Tianhai woke to the golden light of dawn filtering through his window. His body felt lighter, his Qi flowing with newfound ease. The night before had been a blur of emotions and revelations. The mark that had appeared on his hand—it lingered in his mind, unexplained and mysterious. But there was no time to dwell on it. Today marked the official start of the Sky-Severing Sect's competition.
He sat up, rolling his shoulders before focusing inward. His Qi moved smoothly through his meridians, refined by both his breakthrough and the strange resonance he had felt with Jian Xuan. Then, there was the technique he had received—a skill granted by one of the sect elders. He clenched his fist, recalling the moment.
It had been after his last training session when an elder had approached him, impressed by his rapid progress.
"You lack an offensive technique that truly fits you," the elder had said, studying him with a calculating gaze. "Take this. Learn it well."
The jade slip given to him contained the technique's name—Sky-Rending Strike. A powerful sword technique, one that allowed him to harness his Qi in a way that tore through the opponent's defenses with overwhelming speed and precision.
Now, as he prepared for the tournament, he could only wonder—had the elder given him this to test him? Or was there a deeper reason?
The Tournament Begins
The Sky-Severing Sect's grand arena was alive with energy. Hundreds of disciples and spectators lined the edges, some watching from high platforms, others gathered in the massive stone stands that overlooked the battle stage. The sect elders sat in their designated area, their eyes sharp as they evaluated the younger generation. The air hummed with anticipation, the collective murmurs blending into an electrifying tension.
At the center of it all, Tianhai stood among the participants, his posture composed, yet inwardly, he could feel the weight of expectation pressing down on him. Across from him, Xue Wei stood with his faction, arms crossed, a faint smirk playing at his lips. Though their inevitable clash had not yet arrived, Tianhai could feel the intensity of his gaze, as though he were silently measuring him.
"The first round will now begin," an elder declared, his voice echoing across the arena. "Step forward when your name is called."
Tianhai's name came quickly. His opponent—Liang Fei, a disciple renowned for his unbreakable defense. As soon as their names were spoken, a ripple of excitement spread through the crowd.
"This will be interesting," one disciple whispered.
"Tianhai may be talented, but Liang Fei's defenses are nearly impenetrable," another muttered.
Tianhai took a deep breath and stepped forward. His grip on his sword tightened as he approached the stone platform, the cool breeze brushing against his skin. Liang Fei was already waiting, his stance relaxed but firm, his expression unreadable.
"I won't go easy on you," Liang Fei said, his voice steady.
Tianhai met his gaze and nodded. "Nor will I."
As the elder raised his hand, Tianhai's pulse quickened. This was it. His first true test in the competition. Would his new technique be enough?
The elder's hand fell.
"Begin!"
The Battle Unfolds
Liang Fei moved first. His body surged forward with surprising speed, his sword glowing with dense Qi as he slashed downward. The force behind the attack wasn't reckless—it was precise, calculated, and heavy.
Tianhai barely sidestepped in time, feeling the sheer weight of the strike as it smashed into the ground where he had stood moments before. A deafening crack echoed through the arena, the impact leaving a deep fissure in the stone. Dust and debris lifted into the air.
Tianhai's muscles tensed. Strong… He's not just defensive—his offense is overwhelming too.
Liang Fei pivoted without hesitation, thrusting his blade toward Tianhai's chest. Tianhai reacted on instinct, parrying with his own sword. Sparks flew as the metal clashed, the impact sending vibrations up his arm.
He barely had time to think before Liang Fei followed up with another powerful strike, his sword radiating an earthy golden Qi. It was like trying to fend off a mountain. Each blow forced Tianhai back, his feet scraping against the stone floor.
The crowd watched in hushed anticipation.
"He's already on the defensive?"
"Tianhai's fast, but Liang Fei's attacks are relentless."
Tianhai exhaled sharply, adjusting his stance. He couldn't afford to stay on the defensive. He had to break through.
A Calculated Strike
As Liang Fei swung again, Tianhai saw his opening—a slight delay after each heavy strike.
The defensive nature of Liang Fei's Qi made his attacks stable but predictable. If Tianhai could slip past the rhythm of his strikes…
He narrowed his eyes.
Liang Fei lunged, aiming for his shoulder. This time, Tianhai didn't retreat. Instead, he twisted his body at the last moment, letting the blade pass inches from his side. The moment the attack missed, he stepped forward, shifting all his momentum into a counterattack.
His sword shimmered with silver Qi—Sky-Rending Strike.
A sharp arc of energy surged forth, striking Liang Fei's sword directly. The sheer force sent a shudder through his opponent's arms, disrupting his defensive stance for the first time.
The crowd gasped.
Tianhai didn't stop. The second slash followed instantly—sharp, precise, and devastatingly fast. His blade tore through the lingering golden Qi, finding a weak spot in Liang Fei's defense.
A loud crack echoed across the arena.
Liang Fei staggered, eyes widening as his protective barrier splintered and shattered under the force of the attack. A wave of energy struck his chest, sending him skidding backward.
For a moment, he looked as though he might recover. He planted his foot, trying to steady himself—but Tianhai was already moving.
With a final step forward, Tianhai raised his sword. A third and final strike cleaved through the air, pushing Liang Fei's defenses beyond their limit. His opponent's knees buckled, and he was forced to stop just before falling off the edge of the platform.
Silence.
Then—
"Winner—Tianhai!"
The elder's voice rang out, and the entire arena erupted in noise.
Aftermath and Reactions
Tianhai exhaled, lowering his sword. His heart pounded in his chest, but not from exhaustion—from exhilaration. The Sky-Rending Strike had worked, but more than that, he had felt something… deeper. His Qi had moved through him effortlessly, responding as if it knew where to strike.
He turned, glancing toward the elder's platform. Jian Xuan sat with his usual calm expression, but Tianhai could feel the intensity of his gaze. He had noticed something too.
Meanwhile, Xue Wei watched from the side, a contemplative look in his eyes. His fingers tapped lightly against his arm, unreadable thoughts running through his mind.
"Tianhai…" he murmured under his breath.
Among the gathered elders, a quiet discussion had already begun.
"This disciple… He adapts too quickly."
"His growth rate is abnormal."
Jian Xuan remained silent, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his seat. No… It's not just growth. His Qi—there's something unique about it.
But for now, neither Tianhai nor the rest of the sect would know just how deep that uniqueness ran.
The tournament had only just begun.
And the real battles were yet to come.