Chapter 28: The Unveiling
After the final match of the round concluded, a stillness settled over the arena.
An elder stepped forward and raised his hand. "Remaining participants, come forward!"
Flux, and the others gathered beneath the stage.
The elder scanned the group. "Thirteen remain," he announced. "Same rules as before—each of you will draw from the box. Those who draw a black token will pass to the next round. Those who draw white will battle again."
A few groans and smirks spread through the crowd. The attendant approached with the familiar lacquered box, and one by one, the participants stepped forward to draw their token.
Flux reached in and pulled his—white.
"Hmph," he muttered. "Again."
Moments later, Xavier stepped up and drew—black.
The cultivators around them muttered in disbelief.
"Wait—again?!"
"He's passed twice without a single match…"
"Huh? He got black again?"
"His luck is insane!"
"Pfft… guess we're avoiding him again."
"Or maybe the heavens just really don't want us fighting him," another joked.
The elder coughed to silence the crowd and gestured toward the stage. "It's been decided. Let's take a look at your matchups."
With a flick of his sleeve, a glowing formation rose, projecting a glowing board into the air.
Flux squinted, scanning the list—and found his name. His opponent: Lucas Myrin, top inner disciple of the Jade Rain Temple, and a 9th-level Foundation Establishment realm cultivation.
Later, Flux reunited with Ryo outside the arena.
"So? Who'd you get?" Ryo asked, munching on roasted seeds.
"Lucas Myrin. Top disciple of the Jade Rain Temple."
Ryo blinked. "OHHH! Finally! You're getting a proper match! Maybe you'll finally lose, and I get to roast you back for real!"
Flux raised a brow. "He specializes in water techniques."
"Unlike you," he added dryly, "who managed to smoke yourself with your own spell."
Ryo pointed dramatically. "Hey! That was ONE time!
Flux gave a soft hum. "Mm. We'll see."
"Tsk," Ryo muttered, "Acting all mysterious again…"
—
The next morning, Flux waited in the preparation room. The arena buzzed with energy as more matches began. Each fight was fiercer than the last, dazzling the audience. The crowd roared as spiritual lights clashed, blades sang, and spells cracked like thunder.
When it was his turn, Flux stepped into the arena.
Across from him stood Lucas Myrin, dressed in flowing silver and blue robes with his sect's crest proudly displayed. His long sleeves fluttered in the morning wind.
Lucas tilted his head. "Flux, right?"
He smirked. "You're kind of famous, y'know. The mysterious participant with no background, no sect, and always dressed like a wandering ghost."
Flux said nothing.
Lucas chuckled. "They say your face is so hideous, you wear that hat and robe just to spare us all."
Flux raised a brow. "Huh?"
In the nearest sit in the arena, Ryo leaned forward." Huh? Did I hear that right?"
He grinned wickedly and muttered, "Hehehe… this is gonna be fun…"
The elder raised his hand. "Begin!"
Lucas instantly formed a hand seal, drawing spiritual power into his palm. "Water Fang Spear!" A wave of water surged up, forming a crystalline spear that shot toward Flux like lightning.
Flux blurred, vanishing with Miststep Flow. He reappeared to the side and launched a Whirling Crescent, his silver arc of sword light slicing through the air.
Lucas dodged, his sleeves fluttering as he tossed talismans into the air. Each one exploded into water dragons, crashing toward Flux in a series of relentless attacks.
The battle intensified.
Their movements blurred. The very air crackled with chaotic qi. Water surged, wind howled, and spiritual pressure filled the arena.
Lucas hurled a gleaming talisman and shouted, "Tide Formation—Enclose!"
The ground beneath Flux lit up with glowing runes.
Flux dashed to dodge—but spikes of ice erupted from beneath his feet.
Lucas grinned. "That's right. I laid this formation while I threw those talismans."
An icy spear pierced toward Flux.
But Flux's expression didn't change.
"I know."
His body shimmered—leaving behind only an afterimage.
He reappeared close to Lucas with his blade raised.
CLANG!
Lucas barely raised his spiritual shield in time to block. He staggered back, sliding across the arena.
Lucas jumped away, and Flux prepared to pursue—but the ground where Lucas once stood began to glow ominously.
BOOM!
A hidden formation exploded, launching shards of ice skyward. At the same time, Lucas cast a spell—Frozen Rainstorm—summoning dozens of icy needles that rained down on Flux from above.
Flux crossed his arms and invoked a barrier.
The explosion drowned him in a shockwave and smoke.
The arena was silent as dust and steam hung thick in the air.
Then—through the haze—someone emerged.
Tattered black robes fluttered. His wide hat spun once on the ground before settling.
Flux stepped forward, his face revealed for the first time—long white hair, sapphire-blue pupils that shimmered like starlight, jade-like skin that glowed faintly under the morning sun.
The arena was dead silent.
"…Huh?" someone gasped.
"…What the hell…" someone muttered.
"He's… he's actually—"
"No way…"
Even Lucas stared, dumbfounded.
Ryo threw his head back in laughter. "HAAHAHAHAHA! I knew this would happen! This is amazing!"
Nearby people looked at him nervously as he laughed like a maniac.
Flux reached down, picked up his ruined hat, and tossed it to the side.
Then Flux stared at Lucas with cold, glowing eyes. His presence changed—his aura sharpened into a silver radiance that felt like a blade drawn.
"You're good at traps," he said calmly, voice like frost.
Lucas was still frozen. "What…?"
Flux raised his blade. "But now—I won't hold back now."
SWOOSH!
Flux surged forward. His movements were sharper, faster—almost ghost-like. Lucas snapped out of it, conjuring a massive water shield and launching a triple-cast technique.
"Tide Grasp! Water Chain Bind! Crushing Current!"
Water chains lashed out from all directions.
But Flux darted through them like mist, weaving with Miststep, his blade glowing silver. He struck once—twice—each movement cutting through Lucas' defenses with growing momentum.
Lucas gasped, forming hand seals faster, but it wasn't enough.
Flux's next strike knocked him off his feet, sending him tumbling across the stage. Before he could recover—WHAM!—Flux launched a flurry of blows, each one infused with spiraling qi and surgical precision.
Lucas finally collapsed, unable to rise.
The elder stepped forward, blinking. "Uh… Winner—Flux!"
The crowd erupted into murmurs. Some stood. Others stared in awe.
Flux calmly walked to the edge of the stage, picked up his hat, and returned to his seat.
As he sat down, he noticed the gazes.
He closed his eyes, thinking, "So revealing my face really was a good distraction…"
"Lucas faltered after he saw me. But that trick won't work again now that they've seen me."
—
Meanwhile, in the medical ward…
Lucas blinked awake, bandaged and dazed. "Ugh… what the hell just happened…?"
"I lost… just like that?"