The night sky stretched out, a vast expanse filled with shimmering stars that bathed the Gladiator Arena in a soft, ethereal glow. The roar of the crowd rolled through the air like a tidal wave, its energy so powerful it seemed to vibrate the very ground beneath their feet.

  The arena was an immense structure, its towering stands packed with spectators from all walks of life. From the highest rows to the closest seats near the marble floor, every inch of space was filled with Sect members. Outer Disciples, Inner Disciples, Apprentices, and even Nameless Disciples filled the stands, along with a few Sect Elders, all eagerly waiting for the annual competition to begin.

  Amid the hum of excitement, Devor and Yulin walked down a long corridor leading to the VIP section. As they stepped out, the arena spread out before them in all its grandeur.

  The field below gleamed under the bright lights, the smooth marble surface etched with ancient runes that shimmered faintly, a reminder of the power once infused into the very foundation of the Sect.

  Devor paused, his eyes wide as he took it all in. “This place... it’s alive,” he said, his voice filled with awe.

  Yulin shot him a teasing glance, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. “Of course it is. It's not just Outer and Inner Disciples here. Even Apprentices and Nameless Disciples wouldn’t miss a chance to watch the competition.”

  They continued on to a section reserved for Inner Disciples, where three plush seats awaited them. One of them was already occupied by Liara.

  Graceful and composed, Liara exuded an air of calm, her serene presence radiating a quiet strength. Her sharp eyes scanned the arena below, absorbing every detail without missing a thing.

  As Devor and Yulin approached, she turned toward them, offering a gentle smile. “You’re late,” she said simply, but her tone carried no reproach.

  Yulin let out a dramatic sigh, casting Devor an accusing look. “This guy was impossible. He almost didn’t even come and nearly wasted my money!”

  “Is that true, Devor?” Liara asked, raising an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to him with curiosity.

  Devor shook his head quickly, his face flushing with embarrassment. “I had no idea she invited me!”

  Yulin frowned. “I sent a bird with a message. You didn’t get it?”

  “A bird?” Devor asked, completely confused. He hadn’t seen any bird.

  Yulin groaned, rubbing her temples. “Great. I must’ve been so busy I didn’t realize it never got to you. My bad.”

  Liara chuckled softly, her smile widening as she watched the exchange between them.

  Still confused, Devor gave up trying to piece it together. He followed Yulin’s lead, taking the seat beside her while she settled next to Liara.

  His gaze drifted across the VIP section, spotting the sea of disciples dressed in dark blue robes. Only a handful wore lighter blue, marking them as the elite of the elite.

  "By the way, congratulations on finishing your punishment," Liara said, tilting her head slightly as her calm eyes met Devor’s.

  "Thanks," Devor replied, offering a small smile, grateful for her sincerity.

  "The first match starts tomorrow morning," Yulin chimed in, glancing up at the dark sky above.

  Devor frowned. "Then why are we here so early?"

  Yulin shot him an exasperated look. "Because if we showed up later, it would’ve been a madhouse. We’d never get in."

  As they settled into their seats, Yulin began to explain the details of the competition, well aware that Devor hadn’t bothered to learn anything about it beforehand.

  When she mentioned that the competition would last a whole week, Devor’s eyes widened. "Seven days? Who wants to watch something that long?" he muttered, clearly baffled.

  Yulin ignored his comment and carried on. She explained that the competition was split into two parts: one for Outer Disciples and another for Inner Disciples.

  The Outer Disciples competed in categories based on their cultivation realms—Qi Refining and Foundation Building. Meanwhile, the Inner Disciples had just two categories: Core Formation and Golden Core, thanks to the smaller number of disciples at those levels.

  She went on to explain that Outer Disciples who reached the Core Formation Realm could choose to compete in the Inner Disciples’ matches. It was a rare opportunity for them to prove themselves and, if they performed well enough, earn a promotion to Inner Disciples.

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  “What? There are Core Formation cultivators among the Outer Disciples?” Devor asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

  Yulin turned to him, her expression suddenly serious. “Do you think I became an Inner Disciple just because I reached Core Formation?”

  Her cold tone caught Devor off guard. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words.

  Yulin continued, her voice softer but still firm. “Becoming an Inner Disciple isn’t just about your cultivation level, Devor. It’s about your potential, your mindset, and proving you're worthy of the title. Reaching Core Formation is just the beginning. If that’s all someone has to offer, they’re nothing special.”

  Devor nodded slowly, her words settling in. He realized there was much more to the Sect’s hierarchy than just raw power. It was about skill, resourcefulness, and the ability to face and overcome challenges.

  The weight of Yulin’s words lingered as the three sat in silence, gazing out at the grand arena. Tomorrow, the matches would begin, and with them, the chance for fierce competition and unforgettable battles.

