Veil of the Shattered Heavens

The preparation room was quiet, with only the faint murmurs of the arena crowd filtering through the stone walls. Xuan Li stood silently, tightening the bindings on his fists. His breathing was calm, but his eyes burned with determination. Just then, his master's voice echoed in his mind, clear and commanding.

"Disciple," Veldris began, his tone laced with authority, "for this battle, I have one condition for you: do not use cosmic energy. Rely solely on your physical strength."

Xuan Li frowned slightly but nodded. "Understood, Master. May I ask why?"

"Your body is still adapting to the transformation from last night," Veldris explained. "Using cosmic energy prematurely could destabilize the foundation of your evolution. Additionally, this will give you a chance to discover your physical limits—an invaluable lesson for any warrior."

"Understood," Xuan Li replied, his voice steady.

A knock at the door interrupted the conversation. "Participant Blood Fang, are you ready?"

Xuan Li gave one last glance at the room, his fists tightening. "I am."

The arena roared as Xuan Li stepped into the ring. The crowd's reaction was immediate: laughter, jeers, and mocking cheers filled the air. His opponent, the scarred man, stood in the center of the ring, smirking with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"Look at that! He's just a boy!" one spectator shouted, eliciting more laughter.

Xuan Li ignored them all, his calm gaze fixed on his opponent.

The scarred man laughed derisively. "You've still got time to run, kid. Or don't blame me when I send you to the afterlife."

Xuan Li's expression didn't waver. " Same to you still have a chance to retreat," he said coldly. "If not, don't blame me for what happens next."

The scarred man's smile twisted into a snarl. "Oh, really? You're starting to sound like that arrogant trash, Xuan Li. What was it he did? Oh yes, challenging the Sword Empress five years ago. What a joke. It's no wonder she left him. He's not even worth mentioning!"

At the mention of his name, Xuan Li's heart stirred, but his face remained impassive.

The scarred man's mocking tone grew louder. "What's wrong, boy? Did my words cut too deep?"

"Referee," Xuan Li said abruptly, his cold voice cutting through the noise. "How long are you going to let this dog bark? Start the match already. I don't have all day."

The referee flinched at the icy tone and raised his hand. "The match between Blood Fang and the Level One Warrior begins now!"

The scarred man was the first to attack, lunging forward with a fist wreathed in a purple aura. His blow tore through the air with incredible speed, but Xuan Li sidestepped effortlessly and countered with a precise punch to the man's solar plexus.

The scarred man stumbled back, clutching his abdomen in shock. The crowd, which had been roaring moments ago, fell silent.

"What... what is this kid made of?" the scarred man muttered, his face twisted in pain.

Enraged, he dashed forward again, his fists blazing with purple energy. But to his growing frustration, Xuan Li dodged every attack, his movements fluid and calculated. Each time he countered, his blows landed with pinpoint accuracy, forcing the scarred man back step by step.

After several exchanges, the scarred man was panting heavily, sweat dripping from his brow.

"You're strong," he admitted grudgingly. "But this stage will be your grave, and I'll be the one to bury you!"

With a roar, the scarred man released a torrent of energy, shaking the very foundation of the ring. Purple aura enveloped his body, and when it dissipated, he had transformed into a towering demi-human wolf. His claws gleamed like steel, and his fangs dripped with menace.

The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting the scarred man's name.

Xuan Li narrowed his eyes, taking a step back. The scarred man's new form exuded a threatening aura, one that pressed heavily against him.

"Let's see how you handle this!" the scarred man growled, leaping forward with blinding speed.

Xuan Li barely managed to block the attack, but the force sent him flying across the ring, slamming into the corner. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as the crowd erupted into deafening cheers.

"Is that all you've got?" the scarred man taunted, advancing with a triumphant grin.

But Xuan Li stood, wiping the blood from his lips. His eyes burned with unyielding determination.

Again, the scarred man lunged, his claws slashing through the air. Again, Xuan Li was sent crashing into the ground. Yet each time, he rose, his movements slower but his resolve unwavering.

After another flurry of attacks, Xuan Li found himself on the edge of the ring, his breathing labored.

"Blood Fang," the scarred man sneered, "give up and bow before my beast transformation. You've lost."

Xuan Li smirked, his voice calm but cutting. "Trash like you thinks I'd bow? Don't make me laugh."

He took a step forward, his voice echoing through the stadium. "Even heaven is not qualified to make me bow, let alone you."

The crowd erupted into laughter, jeering louder than ever.

"Did this kid just say heaven isn't qualified?"

"Look at him! He can't even beat a Level One Warrior. What a clown!"

Amid the mocking laughter, Xuan Li clenched his fists, his anger surging. "What do these people know of my struggles? The dangers I've faced? Today, I'll make them all shut their mouths."

Straightening his posture, he glared at the scarred man. "Hey, trash. You're confident in your strength? Then survive this."

The scarred man hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.

Xuan Li exhaled slowly, his fists trembling slightly. "Master told me not to use cosmic energy, but I've been holding back—using only ten percent of my strength. It's time to show them what I can really do."

With a roar, Xuan Li charged forward, his body a blur. He unleashed a devastating punch aimed directly at the scarred man's chest.

The scarred man raised his claws to block, but they shattered on impact. The force of the blow sent him flying out of the ring, crashing into the ground ten meters away. Blood pooled beneath his body, and his left arm was completely gone.

Silence fell over the arena.

Xuan Li straightened, dusting off his clothes. "Referee," he called out, his voice cold. "Are you going to announce the result, or do I have to do it for you?"

The referee snapped out of his stupor. "T-The winner is Blood Fang!" he stammered.

The silence in the crowd broke as people erupted into cheers.

"He won! He actually won!"

"Blood Fang! Blood Fang!"

But Xuan Li didn't wait to bask in their adoration. He left the stage, his figure disappearing into the preparation room.

Back in the preparation room, Veldris appeared before him, his expression unreadable.

"Well done, disciple," he said finally. "You followed my instructions and fought admirably. Testing your strength against that warrior while holding back shows remarkable control and discipline."

Xuan Li smiled faintly, pride flickering in his eyes.

"You've made your name known in this city," Veldris continued. "Blood Fang... a name they won't forget anytime soon."

Xuan Li nodded, determination hardening in his heart. "This is just the beginning, Master."

And so, the name Blood Fang began to echo throughout the city, a name that struck fear and admiration in equal measure.