Cedric enteree the battle vircle with terryfying calmness.

Despite having witnessed all of Vahn's dominating wins, Cedric still seemed confident he would emerge the victor.

​

From his waist, Cedric calmly unsheathed a Golden Sword, which had to be a Sky Grade Weapon at least, or perhaps even Saint Grade, radiating a sharp, brilliant light element.

​He looked into Vahn's red irises and spoke calmly, "You know I could never have imagined you would have such dogshit luck. To be able to receive such a powerful master, and their Fire Arts, is truly a tremendous fortuitous encounter. But remember this, no amount of luck can make you a victor today."

Cedric seemed dead serious on destroying "Damien."

Vahn was sure: just a political rival relationship couldn't explain this raw hatred. There had to be another, deeper reason involved.

But Vahn knew he had to play his part as Damien to transform the humiliation of the past into the drive for future glory. This was the final step in solidifying his disguise as the ambitious, reborn heir.

​He scoffed arrogantly, meeting Cedric's intense gaze. "Tsk, you really think this is all about luck, Cedric?"

​Vahn raised his voice so the entire stadium could hear his dramatic declaration, weaving the truth of his own situation into Damien's narrative.

​"Then you're dead wrong. The humiliation, the betrayal after my failure, are deeply etched into my heart. Since then, I promised myself to change. I vowed to join the same Holy Land that rejected me. I will show the world how I change my destiny with my own hand. I will be the Strongest."

​The declaration shook everyone's heart. The powerful words resonated across the arena, painting a picture of overwhelming resolve. The spectators no longer saw a useless heir; they saw a warrior who was determined to walk through all storms to complete his dream.

​Up in the viewing box, Delilah and the maids' eyes were cloudy with tears. They had heard similar words in the carriage, but the raw emotion and power behind the statement now, in the arena, felt heart-touching and utterly genuine.

​Cedric, stunned, didn't know how to counter this. Vahn had just taken his weakness and forged it into the most powerful kind of emotional armor.

Meanwhile, Vahn was already focused.

​He tightened his grip on the Hellbringer Saber, extended his Spirit Sense to its full limit, and then channeled the Ninefold Heavenly Fire within him.

Humm!

​Instantly, his aura surged like a True Inferno, however...

​The Fire Qi that erupted from Vahn was not the chaotic, brilliant red the crowd expected.

It was the same multi-hued, dense Ninefold Heavenly Flame that settled around his saber like a shroud of purified, scorching chaos. The heat was so immense it seemed to absorb the light around them, darkening the environment despite the arena's brilliant illumination.

​Cedric's expression finally broke, shifting from confidence to wary alarm. This was not the simple Fire Art of the Infernal Clan; this was an elemental power that felt ancient and absolute.

​

​On the other hand, Vahn had to end this very quickly. Because he only had one third of his total Internal energy remaining.

Swoosh!

​He launched forward, initiating the attack before Cedric could fully analyze his new flames.

​Vahn's Opening attack was: Second Sword of Nine Heavens Lightning Swords: Red Calamity Storm.

​Vahn layered his elements: the Ninefold Heavenly Fire supercharged his Lightning Affinity and the destructive power of his Darkness Affinity. The Hellbringer Saber didn't just strike; it became the focal point for a devastating fusion.

Buzz!

​A terrifying vortex of crimson lightning and swirling nine-colored fire exploded from Vahn, aimed directly at Cedric.

​Cedric, utilizing his Light Element heritage, moved with blinding speed, attempting to intercept the attack with his Golden Sword.

​BOOM!

​The resulting collision wasn't a clash; it was an annihilation. The sword's brilliant light was overwhelmed by the volatile, chaotic firestorm.

Cedric was forced to use his supreme defensive art just to survive the initial impact.

"Thwack!!"

​He was thrown backward, skidding across the arena floor, his Golden Sword ringing as it absorbed the immense shock.

Cedric was stunned, realizing instantly that Damien's power transcended luck.

And yet, Cedric didn't admit defeat. His speed increased twofold. His sword slashes, imbued with the Light Element, became truly difficult for Vahn to track. It was understandable, considering the Goldlight Clan specialized in speed and Cedric's higher cultivation base.

​Slash, Slash...

​Vahn, even after dodging most of the attacks, received a few faint cuts on his robe and skin. At that moment, he realized his own weakness: he lacked a proper Movement Art to match Cedric's speed.

​But Vahn didn't panic like he might have in the past. He began to focus his Spirit Sense intensely, concentrating it into a small, highly sensitive area, tracking down Cedric's lightning speed with pinpoint accuracy.

​After this adjustment, everything became significantly easier.

​Clang, Clang, Clang!

​Vahn blocked each of the light sword slashes with his Hellbringer Saber with terrifying proficiency. The battle circle became a chaotic scene: Shadows Dancing amidst brilliant Fireworks, all accompanied by sharp metallic noises.

​In the end, Vahn was the one who stood tall, while Cedric Goldlight collapsed onto the ground, completely drained.

​The reason for the disparity was tactical and fundamental: Vahn had used his energy reserve with maximum efficiency, barely attacking Cedric after the initial devastating strike. Lilith's lessons on energy conservation were effective, but there was also another critical contributor: his Void Refining Physique.

​His special Physique had the terrifying ability to turn the pressure of an enemy's attack into his own energy. So, the more Cedric used his flashy, high-speed arts, the more Vahn quietly absorbed and restored his own spiritual energy. It was a terrifying cycle, one that left the onlookers disbelieving under the night sky.

​They witnessed the birth of a terrifying legend, not even knowing its true origin.

--

Meanwhile, Vahn walked calmly to the exit, where he was instantly met by an ecstatic Delilah.

​"Big Brother! You won! You were the strongest!" she cried, throwing herself at him.

The maids, Lily and Maria, followed, their eyes shining with admiration and pride.

​

Vahn accepted the praise with the cold dignity of the victorious heir.

He quickly guided them into the horse carriage, ensuring their departure was swift and dramatic under the admiring eyes of the Spectators who were now fervent supporters of Young Master Damien Infernos.

​

​As they approached the Infernal Clan's Carriage, Vahn saw Steward Jinn waiting in front of gate. The old man, typically stiff and reserved, stood with an unusual posture of anticipation.

​Vahn stopped and asked, "Steward Jinn, since when did you arrive here?"

​Steward Jinn bowed respectfully, before replying,

"Long enough, Young Master, to witness all of your glorifying victories with my own eyes."

​He admitted he had initially come to the arena only to check if Damien and Delilah were alright, fearing the "useless Young Master" would meet trouble. But what he saw had shattered his preconceived notions.

​"Young Master, after seeing those battles, even I, an old man with dozens of years of cultivation experience, couldn't help but shed a tear. I realized the true potential of our Young Master."

​He bowed deeply, the gesture conveying immense respect. "Young Master has finally grown into a sensible man. The clan's future is secured."

​Vahn accepted the praise. The loyalty of the powerful Steward Jinn was now completely secured.

Afterward, all of them boarded the lavish carriage. The crowd had lessened a lot by them.

Still, with their gossips, today's events will surely reach every corner of City. Which is perfect for Vahn. That way they wouldn't suspect anything about his sudden rise, once Joins the Holy Land and in the Seven Saintesses Competition.

As the carriage pulled away, Delilah couldn't contain herself. She leaned out the window and pridefully boasted to the lingering crowds: "My Big Brother is going to join the White Lotus Holy Land! He's going to be the Strongest!"

​Her words, drifted by the wind and the clamor, turned Vahn's public vow into undeniable fact, further validating his 'reborn' persona.

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