Immortal Supreme: Sovereign of the Grand Dao
Chapter 263: Martial Spirit: Destiny Compass

Chapter 263: Martial Spirit: Destiny Compass

Kira was an expert in Rune Formation at such a young age, a master of techniques that could manipulate the very fabric of the material and even immaterial.

Yet, despite her formidable abilities, there was a hesitation in her eyes.

She paused for a moment, weighing her options. Her gaze flickered over to the rest of the competitors, her mind clearly analyzing her chances. But then, she sighed softly and spoke.

"I forfeit as well," she said, her voice carrying the weight of experience.

While saying this, she thought to herself ’I’ve analyzed the situation, and I know that even if I were to release my seal, I would not be able to match his power. I cannot risk everything just to challenge him.’

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. He had already known that Kira would make this choice.

He understood her well despite their brief interaction in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Kira’s lips curved into a wry smile as she turned to face Arthur. "I’m not surprised to learn you’re a prince of the Hartfield Empire," she said, her tone light yet tinged with respect. "When we met at the Heavenly Sword Sect, I could tell you were of extraordinary origin. I suppose it was only a matter of time before the truth came out."

Arthur nodded silently, his mind already turning to other matters. He was aware that Kira had recognized his power long ago, and though he had kept his true identity hidden, it had always been a matter of time before his lineage became known.

However, Kira’s next words caught him off guard. "You owe me one," she said, her voice tinged with humor. "For not telling anyone about your true identity. Don’t forget."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint smile. "I will remember," he replied coolly. And with that, Kira gracefully left the stage, her departure marked by elegance.

The crowd was silent for a moment, the weight of the forfeits settling over them.

No one had expected so many challengers to step down so quickly. But Arthur’s presence was undeniable, and even the most powerful opponents seemed to recognize that they could not stand against him.

A deep silence fell over the arena as the remaining contestants—Balor, Luke, Anastasia, Sun Wukong, Thomas, Kalius, Zaith Asura, and Qin Tian—still remained.

They had seen their peers fall, but none of them seemed willing to back down. The true challenge was yet to come.

"Let me fight next. I propose we determine the battle in one move."

Thomas stepped forward at this point.

His eyes flickered nervously toward Arthur, yet there was a spark of determination in his gaze. This fight was important to him—important in ways he couldn’t fully explain.

His master had high hopes for him, and the elders had spoken of great things.

He wasn’t just fighting for his own honor, but to carve out a legacy of his own, and the possibility of proving himself worthy of the inheritance he had received.

"Alright then, let’s make this quick," Arthur spoke, his voice as cold as steel, yet somehow carrying an undercurrent of amusement. "One move, you said? Show me."

Thomas nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Then prepare yourself," he said, his voice steady despite the rising anxiety within him. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his focus, and then, with a flicker of energy, summoned his martial spirit.

A shimmer of light erupted from his body, and an intricate, golden compass appeared above his head. It spun with dizzying speed, its needles pointing in all directions, seeming to shift between countless realms, dimensions, and possibilities.

It was a mysterious martial spirit, one that had never been fully understood by anyone in the sect. It wasn’t a weapon or an elemental force, but something far more abstract—something that connected him to fate itself.

The elders of the Heavenly Sword Sect, who had been watching quietly from the sidelines, exchanged glances filled with awe. "That... that’s the Compass of Destiny!" one of them whispered. "It is said to be the manifestation of destiny laws, a spirit that draws upon all the possibilities of the world. If Thomas can harness its true power..."

"Then he will be a force to be reckoned with," another elder finished.

But Arthur didn’t seem impressed. His gaze, unblinking and unwavering, remained fixed on Thomas. "Interesting," he muttered under his breath. "But not enough."

With a flick of his hand, Thomas began to activate the technique that would allow him to tap into the true potential of his martial spirit.

The air around him seemed to grow heavier, thicker with energy, as though the world itself was holding its breath.

The aura that radiated from him intensified, and Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly. It was powerful—far more powerful than anything the others had used in this battle.

’Powerful it is, relatively speaking.’ Arthur thought.

It was powerful in comparison to the others before now.

The technique was Heaven Grade, a level of power that far surpassed the Earth Rank or even the lower levels of the Profound Rank. Arthur could feel the weight of it, pressing down on him like a mountain.

A Tai Chi diagram appeared above Thomas’s head, glowing with a brilliant, golden light. The symbols within the diagram spun in perfect harmony, representing the balance of the universe.

It was a symbol of equilibrium, of the Yin and Yang forces that governed all things. And yet, as the diagram spun, the energy around it began to twist and contort, a sign that Thomas was beginning to lose control of it. The power was too great to be easily contained.

The pressure in the air grew even stronger, and the ground beneath them seemed to crack as the force of the technique descended like a heavy, invisible hand.

"I never expected Thomas to wield such a powerful technique."

A fellow disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect commented.

Arthur stood still, unmoving, as if nothing had changed. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if contemplating the situation. Then, with a slow exhale, he opened them again—his golden-blue eyes glowing with a fierce intensity.

"Impressive," Arthur said, his voice carrying an unshakable confidence. "But not enough to make me use my martial spirit. If you want to see it, you’ll have to force me to."