Chapter 15 - F-Rank vs Genius
We used the tournament anyway.
Rook bribed the officials to keep my name on the bracket. Blackwater loved scandal more than rules.
Every opponent I beat gave me combat insight.
Every opponent stronger than me gave more.
Body Tempering 4.
Then 5.
Then 6.
By sunset I could barely stand.
The semifinal matched me against Brant Vale after all.
He was furious I had stolen attention from him.
"F-rank trash," he said.
Old insult.
It no longer fit.
He used a fire technique that filled half the arena.
I stepped into it.
[Ashen Reversal activated.]
[Fire damage converted into Fire Resistance I.]
Brant's face changed.
I let him hit me again.
Fire Resistance II.
Again.
III.
Mira covered her face.
"He is the dumbest cultivator alive."
Jace nodded. "But annoyingly effective."
On Brant's seventh strike, his breathing pattern broke.
Borrowed Failure showed me the opening.
One hit to the ribs.
One sweep.
He hit the ground.
[Body Tempering 7]
The crowd exploded.
Then every light in the arena went out.
A single red message appeared across my system.
[HEAVEN'S DEBT COLLECTION STARTING.]
Above the open roof, storm clouds formed a perfect circle.
At the center was an eye.
May you like
And it was looking directly at me.
