Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 314: Final Phase (4)

Before dawn broke, Kyrian's eyes fluttered open.

The floating city beyond his window stirred to life. Amid towering trees, spiritual lights danced, and faint crowd murmurs carried over the swaying bridges. He rose, slipped into his black robe, and stepped out of the room.

Mo Tianhai waited in the hallway, arms folded as he leaned against the wall.

"Sleep well?"

"Well enough." Kyrian answered.

The rest emerged one after another from their quarters. Mo Xia and Long Xue still looked subdued, yet composed once more. Wu Jian walked with a slight limp, though his eyes burned with resolve. Shen Yu remained as poised and tranquil as ever.

Feng Yuan assembled everyone in the main hall.

"Things change today. Matches will be fairer. Never underestimate your foes."

Mei Ran chimed in,

"Winning matters, but displaying your prowess counts even more. Unleash your full power."

They all nodded and headed toward the Central Plateau.

Upon arrival, throngs filled the area. Floating spectator platforms brimmed with cultivators. Some had evidently stayed overnight, seated in lotus pose or reclining on the organic wooden barriers. It made sense—cultivators rarely required full mortal sleep. Most had meditated through the night, awaiting daylight.

The clamor roared deafeningly.

"Any standout battles yesterday?"

"That Verdant Sword fellow triumphed with just a look!"

"He fights again today. Who's the poor soul?"

Kyrian and his companions were ushered to the fighters' zone. The arena's heart lay vacant, but the massive ancestral tree pulsed with gentle golden radiance.

Some thirty minutes later, the Ancient Forest Sect Leader materialized overhead, bounding branch to branch before touching down at the arena's core.

"Today," his booming voice declared.

"Matchups come by pure lottery."

He lifted his palm, sending fifty leaves soaring from the ancestral tree. They twirled mid-air then drifted to each contender.

Kyrian snatched his.

Golden "13" gleamed upon it.

He glanced skyward. Precisely then, a colossal roster materialized above the plateau in shimmering golden script. Names and bout numbers scrolled in sequence of occurrence.

Kyrian scanned it swiftly.

Seventh bout. Kyrian (Verdant Sword) vs. Jin Lei (Golden Mountain)

One brow arched faintly.

Jin Lei—that name rang familiar. The youth had claimed fourth in the Domain Gathering's initial round, boasting an impressive tally.

Golden Mountain's famed defensive art dominated local lore. Rumor held no peer-level strike could breach his gilded shields.

Whispers rippled through the crowds the instant the roster lit up.

"Fourth from last phase against the top seed?"

"This'll be epic!"

"Can Jin Lei survive even a single hit?"

"Bet he can. Golden Mountain defenses are legendary."

Opening clashes wrapped up briskly.

Domain disciples ascended and descended the platform. Certain duels dragged on evenly for minutes. Others concluded in heartbeats via crushing assaults. Fresh blood splattered the timber anew. Yet spectators hardly noticed.

Anticipation fixed every gaze on bout seven.

The referee's call rang out: "Kyrian of Verdant Sword against Jin Lei of Golden Mountain," blanketing the plateau in heavy hush.

Kyrian strode steadily to the arena's midst. His footfalls were feather-light, expression stoic. Verdant Sword's dark robe billowed softly in the breeze rustling the colossal trees.

Opposite him, Jin Lei advanced with solid steps.

A sturdy youth with cropped black hair and chiseled bronze-like physique. His golden robe bore mountain and thunder motifs. A compact staff hung across his back, untouched.

They locked eyes.

Jin Lei broke the quiet.

"I know I'm outmatched." His tone stayed even, fearless.

"But I won't hand you an easy win."

Kyrian dipped his head faintly. Words proved unnecessary.

The judge hoisted his hand.

"Begin!"

Jin Lei moved instantly—not offensively, but protectively.

A radiant golden shield enveloped him, blazing like a tiny star. Golden Mountain's pinnacle guard technique, said to repel strikes from early Core Formation experts.

Yet Kyrian transcended normal cultivators.

His sword eyes flickered.

A silent slash of raw Qi and sword intent ripped the void. No noise heralded it. No alert preceded. Merely space warping briefly.

The golden shield quivered.

Fissures webbed its face like cracks in ice. Jin Lei absorbed the shock through his meridians, staggering back with clenched teeth.

He barely managed to endure it.

Before any chance to rejoice, Kyrian glanced once more.

On this occasion, Kyrian poured in far greater power. Far more than before.

That second slash resembled a heavenly sword plunging from above. The golden shield burst apart like brittle glass. The fissures became glowing shards that faded into nothingness.

The blow kept going. It slammed right into Jin Lei's chest.

The Golden Mountain youth got hurled back like a withered leaf in a storm. His figure sailed past the arena's edge and crashed onto the plateau's rocky surface, tumbling a few times before coming to a halt. His golden robe hung in tatters. Blood poured from a severe wound across his torso.

Coughing violently, he spat blood, yet he still breathed.

Kyrian had restrained his force just enough to spare his life.

"Kyrian wins!" the judge declared, following a stunned pause.

Chaos erupted across the entire plateau.

"Two glances! Just two glances!"

"The fourth place of the competition was defeated like a little child!"

"What a monster... what an absolute monster!"

"It’s like an adult fighting children!"

Up in the stands, envoys from the fourth-level forces shared knowing looks. Some shook their heads in disbelief. Others grinned with keen curiosity.

Kyrian descended from the arena without a single backward glance. He went back to his seat, sat down, and folded his arms.

The battles pressed on.

Though many proved thrilling, they paled in comparison to the spectacle just witnessed. Murmurs about Kyrian echoed everywhere.

Shen Yu's turn arrived next.

He faced Huo Ling of the Blazing Sword Sect, the runner-up from the first phase. The fiery-haired youth strode into the arena clutching his crimson sword, eyes blazing with spiritual flames.

Shen Yu stood poised and calm, his straight sword angled toward the floor. The duel kicked off.

Against expectations, Shen Yu held his ground longer than anticipated. His Qi shone with exceptional purity, so refined that the fourth-level envoys leaned forward eagerly.

Every swing from Shen Yu gleamed with crystalline clarity, as though heaven's pure essence flowed through his blade. He traded strikes with Huo Ling for long minutes, and at times, victory seemed within his grasp.

Yet Huo Ling was no ordinary talent—a true genius.

Once he deployed the Blazing Sword Sect's ultimate move, a massive fire phoenix that swallowed the whole arena, Shen Yu crumbled. His barriers shattered, and he flew off the stage with scorch marks searing his arms and chest.

"Huo Ling wins!"

Shen Yu hauled himself up alone, refusing assistance. He examined his blistered hands, then glanced at Kyrian while shaking his head.

"That was close," Kyrian whispered.

Shen Yu gave a simple nod.

Mo Tianhai closed out the group's fights that day. His rival was a disciple from the Ancient Forest Sect, ranked in the top thirty of the opening phase.

The clash ended in moments.

Mo Tianhai unleashed his annihilating sword intent at full strength. The arena quivered violently. His foe got blasted away before even forming a guard.

"Mo Tianhai wins!"

With the sun sinking toward the horizon, the Leader of the Ancient Forest Sect stood once more.

"Today’s fights are concluded! Those who have qualified will return tomorrow. Rest."