Chapter 289: Kyrian vs Mo Tianhai

Kyrian opened his eyes while the sky was still dark. The room remained immersed in the familiar dimness, with only a faint bluish tone entering through the narrow window. He stood up without hesitation, his body and mind already awakened for another day of relentless routine.

It was another ordinary day. Refinement in the morning, formations in the afternoon. Nothing different from the pattern he had established in the past weeks.

He sat in front of the cauldron and lit the gray flame with a simple gesture. The fire obeyed immediately, burning low and steady. Kyrian began working on the Burning Heart Pill once again. His hands moved with mechanical precision. Herbs entered in the exact order, the temperature was adjusted in minimal fractions, and the gray flame Qi enveloped each essence with absolute control.

The process flowed smoothly. Batch after batch came out with purity above ninety percent. He did not get distracted. Each attempt was an opportunity to refine his control even further.

It was almost midday when a firm knock echoed on the courtyard door.

Kyrian paused for a moment, the gray flame still burning beneath the cauldron. Knocks were rare. Feng Yuan usually gave notice in advance, and the servants left the materials at the entrance without disturbing him. He wiped his hands on a simple cloth and walked to the door.

When he opened it, Mo Tianhai stood on the other side, arms crossed and a confident smile on his face. The black direct disciple robe highlighted his imposing figure, and the long sword at his waist seemed ready to be drawn at any moment.

Kyrian raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised.

“Mo Tianhai. What do you want?”

Tianhai did not waste time with formalities. His smile widened, and, in the next instant, he released his sword intent. A sharp and destructive pressure filled the air around the courtyard, making the leaves of the nearby trees tremble.

“I want you to fight me.”

Kyrian blinked once, processing the direct request. He thought for a few seconds. It had been a long time since he had been locked inside the room, immersed between the cauldron and jade plates. Going out a bit would be good for both body and mind. Besides… he truly liked fighting. And he was genuinely curious to see how much Mo Tianhai had progressed since the last time they faced each other.

“Oh. Alright.” Kyrian replied, without changing the calm expression on his face.

Mo Tianhai let out a short laugh, satisfied.

“Great. Let’s fight today at noon in the main inner arena.”

Kyrian simply nodded, having understood. There was no need for more words. Tianhai turned around and walked away along the stone path, still with a smile on his face.

Kyrian closed the door and went back inside. There was still some time before noon. He returned to the cauldron and continued refining pills until almost the appointed time. When he finally stored the last batch, he cleaned the place and left the courtyard.

He descended the large staircase with calm steps. The sect’s cutting wind blew strongly, carrying the scent of leaves and damp earth. As he approached the inner area, something caught his attention. Dozens of disciples were running at high speed in the same direction, all with expressions of urgency and excitement. Some skipped steps two at a time, and others talked animatedly as they ran.

Kyrian understood immediately.

Mo Tianhai must have spread the news of the fight. Now, practically every young member of the sect wanted to watch the confrontation between the two direct disciples of Leader Feng Yuan.

He continued forward without hurry. His simple black robe and green eyes with sword-shaped pupils drew attention wherever he passed. Disciples who recognized him paused for a moment, bowed slightly in respect, and made way.

“Young Master Kyrian…”

“He really came back…”

“Today is going to be quite a fight…”

Kyrian ignored the murmurs and headed straight to the main arena of the inner area. When he arrived, the stands around it were already packed. Hundreds of disciples filled every available space, some even hanging from the wooden structures to get a better view. The other core disciples were also present. Long Xue, Mo Xia, Shen Yu, Wu Jian, and Mei Ran watched from the edge of the arena, their expressions ranging from curiosity to anticipation.

Kyrian calmly climbed the stone steps leading to the central platform of the arena. Mo Tianhai was already waiting at the center, arms crossed and an eager smile on his face. His sword intent leaked slightly, creating a palpable pressure in the air.

As soon as Kyrian stepped into the arena, the chatter from the stands diminished somewhat, turning into a silence filled with expectation.

Mo Tianhai’s smile widened even more.

“Let’s fight using only our swords.”

He drew the sword from his waist with a fluid motion, the metallic sound echoing through the arena.

“As Feng Yuan said last time… let’s let the swords speak for us.”

Kyrian nodded. For him, the format of the fight did not matter. He extended his hand and took out his own sword from the spatial ring. The simple and sharp blade appeared in his palm, gleaming faintly under the midday sunlight.

Only then did Kyrian notice Mo Tianhai’s cultivation. The young man had advanced significantly and was now at the 7° stage of the Qi Liberation Realm. Among all the young disciples of the sect, he had the highest current cultivation. Respectable progress.

Kyrian said nothing. He simply held the sword firmly and assumed a natural stance, without exaggeration.

The stands erupted into murmurs again. Everyone could feel the growing tension between the two. Two direct disciples of the sect leader. Two exceptional talents. A confrontation that had not happened for a long time.

Mo Tianhai spun his sword once, his eyes shining with genuine excitement.

“Don’t hold back, Kyrian.”

Kyrian simply responded with a slight nod.

“I won’t.”

The sect’s cutting wind blew stronger over the arena, making both of their black robes flutter. The sword intent of both began to manifest, colliding in the air like invisible blades.

The swords were raised at the same time.

And, in the next instant, the first metallic clash echoed through the main arena, marking the beginning of the fight.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep