"It's still too ethereal, lacking vitality. The essence of wood lies in its life force—let's see if Heaven-Cold qi can help." Evan Yang muttered as he gazed at the figure identical to himself. He channeled his Heaven-Cold qi into the mirage body, and gradually, the illusion became a perfect replica of Evan.
To outsiders, it would be nearly impossible to tell the two apart.
"One isn't enough—I need more." Evan Yang decided to try creating additional mirage bodies, though these illusions had no offensive power; they were meant only to confuse others.
From the day of the match until the next, Evan Yang remained by the lakeside, using water, light, and Heaven-Cold qi to create mirage bodies.
"Twenty is enough, though it consumes a lot of Heaven-Cold qi." Evan Yang smiled at the twenty mirage bodies. As soon as he stopped controlling them, they faded away.
Seeing himself create such miraculous mirage bodies for the first time, Evan Yang was secretly delighted. Glancing at the lakeside, he realized it was already night—the second night. Tomorrow would be the second round of the tournament.
"Strange, the surface of the water feels odd." Evan Yang was about to head back, but something about the lake's surface caught his attention—he could sense something, but couldn't pinpoint it.
Curious, Evan Yang moved to hover above the water. After circling in the air for a while, he still felt something strange below. He conjured a massive stone in his hand—formed on the spot—and hurled it down from high above.
The stone fell at incredible speed, even sparking as it shot through the air.
With a loud splash, water sprayed high into the air. After a moment, a dull boom sounded from below—a faint tremor. Though the vibration was slight, Evan Yang knew he'd struck something beneath the lake.
The strange feeling vanished.
"What was that just now? Why is it gone?" Evan Yang wondered to himself. Once the feeling disappeared, he finally left.
In another space, the Devil-Realm Emissary, who had been meditating with eyes closed, suddenly snapped them open—his eyes blood-red. "Who? Who destroyed my formation?" he demanded.
Evan Yang had no idea the Devil-Realm Emissary had set up a special formation there, hidden in the water—and never expected he would break it by accident.
Furious, the Devil-Realm Emissary contacted Sect Master Leon Xiang.
Sect Master Leon Xiang saw the Devil-Realm Emissary's anger and asked in confusion, "I don't know what happened to upset you."
"Go investigate for me—who was just at the Eastern Great Lake?" the Devil-Realm Emissary demanded, still furious.
"Eastern Great Lake? No one should have gone there." Sect Master Leon Xiang knew the area—he had already ordered his disciples not to approach, so he was certain.
"Are you sure?" the Devil-Realm Emissary asked.
"I've already given the order—no one should be there," Sect Master Leon Xiang replied confidently.
The Devil-Realm Emissary was skeptical. "You gave the order, but what about the other sects?"
"Well, I didn't notify the other sects," Sect Master Leon Xiang replied in surprise.
"Exactly. Investigate the ten sects and find out which sect's disciple was there—I want to know." said the Devil-Realm Emissary.
"Once you've found out, should I detain them?" Sect Master Leon Xiang asked.
"If you find someone, just let me know. I'll interrogate them myself later," said the Devil-Realm Emissary. "Understood," replied Sect Master Leon Xiang, and left to carry out the order.
The Devil-Realm Emissary's expression darkened. "Damn it—if I find out who did this, I'll make them pay."
Evan Yang had no idea his accidental actions had enraged the Devil-Realm Emissary—nor did he know such an emissary even existed.
Sect Master Leon Xiang immediately sent people to investigate who had approached the lake, but since no one was there and Evan Yang had been alone, the Northspirit Sect never learned anyone had appeared. Thus, Evan Yang's presence went completely unnoticed.
By now, Evan Yang had already returned to his quarters.
Inside, Elder Simon Spring relaxed when he saw Evan Yang return. "Where did you go? You disappeared for a whole day!" he asked.
"Sect Master said to go out for a walk, so I wandered around the planet," Evan Yang replied, omitting his research.
"That counts as wandering? You were gone so long—everyone else returned already. I thought something had happened to you," Elder Simon Spring said.
"I was just having fun," Evan Yang replied.
"Alright, since you're fine, get ready. Tomorrow you'll face Group Three—Dragon Sky Sect. They specialize in brute force; their strength is above average. Even a second-tier Immortal-Lord can match a third or fourth-tier's power. So tomorrow, don't try to fight them with your fists—otherwise you'll suffer." Elder Simon Spring addressed Evan Yang, Sean Shen, and Bald Lee.
After Elder Simon Spring finished, he returned to his quarters, leaving Sean Shen and Bald Lee exchanging glances. Sean Shen laughed: "Brother Yang, you really shone yesterday—hope you'll keep it up tomorrow."
"I can't always be the one in the spotlight—you guys need to step up too. If you can win without me, that's best," Evan Yang said, then returned to his quarters.
