Inside the Secret Realm—
Reon finally arrived at the location he had been pursuing since the beginning.
’Sigh... finally.’ He exhaled, brushing sweat from his brow. ’I’ve been chasing that Purple Crystal for half a day...’
’Now I can finally obtain a Purple Crystal of a Peak-Stage Foundation Realm puppet.’
But—
As he looked ahead at the puppet, the excitent on his face twisted into a scowl of anger.
’Why...? Why am I always this unlucky?’
After all that effort...
Soone was already engaged in fierce battle with the puppet.
It was Min Xhen, the sixth-ranked disciple of the Outer Sect.
The puppet, which had the strength of a Peak-Stage Foundation Realm, was already on the brink of collapse.
Swoosh!
Monts later, Min Xhen delivered the finishing blow.
The puppet crashed to the ground.
With a calm expression, Min Xhen bent down and pulled the shimring Purple Crystal from its chest.
Reon, crouching silently behind a jagged boulder, clenched his fists.
’I don’t know if I’ll find another strong puppet in the ti that’s left... and I still need to eliminate those spies.’
’Looks like I have no choice... I’ll have to take it—by force.’
Min Xhen turned and began to walk away.
Reon stepped out from the shadows.
"Hey. Stop right there."
Min Xhen froze, turning sharply, sword instantly unsheathed.
"Who’s—?!"
His eyes narrowed in recognition.
"Xue Taiyang...? What are you doing here? Don’t tell ... you’re here to steal my Purple Crystal?"
"Yes." Reon answered plainly, stepping forward, each footfall calm.
Min Xhen scoffed, blade pointed toward him.
"You think you’re strong enough to take it from ?"
"I do."
"Heh. Don’t get cocky just because you got lucky and defeated Yi Ran... with so trick."
"I’m not being arrogant. And I don’t intend to steal it unfairly. I’ve been chasing that puppet since the start—but you got to it first. That’s fine."
"What exactly are you trying to say? Just get to the point."
Reon said, his voice calm.
"So—let’s settle this with a duel. The winner takes the crystal. I’ll even give you ti to recover your energy.
If you win, I’ll give you two Mid-Stage Foundation Realm Crystals. But if you lose, you hand over yours in return."
Min Xhen stared at him for a mont in silence.
Then—
"...Why should I agree to that?"
Reon smirked faintly.
"Because deep down, you want to fight ."
Min Xhen’s eyes narrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
"Back at the Monthly Dueling Event, when I defeated Yi Ran... you looked at . Your eyes were burning with envy... and challenge."
Reon’s smile widened just slightly.
"You wanted a duel with , didn’t you?"
Min Xhen gave a low chuckle.
"...Very well. Let’s do it your way."
"Good."
Reon stepped forward, extending his hand.
Min Xhen did the sa in agreent.
But before their hands could et—
CRACK!
Reon’s Instinctual Awareness scread, flaring like a jolt of lightning down his spine.
BOOOOM!!
A terrifying burst of force exploded between them.
Min Xhen’s body was flung back like a ragdoll, smashing through trees before slamming into a massive stone, shattering its surface.
Reon barely dodged—an inch slower and he would’ve taken the brunt of that blow.
He whirled around, eyes wide.
’W-What the hell was that?!’
Then—
A chilling, mocking voice echoed from ahead.
"Tsk. What a boring little conversation that was."
Reon stared ahead, eyes narrowing as a figure slowly erged from the trees.
The man had a hulking, muscular build, his upper body bare—sared with blood and dirt.
Crimson streaks ran down his arms, and even his face was coated in gore, as if he’d torn through a battlefield barehanded.
"Let’s see... If I kill these two as well, that makes... two hundred forty-six... no, three hundred forty-six."
He muttered nonchalantly, his tone disturbingly casual.
"Three hundred forty-six...?" Reon’s brows twitched in disbelief.
Reon’s eyes darkened, vein throbbing in anger at the sheer number of lives the man had extinguished.
The man glanced at him, then let out a mocking chuckle.
"Oh? You didn’t get hit? My bad—I was too focused on my count."
He tilted his head slightly, feigning politeness.
"Also, I suppose I should introduce myself. I am from..."
But before he could finish—
"You... bastard from the Azura Dragon Sect. Prepare to die."
"Oho~ You already know who I am?" the man chuckled with a shrug. "Then I guess I can skip the introductions."
In a flash, a sword cloaked in dark aura ca slicing straight for his neck.
But—
Clang!
The blade was stopped with shocking ease.
"W-What...?"
The man grinned as their eyes t.
"Dark Sword Aura, huh? You’re one of the nas on my list. I’ll be earning a hefty reward if I take you down."
He glanced past Reon with a smirk, his eyes lingering on the boy’s motionless, bloodied body.
"And that was Min Xhen, wasn’t it? Ranked sixth among the Outer Disciples. Hah! My luck is too good—two birds with one stone."
With a brutal shove, he hurled Reon backward.
Bang!
The impact sent Reon crashing into a towering tree, which shattered under the force.
But Reon rose with ease, his physique now far stronger, more hardened.
He exhaled deeply.
’Damn... what a luck! I have to face this bastard first?’
’A genius body cultivator from the Azura Dragon Sect—one of their top Inner Sect disciples.’
’He could block a Pinnacle-Stage Sword Aura with his bare hands... and even held his own against the protagonist’s legendary Golden Sword Aura.’
’Shen Zhi.’
’This won’t be easy... because...’
Reon’s gaze flicked upward toward a nearby tree, where a sharp wave of killing intent was surging in his direction.
’There’s another with him.’
’Though he probably won’t descend easily to fight alongside. The rules forbid Inner Disciples from forming teams during the competition—any violation would alert the Elders.’
’But if Shen Zhi falls, the other will surely co down to kill —and he seems even stronger.’
A heavy sigh escaped him.
’Cloudia, I’m going to need your help.’
’Of course, Master. I am always ready.’
Cloudia’s voice echoed gently from his Inner Beast Domain.
Suddenly—
"What are you spacing out for after just one attack?"
A sharp voice ca from the right.
Before Reon could react, a fist thundered toward his head.
’What?!’
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