Riding swiftly through the city gates, Dustin entered Novaridge City once more.
The Martial Hall's grand competition was set to commence in a month, and by tradition, all participants were required to register at least four weeks in advance.
It had been months since his conversation with Elder Jeremy—months in which Dustin had pushed himself to his limits. He understood well that if he wished to gain the attention of the Martial Hall's higher echelons, he could not simply stand among the ranks of the ordinary. He had to rise, to prove himself, to claim a place among the elite.
The annual competition was more than just a tournament; it was a stage upon which the students of the Martial Hall displayed their prowess and talent. The victory meant not only prestige but the chance to earn powerful rewards, the favor of the elders, and even personal guidance from the Martial Hall's master himself.
By the time Dustin arrived at the registration site, a large crowd had already gathered—students from all levels, some signing up, others merely spectating. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation.
"I heard that the top three in the competition receive incredible rewards," a young man clad in a military-style uniform remarked.
"Brother Zhao, you're already at the seventh level of Body Refinement. Are you planning to compete?" another student inquired with a grin.
"Of course," Gavin Zhao responded proudly. "Though securing a top-three position will be difficult, the real prize is the chance to prove my strength. If I perform well, I might catch the eye of the elders."
Dustin recognized the name—Gavin Zhao, a middle-class student he had previously encountered in the Black Stone Monument area. The last time they had crossed paths, Gavin had been at the sixth level of Body Refinement. Now, he had advanced to the seventh.
Excited discussions continued around him.
"The top ten competitors earn vitality stones and high-quality medicinal pills!"
"If you reach the top five, you might even be accepted as a disciple by one of the elders!"
"And if you place among the top three, you'll be personally instructed by the Hall Master himself—and granted access to a fourth-rank martial art!"
The mention of a fourth-rank martial art sent murmurs of excitement rippling through the crowd. Such techniques were immensely powerful, often reserved for only the most talented of disciples.
Yet, everyone also understood how difficult it would be to reach that level. The competition took place once a year, and past winners—bolstered by their previous rewards—returned even stronger, widening the gap between themselves and the new challengers.
Furthermore, any student who had already reached the Energy Gathering Realm or surpassed the age of eighteen was ineligible to compete. This ensured fairness but also meant that only the strongest students at the Body Refinement level would take part.
Dustin's gaze drifted to a nearby stone tablet, its surface inscribed with the names of the highest-ranked students in the Martial Hall. Only fifty names were listed, with the lowest entry requiring at least the eighth level of Body Refinement.
At the top of the list stood a single name: Troy.
He was widely acknowledged as the strongest student, an eighteen-year-old prodigy, and a personal disciple of the elder who oversaw the Scripture Pavilion.
Beneath him, the names of other top contenders followed, all of them at the ninth level of Body Refinement.
Despite his cultivation reaching the peak of the ninth level, Dustin's name was absent from the list. None of his fellow students knew of his true strength.
One month.
That was the time he had.
A Month of Training
Time passed like flowing water.
In a secluded forest, Dustin moved like a shadow, his sword flashing through the air with the swiftness of thunder.
Boom!
With a single strike, his blade—empowered by his internal energy—felled a massive tree, sending a cloud of dust billowing into the sky.
During the past weeks, he had returned multiple times to Maeve, absorbing the power of the flames within her heart. His inner energy had grown immeasurably pure and dense, teetering on the edge of breaking through to the Energy Gathering Realm.
Yet, he held himself back.
If he broke through now, he would be ineligible for the competition. And he had no intention of missing the chance to step into the Scripture Pavilion and claim a fourth-rank martial art.
His training had refined him—not only in skill but in spirit. His once-youthful features were now edged with sharpness, his aura brimming with an intensity that had not been there before.
Chong!
Sliding his sword back into its sheath, he exhaled slowly, wiping sweat from his brow.
"This entire time, no one else has come after me. Perhaps Koel's death was enough to deter them…" he muttered to himself.
Yet, deep down, he remained wary.
The Zhang Family's Reckoning
Meanwhile, at the Zhang Family Mansion, chaos erupted.
Boom!
The great doors of the estate were shattered as twenty warriors in blue armor stormed the grounds, their blades flashing under the sun.
The Zhang family guards, nearly a hundred strong, rushed to meet them—but as they took in the blue-armored warriors before them, their faces paled.
"The Blue Armored Guard?" one of the Zhang guards muttered in horror.
The Blue Armored Guard was the elite enforcement force of the Martial Hall, composed entirely of warriors who had stepped into the Energy Gathering Realm.
At their head stood Captain Han, a towering figure with thick brows and a steely gaze. His voice rang out like thunder:
"Grady Zhang! You are suspected of murdering a Martial Hall student. By order of Elder Jeremy, you are to be taken into custody immediately. Resist, and you will be executed on the spot!"
Grady Zhang stepped forward, his expression dark. He knew all too well that a conviction for such a crime would mean death—and his family's complete ruin.
Yet, he forced himself to remain calm. The Zhang family had survived in Novaridge City for generations, and their influence ran deep. If their ancestor intervened, he could be saved.
So, rather than resist, he allowed himself to be taken.
However, in his absence, the Zhang family fell into disarray.
His younger brother, Xaire Zhang, wasted no time seizing power. Taking the family's leadership for himself, he smirked from his new throne.
"Grady's fate is uncertain. If our ancestor chooses to save him, my rule will be short-lived." His eyes gleamed with calculation. "But if he dies… the Zhang family will belong to me, and me alone."
Summoning his most loyal men, he issued a command in a low, venomous tone:
"Go to Panshi Town. Capture Dustin's family."
The Grand Competition Begins
Back at the Martial Hall, the time for the competition ceremony had arrived.
The vast training grounds overflowed with students, all gathered near the combat platforms where the battles would take place. In the distance, an elegant attic pavilion overlooked the scene, its seats reserved for the elders and high-ranking officials.
Suddenly, gasps and exclamations filled the air.
High above, a lone figure in purple robes strode through the sky, walking upon the wind itself. He descended gracefully onto the main seat at the heart of the pavilion.
"It's him…!"
"The Martial Hall Master! He can walk through the air—he's beyond the Innate Realm!"
Even Dustin, standing among the crowd, felt a surge of awe.
Flying through the air… When will I reach that level?
Then, Elder Jeremy stepped forward, his voice booming across the arena:
"The competition begins now! Draw your lots."
A wooden box was placed at the center. One by one, the competitors stepped forward, reaching inside to retrieve their numbered tokens.
Dustin unfolded his own.