Six months had passed, and pressure was mounting like thunderclouds over the Celestial Sect. The proposal for marriage from the Heavenly Fire Palace — once merely a diplomatic formality — had now turned into a deadly standoff. What had begun as a political arrangement had devolved into a threat of war.
The Heavenly Fire Palace, known for its explosive temper and unmatched fire techniques, had lost all patience. Their final ultimatum was clear: "Agree to the union, or face our wrath." The Celestial Sect, proud and unwilling to bow, responded with their own challenge — ten matches. The results would decide the fate of the marriage. Victory meant freedom. Defeat meant submission.
The air in the Celestial Sect was thick with unease. Elders held tense meetings behind closed doors. Disciples trained day and night. The Sect Leader's decision had bought them time, but now the arena battles loomed near.
Amidst this chaos, one name had begun to echo across the sect — Lin Hai.
Once an overlooked outer disciple, Lin Hai had shattered every expectation. In just six months, he had advanced from the second stage to the ninth stage of Qi Gathering — a feat that defied all cultivation logic. The First Elder, once amused by the boy's boldness, now watched with cold eyes filled with unease. Even the Sect Leader, known for his calm wisdom, had gone silent when Lin Hai's name was spoken.
"He's… no longer just a prodigy," the First Elder whispered one evening. "He's something else."
Inside the sect, whispers grew: "Is he human?", "Did he obtain a forbidden inheritance?", "Is he being guided by a divine force?" Some feared him. Others revered him. But none could deny the truth — Lin Hai was rising faster than anyone in the sect's history.
And now, he was chosen as one of the ten to represent the Celestial Sect in the upcoming arena battles.
The lineup was fierce:
Four from the Qi Gathering stage, including Lin Hai himself.
Four from the Duke Stage, powerhouses with refined auras and decades of training.
Two from the King Stage, warriors so powerful they could shatter mountains with a single strike.
Across the border, the Heavenly Fire Palace prepared as well — selecting their best to crush the Celestial Sect's pride.
But Lin Hai remained calm. He knew the arena wasn't just a battle of fists — it was the gateway to his destiny. Every step of his cultivation, every sleepless night, every burning sensation in his meridians — it had all led to this.
And somewhere deep inside him, the strange power that had been awakening — the flicker of ancient energy — stirred once more. The White Path, forgotten by most, whispered in the corners of his dreams. Perhaps this war, this marriage, and these matches were only pieces of a much greater puzzle.
As the arena was built on the borderlands, and the ten warriors were named, the sect held its breath. The marriage would be decided not by words or alliances — but by blood and spirit.
The stage was set.
The storm was near.
And Lin Hai… was ready.