  “If they reach Golden Core, the Sect promotes them to Inner Disciple automatically,” Yulin scoffed. “But here’s the thing—you need to understand that the Azure Sky Sect’s hierarchy is different. Unlike other sects where talent alone might be enough, here, only exceptional cultivation or truly remarkable achievements in a specific area will earn you the title of Inner Disciple. Take me, for example.”

  Devor’s eyes narrowed, his gaze lingering on Yulin. For the first time, he saw her in a different light. There was a quiet strength beneath her usual cheerfulness—something he hadn’t fully noticed before.

  Yulin caught his look and let out a soft chuckle, though a slight edge colored her tone. “What’s with that expression? Did you think you’ve been underestimating me all along? That I wasn’t strong enough to deserve my promotion?”

  Devor blinked, caught off guard. “No, of course not—”

  But Yulin’s smirk interrupted him, her graceful presence carrying a weight that made his posture stiffen.

  After a beat, she softened, brushing the tension aside. “Anyway,” she said, “let me explain the competition setup so you don’t sit there completely clueless.”

  “The preliminary selection’s already finished. Out of all the participants, only a hundred remain. Now, they’ll face off in one-on-one duels. The losers are eliminated immediately, and this continues until there’s only one victor left.”

  Devor nodded, his interest piqued. He leaned in slightly, eager to hear more.

  As the crowd's murmurs grew louder with anticipation, the sun began to rise, casting a warm golden light over the Gladiator Arena. The vast field, etched with ancient patterns, shimmered beneath the sun’s rays, giving the whole place an air of grandeur.

  In the center of the arena stood a middle-aged man in black robes. His voice, amplified by spiritual energy, rang out across the space, silencing the spectators.

  “Each participant will wear a special robe imbued with protective runes,” he announced. “These robes represent your Health Points. The duel ends when your robe’s Health Points are depleted, regardless of your physical condition.”

  He paused, letting the words settle. “Victory will depend on strategy, adaptability, and exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses. Reckless attacks will only lead to defeat.”

  The man’s sharp gaze scanned the crowd. “Referees will step in if needed to ensure no fatal injuries occur. Now, let the competition begin!”

  One by one, the names of participants were called, and a hundred Qi Refining Realm cultivators stepped forward to line up in the center of the arena. After bowing respectfully, they spread out as the first two names were announced, signaling the start of the opening duel.

  ??????

  For the next week, Devor watched the competition unfold with unwavering focus. From his seat in the VIP section, he observed each duel carefully, mentally cataloging the techniques, tactics, and strategies displayed by the participants.

  The first match that truly caught Devor’s attention was between two Qi Refining Realm cultivators. One of them relied on basic techniques like Palm Strike and Sword Qi, but what really stood out was his use of the terrain. He kept his distance, forcing his opponent into making mistakes, slowly wearing him down without ever directly engaging.

  Devor nodded to himself, recognizing an important lesson: mastering the battlefield and controlling the flow of combat could be just as crucial as raw power.

  As the days went by, Devor started to see patterns emerge. Each cultivator had their own rhythm and style, and unlike the Spiritual Beasts he’d faced in Beastbound Hollow, these opponents weren’t predictable. Their creativity and quick thinking made every fight feel like a complex game of chess.

  In one duel, a cultivator used the Earth Shatter Technique to destabilize the ground beneath his opponent, shifting the momentum of the fight in an instant. In another, a contestant employed illusory techniques to create shadow clones, tricking his opponent into attacking the wrong target, setting up the perfect opportunity for a devastating counterstrike.

  Every match was a lesson in itself. Devor paid close attention to how the fighters adapted to each other’s strengths and weaknesses. He also noticed their ability to stay calm under pressure—something he realized he still needed to work on.

  By the time the Core Formation and Golden Core level battles began, Devor felt a bit overwhelmed by the sheer speed and complexity of their techniques. He couldn’t keep up with every move, but he understood that at these advanced levels, mastery of spiritual energy and a deep understanding of the natural laws were the true keys to victory.

  Still, it was the Qi Refining Realm and Foundation Building duels that left the deepest impression on him. These battles highlighted the stark difference between an ordinary cultivator and an extraordinary one—reaction speed, mental toughness, and the creative use of techniques were the true deciding factors.

  ??????

  Each night, Devor reflected on what he’d seen, replaying the matches in his mind. He pictured himself practicing the techniques, refining his strategies, and applying the lessons he’d learned to his own future battles.

  By the end of the competition, Devor felt like he’d gained years of experience. Watching these duels had opened his eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.

  “This isn’t just about power or spiritual energy,” he murmured to himself. “It’s about resilience, adaptability, and the will to keep improving.”

  As the final cheers rang out through the Gladiator Arena, Devor clenched his fists, a new fire burning in his eyes. The road ahead was still long, but for the first time, he felt confident in his ability to walk it—one step at a time.