The news spread like wildfire.

Within minutes of the announcement, the entire Nine Lotus Academy fell into unrest. Disciples abandoned their training grounds, instructors paused mid-lecture, and even elders turned their attention toward the central arena.

Waves of people rushed in the same direction, their footsteps echoing through the mountain paths like a rising storm.

"Did you hear?!!! Tony Clark is fighting twelve Grandmaster disciples!!!"

"One against twelve?! Is he insane or suicidal?!"

"No, no... Finally, our academy is showing spine and dealing with evil villain!!!"

The crowd surged forward, excitement, curiosity, and bloodlust.

Inside the preparation chamber near the arena, the twelve disciples stood together.

Everyone is laughing without any worry. In their opinionTony Clark is a dummy and beating him would be fun.

One leaned against his spear casually. "Did you hear what he said? He wants to fight all twelve of us?!"

Another snorted. "Arrogant fool. He won’t last ten breaths."

A third tightened his gloves slowly. "Don’t underestimate him. Either he’s confident... or completely mad. More than anything, we should consider the Clark family name."

"Forget about the Clark family." A voice echoed.

It was Mark Smith. "End Tony Clark... if possible."

The room fell silent instantly.

Mark’s voice continued, calm yet filled with hidden intent. "You all have my backing. The Imperial Family will protect you. If you show mercy, Tony Clark will take revenge on your families."

The disciples exchanged glances. One by one everyone agreed after hearing the rewards from Mark Smith.

***

Meanwhile—

Inside Tony’s residence, the atmosphere was equally serious.

Lily Frost stood quietly in front of Tony.

This time she didn’t ask questions. No arguments... No anger... Only silence.

Tony watched her curiously. "You’re not going to say anything?"

Lily didn’t respond. Instead, she stepped forward and handed him something.

A silver vest with fine silk jade. It’s appearance is ordinary... But the moment Tony touched it— His expression changed.

"Sky-rank?!!!"

The fabric carried a subtle, dense aura, layered with defensive structural energy far beyond ordinary equipment.

"This is my family heirloom," Lily said calmly.

Tony looked at her. For a moment he didn’t speak. He knew the value of family heirloom. This one act shows how much Lily loves him.

He accepted it with a smile. "You trust me that much?"

Lily met his gaze directly. "I am not giving it because I trust you. I am giving it because you are mine."

Tony smiled faintly.

From the side, Leo Clark stepped forward with a serious expression.

"Brother, say one word. I will take you out of this academy safely. Right now. No one can stop me." Leo urged.

The room fell silent. Julie looked between them nervously.

Tony shook his head. "No need."

Leo frowned. "Are you serious?! This is not a joke! Twelve Grandmasters—"

"I know," Tony interrupted calmly.

Leo stared at him for a few seconds... Then exhaled slowly.

***

Nine Lotus Academy... Fighting Arena...

DONG...!!!

DONG...!!!

DONG...!!!

The bells rang... Resonating across the entire academy.The signal.

The arena gates opened.

The live telecast drones activated instantly, projecting the battlefield across multiple regions. Large screens lit up around the Arena, while the martial network outside broadcasted the event to distant viewers.

The arena ground was massive. A football-field-sized battleground, surrounded by layered spectator stands filled to capacity.

At the center— Twelve figures stood in a line. Each one stood with full confidence and no worry of loss.

Opposite them Tony Clark stood alone with the Sky Rank gauntlets.

The contrast was overwhelming. The crowd erupted as they were excited for this show.

Seeing the sky rank weapon on Tony also made them jealous and envious.

"Finish him!!!"

"He’s dead!!!"

"This is what happens when you act arrogant!!!"

The noise rose like thunder.

Across the dark web martial network, reactions flooded in.

"One vs twelve? This is insane!!!"

"This Tony is either a genius or a clown!!!"

"Betting starts now! He won’t last five minutes!!!"

"Five minutes? He won’t last one!!!"

Inside the Clark family hall, elders watched the screen with tense expressions.

"This boy... what is he doing?!" Even Rion Clark frowned deeply.

In the Frost family, cold and heavy silence filled the halls as they were gathered again for the third time in this one month and the reason is the same ’Tony Clark’.

Inside the Imperial Palace— Laughter erupted.

The King Jamie Smith leaned back slightly. "So this is how Clark family heir face his death. Hahaha... My son Mark really kept his promise."

"This ends today."

***

The crowd cheering increased with each passing second.

The Vice Academy Master Ruthorford stood at the edge of Arena as he personally wanted to conduct this fight as Arena master. He wants to make sure Tony Clark perishes today during the fight.

The Academy Master Da Vinci sat on a high platform and below him, the four peak master sat with an interesting look.

Strangely just beside Peak Master Natasha, Emma Rock stood with a stoic face. She is staring at Tony directly with several thoughts.

"Ahhuuuu..." Vice Academy Master Ruthordford shouted as he raised his long spear into air.

The entire Arena became dead silent.

"Are you ready, Tony Clark?" Rutherford asked with a satisfied smile.

"No, I have a condition."

Tony’s voice resounded in the speakers around the arena.

"Haha... Tony Clark, are you scared? Going back on your words just hours after you said them? You shouldn’t have said that if you weren’t going to fight."

Mark Smith, who is standing on the outer line of the arena said in a mocking tone.

"Tch! Idiot! When did I say that I will not fight? What I meant is I won’t fight one of these twelve people one by one. I will fight all of them at once. One versus twelve." Tony declared.

"What?!!!"

"This Tony Clark... What is it? Did I hear him right?"

"He wants to fight all of us at once. Is he for real? Is he crazy? Who does he think is?"

Obviously Tony Clark’s words created shock over all the spectators and masters.

Especially since it seemed like he was bragging and requesting that everyone beat him directly.

Even Mark Smith’s smile faded after hearing what Tony said.

"Tony Clark, are you serious?" Rutherford asked with an angry glare.

"Yes, is there any problem or are all these people afraid to even fight a single man together?" Tony Provoked.

His words really angered all the 12 disciple leaders who stood against Tony.

"Let’s go guys... Let’s teach him a lesson."

"I have had enough of him since he wants a good beating. Let’s deliver a single kick from every one of us."

"Kill Him...!"