The obsidian arena fell silent as the next names lit up the sky in golden letters:
LOHAN ARDYN vs. JIANG MU – Thousand Eyes Pavilion
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
> "Jiang Mu? Isn't he the mental arts prodigy?"
> "He's a nightmare… controls illusions with his eyes. Half the sects refuse to duel him."
From the upper stands, Justine narrowed her eyes.
> "Now we'll see."
Lohan stepped into the arena.
His gray robe fluttered, contrasting against Jiang Mu's luxurious blue silk and ceremonial blindfold. The Thousand Eyes Pavilion disciple removed the cloth slowly, revealing dozens of glowing irises spiraling within each eye.
> "I suggest you forfeit," Jiang said smoothly, eyes glimmering. "The last three who fought me left screaming."
Lohan stretched his neck.
> "Sounds like they were weak."
A heartbeat later, the referee signaled the match.
BEGIN.
Jiang's eyes flared—and Lohan's world exploded into color.
Illusion Realm: Crimson Garden
The arena twisted into a crimson forest of thorned roses and silver skies. Dozens of clones appeared, all Jiang Mu, all smirking.
> "This is mental warfare," Lohan muttered. "He's trying to trap my consciousness in a maze."
A clone lunged, scythe raised.
Lohan didn't dodge. He simply stepped through it.
> "Copy Skill: Mindbreaker Instinct."
A blue system notification flashed in his retina, invisible to all.
Suddenly, the illusory world cracked like glass.
> "Wha—?!" Jiang stumbled as his illusion world shuddered. "You… broke my mental realm?"
> "Copied your technique," Lohan said calmly, appearing behind him.
One punch—coated in condensed mana and instinct sharpened by countless battles—landed in Jiang's gut.
BOOM.
The arena's illusion shattered completely, revealing the real world.
The spectators gasped.
> "He destroyed the Thousand Eyes Technique…"
Jiang staggered back, coughing blood.
But it wasn't over.
With a wild grin, Jiang's eyes shifted into Second Phase—each iris splitting into three.
> "Let's see you handle the Thousand Phantom Barrage!"
Hundreds of blades materialized mid-air and flew at Lohan from all angles.
But Lohan didn't move.
> "System – Combat Reflex Boost: Activate."
He let go of thought. Let instincts take over.
He danced.
Spinning between blades, twisting under a flurry, grabbing two in mid-air and redirecting them back. In a blur, he crossed the field and drove his palm into Jiang Mu's chest—
—injecting his own raw mana into the boy's core.
BOOM.
Jiang flew backward, crashing into the barrier with such force the enchantments rippled.
He didn't get back up.
> "Winner: Lohan Ardyn!"
The crowd stayed quiet for a breath.
Then chaos erupted.
> "He countered Thousand Eyes!"
"Who is this guy?!"
"That was mental, physical, and magical combat—he mastered all three!"
From her divine throne, Justine stood up.
Winter smiled from her seat, eyes gleaming.
> "Now they're finally starting to see it," she whispered. "You're not just strong, Lohan…"
> "You're terrifying."
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