Jin Shu was taller than me, muscled and proud, wearing fiery red robes with flame patterns etched in gold. His cultivation was higher than Zhou Fan's—Immortal - 2nd Layer.
"You think you're strong?" he spat. "You're just a pampered heir playing hero. I'll burn that smug face off your skull."
I gave him a long stare, lips curling into a faint smile.
"A dog barking loud doesn't make it a dragon."
His face flushed with anger.
The elder's voice rang out again.
"Begin!"
Flames erupted around Jin Shu. He conjured a massive fire serpent that roared toward me, its fangs glowing white-hot.
I didn't move at first.
When the serpent reached me, I lifted a single finger.
"Heavenly God's Finger – First Path: Shatter Sky."
A beam of golden energy erupted from my fingertip, piercing through the serpent's skull and causing it to implode in a swirl of ashes.
The crowd gasped.
I appeared before Jin Shu before he could react. My smile widened, but my eyes remained cold.
"You want to burn my face?" I whispered.
I raised my hand—then unleashed five consecutive palm strikes across his body. Each strike was precise and surgical—designed not to kill, but to humiliate.
Jin Shu collapsed, his projection convulsing from spiritual backlash.
I leaned in, whispering so only he could hear:
"Next time you insult me, it won't be an illusion."
Then I turned and walked away before the elder even announced my victory.
---
Ding!
Round Two Victory
Sin Resonance: The Evil God's Eyes grow sharper.
---
Back in the real arena, murmurs surged like waves:
"Wu Tangge... he's ruthless."
"Did you see that smile? He enjoyed it."
Even Yun Ling'er blinked in surprise, lips parting slightly. For a moment, she seemed unsure—was this the same man who held her gently that night?
My mother, Wu Yun, simply nodded with satisfaction.
"He's showing the world what it means to be Wu."
I sat down in the preparation area, closing my eyes. Inside, the Evil God's Will pulsed faintly, pleased.
Let them praise me. Let them fear me. I'll rise through their expectations—and cut them down once I've ascended.
From the shadows of the crowd, a white-robed youth stared at me, his gaze unreadable. The jade crest on his chest bore a symbol of twin dragons devouring the sun.
A whisper passed through the arena.
"That's Bai Zhen—the number one genius of the academy. He's watching Wu Tangge."
I opened my eyes slowly, and for a split second, our gazes met.
I smirked.
Let him watch.
Because when the final round came, the illusion wouldn't just test the heart—it would expose who we truly were.
And unlike them… I wasn't pretending to be a hero.