A Challenge That Shook the Sky

Leon calmly flew out. He gently stretched out his right hand and continued, "Vartak Cannon, listen carefully. I am from Celestis Academy. My name is Leon, and if you are truly eager to fight, then I request a battle with you, Cannon King..."

The moment Leon’s calm voice faded into the wind, an overwhelming sword intent burst from his body.

It wasn’t loud.

It wasn’t explosive.

Yet it was impossible to ignore.

The invisible pressure spread across the heavens like ripples across a still lake. The surrounding Mana trembled, responding to his presence as though even nature itself had acknowledged his declaration.

His midnight robes, embroidered with thin amethyst patterns, fluttered gently in the mountain breeze. His long shoulder-length black hair swayed behind him, while his purple eyes remained fixed upon the old expert before him. There wasn’t the slightest trace of arrogance or nervousness on his face.

Only absolute calm.

That quiet confidence somehow felt even more imposing than roaring bravado.

The entire battlefield fell into a strange silence.

No one had expected someone so young to step forward at a moment like this.

Even fewer had expected him to speak so casually while directly challenging one of the most feared experts present.

For several breaths, nobody said a word.

Then the silence shattered.

"Good lord... this kid is incredible."

Someone unconsciously swallowed before speaking, unable to hide the astonishment in his voice.

"He actually dares to challenge Daoist Vartak. Should I call him a newborn calf that isn’t afraid of a tiger... or is he genuinely confident in his own strength?"

Another elder narrowed his eyes, studying Leon carefully.

"There is courage... and then there is madness."

A nearby cultivator slowly shook his head.

"Although Daoist Vartak’s character isn’t exactly admirable, his strength is unquestionable. He’s a late-stage Pinnacle Realm expert. Across the Imperial Kingdom, very few people dare provoke him."

Another expert folded his arms and sighed.

"Even Celestis Academy’s peak Pinnacle Realm expert, Headmaster Orion, would have to use some tricks if he wished to defeat him."

The crowd nodded instinctively.

No matter how much they disliked Vartak, no one could deny the terrifying reputation he had accumulated over countless years.

His strength had been forged through endless battles.

His title wasn’t earned through empty words.

Yet...

This mysterious young man had challenged him without the slightest hesitation.

It almost seemed unreal.

More and more cultivators gathered in the air, curious to witness how this confrontation would unfold.

Some looked at Leon with admiration.

Others looked at him with pity.

Many believed they were about to witness the tragic fall of another talented genius.

Yet Leon remained motionless.

His breathing stayed steady.

His gaze never shifted.

The sword intent surrounding him neither increased nor weakened. It simply existed, sharp enough to make the surrounding air feel unusually cold.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd frowned.

"Wait..."

He looked at Leon again before his eyes widened.

"Did everyone hear that correctly just now?"

The surrounding people turned toward him.

"What is it?"

"That young man said... he’s from Celestis Academy."

The crowd froze.

Only then did everyone fully process Leon’s earlier words.

A ripple of astonishment spread through the spectators.

"Impossible..."

"The Celestis Academy actually produced another peerless genius?"

One elderly cultivator rubbed his beard, unable to believe what he had just heard.

"I thought Anna alone was already enough to shake the younger generation."

Another expert slowly inhaled.

"To reach the Pinnacle Realm at such a young age is already something seen once in countless generations."

He looked toward Leon once more.

"And now another one has appeared?"

The atmosphere instantly became lively.

Every cultivator present knew the legacy of Celestis Academy.

It had always stood among the strongest inheritances within the region.

But producing two unmatched young Pinnacle Realm experts within the same generation...

That was an entirely different matter.

Such a phenomenon could completely change the future balance of power.

Someone couldn’t help muttering,

"Celestis Academy... is truly about to rise."

The others silently agreed.

Most of them had already witnessed Anna’s unmatched elegance.

Her sword had stunned countless geniuses.

Her talent had left even senior experts speechless.

Among cultivators of the same generation, very few could stand before her.

Now...

Another equally mysterious genius had appeared.

Unlike Anna, Leon had remained almost completely unknown.

That mystery only made everyone even more curious.

"Who exactly is this young man?"

"I’ve never heard of him before."

"Could he really possess strength comparable to Anna?"

"I don’t know..."

"But judging from that sword intent..."

An elderly swordsman narrowed his eyes.

"...this youth isn’t ordinary."

Many experts quietly released their spiritual perception toward Leon.

However, before their senses could fully approach him, an invisible force naturally dispersed them.

Several people immediately withdrew their Mana with startled expressions.

"What incredible control..."

"He isn’t leaking even the slightest unnecessary aura."

"Just who taught this young man?"

The whispers continued growing.

The entire battlefield buzzed with speculation.

Some wondered whether Leon was merely an extraordinary genius.

Others suspected he might be an old monster using some secret technique to preserve his youthful appearance.

Still others silently anticipated the coming battle.

Regardless of the answer...

Everyone understood one thing.

If Leon truly possessed the strength to challenge Vartak...

Then today’s battle would become a story remembered throughout the Imperial Kingdom for many years.

Far away, countless eyes remained fixed upon Leon.

He stood alone beneath the endless sky.

His robes danced gently in the wind.

His expression never changed.

The invisible sword intent surrounding him quietly merged with heaven and earth, giving people the illusion that he himself had become an unsheathed divine sword.

His confidence wasn’t loud.

It wasn’t forced.

It simply existed.

That alone was enough to make many seasoned experts feel an inexplicable pressure.

Even those who had initially mocked him gradually stopped laughing.

Because deep inside...

None of them could ignore the strange feeling rising within their hearts.

Perhaps...

This young man truly possessed the qualifications to stand before Vartak.

Across the battlefield, Vartak silently stared at Leon.

The surrounding discussions reached his ears one after another.

Every compliment directed toward Leon felt like another slap across his face.

His aged features gradually darkened.

The wrinkles around his eyes twitched slightly.

His sleeves fluttered despite the absence of wind as a terrifying pressure slowly leaked from his body.

The atmosphere instantly became heavy.

Even the spectators subconsciously retreated several steps.

Everyone knew...

The Cannon King was becoming angry.

Vartak’s old face sank as soon as Leon finished speaking.

"Kid....."