Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation

Chapter 290: Kyrian vs Mo Tianhai (2)

The first invisible clash of sword intent collided in the air between the two, generating a silent wave that made the wind in the arena tremble. In the next instant, Kyrian and Mo Tianhai advanced at the same time.

Their swords were raised and met with a deafening metallic clang.

The impact released red and green sparks that danced in the air. The two forced their bodies against each other, feet digging into the stone ground of the arena. Kyrian, now at the peak of the Qi Liberation Realm, possessed superior physical strength and Qi density. His push was direct and relentless. Mo Tianhai was pushed back three full steps before managing to stabilize his stance, the ground cracking slightly beneath his boots.

But Tianhai did not mind. On the contrary. His eyes shone with even greater excitement. He let out a short laugh and rushed toward Kyrian again.

The real battle began.

Sword attacks erupted at high speed. The sound of metal clashing echoed endlessly throughout the main arena, so fast that many inner disciples could barely follow the movements with their eyes. Blades cut through the air, leaving visible arcs of residual Qi. Mo Tianhai attacked with controlled fury, his destructive sword intent exploding in every strike like a red avalanche. Each slash carried brute force and the will to destroy everything ahead.

Kyrian defended and counterattacked with perfection. His sword intent, inherited directly from the ancestor of the Verdant Sword Sect, was purer, sharper, and deeper. He did not need excessive strength. His movements were economical, precise, almost lazy. Every block was made at the exact angle, and every counterattack exploited a minimal opening that only his special eyes could see.

To most spectators, the fight seemed balanced. Mo Tianhai pressed relentlessly, forcing Kyrian to retreat step by step. But to Mei Ran, Long Xue, Mo Xia, Shen Yu, and Wu Jian, who were watching from the edge of the arena, the reality was different.

"Mo Tianhai seems to be forcing Kyrian back..." Mo Xia murmured, frowning.

Mei Ran slowly shook her head, eyes narrowed.

"No. Look closely. Kyrian hasn’t suffered a single real hit. Meanwhile, Tianhai already has several injuries on his body."

It was true.

Small superficial cuts appeared on Mo Tianhai’s arms, shoulders, and thighs. Blood flowed slowly, staining his black robe. Every time Tianhai attacked with full force, Kyrian dodged by the smallest margin and responded with a clean cut that found the exact opening. Kyrian’s eyes registered every movement of his opponent as if it were in slow motion. He saw the trajectory of the sword, the distribution of force, and the intent behind the strike, and exploited all of it.

Mo Tianhai, on the other hand, grew more and more excited. He had practically forgotten about defense. His style was pure offense. Destroy the enemy with overwhelming force and destructive intent before the opponent could react. Heavy, fast, merciless strikes. Unfortunately for him, that style did not work against Kyrian.

Five minutes passed.

Mo Tianhai’s breathing was already heavy. His chest rose and fell with effort, sweat mixing with the blood from his cuts. His movements, though still fierce, were beginning to lose some of their initial speed. Kyrian, on the other hand, maintained the same calm expression as always. Not a single scratch. His black robe remained immaculate, his breathing steady, and his green eyes shining with composure.

Tianhai stepped back two steps and lowered his sword slightly, letting out a deep breath.

"You are as terrifying as you were back then..."

Kyrian stopped as well, his sword still pointed downward.

"And you have improved a lot."

He had spoken the truth. Mo Tianhai had reached great mastery in his sword style. The destructive intent was denser, and the strikes were heavier and faster than before. Against any other disciple in the same realm, Tianhai would likely dominate with ease. But against Kyrian... it was still far from enough.

Mo Tianhai laughed, his smile tired but genuine.

"Let’s decide everything in a single attack."

Kyrian did not respond with words. He simply nodded, accepting.

Tianhai took a deep breath and began to gather Qi into his sword. The blade trembled, glowing with an intense and violent red. His destructive sword intent condensed to the maximum, transforming the weapon into something resembling a blade of solidified blood. He spent a full minute gathering all his strength. The air around him felt heavy, oppressive.

On the other side, Kyrian did the same. His ancestral sword intent flowed into the simple blade. A pure, light green glow appeared, clean and sharper than ever. There was no visible explosion of power. Only the sensation that the sword had become something more. A perfect extension of Kyrian’s will.

The two advanced at high speed at the same time.

Mo Tianhai roared, bringing his strike down with everything he had. The red sword cut through the air like a bloody lightning bolt, carrying enough force to crack the arena itself.

Kyrian’s sword arrived first.

A single clean strike, without apparent effort.

’Clang!’

Mo Tianhai’s blade was sent flying, spinning through the air before embedding itself at the edge of the arena. At the same instant, Kyrian’s sword stopped just a few centimeters from Tianhai’s neck, its tip shining with light green intent.

Absolute silence took over the arena.

No one breathed.

Mo Tianhai looked at the sword stopped at his neck, then at Kyrian. A long sigh escaped his lips, followed by a resigned and satisfied smile.

"I surrender. I lost."

Kyrian immediately withdrew his sword and stored it back in his spatial ring.

In the next instant, the arena exploded into a wave of voices.

"What kind of fight was that?!"

"Mo Tianhai attacked with everything... and Kyrian simply... dodged and counterattacked in a single strike!"

"The power of Tianhai’s strike was terrifying, but Kyrian countered perfectly and made him lose his own sword!"

"Both are geniuses... but Kyrian is truly an anomaly."

Disciples spoke excitedly, some still standing in the stands, others gesturing animatedly. The gazes directed at the two young men in the center of the arena were filled with respect, even deeper than before. Mo Tianhai, despite the defeat, also received admiration. His aggressive style and his courage in facing Kyrian without hesitation had impressed everyone.

Long Xue clapped slowly, eyes shining. Mo Xia crossed his arms, a provocative smile on his lips. Shen Yu watched in silence, but with a slight nod of approval. Wu Jian let out a loud laugh.

"Those two... never disappoint."

Mei Ran only smiled faintly, her eyes fixed on Kyrian. She could clearly see the abyss that still existed between the two direct disciples.

Mo Tianhai walked to his sword, pulled it from the ground, and stored it. He approached Kyrian and gave him a firm slap on the shoulder, without any resentment.

"Next time, I’ll be stronger."

Kyrian nodded once, his expression still calm.

"I’ll be waiting."

The two stepped down from the arena together. The crowd respectfully parted to let them pass. Some of the braver disciples approached to congratulate them on the incredible fight. Others simply watched from a distance, engraving the moment into their memory.

Kyrian did not stay to talk. After exchanging a few brief words with Mo Tianhai, he returned along the same path he had come, climbing the large staircase toward his isolated courtyard.

As he walked, the sect’s cutting wind blew against his face. He mentally reviewed every movement of the fight. Mo Tianhai had truly improved. His style was direct, powerful, and difficult to face for most. But against Kyrian... something was still missing.

Kyrian did not feel excessive pride. He simply recorded the facts.

Arriving at the courtyard, he closed the door behind him and returned to the room. The cauldron was still warm. He lit the gray flame again and resumed refining pills as if nothing had happened.

The fight had been good training. A pleasant moment outside the routine.

But the path continued. And Kyrian had no intention of stopping.