Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 319: Final Phase (9)

The sun hung high overhead, blazing fiercely across the floating city.

Crowds packed the Central Plateau denser than ever before. Cultivators from every domain assembled to watch the semifinals unfold. The hovering wooden platforms groaned beneath the spectators' weight. Even the outermost branches of the massive trees brimmed with onlookers determined not to miss any action.

At the arena's heart, under the towering shade of the grand ancestral tree, the four finalists positioned themselves.

Kyrian of the Verdant Sword. Huo Ling of the Flaming Sword. Mu Qing of the Ancient Forest. Yin Xue of the Shadow Valley.

Four young warriors. Four distinct styles. Four extraordinary talents.

The Leader of the Ancient Forest Sect lifted his hand, and hush fell over the plateau.

"The moment you've all awaited is here. Semifinals of the Gathering of Domains. Rules stay straightforward. Victory means progression. Elimination from the arena or incapacity to battle spells defeat."

His right hand ascended, as four golden leaves descended from the mighty ancestral tree, twirling softly in the breeze before floating to each contender.

Kyrian snatched his leaf. Golden engraving revealed Number 2.

Mu Qing nearby clutched a matching leaf. Their gazes locked. The Ancient Forest disciple offered a subtle nod of acknowledgment.

Huo Ling lifted his leaf. Number 1. Yin Xue held the same number.

Bright golden script materialized in the heavens, displaying the matchup roster.

First semifinal: Huo Ling (Flaming Sword) versus Yin Xue (Shadow Valley).

Second semifinal: Kyrian (Verdant Sword) versus Mu Qing (Ancient Forest).

Murmurs instantly rippled through the stands.

"Fire Qi clashing with shadow Qi! This battle promises excitement!"

"Yin Xue terrifies. He siphoned Mo Sun’s Qi effortlessly."

"Yet Huo Ling claimed second in phase one. Beyond Kyrian, he's the top contender here. He won't yield without a struggle."

"Can shadows snuff out flames? Or will fire banish the gloom?" a youth remarked with a smirk.

"Quite profound for a mere duel, buddy," his companion shot back, chuckling and shaking his head.

"What about the next bout? Kyrian against Mu Qing..."

"Mu Qing packs power. He bested a Verdant Sword fighter yesterday."

"Kyrian remains Kyrian, though. He's triumphed in all matches so far with mere looks."

"Just three glances to fell Huo Jiao."

"Hard to say... Mu Qing wields wood's edge. Wood endures slashes better. Perhaps Kyrian unveils a new approach."

"Withstand those eyes? Unlikely."

"Time will tell. Time will tell."

The chatter persisted for minutes until the Leader of the Ancient Forest Sect hoisted his hand once more.

"Silence!"

Quiet enveloped the plateau.

"First match fighters, enter the arena."

Huo Ling strode to the center with resolute strides, gripping his flaming sword. The crimson-dark edge shimmered like dormant coals.

Yin Xue slipped into the arena akin to a sentient shadow. His steps scarcely grazed the ground. His dark gray and black robes devoured surrounding light, while his pitch-black eyes stayed unblinking.

The Leader of the Ancient Forest stationed himself midway between them. He would officiate the clash personally.

"Rules are clear. No aids from treasures. No pill consumption. Pure personal power only. Signal starts the fight."

His hand rose high.

"Commence!"

Stillness shattered into frenzy.

Huo Ling struck without pause. His blade sliced a fiery crescent through the air, unleashing a scorching blaze at Yin Xue. The inferno distorted the atmosphere near its path.

Yin Xue dissolved from sight.

The fiery surge swept through his former spot, slamming the arena floor and charring the safeguarding runes.

Huo Ling whirled swiftly, his sword weaving a blazing ring for protection.

"You can't hide forever!"

Yin Xue materialized at his rear, pallid hands outstretched like talons. Ominous fog coiled around his digits—the Devouring Shadow technique that had leeched Mo Sun’s Qi previously.

Huo Ling sensed the icy grasp on his back and countered at once. Flames erupted from his frame, an explosive guard that scorched the nearby air.

Yin Xue withdrew, sleeve tips charred. His stoic face flickered with faint astonishment for the first time.

"My flames consume even shadows," Huo Ling declared, pivoting to confront him.

"You won't sap me like the last fool."

Yin Xue offered no words. He dipped his head faintly and faded once more, yet this vanishing birthed more than absence.

Shadows multiplied across the arena. Five. Ten. Twenty. Each mimicking Yin Xue, all thrusting shadowy claws toward Huo Ling.

"Multiple Shadow Technique," a voice whispered from the stands.

"Yet far superior to the technique Luo Hei employed."

Huo Ling's eyes narrowed sharply. Blasting flames everywhere would drain his Qi far too quickly.

Instead, he shut his eyes tight.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, filled with bewilderment.

"Closing his eyes? Right now?"

"Insanity! Yin Xue will exploit it!"

Huo Ling refused to yield. He focused on sensing.

Fire wasn't merely visible. It brought heat. It pulsed with energy. It embodied life itself.

None of the shadows carried heat. Except for one.

Huo Ling's eyes snapped open as he slashed his sword at a precise spot in the arena—an empty space devoid of any shadow.

"Found you."

The fiery sword sliced through the air. Precisely then, Yin Xue had to reveal himself, his shadow ability shattered by the accurate blow.

Shock filled Yin Xue’s eyes clearly.

"How...?"

Huo Ling offered no reply.

He pressed forward. His blade whirled like a vivid flame alive, every blow quicker than the previous. Yin Xue fell back, evaded, and deployed his dark mist to soften the hits, yet Huo Ling’s blaze pressed on without mercy.

The Shadowed Valley disciple attempted a counter. His shadowy claws traced an intricate formation, unleashing a surge of darkness that devoured all nearby light.

"Shadow Void Technique!"

Pitch blackness swallowed Huo Ling whole. Briefly, he perceived nothing—no sight, no sensation. It felt like tumbling into an endless abyss.

The onlookers held their breath in suspense.

Then, a glow appeared.

A crimson spark ignited in the heart of the gloom. Followed by a second. Then a dozen.

Huo Ling lifted his sword high overhead, from which a fiery bird sprang—not a mere fowl, but a radiant beast blazing like another sun.

"Supreme Technique of the Flaming Sword. Celestial Bird!"

The phoenix exploded forth, incinerating the darkness as if it were mere parchment. Yin Xue got slammed directly by the blast and scorching heat. His form flew back, soaring past the arena edge to slam hard against the plateau ground.

Burns marred his robe in multiple spots. Blood dripped from his mouth. Yet consciousness lingered, though he could fight no more.

The Leader of the Ancient Forest Sect lifted his hand.

"Huo Ling wins! Advances to the final!"

Cheers and roars exploded across the plateau.

"What a fight!"

"Fire really defeated shadow!"

"Huo Ling is a monster!"

"But Yin Xue fought well... very well..."

Huo Ling descended from the arena in heavy steps. His breaths came ragged, chest heaving rapidly. The battle had expended vast amounts of his Qi.

Just one more bout stood between him and the final.

Kyrian versus Mu Qing.

Hush fell over the plateau anew as the two fighters readied themselves for the arena.