As the sun climbed higher and the Sect Master's voice faded into the distance, the arena swelled with tension. The top 100 disciples stood in formation. Behind them, thousands of others watched, breath held.
Among the crowd, the whispers started to take form, not just as passing comments—but as a storm of disdain.
"Isn't that him?"
"Shadow… the one who walked out of the Thunder Tomb alone."
"They say he slaughtered disciples from other sects and stole their inheritance."
"He's only been an inner disciple for three months. Three. And now he's here?"
"Hmph, undeserved. There are disciples who've trained here for five years without qualifying. He's nothing but a lucky survivor."
"He should be expelled. Not promoted."
Some murmured accusations.
Others tightened fists in envy.
Among them, Shadow stood still.
He heard every word.
But his expression never changed.
His storm no longer answered rumors.
Only results.
From the elevated terrace, the top 10 inner disciples watched the arena like wolves assessing prey. Most stood silently.
Except one.
**Ren Shun**, the undisputed number one, folded his arms and narrowed his eyes as his gaze landed on the black-robed figure.
"So, the rat survives," he muttered.
Standing beside him, Lu Fan let out a low whistle. "That's the one from the Thunder Tomb, huh? Can't believe they let him in."
Xue Mei said nothing, but her sharp eyes lingered on Shadow longer than the rest.
Han Yu snorted, a flicker of fire leaking from his palm. "I hope I face him first. I want to see if his lightning can survive fire."
Ren Shun didn't smile. "No need. He won't make it past the first round."
Lei Zhong cracked his neck. "Or maybe he does. That way we can make an example out of him."
But beneath the mockery, one truth bound them: curiosity. The kind only a storm of unknown strength could bring.
---
Further back, a few of the sect's younger inner disciples gathered in hushed groups.
"Didn't Ren Shun's younger cousin fight Shadow in the wilderness once?"
"Yeah. Lost, badly."
"And Ren Shun never forgot. Word is, the Ren family holds a grudge against Shadow—big one. It wasn't just about the fight. It's about disrespect."
"They're saying if Shadow gets far enough… Ren Shun might deal with him himself."
"Wouldn't that be something? Top disciple versus the rogue."
---
At the far end of the stage, the announcements began.
A Core Elder stepped forward, reading from a long scroll. "Each match will be determined by randomized draw. First round… begins now."
A glowing formation circle ignited midair, names spinning like stars before stopping one by one.
Shadow's name appeared last.
**Participant #100: Shadow.**
Another name appeared above it.
**Opponent: Mu Fan – Rank 28.**
The crowd stirred.
Mu Fan was a respected middle-tier inner disciple. Known for his footwork and wide-range whip techniques.
People laughed. "He's dead. That guy won't last ten seconds."
"Mu Fan's going to crush him."
From across the field, Mu Fan grinned and cracked his lightning whip.
Shadow stepped onto the arena with silent confidence.
Mu Fan cracked his neck and grinned arrogantly, swinging his lightning whip in a wide arc. "You should have stayed hidden in that tomb. This arena isn't a place for ghosts."
Shadow said nothing.
The elder referee raised his hand, then dropped it.
"Begin!"
Mu Fan's whip lashed out instantly, arcs of blue energy streaking across the field. The whip curved, hissed, and split the air with explosive force—
But Shadow didn't move.
Instead, he raised his hand slowly.
His palm glowed.
His Qi surged.
Then—
**Thunder Slash.**
A bolt of concentrated, controlled lightning burst forward—not a wild eruption, but a blade of thunder so sharp it sliced the ground beneath it clean in half.
The whip never reached him.
Mu Fan's defenses flared, but the moment the lightning hit, everything collapsed. His weapon shattered mid-air, his protective Qi crumbled, and his body was blasted backward off the platform in an arc of smoke and sparks.
He hit the ground, unconscious.
Silence.
Then an eruption of voices—
"What was that?"
"Was that… Thunder Slash?"
"Did he just win in a single move?"
Shadow lowered his hand.
He turned and walked off the stage without a word.
High above, the Sect Master narrowed his eyes.
And on the terrace, Ren Shun's expression darkened.
---
**End of Chapter 68**