The moment the blond haired judge decred the match to begin, Yuan slowly lifted his sword, his stance awkward, his grip uneven. It was as if he was holding a sword for the first time, unsure of its weight and bance. He took a step forward, almost tripping, his foot pt unstable. The disciples watg raised their brows in fusion.

  Wasn't this the same Yuan who had ehree minutes uhe Pressuring Will Stones?

  Daoist Water Lake, standing firm with his long spear bde, did not attack immediately. His expression remained calm, his grip steady. He atient fighter, one who only struck when an opening preseself. And right now, Yuan was full of openings.

  Yet, he didn't attack.

  Instead, he observed, his mind analyzing Yuan's movements. A fool? No. His instincts told him that something was off. But instincts alone would not secure victory, so he waited.

  Yuan, oher hand, was internally smirking.

  Perfect, he isn't attag immediately. He thinks he has the time to observe. I'll let him believe that.

  He raised his sword in an amateurish stance, his Sword shaking slightly. His feet shuffled awkwardly, and then, without warning, he lunged forward.

  A direct charge.

  Daoist Water Lake's eyes sharpened. So reckless. A straightforward attack with ? He must be desperate to close the distance.

  With a simple step to the side, he avoided Yuan's advand swung the shaft of his spear towards Yuan's back. A strike

  But it missed.

  Somehow, at the st possible moment, Yuan stumbled forward, barely avoiding the attack, his sword wildly swinging back as if he had lost trol of it.

  G!

  The bde of Yuan's sword cshed against Daoist Water Lake's spear, but it wasn't an iional block. It ure ce,or at least, that's what it seemed like.

  The audience murmured among themselves.

  "What was that?"

  "Did he just get lucky?"

  "He barely hold his sword properly… how is he still standing?"

  Daoist Water Lake narrowed his eyes. No, this is too ve. Could it be…?

  But before he could plete the thought, Yuan had already recovered, stumbling back to create distance. His breathing was uneven, his expression showing slight panic.

  That should firm it for him. He thinks I barely dodged.

  Daoist Water Lake exhaled through his nose. Fine. If his oppo was going to be this sloppy, then he would end this quickly.

  He stepped forward, taking the offensive for the first time.

  His spear shed out like a striking serpent, sharp and precise, aiming for Yuan's shoulder. A hit would disable Yuan's arm ahe fight instantly.

  Yuan's eyes widened. He panicked. He lifted his sword clumsily, his footing pletely off.

  Just barely dodge. Make him believe it's luck.

  The spear passed mere inches away from his skin as he twisted at the st possible moment, staggering back as if he had barely avoided death. His breathing was erratic, his grip on the sword unsteady.

  Daoist Water Lake frowned. His patience was starting to wear thin.

  This was ridiculous.

  Why did it feel like every attack just barely missed?

  No. He was overthinking it. The oppo before him was clearly an amateur. He just o stop hesitating.

  His grip on the spear tightened. Enough of this. He would end it now.

  He lunged forward, ung a series of rapid thrusts.

  Owo. Three. Four. Each strike was swift, calcuted, desigo overwhelm.

  Yuan stumbled left. Stumbled right. His foot caught on a small cra the stone, and he fell backward, his sword swinging out wildly

  G!

  It blocked the spear.

  Daoist Water Lake's frustration fred.

  That was… luck again?! No. This isn't luymore. This

  But he couldn't stop. He was already moving forward, his spear swinging downward.

  Yuan twisted his body, his sword tilting just slightly to the right

  SHING!

  Daoist Water Lake's spear missed once more, passing harmlessly by Yuan's side as he fell to the ground with a thud.

  Silence filled the training ground.

  The disciples watg didn't know whether to ugh or be amazed. This was the sloppiest fight they had ever see Yuan had yet to be hit even once.

  "Is… is Daoist Water Lake really struggling against him?"

  "This 't be real."

  "He just dodged… by falling?"

  Daoist Water Lake, now visibly irritated, gritted his teeth. He was done pying around. He had beeing this fight too carefully, overthinking everything. His oppo was weak. Clumsy. Untrained.

