Chapter 249: Cloud Empire (69)

Xuan Zhi’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you trying to trap me?” he said as he leaped briefly.

But before his foot even touched the ground, a wave of ice spread beneath his legs. The cold advanced like a silent tide, freezing practically the entire arena.

In a few moments, there was no visible ground left. Only ice. Thick, irregular, living layers.

Kyrian watched. And he saw everything. The ice was not merely terrain. It was an extension of his vision.

The moment Xuan Zhi’s foot began to descend, the ice below rose violently like a sharp spike. Xuan Zhi twisted midair. Another spike emerged. Then another.

The ice reacted before contact even happened. But then, suddenly, Xuan Zhi’s Qi exploded. A brutal wave of wind expanded in all directions.

The surrounding ice shattered, cracked, and was hurled away like fragile shards.

He landed.

“If I become even faster, you won’t be able to trap me.” He gripped the sword with both hands and released a long breath.

Wind Qi began to accumulate in his legs in an absurd amount. The pressure around him increased. The air vibrated. Kyrian did not wait. He used the time while Xuan Zhi gathered Qi.

Dozens of ice spears shot from the frozen ground. Spikes advanced from every angle. Blades of ice slid across the surface like serpents.

But then… Xuan Zhi disappeared. He left no trace. Not even the sound of wind.

When he reappeared, he was only a few centimeters from Kyrian. The sword pointed directly at his neck. As if he were about to behead him.

“Imperial Wind Cut.”

The attack descended. The blade sliced through the air with a thin, deadly sound. It stopped. One centimeter from Kyrian’s skin.

A trickle of blood escaped.

But at that same instant, the ice exploded. Not from the ground. But from all sides. As if it had been waiting for that moment.

Invisible layers closed around Xuan Zhi, trapping his arms, his legs, and his sword.

Xuan Zhi frowned. He tried to move but could not.

Wind Qi exploded around his body once again, attempting to protect him.

Useless. The ice was not superficial. It was being compressed from all directions.

Kyrian had been preparing that for some time. Since the moment he began expanding the field.

Xuan Zhi’s eyes widened slightly.

“How did you find me? You were supposed to have died.”

Kyrian stared at him up close. His eyes shone intensely. Snowflakes spun like perfect structures within his pupils.

“I see your movements. No matter what you do, I can predict.”

Xuan Zhi felt the ice draw even closer to his face.

“Look into my eyes… and see the source of power.”

The icy intent was released.

It was not merely Qi.

It was intent.

It was will.

It was dominion.

Xuan Zhi’s body, pressed against Kyrian’s due to the proximity of the attack, trembled. Even with Qi protecting his body, the distance was too short.

The cold invaded, first the skin, then the muscles, then the bones. He felt the interior of his body freezing. Not only on the outside, but within.

His blood seemed to slow. His breathing became heavy. His fingers began to stiffen. Terror appeared in his eyes. He tried to force his Qi once more.

Nothing.

The ice already enveloped him completely.

“Alright…” he murmured with difficulty.

“You win. Let me go. I surrender.”

Silence.

The stands were completely mute. The fight had taken a turn no one expected.

Kyrian, who had seemed supreme and invincible until then, had bled.

He had been pressured. He had almost been defeated. And yet he still won.

The ice began to recede slowly.

Xuan Zhi fell to his knees on the frozen ground, breathing with difficulty.

Elder Tian declared the victory.

“Victory to Kyrian.”

The golden panel shone.

Rank 15.

A heavy murmur ran through the Coliseum. But everyone realized. This was the limit. If Kyrian challenged the next-ranked fighter, he would likely lose.

He had forced everything. Even so… It was enough.

Kyrian’s fame would spread.

Just as, years ago, Dong Zhen’s fame had spread. Many still remembered.

Dong Zhen had reached the Top 30 when he participated in the Coliseum, being only in the 2° stage of the Core Formation Realm.

Now…

Kyrian reached the Top 15.

In the 6° stage of the Qi Liberation Realm.

The difference was immense. Terrifying. He deserved the nickname.

Battle monster.

Kyrian brought a hand to his neck. The cut still burned. It was the first time he had felt true pressure.

And he knew. This was his current limit. His body was not strong. His speed, even less so. Even if his eyes could follow the movements…

His body would not react in time against someone even faster.

He needed to increase his strength. Or his agility.

And he already knew how he would do that. With the item he would obtain at the auction. That was why he was anxious.

Kyrian left the arena and returned to the stands. Bai Zhu was already awake. He watched him in silence. Kyrian approached Nan Feng Yu, who looked at him as if he were seeing an aberration.

“I believe I won the bet. So, pay up.”

Nan Feng Yu remained silent for a few seconds. Then he smiled.

He removed 50 thousand spiritual stones from his spatial ring and handed them to Kyrian.

It was because he had reached the highest rank among all the leaders.

“Impressive. Indeed.” Nan Feng Yu said.

“By the way, why don’t we go have dinner? The day is over.”

But Kyrian shook his head.

“No. I’m going back.”

Bai Zhu hesitated for a moment. Then he decided.

“I’ll go with them.”

Kyrian nodded. Without further words. They separated and left the Coliseum.

Kyrian wanted to return home and calculate his gains and, above all, prepare for the Auction that would take place in a few days.

As he left the Coliseum, he met Mei Li and the others at one of the entrances. She was waiting for him with the rented carriage. Kyrian entered and departed toward the 5° district, to the residence of the Crimson Lotus.

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