As soon as Kyrian declared the challenge to Rank 45, he turned without hesitation and returned to the exclusive ranked stands alongside Bai Zhu.
The two walked in silence.
Gradually, the Cloud Coliseum began to fill again. At first, there were only small scattered groups. Then, steady waves of cultivators crossed the monuntal gates. The sound of footsteps, conversations, and wagers grew like a tide.
Nan Feng Yu arrived accompanied by two other leaders. Soon after, Mo Qian appeared, his expression restrained as always. Yun Hao also took his place, crossing his arms as he observed the golden panel suspended in the sky above the arena.
Other original ranked mbers of the Coliseum were already present. So cast discreet glances at Kyrian. Others stared at him directly.
The atmosphere was one of expectation. But it was not a common expectation. It was an expectation directed at soone specific.
Kyrian’s na had spread throughout the capital over the past two days. The young man who pulled a sword from his own eye. The cultivator who alternated between sword intent and icy intent. And who climbed into the Coliseum’s top 50 faster than anyone else, and with ease.
In the common stands, the comnts did not cease when they found the place where Kyrian was seated.
"It’s him."
"The monster."
"The genius of the Blood Court."
"I heard he froze and defeated Rank 52 without practically even moving."
"He can fight above his own realm as if it were nothing."
For cultivators of low strength and limited knowledge, crossing a single small stage to fight soone was already a risky task. Facing soone several small stages and an entire major realm above bordered on suicide.
Kyrian did this repeatedly. Not only that, he won.
The nickna that had arisen on the first day, "Suicidal Boy," was no longer used.
Now it was different. He was called by many a battle monster, an aberration, and an incomprehensible genius.
anwhile, in the areas reserved for the elites of the Cloud capital, the term used was already another.
Innate Talent. It had already spread that Kyrian was rely a mortal, but one possessing a legendary gift almost never seen in the world of cultivation.
As ti passed, every seat was occupied. The common stands beca packed. The noble areas are complete. Even the private rooms above the arena lit up their formations, indicating presence.
At noon, as on the previous day, Elder Tian appeared at the center of the arena with a single silent step.
The Coliseum fell silent for an instant.
He did not need to raise his voice, yet everyone heard him.
"Welco to the third day of the Cloud Coliseum!"
It was brief and direct.
Above the arena, several luminous inscriptions appeared in the sky, displaying the confird challenges of the day. Nas, ranks, and cultivation levels.
The wagers began imdiately.
But there was one fight that drew more attention than all the others.
Kyrian, ranked number 52, against ranked number 45.
The opponent was at the 5° stage of the Core Formation Realm.
Even so, most of the spirit stones were being placed on Kyrian. Not by common logic, but by a confidence built by Kyrian in his last fights.
Of course, many still bet on Rank 45. He was higher in cultivation. And he was an established na in the Coliseum.
Even so, the volu of wagers on Kyrian’s fight surpassed all the others. It was the largest amount accumulated up to that mont in the event.
Elder Tian did not delay further.
"First challenge of the day."
A short pause.
"Kyrian, Rank 52 of the Coliseum, against Han Xue, Rank 45 of the Coliseum."
The murmurs grew imdiately when the na echoed.
Kyrian stood without haste, without any visible expression of excitent. But internally there was a slight vibration in his feelings, he was becoming more excited to fight with each passing battle.
He leapt from the stands.
His body crossed the air lightly before landing near the center of the arena.
All eyes followed him.
Especially those who were there for the first ti that day.
The first thing they noticed was his appearance.
Kyrian was, without a doubt, one of the most handso young n many had ever seen. Harmonious features, a naturally upright posture, and restrained and precise movents.
And those eyes.
Sky blue. With pupils shaped like perfectly geotric snowflakes.
There was sothing in them that caused discomfort when stared at for too long. A subtle sensation of silent superiority.
So girls in the stands shouted his na. Others comnted on his appearance.
But Kyrian did not react. He did not hear. Or, if he did, he did not care.
His mind was focused on a single thing. The fight. And the spirit stones that would co after it.
Then, from one of the large side gates of the arena, the opponent erged.
Han Xue appeared to be of similar age to Kyrian. Perhaps one or two years older.
But his cultivation was clearly superior.
5° stage of the Core Formation Realm.
Above even leaders like Nan Feng Yu, Yun Hao, and the others. That alone already qualified him as a genius. At least in cultivation speed.
His appearance was relatively common. Firm face, steady gaze. He wore a completely red robe, without symbols or complex adornnts.
He was definitely a simple young man.
But when he walked to the center of the arena, sothing changed. Without warning, he released his cultivation completely.
The air rippled.
An intense heat spread.
In a matter of seconds, the temperature of the arena rose several degrees. The ground seed to vibrate slightly under the thermal increase. Waves of fire Qi materialized around his body, like invisible flas distorting space.
So spectators closer to him imdiately began to sweat.
Kyrian observed. Interested.
His eyes glowed faintly. The icy Qi responded.
Without abrupt movent, a wave of cold spread from him. The heat that had expanded was abruptly contained. The temperature plumted.
A shiver ran through the first rows of the stands.
The change was so abrupt that many felt their skin tingle. For a brief instant, the Coliseum divided into two extres.
Heat and cold. Fire and ice.
Then, Han Xue released a little more Qi, not to attack, but to balance. The fire around him beca more controlled. The climate stabilized.
Neither hot. Nor cold. But balanced.
He smiled faintly. For the first ti, there was genuine interest in his gaze as he looked at Kyrian.
Kyrian noticed as well. The opponent’s Qi control was refined. It was not a simple display of raw power. That would make the fight more interesting.
In the stands, the silence was absolute. Even Elder Tian seed slightly attentive to the clash of energies that had preceded the official beginning.
Without prolonging it further, he raised his hand.
"Begin."
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