THE RULER OF MAP

The celebration after their victory didn't last long for Zhang Xin and his teammates. Only a few days had passed when they received an official summon from the Royal Fight Arena, a place where only the strongest warriors competed, each match more brutal than the last. To be summoned so soon meant that someone was eager to test their limits—and there was little doubt who that someone was.

As Zhang Xin and his teammates entered the arena's stone gates, the vast coliseum stretched out before them, filled with onlookers buzzing with excitement. The crowd's energy thrummed through the air as they spotted Chen Biyu and her team on the opposite side, waiting with a collective confidence that bordered on arrogance.

The Battle Begins

The announcer called out, his voice echoing through the arena. "Today, we witness a battle of skill, honor, and legacy! Zhang Xin's team versus Chen Biyu's elite fighters! Let the match begin!"

Both teams took their positions, and as the gong rang, the arena seemed to fall into silence, everyone holding their breath.

Zhang Xin vs. Chen Biyu

Zhang Xin activated his light technique, surrounding himself in a radiant glow that illuminated the shadowy figure of Chen Biyu. She grinned, her eyes flashing with a deadly calm.

"Prepare to be engulfed, Zhang Xin," she murmured, summoning her darkness technique. "Black Vortex!" With a wave of her hand, dark tendrils spiraled out, twisting toward Zhang Xin like living shadows.

Zhang Xin retaliated with "Blinding Burst," a sudden flash that expanded outward, attempting to dispel her shadows. For a moment, her vortex stalled, but she recovered quickly, her dark energy surging forward.

"Not so easy this time, is it?" she taunted, forming a swirling mass of darkness, her signature move, "Abyssal Cage." It wrapped around Zhang Xin, attempting to close him off from any light source.

Thinking fast, Zhang Xin activated "Solar Flare," a powerful burst of concentrated light. The brightness shattered her darkness, and Zhang Xin leaped forward, ready to end the battle, but Chen Biyu sidestepped with ease, her calm expression unfazed. "You'll have to do better," she whispered, preparing her next move.

Lian Hua vs. Feng Li

As Chen Biyu and Zhang Xin clashed, Lian Hua faced off against Feng Li, her petal sword at the ready. Feng Li laughed as she formed a barrier of wind around herself, taunting Lian Hua with her casual stance.

Lian Hua swung her blade, sending a flurry of petals at Feng Li with her "Petal Storm." The petals sliced through the air, piercing through Feng Li's wind defense and catching her by surprise.

Enraged, Feng Li countered with "Tempest Spin," a whirlwind that attempted to scatter Lian Hua's petals. But Lian Hua's focus held steady, her movements graceful yet lethal as she spun through the storm, closing the distance and delivering a precise strike that forced Feng Li back.

Xiaobo vs. Gao Jian

On the other side of the arena, Xiaobo was locked in a fierce battle with Gao Jian. Flames and metal clashed as Xiaobo's "Blazing Fist" met Gao Jian's "Steel Guard." Sparks flew as Xiaobo intensified his attacks, igniting his fists with flames that burned hotter with each punch.

Gao Jian, however, was a master of defense. He hardened his metal technique, forming an unbreakable shield, then unleashed his "Iron Claws," metallic claws that shot out from his hands. Xiaobo dodged, narrowly escaping a devastating strike. With a smirk, he retaliated by charging up his "Inferno Burst," a burst of flame that finally melted through Gao Jian's shield, catching him off guard.

Yuxin vs. Bei Jiang

Yuxin and Bei Jiang were a sight to behold, their ice and lightning techniques creating a dazzling display of energy. Yuxin kept her distance, using "Frozen Spears" to keep Bei Jiang at bay. But Bei Jiang was relentless, moving with lightning speed and dodging her attacks.

Realizing she needed a different tactic, Yuxin summoned her "Glacial Wall," a towering ice barrier that forced Bei Jiang to slow down. As he paused, she unleashed "Ice Wave," freezing the ground around him and forcing him to stay in place. Trapped momentarily, Bei Jiang summoned a bolt of "Thunder Strike," shattering the ice, and the two continued their back-and-forth battle with renewed intensity.

Mei Lan vs. Han Rou

Mei Lan's healing water techniques clashed against Han Rou's deadly poisons. Han Rou grinned, spreading her "Venom Mist" through the air, but Mei Lan remained unfazed. With a calm resolve, she summoned "Ocean's Embrace," a wave of water that pushed back the mist, purifying the air around her.

Han Rou snarled, throwing a series of poisoned darts, but Mei Lan dodged gracefully, using "Water Dance" to move as if flowing through water itself. With a final surge of her "Healing Rain," she overwhelmed Han Rou, cleansing her of her poison and leaving her drained.

Chen Bo vs. Meng Wu

Chen Bo and Meng Wu's battle was one of sword versus fire. Chen Bo's precise sword technique clashed with Meng Wu's "Flame Barrier," a fiery defense that shielded him from Chen Bo's strikes. But Chen Bo was undeterred, activating "Swift Blade," a move that allowed him to dart past Meng Wu's flames with lightning speed.

Meng Wu countered with "Burning Slash," a wave of fire that Chen Bo barely dodged. But Chen Bo's patience paid off; with one swift motion, he disarmed Meng Wu, ending their match.

Just as the battles seemed to be drawing to a close, the arena floor trembled. Shadows stretched across the ground, and a chilling wind blew through the air. A dark, cloaked figure appeared at the edge of the arena, his presence commanding silence from the crowd.

Chen Biyu froze, her expression turning to one of shock. "No... it can't be," she murmured.

The figure raised a hand, and a pulse of dark energy swept through the arena. "You've all done well," he spoke in a voice that seemed to resonate from the shadows themselves, "but true power lies beyond these petty battles. You've only glimpsed a fraction of what the dark arts can achieve."

Zhang Xin felt a chill run down his spine. Who was this figure? And what power did he possess?

The figure turned toward Chen Biyu. "You've disappointed me, Biyu. Perhaps it's time you learned what true strength is."

Before anyone could react, the dark figure unleashed a wave of shadow energy that engulfed Chen Biyu, lifting her into the air. Zhang Xin's team moved to intervene, but the dark figure shot a warning glance in their direction, halting them.

As the energy intensified, Chen Biyu's screams filled the air. Zhang Xin's mind raced, unsure whether to attack or retreat. This was a power unlike anything they had faced—a power that threatened to consume them all.