The sun was setting in the late afternoon, casting a lovely golden hue over the Grand Competition Grounds.

In this warm illumination, the fractured stone stages shimmered, reflecting the dust and raw qi haze that had settled after hours of unyielding combat. The sharp metallic scent of spilt blood intertwined with a delicate hint of blood essence, adding to the intense ambiance.

Every breath carried the battle blood.

Though many matches had already concluded, the energy of the arena had only grown more intense. The crowd was not tired. If anything, anticipation heightened, hands tight like a bowstring ready to snap.

All eyes lifted as the Grey Shadow Hall elder drifted into position above the grounds. His presence alone rippled through the air. The folds of his dark robe fluttered in air with measured rhythm, and the pressure of his cultivation stirred the wind into silence.

"One final match remains before the Top Ten are chosen," he declared, his voice calm yet undeniable.

Whispers spread like sparks across dry grass.

The elder raised a hand. "Fin Walker of the Walker Clan."

"Robert Osborn of the Osborn Clan."

A collective gasp burst from the stands.

"The Osborn boy again…?"

"He already fought earlier. Can he endure another battle?"

"No chance. Fin Walker is in the Peak Stage. He will crush him."

From the Walker stands, Fin Walker stepped forward. He was tall, broad-shouldered, his presence heavy like an iron hammer. His qi surged immediately—Spirit Root Level four, low Stage—golden, forceful, and violent, cracking the ground beneath each step.

A fighter shaped by a clan famous for relentless dominance.

Fin smirked, rolling his shoulders as he approached the stage. "This is a good chance to remind everyone why the Walker Clan stands above the rest."

Then Robert Osborn walked out.

He moved without spectacle, his steps firm and even, each breath controlled. The aura he revealed was modest—Spirit Root Level Three, Peak Stage. Nothing more. Nothing less.

But beneath that quiet surface, his real power pulsed like a hidden tide—Spirit Root Level Five, Low Stage, compressed so tightly it never leaked into the air.

Only Lady Paige Lee's eyes narrowed slightly, as though she sensed something faint… but not enough to confirm.

The two opponents took their positions.

Fin cracked his knuckles. "I hope you will not regret stepping on this stage, Osborn."

Robert simply nodded, drawing no sword, releasing no qi, his posture relaxed but grounded.

The elder's hand dropped.

The match began.

Fin cracked his knuckles. "you are tough, Osborn. But this stage belongs to the strongest."

Robert offered a simple nod.

The elder dropped his hand.

The fight began.

Fin lunged first—fast, direct, confident. His fist burst with golden qi, tearing a crack across the arena floor as it shot toward Robert's ribs.

Robert leaned back a single step—no flare of qi, no explosive movement, only smooth precision. The attack sliced through his robes.

Whispers erupted in the stands.

"He dodged that with no movement skill?"

"Impossible… Fin's strike was full force!"

Fin's jaw tightened. He attacked again, punches becoming gusts of golden force. Each impact shattered stone, but Robert slipped between them with water-like grace. His eyes narrowed slightly—not with strain but evaluation.

A perfect opening appeared.

Robert stepped forward.

His palm struck Fin's shoulder—a clean, sharp impact. Controlled.

Restrained. But accurate enough to disrupt Fin's balance.

Fin stumbled.

"How…?" He muttered.

Robert's voice was soft. "You leave your right side open when you punch with your left."

Fin gritted his teeth and burst forward again, unleashing everything he had. His spirit root energy roared, shaking the very air.

Robert inhaled.

Not yet.

He allowed only a thin thread of his true power to flow—just enough to meet the incoming storm.

Fin's next punch reached him—

—and Robert's hand rose like a falling feather.

His palm intercepted the blow.

A faint crack echoed.

Fin's arm trembled from the rebound, shock spreading across his face. Before he could recover, Robert shifted his stance, stepped in, and delivered a final, decisive strike to the chest—gentle in appearance but backed by perfect technique.

Fin was lifted off his feet and thrown off the stage.

Silence.

Then—

"Victory—Osborn Clan! Robert Osborn advances!"

The arena exploded into chaos.

"What? Fin lost?"

"An Osborn defeated a Walker?"

"He only showed Peak Stage… how did he overpower that?"

"Are these Magical City people really that weak? Or… is he hiding something terrifying?"

Robert exhaled quietly and stepped back toward his clan's area. He had not revealed even a fraction of his true strength.

Above, Lady Paige Lee observed him with narrowed eyes.

"He masked his qi perfectly," she whispered. "Interesting."

The Grey Shadow elder raised his hand once more. The crowd fell silent instantly.

"The final match has concluded. The top ten of this year's Grand Competition preliminaries shall now be announced!"

A scroll of shimmering silver unfurled in his hand.

He read aloud:

"Harvey Walker."

"Aaden Walker."

"Drake Walker."

The Walker Clan thundered with pride.

"Max Brooks."

"Miller Brooks."

Cheers from the Brook stands followed.

"Rachel Clark."

"Evan Clark."

The Clark banners fluttered strongly.

"Conner Brown."

Golden light rippled through the Brown supporters.

Then—

The elder's voice deepened.

"Robert Osborn."

A shockwave of gasps swept the arena.

Another name followed:

"Essie Osborn."

The stadium erupted.

"Two Osborns?!"

"they are not even from Celestial Brook!"

"The Osborn clan… Made the Top Ten?"

"This year is completely different!"

Robert remained still, letting the chants, praise, and shouts wash over him. He raised his head slightly, eyes calm but burning with quiet determination.

They had doubted the Osborn Clan.

They had dismissed them because of the Magical City's weaker foundation.

Yet here they stood:

Two Osborns in the Top Ten.

Lady Paige Lee closed her scroll and cast one last look toward Robert.

"The storm has indeed begun," she whispered.

And at that moment, the whole city felt it—

The winds of Celestial Brook were changing direction.

A new clan was rising.

The elder announced the Top Ten Competition would begin in just two hours, and the entire arena tensed for what awaited.

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