Chapter 16: One Versus All
The masked man stands still, cloak fluttering under the wind.
He utters no words. He doesn't need to.
Across from him, the top six outer sect disciples stand, tense and uncertain.
"Just Rank 3 Initial Stage?" Rong Hai mutters. "This guy's insane."
"Let's test him together," says Mo Shan. "We don't need to win. We just need to force him off the stage."
Ye Chen and Bai Si remain silent. Their instincts scream: danger.
Then Elder Fang Lanyue's voice cuts across the arena.
"Begin."
Boom—!
Five figures rush forward as one.
---
The Masked Man Moves
The masked man doesn't draw his sword.
He vanishes.
A blur streaks between the attackers — it's Sword Escape, a footwork technique so fast it seems like teleportation.
Rong Hai barely turns before a punch slams into his chest.
BOOM!
He flies off the stage, unconscious.
Mo Shan swings his blade — the masked man spins past it and flicks a finger.
Heaven-Shutting Punch.
The impact crushes the air itself. Mo Shan's blade shatters. He collapses.
Two more try to team up, attacking from both sides.
The masked man finally draws his sword.
"Cutting Edge."
A silver arc flashes.
Both are thrown back, swords broken, robes torn.
Only two remain.
Ye Chen — his body trembling, eyes wide with disbelief.
Bai Si — panting, sword raised, trying to steady her breath.
The masked man stops.
Not attacking.
Just standing.
His presence alone feels like a mountain pressing down on them.
He still hasn't used full power.
The crowd is dead silent.
No one cheers.
No one mocks.
They're witnessing something else entirely.