Chapter 18: The Struggle for the Throne

Restoring Cultivation (Tinkering with the Gift) — One Day Later

Spirit Martial Academy—Dueling Arena

“Hello, honestly, there’s no need for us to fight this match,” Nian Yun said, gazing at Sun Chuantao opposite him, reluctant to showcase his strength in front of Yan.

“But some unknown brat dares to snatch my spot—that’s on you,” Sun Chuantao snarled fiercely at Nian Yun.

“Survival of the fittest. If I kicked you down, maybe you should reflect on your own flaws.”

“Enough talk. Only one of us will walk out of here standing today. Show me your spirit.”

*Bang!*

A massive circular blade landed at Sun Chuantao’s feet, while three perfect spirit rings glowed into existence above him.

Nian Yun sighed softly, extending his right hand with palm facing downward.

“Sizzle—sizzle—”

A swirling black mist gathered beneath his feet as ‘Dreams United’ slowly ascended.

*Snap—sizzle—*

Gripping the hilt, he swung lightly at empty air; purple lightning entwined the blade, tracing a streak that suddenly cut beyond the arena’s edge.

Purple electric sparks flickered relentlessly in his eyes.

*Stamp!*

His right foot slammed the ground with a thunderous sound, propelling the circular blade out from a crack.

Sun Chuantao seized his spirit weapon, spinning it once before hurling it fiercely at Nian Yun.

Tracking the blade’s trajectory, Nian Yun’s right hand rotated upwards to block the edge, using both hands to lift it off the ground.

Sun Chuantao sprinted forward, leaping to catch the airborne ring.

“Second spirit skill: Shadow Ring.”

The blade was thrown again, and the moment it left his hand, it split into three identical rings.

*Fsssh—*

The three rings descended; Nian Yun shifted his stance slightly, stepping forward lightly.

A purple electric silhouette flashed ahead, sliding out of attack range and aligning the blade’s tip toward Sun Chuantao as he struck with a kick.

Under Nian Yun’s control, the three rings sliced through the lingering illusion before swiftly merging into a single ring, pursuing Nian Yun closely.

As the ring closed in, Nian Yun pivoted, slashing upward from below while dodging sideways as it neared.

When Sun Chuantao caught the ring again, a purple blade simultaneously appeared before his eyes.

*Bang!*

“Second spirit skill, Divine Transformation—Evil Radiance.”

An electric current surged through the ring into Sun Chuantao’s hands, causing him to unconsciously loosen his grip, a look of shock evident on his face.

Nian Yun retracted ‘Dreams United,’ gathering strength to thrust forward.

*Clap!*

From the stands, a sharp slap echoed; Sun Lin clenched his fists tightly as his spirit power surged uncontrollably.

“If Sun Lin intervenes, Nian Yun might be in danger,” Xie Yue muttered anxiously, worried the situation might spiral out of control.

Hearing this, Hu Liena beside him also nervously clenched her fists for Nian Yun.

On the arena floor,

The ring dropped, leaving Sun Chuantao fully exposed before ‘Dreams United.’

*Pfft—*

Nian Yun withdrew the blade, half-turned, and delivered a swift kick.

Sun Chuantao immediately felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and, before he could properly react, was sent flying five meters away.

*Whoosh*

After tumbling repeatedly, he finally came to a halt, kneeling with both hands clutching his abdomen, silently enduring the pain.

Nian Yun glanced at Sun Chuantao’s condition, then caught from the corner of his eye Sun Lin in the stands, glaring as if intent on tearing him limb from limb.

“Still not acting? You sure have patience.”

*Swish—bang!*

He inserted ‘Dreams United’ into the center of the circular blade, flicked his wrist, and the ring traced a perfect arc through the air, landing beside Sun Chuantao.

“Though I don’t know how you gained the favor to meet His Holiness the Pope, right now, you cannot defeat me. Surrender—I'll grant you a dignified defeat.”

Nian Yun’s words pierced Sun Chuantao’s heart like a sharp dagger. “I will never lose!”

Seeing Sun Chuantao rise, Nian Yun unleashed electricity all over his body, raising his left hand as a ball of lightning took shape.

*Stamp, stamp.*

“Third spirit skill...” Sun Chuantao roared as he charged.

