The arena was vast—floating in the sky, bound by rings of molten fire and sacred runes. Chen Ming stepped onto the obsidian platform at its center, his footfalls echoing with unnatural weight. This was no ordinary battlefield. It was a sanctified proving ground where bloodlines, destinies, and divinity would clash.
Thousands of divine eyes watched from the stands—gods, goddesses, envoys, and judges. The Flame Court presided in regal silence, but not without tension.
The Matriarch of Fire leaned forward on her throne of searing embers, her voice calm but laced with interest. "He has bonded with both Moon and Ice, yet stands surrounded by flame. How very... heretical."
A ripple of laughter danced through the ranks, but it was uneasy. They had seen the light rising from Chen Ming—felt the change. He was no longer some mortal blessed by chance. He was blooming into something else.
A god who refused to play by divine rules.
From the Moon Court's balcony, Lady Lianhua whispered to her attendant, "Ye Yue has bound herself to him beyond ceremony. Look at her eyes—she's not watching as a patron, but as a partner."
Even the Obsidian Envoy, shadowed in her cloaked seat, leaned forward, voice laced with hidden pride. "He's baiting them. Clever. Arrogant… but clever."
Across the Arena
A figure materialized opposite Chen—his first opponent.
Tall, lithe, and surrounded by flickering flame, the demigod known as Kael of the Crimson Lineage stood bare-chested, flames rippling across his skin like living tattoos.
"He's the Flame Court's seed player," Lanmei muttered from the Moon Court's observation chamber. "They're testing him."
Chen's system window pulsed.
[Duel Initiated – Divine Breeding Tournament: Round One]
Opponent: Kael of the Crimson Lineage— Power Tier: Mid-Divine— Special Traits: Flameheart Core, Scorching Seed Technique
Objective: Dominate without lethal force. Breed potential must be asserted.
Reward: Ascension Approval +1 Court
Kael smirked. "You're not even divine. You're an experiment. Let's see what breaks first—your body, or your pride."
Flames surged toward Chen, a torrent of fire meant to overwhelm. But Chen didn't move.
He simply breathed—and let the Balanceflame rise.
The violet-gold energy erupted from his core, spiraling around him like a divine storm. Kael's flames shattered against it, dissipating into embers.
Gasps echoed across the Courts.
"Impossible," murmured a Fire Court elder. "He countered raw divine flame… with something else."
Kael charged forward, fists wreathed in burning passion. He struck—again and again—driven by divine speed. But Chen's body moved like a river, not resisting, but redirecting.
He caught Kael's wrist, twisted, and brought his palm to the demigod's chest. Heartfire Surge activated.
Kael's body spasmed, not in pain—but in pleasure.
The crowd stilled.
The power Chen had unleashed wasn't just divine might. It was something deeper. Something intimate.
Kael fell to one knee, panting, his fire snuffed.
"I submit," he whispered. "Your will… your passion… it's too much."
[Victory Registered]Court Recognition: Flame Court - Partial Acceptance (1/3 Marks Gained)New Trait Gained: Flameheart Seed (Absorbed)
In the stands, murmurs turned into arguments. Gods argued with goddesses, emissaries bickered with seers.
Ye Yue stood in stunned silence—pride warring with awe.
"He's not just winning," Lanmei said softly. "He's rewriting how they define victory."
And far above them all, in a hidden dimension sealed by divine law, Lysaria watched through a broken mirror.
"He's already passed my first test," she whispered. "Now let's see if he can survive what's coming."
The Divine Tournament had only just begun.
But the fire Chen Ming had lit… would burn through the heavens.