As the first round concluded, the Six Sect Tournament continued without pause.
New battles began immediately, each more intense than the last.
The Vermilion Lotus Sect unleashed overwhelming flames that turned entire sections of the arena into burning infernos. The Frozen Jade Palace countered with absolute cold, freezing both attacks and terrain alike. Emerald Leaf Pavilion displayed terrifying control, binding opponents with vines while draining their strength with poison. Iron Blood Hall, though defeated once, continued to showcase brutal close-combat dominance in other matches.
Every sect revealed its strength.
Every disciple fought with everything they had.
But above all—
One presence overshadowed the battlefield.
Golden Crown Sect.
Their disciples fought with near-perfect coordination, overwhelming opponents without giving them a chance to recover. Each move was precise, calculated, and efficient.
At their center stood Zhao Kun.
He didn't fight yet.
He didn't need to.
His mere presence was enough to pressure the entire arena.
Xu Mei stood beside him, her flames flickering gently, her expression calm—but distant.
Below, Li Hao observed everything.
"They're stronger than the others," Su Ling said quietly.
"Not just strong," Lin Xue added. "They're disciplined."
Wang Lei smirked. "Good. Makes it interesting."
Li Hao remained silent.
His gaze never left Zhao Kun.
Because he could feel it.
That pressure.
That hostility.
That inevitability.
This wasn't just a tournament anymore.
It was a battlefield of pride, power… and personal conflict.
And at the center of it all—
Was him.
Li Hao slowly closed his eyes, steadying his breathing.
When he opened them again—
They were colder than before.
"Let them come," he said quietly.
In the distance, Zhao Kun smiled faintly.
As if he had heard those words.
The storm was gathering.
And soon—
It would explode.