The academy was transforming.
Stadiums once used for lectures were now being reconstructed with battle formations, spirit-reinforced walls, and elder-run barriers. Disciples flooded in from every kingdom—8 Kingdoms, 1 battleground.
At the center of it all: The Crimson Pavilion Challenge.
Ji Xuan, the Flame Kingdom's royal prodigy, had challenged Asura.
But this wasn't a normal duel.
This was a Bloodline Clash.
A Challenge Beyond Pride
In the Pavilion's war hall, Ji Xuan stood before a glowing red formation, his top disciples kneeling before him.
"This isn't just about humiliation," he declared. "It's about lineage."
He held up a blood-red medallion, pulsing with ancient flame qi.
"The Royal Flame Medallion. I offer it in the duel. If I lose… Asura gets it."
Gasps echoed. Even Pavilion elders trembled.
The medallion was one of the three royal core heirlooms, passed down from the Flame Kingdom's ancestral line. To bet it in a duel meant Ji Xuan wasn't holding back—he was staking his entire legacy.
"He mocked the Pavilion. He dared to insult our bloodline. I'll return the favor—by ending his."
Asura's Response
Meanwhile, Asura lay on a rooftop, one leg crossed, chewing on a blade of grass as Lira ranted nearby.
"They're clearly trying to bait you, Asura! The Royal Medallion isn't just a trinket—it holds fire elemental inheritance techniques from the Flame Kingdom's ancestors! Do you know how many people have died trying to get it?"
"Mm… sounds fun."
Lira nearly exploded. "You—!"
Asura grinned, lifting his hand lazily.
"Tell them I accept. And tell Ji Xuan…"
His eyes flickered with the glow of the Supreme Martial Eyes
"...he'll be lucky if I don't erase his entire Pavilion."
The wind trembled.
Even the leaves stilled.
The Pavilion's Strategy
In the days leading to the duel, the Crimson Pavilion prepared in silence.
Ji Xuan wouldn't face Asura alone. He selected three deadly teammates:
Yue Rán – The Spear Maiden of the Frost Kingdom, whose spear qi could pierce soul threads. She once froze an entire battlefield for three days straight.
Bao Jinlong – A titan from the Earthshard Kingdom, whose golden body could tank peak elder strikes. Each punch caused earthquakes.
Li Fang – Shadowfall Kingdom's ghost walker, master of forbidden assassination arts. Could phase through barriers and kill with a whisper.
The strategy was simple:
Corner Asura. Break his flow. Kill him before he adapts.
They would seal his movement, suppress his Supreme Martial Eyes, and end it before Heaven's End could awaken.
Asura's Inner World
Deep in meditation, Asura stood before a vast mirror lake, where thousands of martial techniques rippled across the water's surface.
Each time he blinked, a new technique was devoured, refined, and absorbed into his ever-evolving style—Heaven's End: The Path of Asura.
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind him in his inner world—a boy, barely five years old, dressed in Flame Kingdom robes.
"You look weak," the child said.
Asura chuckled. "Says the brat."
The boy lifted his hand, forming a blade of pure flame. "You've grown strong, but you haven't claimed what is yours."
"The Flame doesn't burn for pride. It burns for dominance."
Asura's eyes widened. This wasn't just an illusion.
This was the Flame Soul of his past life.
And it was reminding him—
He was born not just to absorb power, but to conquer it.
Duel Day
The arena was packed. Royal clan leaders, elders, sect masters, and Pavilion heads all gathered.
Thousands of disciples from every kingdom roared from the stands.
Asura walked in with no clan backing, no support banners.
Just his sword, his smile, and the overwhelming killing intent rolling off his body like a tidal wave.
Ji Xuan stood tall, flames dancing along his robe, the Royal Medallion pinned to his chest.
"You came," Ji Xuan smirked. "Ready to kneel?"
Asura cracked his neck. "I'm more curious what sound your Pavilion will make when it collapses."
DONG!
The celestial bell tolled.
The duel had begun.
First Clash: Ji Xuan vs. Asura
Ji Xuan struck first—flames bursting around him, forming a divine phoenix of pure flame essence. He merged bloodline qi with sword intent, unleashing a technique that had never been shown before:
"Heaven-Breaking Flame Sword: Phoenix Reign!"
The sky was engulfed in fire.
Disciples screamed as the arena shook.
But Asura didn't dodge.
He stepped forward.
Sword still sheathed.
BOOM!
With one swipe of his palm, he cut the phoenix in half, flames scattering like paper in wind.
Ji Xuan's face froze.
"That wasn't even a sword technique," Asura yawned. "You're weaker than the assassins."
The Trio Attacks
Before Ji Xuan could react, Yue Rán, Bao Jinlong, and Li Fang launched their coordinated assault.
Yue Rán's spear flashed like lightning.
Bao Jinlong's fists slammed down like mountains.
Li Fang emerged from the shadows with a poisoned blade aimed straight for Asura's heart.
A perfect trap.
Even gods would've faltered.
But Asura's eyes glowed.
The Supreme Martial Eyes lit up the world—every movement, every weakness, every breath was his to read.
He stepped once.
Heaven's End: Flickering Void Step.
In an instant, he appeared behind all three.
And whispered:
"Too slow."
Crushing Supremacy
He struck Yue Rán's pressure points with godlike precision—her spear fell, and she collapsed, unconscious.
He shattered Bao Jinlong's reinforced qi barrier with a single palm strike to the chest—breaking four ribs and sending him flying out of the arena.
As for Li Fang?
Asura stared directly into his eyes.
"Kneel."
The power of the Supreme Martial Eyes surged.
And Li Fang, master of stealth, dropped to his knees, blood pouring from his ears.
One minute later… Asura stood alone.
Sword still untouched.
Final Exchange – Ji Xuan's Desperation
Ji Xuan screamed, pouring every ounce of royal qi into his blade. The air cracked, space itself twisted.
"I AM ROYAL BLOOD! I AM FLAME'S RIGHTFUL KING!!"
He struck down with everything.
And Asura… finally drew his sword.
Just once.
Heaven's End: One Cut Silence.
A single black arc flew forward.
Ji Xuan's flames vanished.
His medallion cracked.
His body trembled—cut not on the outside, but inside, his meridians torn, his will shattered.
He collapsed.
Silence.
Aftermath
The Pavilion was silent.
Elders were too shocked to speak.
The announcer stuttered before roaring:
"Victory! Asura, victor of the Crimson Duel!"
He had defeated a royal prince, shattered the Pavilion's pride, and taken the Royal Flame Medallion.
But more than that… he had proven one thing:
He didn't need a clan.
He was the clan.
And from that day forward… the entire continent whispered one name with reverence and fear:
"Asura."
End of Chapter 84