The arena was packed.
Word had spread through Starfall City faster than wildfire.
The mysterious Origin Bearer.
The young man who fought Hollow Hunters.
The cultivator personally noticed by the Void Lord.
Against—
The Sword Prodigy.
Aric Stormblade.
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Thousands filled the stands.
Sect disciples.
Clan heirs.
Independent cultivators.
Even elders occupied special viewing platforms above the arena.
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Kael stood calmly on one side.
Simple black robes.
No weapon.
No flashy aura.
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Across from him—
Aric rested his sword on his shoulder.
Relaxed.
Confident.
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The atmosphere was electric.
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One elder stepped into the center.
"Friendly spar."
"No killing."
"No outside interference."
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Aric nodded.
Kael nodded.
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The elder immediately left the arena.
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Silence.
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Then—
Aric smiled.
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"I'm coming."
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BOOM!
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The arena floor cracked.
Aric vanished.
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Fast.
Incredibly fast.
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Kael activated Origin Perception instantly.
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A sword appeared before his throat.
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CLANG!
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Kael narrowly redirected the blade with Origin energy.
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The crowd erupted.
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"What speed!"
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"That's Sword Prodigy Aric!"
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"He didn't even draw seriously yet!"
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Aric retreated several steps.
His smile widened.
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"You reacted."
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Kael remained calm.
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"You attack fast."
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Aric laughed.
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"Good answer."
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BOOM!
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His aura exploded.
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Sharpness filled the arena.
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Not physical sharpness.
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Intent.
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Sword Intent.
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The entire arena suddenly felt like standing inside a sea of invisible blades.
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Many weaker spectators immediately paled.
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Kael frowned slightly.
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Interesting.
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This was different from Void.
Different from Origin.
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Aric had fused his understanding of the sword into his spirit itself.
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Every movement carried cutting power.
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Every breath sharpened the atmosphere.
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Aric raised his blade.
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The world seemed to narrow.
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Then—
He swung.
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A crescent of sword energy crossed the arena.
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Kael moved.
Origin Step.
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Golden light flickered.
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The slash missed.
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And cut the arena wall behind him in half.
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BOOOOM!
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The crowd gasped.
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Aric immediately followed.
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Second strike.
Third strike.
Fourth strike.
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Sword energy flooded the battlefield.
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Kael moved through them.
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Not faster.
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Better.
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Origin Step allowed him to perceive the flow before each attack.
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Yet—
He was still being pressured.
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Because Aric kept improving.
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Every exchange became sharper.
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Every attack more refined.
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The Sword Prodigy wasn't relying on talent alone.
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His foundation was terrifying.
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Minutes passed.
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Neither side gained a clear advantage.
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The crowd watched breathlessly.
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Then—
Aric suddenly stopped.
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His smile disappeared.
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For the first time—
He became serious.
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"You're strong."
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Kael nodded.
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"So are you."
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Aric lifted his sword slowly.
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The air trembled.
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The sky darkened slightly.
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Even elders straightened in their seats.
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One whispered quietly.
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"He's using it already?"
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Lyra's expression became serious.
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"Kael."
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"Be careful."
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Aric's sword began glowing silver.
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An enormous sword silhouette appeared behind him.
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The pressure multiplied instantly.
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"Sword Intent."
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"Second Layer."
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BOOOOOM!
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The arena shook violently.
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Kael's eyes narrowed.
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Danger.
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Real danger.
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This attack surpassed anything Aric had used before.
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Yet—
Instead of retreating—
Kael stepped forward.
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The Origin Core pulsed.
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The First Legacy stirred.
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Golden patterns appeared across his eyes.
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The crowd fell silent.
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Origin Art.
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Activating.
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Aric smiled.
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"Good."
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The sword descended.
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Kael moved.
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Origin Step.
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The world slowed.
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The sword's path became visible.
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Not the blade.
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Its intent.
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Its purpose.
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Its origin.
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Kael's hand rose.
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Golden energy condensed.
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Then—
For the first time—
He used Origin Art offensively.
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Origin Art — First Release
Origin Severance.
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BOOOOOM!
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Gold collided with silver.
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The entire arena exploded with light.
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Shockwaves spread across Starfall City.
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The protective barriers trembled.
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When the light faded—
The crowd froze.
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Aric stood motionless.
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Kael stood motionless.
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Between them—
A massive crater stretched across the arena.
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Silence.
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Then—
CRACK.
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Aric looked down.
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A small fracture had appeared on his sword.
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The crowd exploded.
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His sword—
Had been damaged.
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For the first time in years.
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Aric stared at the crack.
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Then suddenly laughed.
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Loudly.
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Genuinely.
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"Hahaha!"
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The Sword Prodigy looked happier than ever.
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"Excellent."
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He sheathed his blade.
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"The stories were true."
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Kael relaxed slightly.
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The duel was over.
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No winner.
No loser.
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Only acknowledgment.
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Aric looked directly at him.
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"When the Convergence begins…"
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His eyes shone brightly.
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"We'll fight again."
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Kael nodded.
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"Next time."
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The crowd erupted into cheers.
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And throughout Starfall City—
A new truth spread.
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Kael Veyron wasn't a rumor.
Wasn't luck.
Wasn't exaggeration.
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He was a genuine contender.
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A rising monster among the younger generation.
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But far away—
Hidden within the shadows—
The Void watched silently.
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And the Hollow Hunter Commander smiled.
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"The Origin Bearer grows."
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His violet eyes glowed.
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"Good."
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Because stronger prey—
Was always more satisfying to hunt.
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Host: Kael Veyron
Realm:
Origin Awakening Stage 2
Abilities:
• Origin Sense
• Origin Flash
• Origin Pulse
• Origin Perception
• Origin Resonance
• Origin Step
• Origin Severance
Equipment:
• Ring of the First Pulse
• Azure Star Token
Current Reputation:
• Recognized by Aric Stormblade
• Rising Genius of Starfall City
• Participant of the Northern Convergence