“Thunder Seal.”

As the words left his mouth, the lightning ball instantly dissolved into countless electric sparks, scattering across the arena floor.

Blinded by fury, Sun Chuantao’s eyes fixed solely on Nian Yun, utterly unaware of the approaching lightning sparks, showing no sign of dodging.

*Sizzle—*

*Stamp, stamp, stamp.*

Upon contact with the sparks, Sun Chuantao’s body went numb, freezing in place.

Before him, a slayer advanced steadily.

Nian Yun’s eyes glowed purple as he gripped ‘Dreams United,’ closing in slowly.

Purple lightning spread silently in every direction.

Paralyzed and immobilized, Sun Chuantao’s body was progressively scarred by streaks of lightning as Nian Yun approached.

“First spirit skill, Wuxiang...”

Thunder rumbled beneath Nian Yun’s feet as a purple-clad phantom appeared to his right, left hand resting on Nian Yun’s right hand holding ‘Dreams United,’ both thrusting forward in unison.

A fierce fear of death welled up as a tear streaked down Sun Chuantao’s cheek; his lips trembled.

“Father!”

*Whoosh—sizzle—bang!*

In the stands, as the lightning sparks gradually dissipated, all eyes remained fixed on the arena.

After succumbing to paralysis, Sun Chuantao’s vacant eyes stared at the blade’s tip mere centimeters from him.

The tip of ‘Dreams United’ was only held back by two fingers, preventing it from piercing further.

Witnessing this, Sun Chuantao turned pale and collapsed to the ground.

As the dust completely settled, Sun Lin, who had caught ‘Dreams United,’ raised the circular blade toward Nian Yun’s neck.

The blade’s path was suddenly blocked by a shadowy wolf’s claw.

“Lord Sun Lin, His Holiness the Pope is watching. I hope you don’t do anything foolish,” Li Chang, bearer of the spirit beast Shadow Wolf, said calmly to the agitated Sun Lin.

“I’ll ask just once, kid, did you really intend for your blade to draw blood?”

Facing Sun Lin’s dark-faced inquiry, Nian Yun smiled faintly, replying, “Lord Sun Lin, how could that be? This was just a simple spirit duel; I had no intention of killing.”

*Swish.*

Though still doubtful, Sun Lin glanced at Li Chang and then released his grip.

The three warriors retracted their spirit weapons.

“This won’t end so easily.” With a final glare full of rage at Nian Yun, Sun Lin carried the injured Sun Chuantao and left the dueling arena.

“Thank you for your rescue, Lord Bishop,” Nian Yun bowed respectfully to Li Chang after Sun Lin’s departure.

“We’re all students of the same academy; some restraint is necessary.”

“Yes, sir.”

*Whoosh—*

Feeling Li Chang’s departure, Nian Yun strolled out of the dueling arena, muttering to himself, “Bibi Dong is truly Bibi Dong—a Spirit King, the Shadow Wolf.”

Outside the arena,

“Nian Yun, are you alright?”

“Had me scared for a moment, but luckily, my fate is not yet sealed.”

“You knew Sun Lin was watching, yet you struck so hard. If that noble hadn’t intervened...” Hu Liena’s voice grew more agitated, her eyes still haunted by the image of the circular blade at Nian Yun’s throat.

Seeing this, Xie Yue quickly stopped Hu Liena. “Nana, don’t forget, Nian Yun has a second spirit. Besides, he never intended to kill, and even without that noble’s intervention, he would have found a way to evade.”

Hearing Xie Yue’s somewhat strained explanation, Hu Liena fell silent.

“Nana, thank you for your concern,” Nian Yun smiled warmly.

*Tap, tap.*

“Who said I care?” Flustered, Hu Liena blushed and hurried away.

“Though I don’t know what you were thinking, next time, don’t be so reckless. Don’t make Nana worry again.”

Patting Nian Yun’s shoulder, Xie Yue then turned and ran after Hu Liena.

“An easy resolution… though it didn’t feel so easy. Thankfully, the outcome was perfect.” Nian Yun sighed softly before his tone shifted. “You sure have patience. Watched long enough? Or shall I add a little more?”

“Nian Yun!”