A single swing. The katana came down. It met with the colossal water staff, the ball of lightning, and the shards of ice. Then, something unimaginable happened.

For a moment, it was as if time had slowed down. The colossal water staff, ball of lightning, and ice shards were reducing in size... No... were they disappearing?

Several zoomed into Kailen Darkhaven’s broadcast section as well. The attacks of the three colossal chaotic beasts were fluctuating in and out of existence upon coming into contact with the spatial katana, the void twisting and rippling across them. Eventually, the spatial katana did not just cleave through them—it hollowed the attacks of the three colossal beings out of existence.

Before the spectators could even process what had just happened, Kailen Darkhaven took another step forward, spatial katana still in hand.

The three creatures registered that this tiny creature was a threat. They had to go all out. Their eyes gleamed with coldness; the sea dragon swung its tail, flickering with lightning, shooting arcs of lightning towards Kailen. The shark launched several avalanches, a storm of ice rolling forward towards Kailen. The gorilla chimera struck down with its paw, a large ball of condensed water shooting towards Kailen.

Their attacks looked very overwhelming, tearing through everything. However, Kailen was calm. His eyes never wavered. The ethereal hue around him intensified. The moment the attacks reached him, they halted, unable to move past the ethereal hue surrounding his body.

The three creatures screamed in terror. They realized they had underestimated their opponent. They were not his match. They turned, trying to flee.

This was a sight several spectators could have never imagined was possible. The Rank 3 novice-stage transcendents especially among the empire-wide audience felt how powerful these creatures were, even from just watching the broadcast. Not only had their attacks failed to kill Kailen Darkhaven, but he had also erased their attacks from existence. Also, he seemed so untouchable at this moment.

However, the creatures were trying to run from him?

Kailen took another step forward, spatial katana in hand. He struck down. The katana came down. It was as if the katana had peered through the void. At the same time, it was as if Kailen had never moved. It was a strange, profound thing to watch. How terrifying was this fellow’s comprehension of the principle of space?

As they observed the strange sight, the three creatures let out terrifying wails as the spatial katana cleaved across their bodies. Three slashes. That was all. At least, that was all the empire-wide audience could see. The heads of the three behemoths bent and twisted. Their heads were not cut, but hollowed out from the rest of their bodies by the spatial katana. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The empire-wide audience observed in stunned silence as the heads of the three creatures rolled off their bodies, crashing into the sea and causing large waves to rise. Blood flowed ceaselessly from their headless bodies which crashed into the ocean, kicking up a tsunami in the process. The waters in the vicinity were currently dyed crimson.

Principle fragments appeared where their dead bodies lay. But they were useless to Kailen. Even if these had been space principle fragments, he would have ignored them. This was a competition, not a training ground.

Everything took a while to describe, but it had all occurred in the span of a few moments. What had they just witnessed? Kailen Darkhaven was terrifying. Too terrifying.

Across the empire, several finally realized how powerful he was among Rank 3 novice-stage transcendents. So this was how strong he actually was? Heh... It seemed the first place on the rankings was already secured.

Many were watching Tawaki Xi’s battles with various creatures. Compared to the ones Kailen Darkhaven had just killed, the ones he had dealt with, although more than Kailen Darkhaven’s, were not as terrifying as what Kailen Darkhaven had dealt with.

****

Outside the secret realm, the NGU president spoke, eyes glued to Kailen’s scene. "This fellow... it’s a pity those academy fellows will have him. But, the first place has been promised to the academy; we can’t go back on our words and keep him in the NGU. It seems first place is already secured."

On hearing the words of the president, the other higher-ups were shocked.

"Sir..." someone asked, a bit skeptical, "what about Tawaki Xi?"

"If that Tawaki Xi encountered those creatures Darkhaven just killed effortlessly, he would have been pummeled into nothingness. This Kailen Darkhaven has been too low profile," the NGU president said. "I’m afraid among Rank 3 novice-stage transcendents in the empire, only those monsters in the Venzula Empire Academy will be a match for him."

None present doubted the words of the president. His evaluation was naturally higher since he was more powerful and experienced than the rest of them. They also realized they had underestimated Kailen Darkhaven again. This fellow was very terrifying. It felt as though at the Rank 3 novice-stage transcendent level, only those Rank 3 novice-stage transcendent geniuses in the Venzula Empire Academy would be able to challenge him. If Tawaki Xi encountered him and tried to act against Kailen Darkhaven, he would undoubtedly die.

*****

At this moment, the rankings glitched. Across the whole empire, everyone saw the changes on their screens. Kailen Darkhaven was in first place. Tawaki Xi was currently in second place, and Julian Seir was currently in third place. The rest of the rankings followed.

An uproar emerged everywhere as comment sections and various places all across the empire were going crazy. Kailen Darkhaven had just earned first place with just three kills! This meant that the creatures he had just killed were undoubtedly more powerful than what any participant had faced so far. And from the looks of it, not even Tawaki Xi could have dealt with those creatures he effortlessly killed.

This fellow had been too low-profile. Who would have thought he would be this powerful. When he spoke last night that he would obtain first place, he was not being arrogant. He had been purely stating facts.

****

Somewhere in the natural secret realm...

Tawaki Xi’s wind sword cleaved through the head of a Rank 3 novice-stage chaotic beast. The creature fell on the forest floor, blood oozing all across the place. A principle fragment hovered above the head of the dead creature.

Suddenly, the ranking list appeared before him. It glitched... His name went to second place... A name appeared in first place where he previously was. Kailen Darkhaven had taken first place.

How? As a participant, he did not have the privilege of watching the activities of his fellow participants. He had no idea how Kailen Darkhaven had done this. But he was certain of one thing.

"I need to find that fellow and eliminate him. Else, I won’t be at rest. I need to get into the academy," Tawaki spoke with seriousness. He had made so many sacrifices to get this far. He didn’t hate Kailen Darkhaven. But in the situation he was in, he had no choice but to eliminate Kailen. Kailen Darkhaven was currently an obstacle in his way.

Tawaki stared at the vast oceanic region ahead of the forest. "He could be there or he could not be there. But I need to take my chances." He sped towards that direction.

****

Meanwhile... Julian...