The early morning sky above Skyblade Academy was painted in muted shades of crimson and gold. The rising sun cast long shadows across the sprawling martial grounds, where countless students had already gathered. Their chatter buzzed like a restless swarm, thick with anticipation.
Today was no ordinary day.
It was the day of the Outer Academy Ranking Trial—an event where every student would fight for honor, resources, and recognition. Victors would climb the ranks, losers would be forgotten, and the weakest would risk being expelled altogether.
And at the center of it all, a single name was whispered again and again.
"Kai Ren."
"The trash?"
"No… not anymore. Didn't you hear what he did to Liu Fen?"
"Breaking Liu Fen's sword, humiliating him in front of everyone… with a stick that turned into a spear? That's no longer trash behavior."
The students' voices carried both disbelief and curiosity. Some sneered, refusing to accept the rumors. Others shivered with unease, sensing a shift in the winds of fate.
---
Kai Ren stood silently at the edge of the arena, his dark eyes fixed on the rising sun. His robe was still patched and worn, but something about his bearing had changed.
Once, he had been hunched—shoulders weighed down by humiliation, head lowered under the scorn of his peers.
Now, his back was straight. His gaze steady. A faint aura of confidence radiated from him, subtle yet undeniable.
Still, inside his chest, his heart hammered.
This trial… it's my chance. My turning point. If I falter now, everything will crumble.
The system's cold, mechanical voice echoed within him, calm and certain where his thoughts wavered.
> [Ding! Host has entered: Outer Academy Ranking Trial Grounds.]
[Objective: Achieve Victory. Rewards Scale With Performance.]
Kai's fingers curled. Victory… there's no other choice.
---
A booming voice silenced the crowd.
"Students of Skyblade Academy!"
Elder Jian, one of the academy's overseeing elders, stepped into view. His long beard flowed down his chest, his robe embroidered with silver clouds. His gaze swept over the sea of students, sharp as a blade.
"Today, you fight for your place! No excuses, no mercy! Strength speaks, weakness falls!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Elder Jian raised his hand, and the arena floor trembled. Stone platforms emerged in neat rows, forming dozens of battle stages. Each stage glowed faintly with spiritual formations—protection arrays that prevented lethal damage, but not pain.
"Your battles will be recorded," Elder Jian declared. "Your every move judged. Begin!"
---
The students surged forward, each group assigned to a platform. Names were called, challengers paired.
When Kai's name was spoken, a ripple ran through the spectators.
"Kai Ren versus Zhou Yan."
A murmur of excitement spread. Zhou Yan was a mid-level Spirit Grade talent, known for his mastery of the Iron Fist Art.
"This will end quickly," someone sneered. "Trash versus genius? No contest."
Kai stepped onto the platform, his shoes clicking against the stone. Zhou Yan was already there, tall and broad-shouldered, his arms wrapped in strips of black cloth. His expression was one of open contempt.
"So you're the famous trash who suddenly grew teeth," Zhou Yan said, voice dripping with mockery. "Don't think one fluke win makes you worthy. I'll break you in front of everyone."
Kai's lips twitched upward. It wasn't a smile—it was sharper, colder.
"Try."
The protective array shimmered. The battle began.
---
Zhou Yan charged like a bull, his fist glowing faintly with spiritual energy. The air whistled as he punched straight for Kai's chest.
Kai's body reacted before his mind finished processing.
> [Do you wish to upgrade: Movement Technique – Basic Footwork?]
[Yes.]
> [Upgrading…]
[Basic Footwork → Shadowstep Movement.]
Kai's body blurred. He shifted sideways, leaving Zhou Yan punching nothing but air. The crowd gasped.
"What speed—?!"
Before Zhou Yan could recover, Kai countered with his spear. The Spirit-Piercing Spear hummed with sharp energy as it thrust forward.
Zhou Yan twisted, barely avoiding a fatal strike. The spear tip grazed his arm, drawing blood.
"Impossible!" Zhou Yan snarled. "You were trash!"
Kai's eyes narrowed. Not anymore.
---
The battle escalated. Zhou Yan unleashed a flurry of punches, each one carrying crushing force. The stone beneath their feet cracked under the pressure.
Kai darted, weaving between strikes, the upgraded Shadowstep carrying him just out of reach. His spear danced like a serpent, each thrust faster, sharper, deadlier.
Still, Zhou Yan wasn't weak. With every miss, his rage grew. Spiritual energy roared around him, forming a shimmering aura.
"Die!" Zhou Yan roared, slamming his fist downward.
The impact shattered stone, sending debris flying.
The crowd erupted.
"Zhou Yan's full power!"
"Kai Ren won't survive this!"
Kai exhaled slowly. Sweat trickled down his temple. His arms ached from blocking, his legs burned from dodging.
He's stronger than Liu Fen… if I don't end this soon—
The system chimed.
> [Ding! Battle Assessment: Host is at disadvantage.]
[Recommendation: Upgrade Self.]
Kai's pupils shrank. Upgrade… myself?
"Yes," he whispered.
> [Confirming Upgrade: Physical Strength Lv.1 → Lv.2.]
[Speed Lv.1 → Lv.2.]
A surge of raw power exploded through his veins. His muscles tightened, his lungs expanded, his heartbeat thundered like war drums.
The next time Zhou Yan's fist came crashing down, Kai didn't dodge. He met it head-on.
BOOM!
The shockwave rattled the entire platform. Dust clouded the air.
When it cleared, Zhou Yan was staggering backward, his fist trembling. His knuckles were bruised, his expression stunned.
Kai stood firm, his spear leveled at Zhou Yan's chest. His voice was cold, merciless.
"Your strength… isn't enough."
---
Gasps rippled through the arena.
"No way—he blocked Zhou Yan's Iron Fist head-on?!"
"His body… it's stronger than before!"
Kai advanced, each step echoing like a drumbeat of doom. His aura pressed down like a mountain.
Zhou Yan roared and charged again, but Kai's movements were fluid, unstoppable. His spear thrusts came faster than the eye could follow, piercing through Zhou Yan's defenses.
One strike—shoulder pierced.
Second strike—leg cut.
Third strike—chest grazed.
Blood splattered across the stage. Zhou Yan screamed, collapsing to his knees.
Kai lifted his spear, its point hovering just inches from Zhou Yan's throat.
"Yield," he said.
Zhou Yan's pride fought against the word, but the fear in his eyes betrayed him.
"I… yield!"
The array flared, signaling the end of the match.
---
The crowd exploded into chaos.
"Kai Ren won again!"
"He defeated Zhou Yan—cleanly!"
"This isn't possible… he was trash!"
Elder Jian's gaze lingered on Kai, his brows furrowing. This boy… what is happening to him?
Kai lowered his spear, breathing hard. Sweat soaked his robe, blood stained his hands—but his eyes burned with determination.
The system chimed again.
> [Victory Achieved.]
[Reward: Upgrade Points +5.]
[Current Points: 7.]
Kai's lips curled. Seven points… enough to push further.
But before he could decide, Elder Jian's voice boomed.
"Next round! Kai Ren… remain on the stage."
Another challenger was already stepping forward.
The trial was far from over.
And Kai Ren… had only just begun.