"What does he mean by that?" Bald Lee exclaimed angrily.
"Forget it—he's got the skills to say that." Seeing Evan Yang's attitude, Sean Shen was annoyed but held back, knowing Elder Simon Spring would target Evan Yang, making him the sect master's prey.
"Brother Shen, what's up with you lately? Always defending him?" Bald Lee asked, puzzled.
"Because his days are numbered," Sean Shen replied with a smile, then returned to his quarters.
Bald Lee was about to ask why, but saw Sean Shen leaving. "Hey, hey, Brother Shen—tell me why!"
But Sean Shen had already returned to his quarters, leaving Bald Lee completely confused.
With everyone gone, Bald Lee had no choice but to return as well. The next day, Elder Simon Spring led the group to the arena.
Today, they were matched against Group Three—Dragon Sky Sect.
Every member of Dragon Sky Sect was a muscular man. They scanned the crowd, then locked eyes on Evan Yang—they all knew he was the strongest.
"You're strong!" Sean Shen frowned.
Seeing everyone looking at Evan Yang, Sean Shen felt a bit frustrated. In the past, he'd have been the center of attention, but now the spotlight had shifted. Still, he reminded himself Evan Yang's days were numbered, so there was no point in being jealous.
The Dragon Sky Sect master stepped forward, laughing: "Sect Master Spring, I didn't expect your sect to have someone even more outstanding."
"So what?" Elder Simon Spring replied with a smile.
"You won the other day, thanks to this kid. Today, I want to see whether your genius is stronger, or my sect is stronger," the Dragon Sky Sect master said.
"You'll see soon enough," Elder Simon Spring replied with a smile.
"Alright, let's begin," said the Dragon Sky Sect master.
Elder Simon Spring sent Bald Lee up first, then Sean Shen, and finally Evan Yang.
The Dragon Sky Sect master knew their order, so he sent his weakest disciple first—a muscular man.
His realm was first-tier Immortal-Lord. When he stepped onto the arena, the floor trembled beneath his feet.
That strength is impressive, but it's all brute force, Evan Yang thought to himself.
"I'm Skyler Chong—I don't fight nobodies. State your name," Skyler Chong said in a deep voice.
"I'm Bald Lee," Bald Lee replied.
"Alright, let's begin—hope you're not too weak," Skyler Chong said.
Hearing that, Bald Lee's fighting spirit surged.
The two immediately started fighting.
Skyler Chong was strong, so Bald Lee avoided direct clashes, instead using his own attribute attacks. Skyler Chong grew frustrated at Bald Lee's evasive tactics, always looking for a chance to go head-to-head, but couldn't manage it. He kept searching for an opening while fending off Bald Lee's attacks.
Their overall strength was about equal, so the match became a test of endurance. They fought for at least half an hour.
Both were gasping for breath, having depleted much of their Immortal Essence—it was down to who could hold out longer.
"I refuse to believe I can't beat you," Skyler Chong said.
"Then come on—cut the chatter," Bald Lee retorted with a cold snort.
But the referee announced, "Half an hour is up—it's a draw."
"A draw?" The crowd was puzzled. The referee explained that the match had a time limit to prevent stalling—if no winner after half an hour, it's a draw.
Elder Simon Spring and the opposing sect master, both experienced, understood immediately. Bald Lee and Skyler Chong stepped down, losing their eligibility for the next round. Each side now had two fighters left—Sean Shen and Evan Yang for Blue Robe Sect.
Sean Shen stepped forward, and the opposing side sent out a fighter as well—a second-tier Immortal-Lord named Quentin Qian, a rising talent in Dragon Sky Sect.
Though his muscles weren't much bigger than the last guy's, he gave off a stronger impression than Skyler Chong.
"Let's begin," Quentin Qian said.
"Then I won't hold back," Sean Shen replied, immediately drawing his Gentleman Sword. He didn't want to drag things out, since the opponent was strong.
Seeing Sean Shen draw the Gentleman Sword, Quentin Qian knew he couldn't go toe-to-toe with his fists—so he put on two gauntlets. They looked ordinary, but to Quentin Qian, they were a tough magical treasure.
Just as he'd hoped, Sean Shen tried to slash with the Gentleman Sword, but Quentin Qian grabbed the blade with his gauntleted fists, halting its momentum.
"You're strong!" Sean Shen frowned.
"Of course—strength is our sect's specialty!" Quentin Qian replied.
"Then let's see how you handle my flames!" Sean Shen shouted, and the Gentleman Sword burst into flames, instantly covering Quentin Qian's hands.
"So you're fire attribute—that's even better!" Quentin Qian laughed, then coated his hands with a layer of water, protecting himself.
"You're water attribute?" Sean Shen exclaimed, realizing something was off.