MY HIDDEN TALENT IS FORBIDDEN BY THE HEAVENS-Chapter 76: WHEN FIRE WRITES THE RULES
Chapter 76 — WHEN FIRE WRITES THE RULES
The arena of Vermillion Phoenix Academy was alive.
Not metaphorically.
Literally.
Heat flowed beneath the stone floor in slow, restrained currents, regulated by ancient formations layered so deeply that only masters could sense them. Crimson banners hung high above, fluttering even though there was no wind, their phoenix sigils glowing faintly like embers that refused to die.
This was not a battlefield.
It was a statement.
All remaining teams stood within the arena.
Academy uniforms formed distinct clusters of color and design, each group representing not just skill, but philosophy. Some teams stood tense and alert. Others looked relaxed, even arrogant.
Above them, the stands were overflowing.
Spectators packed every tier.
Students. Elders. Noble families. Guild representatives. Observers whose faces were blurred by intentional concealment.
Eyes overlapped. Intent brushed intent.
"This is bigger than the earlier stages," Chen Wulian muttered, scanning the stands. "Way bigger."
Qin Shuo nodded. "Vermillion doesn’t host quietly. They want the world watching."
Bai Qianlan folded her hands calmly behind her back. "Because exposure is part of the test."
Ling Yifan stood straight, spear grounded, gaze unwavering.
Ouyang Xue’er glanced once toward Long Hao.
He looked composed.
Too composed.
His posture was relaxed, his breathing steady, his expression neutral. Only those who knew him well could see the careful way he distributed his weight, hiding the lingering damage beneath calm control.
Mei Ying stood several steps behind the team.
Silent.
Observing.
Her eyes missed nothing.
A pulse of heat rolled across the arena.
The noise died instantly.
The Vermillion Phoenix Academy dean stepped onto the central platform alone.
She wore flowing crimson robes edged with gold thread, her presence elegant but absolute. When she raised her hand, even the flames carved into the arena walls dimmed slightly, as if acknowledging her authority.
"Welcome to Stage Three of the Freshman Championship."
She said, her voice warm yet commanding.
Cheers erupted.
She waited.
They stopped.
"Vermillion Phoenix Academy does not believe in simple trials," she continued. "We believe in revelation."
Her gaze swept across the arena.
"This stage exists to expose how you fight when victory is no longer the only goal."
A ripple of unease spread among the teams.
The dean lifted her hand again.
The arena floor ignited with massive projected runes, visible to everyone.
Her voice sharpened.
"THE RULES OF STAGE THREE ARE AS FOLLOWS."
RULE ONE: ALL MATCHES WILL BE DRAW BATTLES.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Chen frowned. "...That already sounds suspicious."
RULE TWO: EACH MATCH HAS A FIXED TIME LIMIT.
NO TEAM IS REQUIRED TO ELIMINATE THE OTHER.
Ling Yifan’s eyes narrowed. "So aggression is optional."
RULE THREE: IF BOTH TEAMS REMAIN COMBAT-CAPABLE WHEN TIME EXPIRES—
THE MATCH IS OFFICIALLY RECORDED AS A DRAW.
The word DRAW burned brightly in the projection.
Bai Qianlan felt a chill.
"A draw preserves strength," she murmured. "But exposes tendencies."
RULE FOUR: THERE IS NO PENALTY FOR A DRAW.
Confusion spread instantly.
Some teams relaxed.
Others grew wary.
RULE FIVE: THERE IS ALSO NO REWARD FOR A DRAW.
That one hit harder.
Chen straightened. "Wait—so what’s the point?"
RULE SIX: ALL MATCH DATA WILL BE RECORDED.
EVERY TECHNIQUE. EVERY RESPONSE. EVERY MOMENT OF HESITATION.
Qin Shuo’s fingers tightened.
"They’re harvesting information."
The dean lowered her hand.
"This," she said calmly, "is only the FIRST PART of Stage Three."
The arena went quiet.
"The SECOND PART," she continued, her smile slow and deliberate,"will be announced AFTER ALL DRAW BATTLES CONCLUDE."
The runes faded. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Uncertainty took their place.
Then
The screen changed once again,
"THESE WILL BE THE FORMATS YOU DRAW"
STAGE THREE — TRIAL RULESET
Participants:
8 Academies
7 qualified from Stage 2
Dragon Turtle Academy auto-qualified (host privilege)
Hosted at Vermilion Phoenix Academy
Each academy will draw four sealed balls.Each ball corresponds to one mandatory battle format.All teams must complete all four formats.
Final rankings are based on overall performance, not single wins.
FORMAT I — DUEL LADDER
Pure 1v1 battles
Each academy assigns fighters to a ladder
Each fighter is allowed one loss
Second loss = elimination from ladder
Order matters and cannot be changed mid-round
Tests:Individual strength, composure, reputation under pressure
FORMAT II — COMMANDER’S GAMBIT
Each academy designates one Commander
Commander cannot fight
Commander assigns fighters in real time
Opponent lineup is unknown
Incorrect assignment results in instant round loss
Tests:Leadership, judgment, trust in teammates
FORMAT III — RELAY BATTLE
Continuous chain combat
Fighters tag in and out
Injuries, fatigue, and energy carry over
No full recovery between matches
Team must decide when to rotate members
Tests:Endurance, teamwork, sacrifice, battlefield awareness
FORMAT IV — ROTATING ARENA TRIAL
Arena changes every round
Possible environments include:
Gravity distortion
Spirit suppression
Fog and sensory disruption
Shifting terrain
No preparation time between changes
Tests:Adaptability, instincts, versatility over raw power
__________
Some teams looked relieved.
Some looked disturbed.
A few smiled with confidence that bordered on arrogance.
Those were the dangerous ones.
From Azure Dragon’s side, Mei Ying spoke quietly, only to her team.
"This stage is not about winning," she said."It’s about deciding what you’re willing to show."
Her gaze lingered briefly on Long Hao.
"And what you’re willing to risk being seen."
Longyu stirred faintly in his chest.
"...They’re clever," she muttered.
"Well, whichever format they throw at us....We gonna win."
Chen stated.
"I hope, we pick Format II, it will be my time to shine then."
Qin smiled.
"It doesn’t really matter to me what we pick, I am the one who’s gonna win."
Across the arena, Vermillion Phoenix Academy’s students remained composed.
No whispers.
No visible reaction.
Lin Huoyan stood among them, eyes sharp, posture relaxed.
Her gaze drifted briefly to Long Hao.
"...So that’s the one," she thought.
Stillness that didn’t belong to someone recovering from near-death.
The arena gates opened again.
This time, not for competitors.
But for families.
A small group entered through the designated passage, looking slightly overwhelmed by the scale of the venue.
Long Hao noticed immediately.
His breath stalled for half a second.
Longyu felt it.
"...Oh," she said quietly. "...This is bad timing."
[Chapter ENDS]
