Chapter 632 - Baiting An Ultimate Dark Form (2)

Back in Radiance Hall, a fierce match was under way in one of the eight main fighting rings. Two prodigies who had reached pugilist level clashed frantically, dodging and turning. Powerful kicks landed on the ring, muffled

booms

came from clashing fists, and crisp flaps rose from whipping sleeves. It all composed a passionate symphony.

"Fire Serpent Sam versus Magic Mirror Kara... Truly interesting. A genius from the Federation's western Covert Martial Arts circle sparring with a legacy disciple of one of the United States of Yana's three special sects... Unprecedented indeed. This tournament really is an eye‑opener..."

In the spectator stands, a few practitioners chattered in twos and threes.

"Who'll win? Both have achieved third-level accelerated blood flow."

"It ought to be Magic Mirror Kara. His instant mimicry is too strong. He can simply adopt your style and tangle with you. Then, he finds your weakness and defeats you. That's his Magic Mirror Sect's Secret Technique. Anyone who faces it for the first time, no matter how cautious, will likely suffer. A truly unique and formidable style, and their heir, Kara, is exceptionally gifted..."

"Then what if he meets Broken Moonlight from Golem Sect?"

"Broken Moonlight Dragon? Hard to say. Both are dark horses with no prior record. Dragon's matches ended faster and were more one-sided, but that may be dependent on Kara's mirror‑style. Mimicry fights drag out the bout a bit..."

The two practitioners watched while commenting on the rising young stars of the tournament. The two they mentioned were among the youth bracket's top eight and would head to Golem Sect headquarters to vie for the title.

Of course, Kara had to win this bout to be counted in that eight but the outcome onstage looked to be decided as his opponent was faltering.

"Kara can't beat Dragon." Suddenly, an old white‑haired man appeared behind them with bright eyes. "When a mirror meets a dragon, the mirror shatters. The Golem Sect's Covert Martial Arts form their own unique, powerful, utterly domineering system. The Magic Mirror Secret Technique of the southern United States of Yana is strong, but I fear..."

He shook his head, watching the two figures intertwine on the ring. "Well..."

One practitioner started to retort, but the other burst out excitedly. "Wind Wing Theo, former Winged Serpent Fist sect master!"

Elder Theo kept his gaze fixed on the ring. "

Heheh

, no need to mention past titles. I'm just an old man now. Let's watch, let's watch."

The three's strength levels were far apart and unrelated, yet the tournament had brought them together to chat.

"Elder Theo, your realm is profound and your eyes are keen. Who do you see winning the youth tournament this time?" The tall practitioner asked curiously.

"Unless something unexpected occurs, it should be Broken Moonlight Dragon." Theo smiled at their puzzled faces and explained. "You may not see it. Though the top eight all look strong, there are in fact gaps among these talents. The contestants can be broken into roughly three tiers. Magic Mirror Kara is in the second, with maybe one or two others. However, the first tier has only one—Dragon. His strength is too lethal, and none can match him..."

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Theo's eyes gleamed as he continued. "I even suspect he could trade blows with a combat artist."

The tall thin practitioner gasped. "

Ah?

That strong? Then the final champion would..."

"Hence the twist. If Golem Sect's own disciple wins, wouldn't the ultimate prize be a deal amongst themselves? The optics are too poor so they won't do that. Either Dragon withdraws voluntarily to avoid suspicion or Golem Sect disciples don't count toward the prize quota and the runner‑up gets the ultimate reward. I expect the second. Golem Sect wouldn't overlook that..." Theo guessed.

In fact, things unfolded just as he predicted. After Magic Mirror Kara defeated Fire Serpent Sam, the top eight matches ended. The host announced onstage that the next day's youth final would be held at Golem Sect headquarters outside East Sea City, and participants could relocate there together. That was the first message. The other concerned the prize quota that Theo had guessed. Golem Sect disciples would not occupy prize slots, and many contestants breathed a sigh of relief. They felt the tournament had become fairer.

Near the evening of October 4, several sects formerly lodged by Golem Sect arrived at its headquarters outside East Sea City. After settling in, they began touring the headquarters. Golem Sect did not stop them, for this was a chance to display their strength. After all, the plan was for the headquarters to become a martial holy land. Keeping it mysterious and foggy would not be wise.

Since no one was blocking them, many practitioners roamed everywhere. They saw many museum‑like buildings housing war trophies under glass domes. There were twisted totems of eerie orange, blood that looked alive yet never formed a human shape, and reassembled white stone statues over ten meters tall. Though damaged, the trophies exuded a formidable aura that raised goosebumps even through the shields. It was plain to see that they were highly dangerous creatures that the Golem Sect had destroyed.

Leaving the building complex, they saw towering stone statues that were five or six meters high. The statues were wide and tall, standing at different points, joining to form a huge pattern. Visitors had thought them mere sculptures, until a meddler dug at one to check its stone. The statue moved and, like grabbing a chick, flung the man dozens of meters away. In the end, he fainted and did not wake for quite a while.

In that instant, everyone sensed danger. Even elders and masters eyed the statues warily. However, such daunting statues stood everywhere around Golem Sect headquarters, forming a defensive ring.

Suppressing their shock, the visitors moved on to Heart Lake Island, this time guided by Golem Sect disciples. When they rowed their boat closer, they felt a magnetic pull growing stronger as though drawing them in. Faint magical whispers echoed in their ears. Fortunately, it was weak enough not to drive them mad. It was only upon landing that they found the source of the magnetism.

There were more than a dozen formidable manuals all around the island . Though unopened, bizarre distortions warped a meter area around each manual. Around some, the air and ground cracked like spider webs. Around others, the ground kept sinking, causing stone and soil to disintegrate into powder by an unseen force. Some areas even pulsed as shockwaves rippled outwards like repeated explosions.

At the center, a manual called Golem Heart Codex spawned illusions around it, resembling a scene from hell. Deep male and female murmurs overlapped, calling, crying, and luring one into the abyss.

After leaving, visitors couldn't get the island's scenes out of their minds, like the strange phenomena around the manuals. This was true Covert Martial Arts. At a glance, it was gorgeous, mysterious, and extraordinarily strong. If they could train in just one of them, the taste of it would be indescribably satisfying.

While the tournament was reaching its peak, a four-day upheaval reached its final stage on Eternal Island. A huge bait had been thrown through the inter-world passage, and even dark creatures fighting for the bait became part of it. The ever‑increasing alluring aura finally drew the attention of a big fish.

An Ultimate Dark Form came striding over the mountains with heavy steps.