.

“Why don’t we go have dinner? I know a good place nearby.”

Bai Zhu agreed immediately. Mo Qian shrugged. Yun Hao smiled slightly. And they all looked at Kyrian, waiting for his opinion.

He remained silent for a few seconds. It wasn’t a bad idea, he needed to eat. And he was fine with having dinner with the others.

“All right.” He replied simply.

Nan Feng Yu opened a satisfied smile.

The nearby streets were still busy, filled with cultivators discussing the day’s fights.

They left together. Kyrian, Bai Zhu, Nan Feng Yu, Lin Qiao, Mo Qian, Gu Tian, He Yun, Qin Luo, and other leaders or main disciples of external forces. Yun Hao was also there, walking beside Kyrian without speaking much.

The restaurant was a few minutes from the Coliseum, an elegant three-story building, with red lanterns floating at the entrance. They paid for a private room large enough for twenty people. Long, dark wooden tables, roasted spirit beast dishes, medicinal soups, high-quality wine. The atmosphere was lively, but controlled.

Conversation flowed as everyone ate.

“The one who rose the most today was him.” Someone commented, pointing at Kyrian.

“Straight to Rank 74.”

He Yun laughed.

“But not for long. I’m already at 78.”

Mo Qian raised his cup.

“And I’m at 76.”

Bai Zhu sighed.

“And I’m at 83… I almost lost an arm in that fight.”

Laughter spread. They began analyzing the battles. The techniques used. The mistakes were made. The weaknesses are perceived.

Yun Hao commented on the cost of manipulating so much ambient Qi. Nan Feng Yu discussed how cultivators in the middle of the ranking were more unpredictable than those at the lower top.

Kyrian listened more than he spoke.

When questioned about Su Lian, his last opponent, he answered.

“Her Qi control was good, her technique not bad either. But she lacked sword intent, just like Li Shen.”

He Yun nodded thoughtfully. In fights like these, whoever does not possess the comprehension of an intent usually falls behind.

The conversation continued until the dishes were emptied. The atmosphere was lively, but not arrogant.

Everyone knew the true test was still to come, and harder challenges. After some time, they began to say their goodbyes.

“Tomorrow will be more interesting,” said Nan Feng Yu. They left in small groups.

Kyrian and Bai Zhu did not return to the Crimson Lotus Residence. It would be a waste of time to cross half the city to return before another full day at the Coliseum.

They chose a nearby inn. Simple, but clean. They paid a few low-grade spirit stones for two separate rooms. No luxury, but good enough.

Without a prolonged conversation, the two entered their rooms.

Kyrian then calculated. The gains of the day had reached one hundred thousand mid-grade spirit stones. It was already an immense amount for the auction. But there were still more challenges to win, and above all, he still had to win the bet with the other force leaders.

He then lay down and quickly fell asleep. The night passed peacefully.

Even before the sun rose on the horizon, Kyrian was already on his feet.

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