Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 77: Huangyan

The arena buzzed with anticipation as the quarterfinals began. The crowd, significantly larger than for previous rounds, filled every available seat.

Grim arrived early, taking his position in the competitors’ area. His mind still churned with what he’d discovered in the vault.

[You seem distracted,] the voice noted.

"I have reason to be," Grim muttered under his breath.

An official stepped into the middle of the ring, raising his hands for silence. The crowd gradually quieted.

"Today we begin the quarterfinals of the Imperial Tournament," he announced, his voice magically amplified. "Eight competitors remain from the original one thousand and twenty-four. By day’s end, only four will continue their journey toward glory."

The crowd roared its approval. Grim remained silent, his eyes scanning the other competitors. Max Luminaris stood on the opposite side, deliberately avoiding Grim’s gaze. The petite girl whose early match had caught Grim’s attention sat calmly, seemingly untouched by the mounting excitement around her. And there was the massive hooded figure whose identity remained a mystery despite advancing through multiple rounds.

"Our first match," the Tournament official continued, "pits Lady Huangyan against Koda the Faceless!"

The crowd’s response was immediate and enthusiastic. The petite girl had apparently become something of a favorite among the common spectators, while nobles seemed to favor the mysterious Koda, whose sheer size promised a devastating display of power.

As the two competitors moved toward the arena.

Lady Huangyan barely reached Koda’s chest. Koda’s face remained completely hidden in the shadow of his hood, only his massive hands visible as they gripped his greatsword.

They took their positions at opposite ends of the fighting area. The official raised his hand, then dropped it sharply.

"Begin!"

Neither competitor moved immediately. The crowd grew restless, hungry for action after the buildup of anticipation.

Koda moved first, his massive sword erupting in bright red flames as he charged forward with surprising speed for someone of his size. "Crimson Flame: Crimson Fang!" he shouted as he charged forward. The attack was straightforward but executed with tremendous power. A straight piercing thrust designed to overwhelm through sheer force.

Huangyan sidestepped with, her sword still in the scabbard. Koda’s momentum carried him past her, but he recovered quickly, pivoting to launch a horizontal sweep.

This time, Huangyan’s sword erupted in a deep crimson color. A much deeper red than his sword. "Fire Heart: Huo Ren."She announced. She met Koda’s strike directly, and despite the significant difference in their sizes, she held her ground. The clash of their weapons sent a shower of multicolored sparks across the arena floor.

The Fire Heart style was indeed rare. It was Yongrun’s signature style. A style that was only taught to members of his sect. A technique that focused not on the external manifestation of flames but on an internal fire cultivated through years of specialized breathing exercises and mana circulation.

The two competitors separated, then clashed again in a series of strikes too fast for most observers to follow. Each impact released more of those unusual sparks, which seemed to linger in the air rather than dissipating immediately.

Koda pressed his advantage of reach and power, forcing Huangyan to give ground. His red flames grew brighter with each attack, the heat becoming so intense that the first row of spectators shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Lady Huangyan remained composed, her crimson flames never increasing in intensity but maintaining their steady deep crimson color. She defended and countered by forcing her way closer and using her body weight to deflect his blows.

[She’s conserving her strength,] the voice observed. [He’s burning through his reserves quickly.]

Grim nodded slightly. The voice was right. Koda’s style relied on overwhelming force and intimidation, while Lady Huangyan seemed to be employing a strategy of measured endurance.

Suddenly, Koda broke the pattern of exchanges with an unexpected move. He drove his sword into the arena floor, channeling a massive surge of mana through the blade. The stone cracked as lines of fire spread outward in a circular pattern, trapping Lady Fen within a ring of flames. "Crimson Flame: Inferno Cage."

The crowd gasped. The series of pillars of fire that rose from the ground trapped her. The average competitor would have been forced to surrender or risk severe burns trying to escape the encircling fire.

Lady Huangyan didn’t panic. Instead, she closed her eyes briefly, her breathing visibly slowing despite the dire situation. When her eyes opened again, the crimson flames of her sword began to absorb the flames.

"Fire Heart: Yan Xi," she announced, her voice carrying clearly despite its softness.

What followed left the entire arena in stunned silence. The pillar of fire that surrounded her was being absorbed into her blade.

Koda stepped back in surprise, his hood shifting slightly. Enough for Grim to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a mask rather than a face beneath.

[Interesting,] the voice murmured.

Before Grim could consider the implications, the match took another unexpected turn. Lady Huangyan launched herself straight toward Koda, moving faster toward her opponent. Koda barely managed to raise his sword in defense before she was upon him.

"Fire Heart: Phoenix’s Cage."

Her crimson flames suddenly expanded, wrapping around both her and Koda in a spiraling column of fire. From outside, spectators could see only their silhouettes within the vortex.

When the flames dissipated, Lady Huangyan stood up alone. Her sword was held at Koda’s throat. Koda was on one knee, his weapon on the ground beside him, his hood thrown back to reveal what had been hidden. It wasn’t a human face, but an intricately carved wooden mask depicting a snarling demon.

The crowd erupted in shocked murmurs. Beneath the mask, glimpses of severely burned skin were visible. Old injuries, not from this match. Koda quickly pulled his hood back into place, but the damage was already done.

Lady Huangyan approached and spoke words only Koda could hear. After a moment, Koda nodded once, then raised his hand and yelled "I surrender."

The tournament official stepped forward. "The victory goes to Lady Huangyan! She advances to the semifinals!"

As the crowd roared its approval, Grim watched Lady Huangyan bow respectfully to her defeated opponent, then to the royal box.

Lady Huangyan turned slightly as she exited the arena, her gaze passing briefly over the competitors’ section. For just a moment, her eyes met Grim’s, and the faintest of smiles touched her lips before she disappeared into the preparation area.

[She knows you,] the voice observed.

"Yes," Grim agreed, his mind racing through possibilities. "But I’ve never met her."