Chapter #21: Champion

...

The arena fell silent as Ye Chen and Li Feng faced each other. The tension was felt in the air, and all eyes were on the two combatants. Li Feng took a step forward, raising his hand to address the crowd around him.

"Citizens of the Star Empire!" Li Feng's voice rang out clearly, "Some of you must've known me. I am Li Feng, the third son of the Li Family and the top genius of the Empire. I have spent years honing my skills, defeating those who stands in my way, and achieving countless victories in battle. My achievements are totally unmatched, and I have earned the title of the Strongest genius in the Empire."

His speech was long, detailing his numerous accomplishments and feats. He spoke his mastery over the elements, combat skills, and his victories in previous competitions. The crowd listened intently, many nodding in agreement with his words.

Ye Chen however, recalled something about his sister tell him to go back early, "Are you done yet?" With his increasingly growing impatience, he was no longer able to take it any longer and interrupted Li Feng. "All this talking is annoying. Can we just get to the fight already?"

Li Feng's eyes flashed with anger at the interruption, "Very well, Yu Shen," he said, his voice was cold. "Let's see if you can back up your arrogance."

'This dude probably has as eighth-grader syndrome' Ye Chen thought.

Out of nowhere, Li Feng immediately sprang out in action. Li Feng unleashed a torrent of flames, followed by a series of lightning bolts.

'Oh? Epic-Level skills?' He thought as he looked at the intensity and complexity of the attack.

Ye Chen dodged the attacks effortlessly. With a flick of his wrist, Ye Chen countered with a gust of wind that dispersed Li Feng's attacks. He ten followed up with a series of earth spikes that erupted from the ground, which then forced Li Feng to jump back.

Despite Li Feng impressive display of skills, Ye Chen found himself growing increasingly bored. "This is a waste of time, " He decided to end the fight quickly, he prepared to show his true power.

...

Ye Chen's aura intensified, and the golden diagram of the Sky Immortal Realm slowly appeared behind him, glowing brightly with each symbol appearing one by one. And then finally, the symbol in the middle appeared which multiplied the glow's luminosity by a few times, blinding the crowd.

The crowd gasped in awe and fear as they felt the immense pressure radiating form Ye Chen. Even Li Feng took a step back in horror.

"You talk too much, Li Feng, " Ye Chen said, his voice calm and steady. "Let me show you what real power looks like."

With a wave of his hand, Ye Chen summoned the elements he had affinities for. Fire, lightning, wind, earth, time, and space swirled around him, creating a dazzling and terrifying display of power. The ground shook, the air crackled, and the very fabric of space distorted.

Li Feng's eyes widened in fear as he realized the gap between their abilities. "This... This is impossible! How could master so many elements! And.... and time and space! There's no resources here that can cultivate such skills!" he shouted as his voice trembled in fear.

Ye Chen raised his hand, gathering the elemental energies into a single, massive attack. The power was overwhelming, a force of nature that could obliterate anything in its path. "Prepare yourself, Li Feng, "Ye Chen said with a hint of smile. "You wanted to see who the strongest genius right? Here it is.... Here's your answer."

Li Feng's fear turned to panic. He had never faced anything like this before, and he knew he stood no chance against such an attack. As Ye Chen prepared to release the energy.

Before Ye Chen could unleash his full power, Li Feng turned and ran, his face pale with terror. He fled the arena like a child running from an angry parent, the image of a furious mother wielding a slipper flashed in his mind.

"..."

Ye Chen was speechless, turning his back on the feeling Li Feng. He walked away from the arena, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. The competition was over, and there was no doubt who the champion was.

..

The King, who was spectating on the other side alongside his high-ranking officials, smiled. He knew it was Ye Chen right from the very beginning when he showed his power. But what he didn't expect was the cultivation level Ye Chen had already achieved. The peak of the Sky Immortal Realm. He didn't expect that the person he was planning to cultivate for years was already on the just a realm below him.

He for sure knows one thing. Ye Chen deserves a bigger stage and that the Empire was not enough. As much as he wanted Ye Chen to stay, he knew that Ye Chen would sooner or later leave the Empire to step onto a greater stage that could fully harness his talents.

With his performance, the King believed that those from the Imperial Family who did not bother to meet and looked down on Ye Chen would undoubtedly change their minds.

...

In the back stage area, Ye Chen waited patiently for his prize. A committee member approached him and informed him that he needed to go onto the arena's stage where the King would personally present the prize.

Ye Chen nodded and followed the committee to the grand stage. The crowd was buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

...

On the Arena Stage, as Ye Chen stepped onto the stage, the King stood at the center. The raised his hand, and the crowd quickly fell silent. "Citizens of the Star Empire." he began, his voice reverberated across the arena. "We have witnessed an extraordinary display of talent and power today. The champion of this competition has proven himself to be a true prodigy. It is my honor to present the grand prize to the winner."

The King gestured to a lavishly decorated table where the prizes were displayed. Among them was the Heaven-Rank Sword, gleaming with an ethereal light, and a bunch of Spirit Stones.

"Come forward, Ye Chen." the King called, and looked at Ye Chen with a meaningful smile.

Ye Chen' eyes widened, then he took off this cloak. "Your Majesty, how did you know?" he said.

The King chuckled slightly. "Well, except for you, there's no other person in the Empire with that kind of talent."

The King smiled warmly then went in front. "This young man before you is none other than Ye Chen. Some of you might not know but.... He's the son of one of our greatest genius from past competitions. With a talent that can only come by every thousands of years. It is none other than Zhu Xinyue!"

The older members of the crowd gasped again, this time out of recognition. They remembered, Ye Xinyue, the strongest genius of her time, who had suddenly disappeared form public years ago. murmurs of astonishment and excitement rippled throughout the audience.

The King continued, "Ye Chen is the son of Zhu Xinyue, also known now as Ye Xinyue which is a living legend even today where her records are unbeatable. And now, his son, is a great testament towards her legacy. It is my great pleasure to present him, the grand prize. My Niece!"

The King personally handed Ye Chen the Heaven-Rank sword and the Spirit stones. Ye Chen accepted them with a deed bow of respect.

"Ye Chen, "the king said, his voice filled with pride. "You have show us what true talent and dedication can truly achieve. You have made your family proud. But I know that your journey does not end here. The world beyond our Empire awaits you, and I have no doubt that you will continue to rise to even greater heights."

Ye Chen bowed deeply once more. "Thank you, your majesty. I will continue to strive for greatness and bring honor to my family and the Star Empire."

The crowd erupted into applause, cheering and chanting Ye Chen's name. As he stood on the stage, Ye Chen felt a deep sense of determination.

...

In the days after the competition, the entire Empire buzzed with the news of Ye Chen's victory and his identity. People spoke of his incredible power, and his connection to the legendary Ye Xinyue.

During these days, Ye Chen spent his time with his sister who kept saying her appreciation for the sword he gave.

On these days, Ye Chen knew that his time in the Empire was drawing to a close. The King had granted and personally gave him Spirit stones which he plans to upgrade his Circle and his proficiency on the skills.

Before he leaves the Empire, he planned to repay everything, every favors, every thing that they have ever did to him during his time on the Empire. And he had already came up with a great plan on how to do so.

But before that, he had to check out the forgotten function he had obtained days ago.

...