Chapter 34: Grey Victory

Qi Hao, recognizing the gravity of the situation, quickly assessed his options. Realizing that Grey's physical strength and Close combat skills were overwhelming, he knew that engaging in a direct contest of power was futile. To gain an advantage, Qi Hao needed to rely on technique and strategy."Junior, try this move!"Grey noticed Qi Hao's intense focus as he prepared his next move. As Qi Hao leaped into the air, he executed a series of intricate hand movements. The temperature around the arena began to drop noticeably, and dark clouds gathered ominously in the sky above.The temperature in the arena plummeted, the sudden coldness biting into the skin of the spectators. Dark clouds swirled above, gathering rapidly as if responding to Qi Hao's will. The energy in the air crackled with an icy intensity, and the crowd could feel the weight of what was coming.Behind Qi Hao, a series of ice swords materialized, each one more formidable than the last. They floated in the air, shimmering with a deadly brilliance, their sharp edges gleaming like the fangs of a predator.But it wasn't just the swords that caught everyone's attention. Emerging from the storm clouds above, a massive dragon began to form, its icy scales glinting ominously in the dim light. This dragon was unlike any before—larger, more terrifying, and radiating an aura of overwhelming power.The ground beneath the spectators trembled as the dragon's roar echoed through the arena, a chilling sound that sent shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned warriors. Qi Hao, his face set with grim resolve, merged the ice swords with the dragon, creating a fearsome weapon of destruction.On the elders' side, Cang Song's face lit up with pride as he witnessed Qi Hao's bold move. This was the disciple he had trained, and seeing him unleash such a powerful technique filled him with satisfaction. The elder's eyes gleamed with excitement, knowing that this could very well be the deciding moment of the match."This is the lead disciple of Dragon Head Peak," Cang Song declared with a hint of smugness, clearly pleased with Qi Hao's display of power. His eyes were fixed on the spectacle, savoring the moment.He then turned to Tian Bu Yi with a smirk. "Bu Yi, if you don't want your disciple to suffer, you might want to consider surrendering immediately."Tian Bu Yi, however, remained unfazed. He glanced at Cang Song with an expression of indifference. The corner of his mouth curled into a slight, confident smile. He knew his disciple's capabilities and was confident in his ability to withstand the attack. To him, Cang Song's words were nothing more than empty bluster."Please, Cang Song," Tian Bu Yi said dismissively. "I have complete faith in my disciple's strength. This attack will not be enough to defeat him." His eyes remained locked on the arena, where Grey was preparing to face the onslaught.Grey acknowledged the gravity of the situation. Qi Hao's move was undeniably powerful, and he knew that his fire dragon wouldn't stand a chance against it. However, that didn't mean he was out of options. His eyes gleamed with determination as he considered his next move."Since Senior has unleashed his full strength, it would be disrespectful if I didn't at least use one of my skills," Grey said, his voice calm and steady despite the tension in the air.Grey extended his hand, and the atmosphere shifted as if the world itself had held its breath. The surrounding Qi, once dispersed, rushed toward him with a ferocious intent, swirling and crackling with raw energy. The air grew heavy, vibrating with anticipation as the energy condensed, spiraling faster and faster until it ignited in a dazzling display.In an instant, the Qi transformed, erupting into a sword of pure, radiant blue light that blazed with the fury of a newborn star. The blade shimmered with an ethereal brilliance, its edges razor-sharp, cutting through the frigid air with a sizzling hiss.Grey closed his eyes, feeling the rhythm of the sword. He connected with the aura surrounding him, compressing the gathered Qi into a massive burst of destruction—a technique designed to annihilate everything in its path. This move demanded not only immense power but also an unparalleled mastery of Qi.Opening his eyes, calm and resolute, the Qi around him stilled, like the eerie calm before a storm."Sword Form, Sword of Destruction," Grey murmured, his voice barely audible as he swung his sword with deadly precision. The moment his words left his lips, a massive surge of energy erupted from his blade, forming a brilliant blue slash that crackled with power.Qi Hao, not to be outdone, unleashed his own formidable technique. "Ice Dragon Formation!" he cried out, his voice laced with determination. In response, a colossal ice dragon materialized, its scales glistening with an otherworldly frost.The dragon roared, a bone-chilling sound that sent shivers down the spines of the spectators. It lunged toward Grey with its jaws wide open, its icy breath freezing the very air as it surged forward, ready to annihilate everything in its path. Alongside the dragon, countless ice swords materialized, each one shimmering with lethal intent, all converging on the incoming blue slash.The moment the two supreme techniques collided, the arena was engulfed in a cataclysmic explosion of power. The ground beneath them quaked violently, unable to withstand the sheer magnitude of their clash.The air itself seemed to shatter, sending shockwaves rippling through the arena, nearly knocking spectators off their feet. The clash of energy was so intense that it momentarily blinded everyone, the brilliant blue of Grey's slash and the icy white of Qi Hao's dragon illuminating the battlefield with a dazzling light.Grey's blue slash surged forward with unstoppable momentum, an embodiment of sheer, unrelenting power. As it collided with the ice dragon and the formation of swords, it met fierce resistance—but it was not to be denied.The ice dragon's mighty form began to crack, its once-impenetrable scales shattering into countless sparkling fragments. The shards of ice scattered across the arena, a glittering testament to the dragon's destruction.The ice swords fared no better. One by one, they broke apart under the immense pressure of Grey's attack, their lethal presence reduced to nothing more than shards of ice. The power of Grey's sword slash continued to carve through the battlefield, cutting through the air with terrifying precision and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

"Arghhhhhhh!" Qi Hao screamed, his voice filled with both pain and disbelief as his technique crumbled against the might of Grey's sword slash. The dragon, once fierce and indomitable, was cleaved in two, its remains dissolving into mist as they were consumed by the overwhelming force.