  He tightened his grip and raised his spear for the final blow. No more hesitation. No more patience.

  Attack without mercy.

  Yuan, still on the ground, looked up, his eyes widening in panic as the spear desded.

  And that's checkmate.

  With a sudden burst of movement, he pushed himself up, twisting his body in an awkward motion, his sword swinging blindly as he tried tain bance

  The tip of his sword collided directly with Daoist Water Lake's shoulder.

  THWACK!

  A solid hit.

  Daoist Water Lake's spear stopped mid-motion. His expression bnked as his bistered the impact. His grip loosened, his bance lost.

  And then, slowly, he staggered backward.

  He fell.

  Silence.

  The match was over.

  Yuan stared at his oppo on the ground, his eyes wide, his breathing heavy, as if he couldn't believe he had won.

  The disciples erupted into chaos.

  "What just happened?"

  "Did he just win by act?"

  "No way! That ure luck!"

  The blond haired judge, who had been watg the eime with a bemused expression, simply chuckled.

  "Well, that was certainly… iing." He then raised his hand and decred, "Winner Junior Yuan!"

  Daoist Water Lake, still in shock, sat up, staring at Yuan in disbelief. He ched his fist, shaking his head. "How…?"

  Yuan, still catg his breath, looked at his oppo for a moment. Then, ever so subtly, a small smirk formed on his lips.

  You never had a ce. From the very start, everything was in my hands.

  He took a deep breath, regaining his posure, and then walked back to the other disciples, his clumsy act still perfectly maintained.

  As if he truly had no idea how he had won.

  And so, after Yuan's fight against Daoist Water Lake, the other matches tio unfold, leading to the final battle of the first round of the tour.

  The blond haired judge stepped forward, his usual smile still present, as he raised his voice for the st annou.

  "The final match of the first round,Junior Savage and Junier! Please step forward!"

  Two figures stepped forward upon hearing their names, both exuding an overwhelming presehat made the other disciples instinctively take a step back.

  The first was Savage, a tall and broad shouldered youth with wild bck hair that reached his shoulders, his dark eyes filled with raw aggression. His features were rough, almost barbaric, with a perma smirk that screamed arrogance. His robe, uhe refined ones worn by many disciples, was a deep navy blue, lined with golden embroidery,a clear mark of nobility. Yet, the way he carried himself was anything but refined. He stood like a beast, his arms crossed, looking at his oppo with an amused grin.

  The sed was Krieger, a sharp trast to Savage. He was of average height, with short blond hair, pierg blue eyes, and a chiseled jawline. His posture right and posed, the air around him exuding dignity and discipline. Unlike Savage's wild appearance, Krieger's white and silver robe ristine, carrying the insignia of the Royal Knight Order embroidered on the chest. Every movement he made was refined, his presenanding the respect of those whnized his title.

  As both of them stepped forward, whispers broke out among the gathered disciples.

  "That's Duke Blue's you son! I heard he shattered a fully armored knight's shield with a single punch!"

  "And the other one, Krieger… isn't he the prodigy knight? The one who saved Princess Selene from an assassination attempt?"

  "This fight is going to be ihey say Savage fights like a wild beast, while Krieger is an embodiment of the knightly code!"

  The excitement in the air alpable as the two warriors stood before the blond-haired judge, their gazes locked. The judge, still wearing his usual amused smile, turo Savage first.

  "What on would you like?"

  Savage grinned widely, showing sharp, wolf-like teeth, and cracked his knuckles. "Give me the biggest one ya got, Senior!"

  The judge blinked in mild surprise before chug. "Biggest one, huh? Alright the's see if you even lift this."

  With a casual wave of his hand, he pulled out a massive three-meter-long sword, its bde thid heavy, resembling a cleaver more than a proper sword. It crashed onto the ground with a heavy THUD, causing dust to rise.

  Savage's grin widened as he stepped frabbed the hilt, and with an effortless swing, lifted it onto his shoulder. The croed at his raw strength.

  "Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" He ughed, swinging the colossal bde through the air. "This is a real on!"

  The judge then turer, who barely eveed to Savage's antics.

  "And you?"

  Krieger remained calm, his tone polite yet unwavering. "A sword. A normal one."

