The sky above the mountain had begun to burn with the colors of sunset. Orange and crimson light spread across the horizon, casting long shadows over the ruined clearing where the final battle of the Inner Sect Trial raged on. The once-dense forest had been reduced to broken earth and shattered trunks, evidence of the overwhelming power unleashed by three rising geniuses.
Lin Ye stood near the center of the battlefield, his chest rising and falling heavily as he tried to steady his breathing. Sweat and blood mixed on his skin, yet his eyes burned brighter than ever. Across from him, Zhao Tian remained upright, though even his calm posture now carried subtle signs of strain. Gu Chen stood slightly to Lin Ye's side, his robes torn from repeated clashes but his focus unwavering.
For a few seconds, no one moved.
The silence between them felt heavier than the battle itself.
Then Zhao Tian exhaled slowly.
"I underestimated you both," he said calmly.
Lin Ye smirked faintly.
"That's a rare compliment from someone who's been trying to kill us."
Gu Chen didn't speak. His eyes remained locked on Zhao Tian, analyzing every movement.
The wind shifted gently across the clearing.
Dust drifted between them.
Then Zhao Tian stepped forward again.
The ground cracked beneath his foot.
"Let's end this."
His aura surged violently as spiritual energy condensed around his body. Compared to earlier, his presence now felt sharper—more focused, more dangerous.
Lin Ye felt the pressure instantly.
His muscles tightened as instinct warned him that Zhao Tian's next attack would not be like the others.
Gu Chen seemed to sense it too.
"…He's preparing something," Gu Chen said quietly.
Lin Ye rolled his shoulders.
"Good."
Because he was too.
Deep inside his body, the demonic bloodline continued to surge like a restless storm. The system interface flickered faintly in his vision.
[Bloodline Awakening: 75%… 76%]
His heartbeat thundered loudly in his ears.
He could feel the power waiting.
Waiting to be released.
But he clenched his fists and forced it back.
Not yet.
Zhao Tian's voice broke the silence.
"You're both talented."
His gaze moved between Lin Ye and Gu Chen.
"If this trial lasted longer, you might surpass me someday."
Then his eyes sharpened.
"But today…"
His aura erupted.
"…you lose."
Zhao Tian moved faster than either of them expected. In a single step he crossed the distance between them, his palm striking forward with devastating force aimed directly at Lin Ye.
Lin Ye vanished instantly with Blood Shadow Step, barely avoiding the attack as the ground behind him exploded.
But Zhao Tian didn't stop.
He turned mid-motion and launched a second strike toward Gu Chen.
Gu Chen blocked it—but the force sent him sliding backward across the broken earth.
Lin Ye reappeared beside Zhao Tian and counterattacked immediately, his fist crashing toward Zhao Tian's ribs.
The impact landed.
Zhao Tian staggered half a step.
But his counterattack came just as quickly.
His elbow slammed into Lin Ye's shoulder, sending him stumbling back.
For several moments the three fighters exchanged blows at blinding speed. Their movements blurred across the clearing as fists collided, shockwaves exploding outward with every impact.
The battlefield shook.
The sun dipped lower.
Time was running out.
Lin Ye felt exhaustion creeping into his body. His muscles screamed in protest after so many clashes, yet the power inside him continued to surge stronger with every second.
The system flashed again.
[Bloodline Awakening: 78%]
His vision sharpened.
The world slowed slightly.
Every movement Zhao Tian made became clearer.
And suddenly—
Lin Ye saw it.
A flaw.
Just a momentary shift in Zhao Tian's balance after blocking Gu Chen's strike.
"Gu Chen!" Lin Ye shouted.
Gu Chen reacted instantly.
He attacked from the front with a precise palm strike, forcing Zhao Tian to block.
At the same moment—
Lin Ye appeared behind him.
His fist gathered every remaining ounce of strength he had left.
"This ends now!"
He struck.
The blow landed squarely against Zhao Tian's back with explosive force.
The impact echoed across the clearing like thunder.
Zhao Tian staggered forward three steps before finally regaining his balance.
Silence fell.
Lin Ye stood there breathing heavily, unsure if the strike had been enough.
Then Zhao Tian slowly straightened.
He touched the back of his robe where Lin Ye's fist had landed.
The cloth had torn slightly.
Zhao Tian looked at it quietly.
Then he laughed.
Not mockingly.
But with genuine excitement.
"…Outstanding."
He turned back toward them.
"You actually forced me back."
Lin Ye groaned slightly.
"You're unbelievably stubborn."
Gu Chen exhaled slowly beside him.
"We're running out of time."
They both looked toward the horizon.
The sun was almost gone.
Zhao Tian noticed it too.
He nodded once.
"The trial ends when the sun disappears."
His gaze hardened.
"So let's finish this before then."
All three of them gathered their remaining strength.
Lin Ye felt the demonic energy surge one last time.
[Bloodline Awakening: 80%]
The pressure inside him felt overwhelming now.
One more step…
And everything might change.
But he didn't release it.
Not yet.
The three figures rushed forward simultaneously.
The final clash exploded across the clearing as the last light of the sun touched the horizon.
Above them, Su Qingyue watched the battle carefully, her eyes focused on Lin Ye's unstable aura.
"…Eighty percent."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"If it reaches one hundred…"
She didn't finish the thought.
Below, the battlefield shook once more as the final moments of the trial unfolded.
And when the sun finally disappeared beyond the mountains—
Only the strongest would still be standing.