THE REAL PROTEGE-Chapter 503: THEY WILL AND THEY SHALL

The Crucible War – Extraction Trials

The arena shifted, glowing with alchemical sigils.

Joonwoo (Li Clan) vs Moonshade Alchemist:

Joonwoo (Dr. Norman) entered, formulas precise and a resolve to prove his alchemical mastery. He faced a Moonshade alchemist who tried to destabilize his Philosopher’s Seed. Joonwoo countered with transmutation chains, turning poison into flame, flame into mist, mist into blades - barely turning the tide.

The crowd gasped as his opponent collapsed under the chain reaction. He won, but his Philosopher’s Seed trembled, his ambition tested by the close call.

Moonshade whispers: "His Seed is cracked. Exploit it."

Mushu (Li Clan) vs Crimson Lotus Homunculi:

Mushu’s Infernal Sovereign Sutra burned through constructs, fueled by his need to assert dominance with destructive power. One homunculus absorbed his flames mid-fight, mutating into a fire-beast. Mushu nearly fell before unleashing sovereign dominance, incinerating it. Victory was his, but his qi was drained, a warning against overreliance on power.

Crimson Lotus emissary: "He is powerful... but reckless. His fire consumes him."

The Crucible War left the Valley shaken — alchemy had become annihilation, and the participants braced for the subsequent elemental clashes.

Elemental Dominion – Elemental Clash

The arena transformed into shifting terrains — flooded plains, desert storms, volcanic ridges.

Leeroy (Li Clan) vs Fire Clan Prodigy:

Leeroy’s Ocean’s Ember clashed against a Fire Clan prodigy. Driven to outlast and adapt for his family’s reputation, steam filled the arena, blinding the crowd as fire met water. The Fire prodigy scorched Leeroy’s arm, nearly crippling him. Leeroy adapted, turning vapor into blades, forcing the prodigy to yield, determined not to show weakness despite injury.

Spectators: "Li Clan adapts... but at great cost."

Goldie (Li Clan) vs Lightning Clan Adept:

Lightning shattered the air, nearly piercing Goldie’s defenses. Goldie’s motivation to prove his sword’s worth pushed him: his Heavenly Piercing Sword Art cut through the storm, striking true. Victory was his, but his blade trembled, challenged by the need to stand firm.

Lightning elder: "His sword is divine... but fragile."

Wushing (Li Clan) vs Moonshade Shadow Adept:

Shadows suffocated Wushing, illusions clawing at his mind. Wushing, determined to overcome inner doubts and prove his resolve, countered illusions with clarity, suffocating shadows with radiant bursts of light, but faltered once, nearly consumed. His balance of light and darkness saved him, but the crowd saw his weakness.

Moonshade patriarch: "He hesitates. Shadows will devour him."

The Valley trembled as elements themselves bent under the clash, setting the stage for the next furious contest.

Four Pillars War – Convergence Trials

Qi, Body, Soul, and Weapon clashed in chaotic duels.

Reginald (Li Clan) vs Body Cultivator:

Reginald’s Nine Yin Manual froze a Body cultivator mid-strike, motivated by his need to display strategic cold qi use against brute strength. But the Body cultivator broke free, nearly crushing him. Reginald forced a final frost burst, winning narrowly, proving the effectiveness of his disciplined approach.

Iron Fang elder: "He relies too much on cold. Break his rhythm, and he falls."

Rockie (Li Clan) vs Soul Cultivator:

Illusions clawed at Rockie’s mind, showing him visions of failure. Rockie’s Titan Body Refinement endured Soul illusions, his sheer resilience breaking through mental invasions. But his mind was scarred.

Spectators: "Strength without clarity... dangerous."

Ailun (Li Clan) vs Weapon Master:

Blades clashed in a thunderous rhythm. Ailun’s Iron Oath Sentinel held firm, his loyalty rooted in his teachings and clan. The Weapon Master’s strikes nearly broke his oath. He won, but his blade was chipped, and this challenge tested Ailun’s resolve.

Weapon Clan whispers: "His oath is strong... but brittle."

The crowd gasped as philosophies collided—discipline against strength, illusion against steel. All eyes turned toward the approaching Beast Dominion contest.

Beast Dominion War – The Hunt

The arena shifted into forests and storm plains with beasts.

Chatty (Li Clan) vs Serpent Clan Prodigy:

Chatty summoned Cannonball, his Enfield beast, its loyalty unwavering.

The serpent Clan mocked Chatty, "What? Are you insulting us by bringing that tiny Enfield to fight in the arena? Are you not afraid my beast would swallow him whole?"

Chatty and Cannonball, who were concealing their real aura, snorted. Despite being tiny in size, the Serpent Clan Prodigy would never thought that Cannonball is a level five demonic beast who can transform into human form until Cannonball showed his real aura.

The serpent clan was startled and immediately summoned a hydra, each head tied to a family soul.

The crowd shuddered as one head was severed, a scream echoing from the clan’s elders.

Chatty and Cannonball fought fearlessly, but one head struck, nearly killing Cannonball. Chatty, driven by unwavering devotion to his companion, commanded Cannonball to bite through, severing the hydra’s neck. Victory was his, but his Cannonball limped, showing the sacrifice made for loyalty.

Serpent elder: "His bond is strong... but fragile."

A rival dragon clan elder, determined to secure his clan’s dominance for future generations, sacrificed his lifespan to summon a colossal dragon, burning himself to ash as the beast annihilated the arena, forcing Li Clan disciples to retreat. Only Mushu’s flames and Goldie’s sword held the line, barely surviving.

Spectators gasped: "The Valley has never seen such destruction."

The Valley erupted in chaos — beasts devoured beasts, contracts shattered, bloodlines trembled, and the night buzzed as onlookers anticipated the aftermath.

Fire, blood, and annihilation baptized the Main Events. The Li Clan stood battered but defiant; their wounds bled pride and exhaustion. Rival clans’ whispers were sharpened by envy and malice, while admiration from neutrals shimmered with hope and awe.

From the northern dais, Otako — Butler Oda beneath the mask — watched silently, his aura commanding.

The Valley trembled — the Family Competition now blazed onward, each phase setting a relentless pace for the next.

The Devouring Rite – Phase Two: The Siege

The Pavilion’s arena shifted once more, its jade floor cracking open to reveal a battlefield of collapsing platforms, shifting terrain, and unstable qi currents. Each clan was tasked with protecting their Core Artifact — a symbol of their lineage — while attempting to destroy the artifacts of others.

Banners unfurled, marking the Siege’s brutal beginning as the Li Clan braced themselves.

Li Clan’s Defense

At the center of their formation, Four Eyes raised the Shield of the Loyal Heart, his hands trembling but resolute. His dark aura pulsed with determination, forging a desperate, pulsing barrier around the Li Clan’s artifact — the Jade Dragon Emblem.

Nicu’s Guardian’s Ember reinforced the shield with bursts of flame, creating a fiery perimeter.

Fatty’s Stone Resilience braced the ground, stabilizing collapsing platforms beneath their feet.

Lili’s Voice of Resonant Truth harmonized with the protective array, strengthening its resonance.

Chatty’s Enfield beast prowled the perimeter, snarling at approaching enemies.

Ling Li watched from the dais, her eyes narrowing. "They must hold. If the Emblem falls, our honor collapses with it."

Shi Min, beside her, gave her assurance. "They will and they shall."