The arena, which had been a scene of intense combat just moments before, was now littered with the remnants of Qi Hao's shattered technique.

But Grey's attack did not stop there. The blue slash, still brimming with energy, soared into the sky with unyielding momentum. It cleaved through the dark storm clouds that had gathered above the arena, splitting them apart as if they were nothing. The once turbulent skies were left clear and serene, a stark contrast to the devastation below.

The arena, once pristine, was now marked by the devastation of their battle. The ground was scarred with deep gashes, and the air was filled with the lingering echoes of their clash.The audience, stunned by the sheer magnitude of the confrontation, could only watch in awe as Grey's attack continued to press forward, leaving nothing but ruin in its path.As the last remnants of Qi Hao's technique were obliterated, the audience gasped collectively, the sound like a wave washing over the stands. Grey's sword slash, now a brilliant streak of energy, continued its relentless advance until it finally dissipated into the sky, the storm clouds slowly beginning to close the divide left by his attack.The battlefield was silent, the only sound being the faint whisper of the wind as it blew through the remnants of the arena. Grey stood tall, his sword still glowing faintly with residual energy, as he surveyed the destruction he had wrought.As the dust settled and the arena was bathed in the aftermath of their clash, Qi Hao, panting heavily and with visible exhaustion landed on the arena, raised his hands in surrender. "I lost," he admitted, his voice betraying his fatigue.He glanced at Grey, who, despite the intensity of the battle, showed no sign of exhaustion or strain. Grey's effortless composure only highlighted the gap between their strengths.Qi Hao, though disappointed, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. He had not anticipated facing such a formidable opponent from the younger generation. Grey's display of power and endurance was nothing short of extraordinary. It seems this time also he didn't have a chance to win this contest.The audience erupted into applause, recognizing Grey's power in the match.The crowd's excitement was palpable, with whispers and exclamations filling the arena."Is this really a match between disciples?" one spectator marveled."I knew a match between dragon and sword slash would be impressive," another said. "But this—this is on another level."The audience buzzed with astonishment, unable to hide their admiration for Grey. "I didn't expect such a genius to emerge from the younger generation," they said in disbelief.On the sidelines, Da Ren beamed with pride. "As expected of Junior Grey," he said. "He didn't disappoint our peak.""Truly, our Junior is a monster," Da Li added, shaking his head in awe.Xiao Fan, eyes wide with admiration, couldn't contain his excitement. "As expected of Senior," he said, his voice filled with wonder.The entire arena was electrified, the atmosphere charged with energy as the audience continued to cheer. Even those still in their matches paused to watch the impressive display, captivated by the spectacle of Grey's final move. The cheers and applause echoed throughout the arena, a testament to the extraordinary performance that had just unfolded.On elder's side,Cang Song, who had confidently predicted Qi Hao's victory, found himself staring in shock at the aftermath of the battle.His usual air of superiority was shattered, replaced by a look of disbelief as he tried to process the outcome. The arena, once a place of certain victory for his favored disciple, now bore the unmistakable mark of Grey's overwhelming power.Tian Buyi, however, remained composed, his expression serene as a satisfied smile played on his lips. He stroked his chin thoughtfully, nodding in approval. "Good, good," he murmured, genuine admiration coloring his voice. "As expected of my disciple. He even exceeded my expectations."

Sect Master Dao Xuan, who had observed the entire match from his elevated seat, watched with a mix of surprise and pleasure. The display of skill and power by Grey, a disciple who had joined the sect only five years ago, was nothing short of extraordinary.

That Grey had bested a veteran like Qi Hao was impressive, a clear testament to his innate talent and potential. The sect master's initial shock quickly melted into a proud smile, knowing that such a remarkable talent belonged to his sect. However, as he analyzed the technique Grey had used, a hint of curiosity crept into his thoughts.

The technique, while undeniably powerful, stood out to Dao Xuan for its raw and unrefined nature. It was a pure move for destruction, lacking the sophisticated intricacies and balance typical of the sect's more advanced techniques.

There was no doubt in Dao Xuan's mind that this was not a technique inherited from any of the major sects, nor was it rooted in any traditional forms of cultivation. It was a creation born of sheer force, harnessed by Grey's own understanding and instinct.

Cang Song, his shock giving way to suspicion, narrowed his eyes as he addressed Tian Buyi. "Bu Yi, what kind of technique was that? It didn't originate from our sect's teachings. Isn't it treason for disciples to learn techniques outside of our doctrine?"Tian Buyi, his expression turning dismissive, waved a hand as if brushing away Cang Song's concerns. "Cang Song, my disciple didn't learn that technique from anywhere else. He created it himself." There was a note of pride in his voice, but also a hint of disdain as he glanced at Cang Song, clearly unimpressed by his accusations.Cang Song's disbelief was palpable. "Impossible. How could a mere disciple like him invent such a powerful technique?"His suspicion growing, he turned to Sect Master Dao Xuan, his voice tinged with urgency. "Sect Master, please investigate this matter. I suspect there's something amiss here."Dao Xuan, observing the situation with a calm and measured gaze, responded evenly, "Cang Song, there is no need for an investigation. Bu Yi's claim is sufficient, and can't you see that this disciple is a genius?"Cang Song began to protest, "But Sect Master—""Cang Song," Dao Xuan interjected firmly, his tone leaving no room for dissent. "Don't embarrass yourself. The abilities of this disciple are clear for all to see. There's no reason to question his achievements or his integrity."The sect master's decisive tone left little room for further argument, and Cang Song's protests faded as he grappled with the unexpected outcome.