  The judge simply ossing a refined long sword ter, who caught it with ease. Unlike Savage, who swung his on recklessly, Krieger ied his bde carefully before assuming a perfeightly stance.

  With both fighters armed, the judge raised his hand.

  "Alright, begin!"

  Savage wasted no time.

  With a wild roar, he charged forward, swinging his massive sword in a wide arc, the sheer force creating a gust of wind.

  With a wild roar, he charged forward, swinging his massive sword in a wide arc, the sheer force creating a gust of wind.

  Krieger narrowed his eyes, stepping back just in time to avoid the devastating blow. A si from that sword would shatter his ribs.

  Savage ughed, his movemeid uable. "What's the matter, Knight Boy? Scared of a lil' brute force?"

  Krieger didn't reply. Instead, he tered, dashing forward with precise footwork, sshing at Savage's exposed side.

  But Savage's instincts were sharp.

  Rather than blog properly, he used his raw strength, lifting his giant sword with one arm and bashing it against Krieger's attack, sending sparks flying.

  Krieger frow the unorthodox defense. "Reckless fool. You wield your on like a club."

  Savage grinned. "A, you're struggling to nd a hit on me!"

  Their battle tinued, a stark trast of styles.

  Savage fought like a raging storm, swinging his massive bde in uable patterns, his overwhelming power making it hard fer to close in.

  Krieger, however, fought with discipline and precision, dodging and parrying, looking for an opening in Savage's relentless assault.

  The problem was,there were no openings.

  Savage's attacks were so wild and forceful that it was impossible to predict when or where the strike would e.

  "Tch…" Krieger clicked his tongue in irritation. "Mindless brute."

  "Knightly idiot," Savage spat back.

  The crowd watched in awe.

  One disciple whispered, "Savage is a monster. He fights like a beast, but somehow, it's w!"

  Another added, "Yeah, but Krieger's footwork is perfect. If he just keep dodging, he'll wear Savage down!"

  The problem was… Savage wasn't slowing down.

  And Krieger was running out of time.

  "Damn it…" Krieger muttered. His breathing grew heavier. He was faster, but he wasn't stronger.

  Savage grinned, notig the exhaustion in Krieger's movements.

  "What's wrong, Knight Boy? Getting tired?"

  Krieger scowled but refused to answer. He needed a strategy,fast.

  Then, in a moment of desperation, something awakened within him.

  His grip on the sword tightened. His breathing steadied.

  And then

  A white glow enveloped his sword.

  The moment it appeared, the entire crowd fell silent.

  Even the blond haired judge's eyes widened slightly.

  And Yuan, who had been watg silently, finally reacted, his expression shifting from indiffereo pure shock.

  "Impossible," Yuan muttered under his breath. "A mortal awakening stage cultivator… has unlocked sword aura?"

  Savage, however, wasn't fazed.

  "Ooooh? So you got some fancy glow now, huh?" He grinned. "So what? You still ain't strong enough to beat me!"

  Krieger exhaled slowly, raising his sword. "You have no idea what you're up against."

  And then,he moved.

  Faster than before.

  Much faster.

  With a single fsh of white, Krieger dashed forward, his sword aura cutting through the air like lightning.

  Savage instinctively tried to block with his giant sword.

  Too slow.

  Krieger's sword met Savage's chestpte.

  And in an instant,Savage was sent flying.

  The massive warrior crashed into the ground, his giant sword falling beside him with a deafening THUD.

  Silence.

  Then, the judge smiled.

  "Winner Junier."

  For a moment, no one moved.

  The disciples erupted in whispers.

  "What is that light?Have you ever heard of this?"

  "No,I have never seen anything like that"

  Meanwhile, Yuan simply narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.

  Heaven defying talent ihis one is dangerous.

  Krieger lowered his sword, his aura fading. He turo Savage, who sat up, rubbing his chest.

  The brute grinned. "Tch… you got me, Knight Boy. But ime, I'll crush you."

  Krieger didn't answer. Instead, he simply nodded.

  As the matded, ohought remained in everyone's mind.

  A monster had been born in the Howling Wi.