An Understated Dominance

A burst of blue light exploded, creating a dome of lightning that enveloped the battle ring. Waves of explosive energy hammered against the barrier like relentless tides. The shield trembled violently for several breaths before finally stabilizing.

The spectators below exhaled in relief, but their hearts were still racing. If it weren’t for Oron’s quick reaction, the leaked energy from that explosion could have put them all at risk.

After all, Fenley was an ultimate grandmaster. Even a casual strike from him could be lethal.

On the battle ring, everything changed after the dust settled.

Fenley stood tall and looked imposing. His robes billowed like the wings of an angel. The ethereal divine spirit behind him flickered to life, and its sharp gaze added an intimidating edge to his formidable stance.

In contrast, Dalen was thrown back ten yards after the collision. His handsome face turned pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and his arms trembled uncontrollably.

“The gap is wider than I thought,” he lamented silently.

He could feel that Fenley was significantly stronger today compared to his performance yesterday. Even before Fenley broke through to the next level, Dalen’s chances of victory had been slim. Now, they were virtually nonexistent.

“You were able to withstand my Fury of Fire God. I must admit you’re impressive.” With a piercing gaze, Fenley continued, “In the past, it would have been tough for me to beat you. But now, there’s a clear gap in our levels.

Any resistance on your part is pointless.

If Dalen were an ordinary grandmaster martial artist, the impact of the Fury of Fire God would have left him as nothing more than ashes. Yet he was still standing and had only sustained minor internal injuries. This was a testament to his exceptional skill.

Fenley respected skilled opponents. He chose not to finish him off and held back instead. If he had unleashed the Fury of Thunder God, Dalen would either be dead or left incapacitated.

“Thank you for showing mercy, Mr. Hudson. I accept my defeat.” Dalen straightened up and saluted with a fist. “I concede.”

Fenley sighed in relief upon hearing that. He hadn’t gone all out but had been careful to hold back his strength.

The Four Elements of God’s Technique was taxing to execute. While unleashing the Fury of Thunder God could take Dalen down, it would also drain his energy. He needed to conserve his strength for the upcoming matches, and Dalen’s concession spared him that effort.

Dalen’s loss didn’t come as a surprise. From the moment they entered the ring, most of the spectators saw Fenley as the obvious favorite. The only question was how long Dalen could withstand Fenley’s relentless attacks.

Surviving two of Fenley’s finishing moves was a testament to Dalen’s remarkable skill. If the fight had continued, it could have turned deadly.

It was just a match, and there was no reason to gamble with their lives. Fighting a losing battle wasn’t courage but plain foolishness. Clearly, Dalen was anything but a fool.

“Contestant number eight, Dalen Shade, concedes. Congratulations to contestant number one, Fenley Hudson, for winning this round,” Oron announced quickly.

Thunderous applause followed, especially from the Celestial Alliance disciples, who cheered joyously. Fenley’s victory over Dalen meant he secured a spot in the semifinals, making it a cause for celebration.

“Mr. Marshall, your principal disciple is truly remarkable,” Kaden remarked from the stands, smiling. “It’s like he’s been reborn overnight. His strength has skyrocketed, and this is genuinely impressive.”

Fenley’s display of the Four Elements of God’s Technique yesterday paled in comparison to today’s performance. Even a casual observer could see the difference.

“Sage Foyer, you certainly have a keen eye,” Alloy replied with a faint smile.

He continued proudly, “Fenley made a breakthrough just before the match. He’s now an ultimate grandmaster and ready to stand on his own.”

“Oh? Really? Then, congratulations are in order,” Kaden replied with a smile.

“While breaking through in the heat of battle can boost one’s abilities, it also comes with risks. If he can’t solidify his cultivation, he might end up going astray,” Cyrus piped in.

He couldn’t stand seeing the Celestial Alliance bask in glory and felt the need to rain on their parade.

“Hmph! You don’t have to worry about Fenley. He has a solid foundation, and this breakthrough came naturally. There are no risks of going astray.

Someone might be in for a disappointment,” Alloy retorted, annoyed by Cyrus’s negativity.

“Even without those risks, the fact remains that his strength isn’t stable. Do you really believe a freshly minted ultimate grandmaster can claim the championship? That’s a naive thought.

“Cyrus sneered.

Glenn had reached the ultimate grandmaster level two years ago, and Cyrus was sure a newcomer like Fenley couldn’t possibly measure up.

“Hmph! You’ll see soon enough if he’s got what it takes to win. Let’s hope your ego can handle the truth when it comes out,” Alloy shot back.

The Celestial Alliance had skills beyond the Four Elements of God’s Technique. Fenley wasn’t an ordinary talent. He could defeat tougher opponents and consistently rise to the challenge.