The air between Lin Xuan and Qin Yue crackled with intensity. Every disciple in the arena watched with bated breath—this wasn’t just a battle; it was a collision of two rising stars.

  Qin Yue’s Azure Void Blade shone brilliantly, its aura intertwining with the sword in his grip. The energy around him condensed, forming a phantom dragon of pure qi.

  Lin Xuan, on the other hand, felt his inheritance power awakening further. The golden runes on his skin flickered, his energy surging in response. He didn’t just want to defend himself—he wanted to test the limits of this newfound strength.

  Qin Yue’s eyes flashed. “Let’s end this!”

  He moved.

  A streak of blue light shot toward Lin Xuan, tearing through the air with a force strong enough to split stone.

  Boom!

  Lin Xuan sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. His Golden Runes of the Ancient Path shimmered, instinctively forming a protective barrier.

  Clang!

  Qin Yue’s sword met the barrier, sending golden sparks flying. But before Lin Xuan could counter, Qin Yue twisted his blade, sending a wave of compressed sword qi slashing toward him.

  Lin Xuan’s instincts screamed at him—this wasn’t an attack he could block.

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  His body reacted on its own.

  He channeled his inheritance’s power, his hands weaving a strange pattern in the air.

  Golden light exploded outward!

  The sword qi collided with his energy shield, dispersing into harmless streaks of light.

  Qin Yue’s pupils shrank. "You… blocked it?"

  Lin Xuan’s heart pounded. He hadn’t just blocked it—he had absorbed a portion of the energy, making it his own. The realization sent chills down his spine.

  Was this the true nature of the inheritance?

  The elders watching from above exchanged glances. One of them stroked his beard, eyes filled with admiration. “That technique… It’s not from our sect. He’s unlocking something beyond our understanding.”

  Another elder nodded solemnly. “This battle is no longer just about talent—it’s about fate.”

  Qin Yue lunged again.

  This time, he didn’t just attack—he unleashed his Azure Void Domain, a technique that created an illusionary battlefield where his sword intent reigned supreme.

  The world around Lin Xuan darkened. The air felt heavy, and even his golden runes flickered, struggling against the suffocating pressure.

  Qin Yue’s voice echoed. “Inside my domain, your power means nothing.”

  Lin Xuan clenched his fists. He wasn’t afraid.

  He closed his eyes… and listened.

  A heartbeat.

  A pulse.

  The whisper of something ancient, buried deep within him.

  Then—

  BOOM!

  Golden light burst forth, shattering the illusion. The Azure Void Domain cracked, and Qin Yue stumbled back, coughing up blood. His technique had been forcefully broken.

  Lin Xuan stood tall, his golden aura now blazing like a divine flame.

  "You’re strong, Qin Yue," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But this battle… is over."

  Before Qin Yue could react, Lin Xuan vanished—reappearing right in front of him, his palm pressed against Qin Yue’s chest.

  A surge of golden energy erupted.

  BOOM!

  Qin Yue was sent flying out of the arena, crashing into the stone floor below.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Cheers erupted from the crowd!

  Lin Xuan exhaled slowly, lowering his hand. He could feel it now.

  The inheritance wasn’t just power.

  It was a path.

  And he had only just begun walking it.