Chapter 108: Declaration of War
The arena's lighting dimmed, and a single beam of light illuminated the center as a booming voice echoed throughout the stands.
"Ladies and gentlemen, warriors and spectators of the Tower!" the announcer's voice roared, amplified by unseen magic. "Today, we witness a clash between the young prodigy who has taken the tower by storm and an ancient beast of unyielding might. In one corner, we have the Sand Crocodile—on the brink of the resonance realm, a monster feared for its impenetrable hide and resistance to the elements!"
The crowd murmured in awe as the massive gate on one end of the arena slowly opened, revealing the hulking figure of the Sand Crocodile. It stomped forward, its thick, armored scales reflecting the dim light, its long tail dragging behind it like a whip ready to strike. Its menacing roar filled the arena, sending chills down the spines of even the most seasoned fighters in the audience.
"And now," the announcer continued, his voice rising in excitement. "In the other corner, returning to the arena after two weeks, the one you've all been waiting for—Huang, the super rookie! The archer who fought veterans, the strategist who never backs down!"
The gates on the opposite side of the arena creaked open, and Yan Jin emerged. Unlike many fighters who might play to the crowd or enter with a show of bravado, he walked in with calm, focused steps. There were no flashy gestures, no dramatic flourishes. He simply held his bow in hand, his eyes locked on his opponent.
His eyeless mask, as stoic as ever, bore the same blank expression that had become his trademark.
Whispers rippled through the crowd as they noticed his calm demeanor, his refusal to give in to theatrics.
"He's not here to show off, today" one spectator muttered.
Without acknowledging the crowd, Yan Jin stepped into the center of the arena, facing the hulking Sand Crocodile. The stark contrast between the beast's immense size and Yan Jin's lean, controlled form was a striking image. The young archer took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension. His hand tightened on his bowstring as he surveyed his opponent.
The crowd, sensing the gravity of the moment, fell into a hushed silence. All eyes were on Yan Jin as the announcer's voice rang out one last time:
"Let the battle begin!"
As the restraints on the Sand Crocodile were released, it slithered forward with a menacing intent, its armored body scraping against the sandy floor of the arena. Each movement reverberated through the stands, its jaws snapping menacingly, as if sensing the challenge that lay before it.
The beast's massive form was a wall of scales and muscle, a near-invincible fortress in motion, and the crowd murmured in awe at its sheer presence.
But Yan Jin was unmoved.
In one fluid motion, he pulled out one of his celestial arrows, the dark-colored one that shimmered faintly with an ominous power. With precise and almost unnatural balance, he raised his leg, using it to steady his bow as he assumed a one-legged stance. The crowd gasped at the unorthodox shooting position, but to Yan Jin, it was second nature.
He nocked the arrow, his fingers gripping the string tightly as he drew it to its maximum. His muscles bulged, veins pulsating with the power of his behemoth bloodline. His once-human form seemed to transcend as his muscle fibers hardened into steel, and his bones glowed with the luster of gold. The air around him rippled with energy as his strength surged beyond mortal limits.
Yan Jin's aura exploded outward, like a tsunami crashing into the crowd, suffocating the very atmosphere of the arena. The immense pressure caused the weaker spectators to involuntarily grip their seats, their chests tight as if the air had been sucked from the room. All of his power, all of his essence, began to converge at the tip of his arrow.
The runes etched into the arrow responded, glowing rhythmically, pulsing in sync with Yan Jin's heartbeat. Each thump echoed throughout the arena, a harbinger of the devastation to come. The entire arena fell into an eerie silence, every spectator holding their breath as the scene unfolded.
Then, without warning, Yan Jin released.
A deafening explosion shook the arena as the arrow left the bow. The recoil sent a shockwave through the ground, causing the walls to tremble. The dark arrow transformed mid-flight, turning into a spiraling beam of energy, rotating with immense speed, tearing through the very fabric of space. The energy drill howled as it cut through the air, obliterating everything in its path.
The Sand Crocodile, mighty and nearly invincible, barely had time to react. The arrow connected with its chest, and in an instant, the seemingly indestructible scales were torn apart as though they were nothing more than paper. The beam continued through the beast's body, slicing through it like butter, leaving nothing but a gaping wound.
The crowd gasped in disbelief as the creature, once a terrifying force, fell lifeless to the ground.
But the arrow wasn't done.
It didn't stop at the Crocodile. It tore through the stone walls of the arena as if they were made of sand, defying the ancient runes meant to protect the structure. The runes lit up in a desperate attempt to stop the oncoming destruction, but they were powerless against the overwhelming force of Yan Jin's attack.
The arrow broke through the wall, heading straight for the VIP section where none other than Nie Yang sat, watching the match with an air of superiority.
Time seemed to slow as the beam hurtled toward him, its spiraling energy cutting through the air with a deadly hum.
Nie Yang, sensing the impending threat, appeared in an instant, raising his hand to intercept the powerful attack. His imperial bloodline flared to life, and the majestic aura of the regal golden lion materialized behind him. The ethereal beast roared, shaking the entire arena as its immense presence clashed with Yan Jin's spiraling energy arrow.
Sparks erupted in all directions, lighting up the arena as the two forces collided. The crowd, frozen in awe and fear, watched as Nie Yang struggled to hold back the destructive force. He frowned, surprised by the sheer strength of the attack. It was far beyond what he had expected from someone still on the lower floors.
Realizing he couldn't hold back, he pushed harder, exerting more of his imperial bloodline's power, forcing the arrow to slow.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of struggle, the spinning energy of the arrow dissipated, and the celestial projectile flew back toward Yan Jin. It landed gracefully in his outstretched palm, leaving the arena in silence.
Nie Yang sneered, locking eyes with Yan Jin's figure across the arena, his golden aura still shimmering with dominance. But just as he began to turn away, a voice echoed in his mind, chilling and calm:
Discover more content at m,v l'e|m-p| y r
"I will be coming for you. Soon."
He froze for a brief moment, his sneer fading. Raising his hand to inspect it, his eyes narrowed in disbelief. There, on his palm, was a small but unmistakable cut—a cut that shouldn't have been possible. As an imperial bloodline holder, with the power of a golden lion, his body was nearly impervious. Yet Yan Jin's attack had breached his defenses.
It was a declaration of war.
The spectators, unaware of the mental exchange and Nie Yang's silent shock, erupted into a frenzy, oblivious to the tension brewing between the two.