CHAPTER 320: THE ARENA OF BLOOD

The sun rose high above the black stone arena of the Demonic Sect.

Guards stood in every corner.

Elders sat on a raised platform, watching with calm, sharp eyes.

The ground was stained from past blood.

This was where the strongest demons were born.

Mo Tianheng stood in the middle of the field, breathing slowly.

His body had changed from before.

It was leaner, sharper, and stronger.

Years of pain had carved his muscles into steel.

Today was the final tournament.

Only four children had survived the pit, the training, and the pain.

The rest had died, vanished, or gone mad.

Tianheng stood quietly as the first match was called.

"Mo Tianheng vs. Jin Ku!"

The crowd of sect members started whispering.

Some had heard of Tianheng, the boy who never begged, cried, or stopped training.

A boy with demon eyes.

The one he would face now, Jin Ku, stepped out calmly.

He was tall for his age, and in his hand was a black spear.

"He’s strong," someone whispered. "He already mastered [Demonic Spear Flow]."

Jin Ku spun his spear once and smirked. "I hope you’re ready, dagger boy."

Mo Tianheng pulled out two short, curved blades.

"They’ll do."

He took his stance, low, flexible, ready to move.

He had learned [Dagger Demon Dance], a style focused on dodging and striking fast.

"Begin!" the elder shouted.

Jin Ku charged first, spear spinning with [Shadow Coil Thrust].

The air hissed from the speed of the strike.

But Tianheng was already moving, twisting his body sideways.

He ducked, slipped behind Jin Ku, and then aimed for his back with [Crescent Twin Slash].

Jin Ku spun fast and blocked it just in time.

Their weapons clashed, sending a loud clang across the arena.

Jin Ku jumped back and narrowed his eyes. "You’re fast."

Tianheng did not answer.

He only moved again, this time using [Demonic Step Breaker], a footwork style that confused enemy movements.

Jin Ku couldn’t tell which side he was coming from.

Suddenly, Tianheng slashed upward with [Twin Demon Fang].

Jin Ku blocked, but only barely.

The edge of Tianheng’s dagger cut across his cheek.

Blood spilled.

"Tch!" Jin Ku stepped back, growling. His spear glowed faintly with dark qi.

He then shouted and used [Piercing Serpent Strike], a straight thrust with all his energy focused on one point.

The ground cracked under his feet.

But Tianheng bent his knees and leaped to the side.

As he landed, he kicked off the wall and launched himself forward.

Then he activated [Ghost Chain Cut], a move that left afterimages behind to confuse the enemy.

Jin Ku panicked.

He struck an afterimage, missing completely.

Tianheng slid in close and pressed a blade to his throat.

"Done."

Silence filled the arena.

Then the elder stood. "Winner: Mo Tianheng."

The crowd didn’t cheer. But many nodded in respect.

Some even murmured, "He might be the one."

Tianheng lowered his daggers and walked back to the waiting area.

Jin Ku sat in the dirt, holding his throat.

He hadn’t even seen the final move.

---

Back in the waiting room, the other two survivors stared at Tianheng.

One was a short girl with pale skin.

She held twin whips and had eyes like a snake.

The other was a quiet boy with a huge sword on his back.

No one spoke.

Tianheng sat down and closed his eyes.

He slowed his breathing.

Inside, he felt the [Heavenly Demon Art] swirl through his body.

His qi was thicker now. His body was stronger.

Every day of pain had brought him closer to this moment.

One more fight.

Then the sect would name one of them the Young Lord.

He didn’t want the title.

He just wanted to be free.

But to be free... he had to win.

And so, he waited, sharpening his mind like a blade.

Because in this sect, there were no second chances.

Only demons.

---

The second round soon began.

The elder stood again and raised his hand.

"Next match. Xue Lin vs. Hou Ban."

The arena gates opened, and the two remaining fighters walked out.

Xue Lin stepped forward first.

She was short and thin, with pale skin and sharp eyes.

Two dark whips were wrapped around her waist.

She didn’t smile. She only looked ahead, calm and cold.

Behind her, Hou Ban entered slowly.

He was tall and silent, holding a giant black sword on his back.

His eyes looked empty, but his steps were heavy with strength.

Tianheng watched from the side, arms crossed.

The elder gave the signal.

"Begin."

Hou Ban didn’t wait.

He grabbed his massive sword and charged forward with [Mountain Cleave], a slow but powerful downward strike.

The ground cracked when the sword hit, but Xue Lin was no longer there.

She had already used [Snake Step Fade], a movement skill that made her slip through enemy strikes like water.

Her body twisted, and her whip snapped out with [Venom Lash].

It wrapped around Hou Ban’s arm, and she pulled.

But Hou Ban didn’t flinch.

Instead, he yanked her forward with brute strength and used [Earth Shatter Swing], a sideways smash with his sword.

Xue Lin released the whip just in time and rolled backward.

She landed on one knee and smirked.

"You’re slow, but tough."

Hou Ban stayed silent. He lifted his sword again.

Xue Lin flicked her other whip and activated [Twin Coil Trap].

Both whips danced in the air, circling around Hou Ban, leaving trails of dark qi behind.

Tianheng narrowed his eyes. "She’s trying to bind him completely."

Hou Ban stepped forward, breaking through one of the coils, but the other whip caught his leg.

That was her chance.

Xue Lin dashed forward and used [Snake Fang Slash], a whip attack aimed at the neck.

But Hou Ban roared and released [Titan Core Surge], a power boost that pulsed through his whole body.

The whips snapped from the burst of energy.

Xue Lin was thrown back by the force and hit the wall.

She got up quickly, wiping blood from her lips. "You’re not bad."

Hou Ban raised his sword again, ready to finish it.

Tianheng leaned forward slightly. "Who’s going to fall first?"

The match wasn’t over.

But the real battle had just begun.