On the school campus, students stood in clusters, laughing and talking excitedly.
"It looks like everyone is really fired up today," Yan Zhuo said as he walked through the crowd, observing the atmosphere.
Inside the ring domain, Astra Omnion let out a heavy sigh.
"These fools are excited about fighting without understanding what a real battle truly means," he muttered.
Yan Zhuo rolled his eyes and kept walking—until he suddenly bumped into someone.
"O–I'm sorry," he said quickly, lowering his head awkwardly. "I didn't see you."
The girl turned around. She was tall, graceful, and strikingly beautiful. Looking down at him, she smiled warmly.
"It's alright, kiddo," she said gently.
Yan Zhuo walked past her, releasing a quiet sigh.
"I really thought she was going to beat me up," he muttered, glancing back.
Astra chuckled softly.
"Not every woman is the same," he said confidently.
Suddenly, teachers gathered at the center of the campus, their expressions serious yet excited.
"Hello, my dear cultivators," one of them announced, holding a thick book.
"I hope all of you are ready for the Battle Season. Before we begin, there are rules you must follow."
The teacher opened the book.
"First—this battle will be conducted in tag teams. Each cultivator will be assigned a partner. Only four teams which entered in second round and two team which enter in final round will qualify for the Senior Academy."
He paused, then continued firmly.
"Second—no killing is allowed. Violation means immediate disqualification."
With that, he closed the book.
"That is all."
After a while, Yan Zhuo sat quietly in his classroom, waiting.
"Let's see what kind of partner I get," he murmured.
Astra scoffed.
"Humans always worry about the future," he said, closing his eyes.
"You don't realize your destiny has already been written by someone else."
The classroom door suddenly opened.
The same girl Yan Zhuo had bumped into earlier stepped inside.
She walked toward him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"So… your name is Yan Zhuo Fujimaro, right?"
Yan Zhuo's eyes widened. He looked up in shock.
"Wait—are you really my partner?"
She smiled and stopped in front of him.
"Yes."
Then she spoke softly, yet confidently.
"My name is Yue Xiya."
Yan Zhuo froze.
"…Y–You mean the Xiya Clan?" he asked hesitantly.
"The clan ranked among the top ten strongest clans in the Han-Huo Empire?"
Yue Xiya nodded calmly.
"That's right. I'm the daughter of the Xiya Clan Master."
Yan Zhuo stood up immediately and bowed slightly.
"It's an honor to meet you in our sect," he said, trying to sound composed.
Yue Xiya chuckled.
"So… are you ready for the battles ahead?"
Yan Zhuo met her gaze, his eyes burning with determination.
"I am."
Soon after, all Battle Season participants arrived at the battlefield.
"Due to the limited number of qualified cultivators," the teacher announced,
"the battle will be held in four rounds."
Yan Zhuo looked around in confusion.
"There were so many students this morning… but now only eight of us remain."
"That's normal," Yue Xiya replied calmly.
"Not everyone is granted the chance to enter the Senior Academy of the Ren Sect."
She continued, her voice steady.
"This academy provides high-grade artifacts and elite cultivation resources. Most of its students have already reached the Tian Huang Realm."
Yan Zhuo frowned thoughtfully.
"That feels unfair. Everyone has talent in their own way."
Yue Xiya giggled softly.
"You're innocent," she said.
"But the truth is simple—only talent that benefits others is respected."
She leaned closer, her tone growing serious.
"There's only one way to earn respect:
Become the strongest. Reach a height so absolute that existence itself bows before you."
Yan Zhuo inhaled sharply.
"Is there really someone capable of that?"
Yue Xiya thought for a moment, rubbing her chin.
"I don't know anyone alive… but according to ancient records, there was one man."
She spoke slowly.
"He was known as The Cosmic Emperor—the creator, preserver, and destroyer."
Yan Zhuo stiffened.
"They say we live because he created us… and we die the moment he decides otherwise."
Yan Zhuo clenched his fists.
"That kind of power is terrifying. What if he turns against us?"
Yue Xiya laughed lightly.
"Then perhaps we'll all be erased."
Yan Zhuo's eyes hardened.
"One day," he said firmly,
"I'll become strong enough to stop him. No one has the right to destroy existence on a whim."
Yue Xiya smiled and patted his head.
"Easy there, kiddo."
The teacher stepped forward.
"The first match will be Yan Zhuo and Yue Xiya versus Suo Ling and Xuan Yu."
Yan Zhuo glanced at Xuan Yu, who stared at him coldly.
"She doesn't seem to like you," Yue Xiya remarked casually.
The battle began.
The four cultivators stood on the battlefield.
"Try not to blink, kiddo," Yue Xiya said, stretching her arms.
Her body instantly erupted with massive cosmic energy.
In a flash, she appeared before Xuan Yu.
"Don't blink, kitty."
BOOM!
Her punch slammed into Xuan Yu's stomach, sending her crashing into the ground.
Yan Zhuo whistled.
"That was incredible."
Astra smirked.
"I've never seen such confidence in a woman across all existence."
Meanwhile, Suo Ling charged toward Yan Zhuo.
"Prepare to die!"
Yan Zhuo closed his eyes, focusing his cosmic energy into his fist.
"Let's see who dies."
His punch struck Suo Ling's chest, sending him flying across the battlefield.
"You're strong…" Suo Ling muttered, coughing blood.
The teacher snapped angrily.
"Do you know how long it takes to clean this battlefield?"
On the other side, Xuan Yu staggered to her feet, glaring at Yue Xiya.
"I thought you were stronger," Yue Xiya said coldly.
Xuan Yu suddenly gathered all her energy and attacked from behind—
—but her punch stopped mid-air.
"H–How?" Xuan Yu gasped.
Yue Xiya turned calmly.
"Attacking from behind is rude."
She grabbed Xuan Yu's wrist and hurled her out of the arena.
"Sleep tight, kitty."
Yan Zhuo struggled to gather more energy.
"I can't defeat him with small attacks…"
Suddenly—
He vanished.
Reappearing behind Suo Ling, Yan Zhuo unleashed a full-powered kick.
"TAKE THIS!"
Suo Ling crashed into the audience seats.
Yue Xiya walked over and patted Yan Zhuo's head.
"That was amazing, kiddo."
Astra nodded proudly.
"You shocked even me."
Yan Zhuo smiled weakly.
"I… feel exhausted."
The teacher raised his voice.
"The winners of the first match—Yan Zhuo and Yue Xiya!"
Applause echoed across the battlefield.
Yan Zhuo sat beside Yue Xiya.
"Let's see who wins the next match."
Yue Xiya smiled brightly.
"I can't wait."