A sword quietly appeared in Li Yan's hand. Darkness Qi flowed across its blade. No technique. No Sword Intent. Only a simple sword strike.
Lan Rui instinctively raised the whip's handle to intercept.
Clang!
The collision knocked her weapon aside before she could stabilize her stance. Her center of balance shifted.
Li Yan stepped forward. His second strike followed immediately. It was neither fast nor flashy. Yet it arrived exactly where her defense had already collapsed.
The cold tip of the sword stopped less than an inch from her throat.
Everything became still.
The entire battle had lasted only several breaths.
Lan Rui stared blankly at the blade before lowering her whip with a helpless smile. "I surrender."
The supervising elder glanced at both disciples before announcing calmly, "Winner…"
"Li Yan Tian."
A wave of discussion immediately spread among the spectators. No one found the result surprising. What surprised them was the manner of victory.
Lan Rui possessed Qi Channeling Realm (Stage-5) cultivation and had displayed solid whip techniques from the very beginning.
Yet throughout the entire battle, Li Yan had never used an offensive technique, nor had he unleashed his Cultivation.
He had defeated her using nothing more than movement, timing, and two ordinary sword strikes.
Li Yan withdrew his sword before cupping his hands politely.
"Your whip technique is solid," he said calmly. "But your footwork lags behind it. When your opponent closes the distance, your balance becomes unstable, leaving too many openings."
Lan Rui blinked for a moment before laughing helplessly. "I somehow feel better after hearing that."
Several nearby disciples chuckled, and the earlier tension quickly disappeared. After exchanging a respectful salute, both disciples stepped down from the platform.
Li Yan returned calmly to the waiting area as the remaining matches of the first elimination round continued across the competition grounds.
One battle after another ended, gradually reducing the number of qualified disciples. Some victories came easily. Others required every ounce of strength the participants possessed. As the round approached its conclusion, only a handful of platforms remained active.
Li Yan's attention gradually shifted toward a nearby arena.
Arena Platform Twenty.
Ji Xin Vs Ru Feng.
The matchup immediately attracted considerable attention from the Azure-Rank disciples. Ji Xin's reputation within the Sect required no introduction, while Ru Feng had likewise established himself as one of the stronger combat-skilled Azure-Rank disciples.
With both participants possessing the same cultivation of the Qi Channeling Realm (Stage-6), few people dared predict the outcome with certainty.
Before long, both disciples stepped onto the platform.
Ji Xin carried her familiar sword, her expression calm and composed. Opposite her, Ru Feng rested a pair of curved sabers upon his shoulders. He had brown hair and black eyes. Unlike Ji Xin's quiet demeanor, his eyes already carried a strong fighting spirit.
The supervising elder stepped forward and glanced at both competitors.
"Begin."
The battle erupted immediately.
Ru Feng chose to seize the initiative.
Darkness Qi surged around his twin sabers as he burst forward with astonishing speed. The curved blades crossed repeatedly through the air, each strike flowing naturally into the next, forming an uninterrupted offensive designed to overwhelm his opponent before she could establish her own rhythm.
Ji Xin remained perfectly composed.
Her sword moved with quiet precision.
Each block arrived exactly where it was needed. Every sidestep avoided the smallest possible distance. Rather than retreating under the relentless assault, she continuously adjusted her position while calmly dismantling Ru Feng's offensive one strike at a time.
The sharp clash of steel echoed repeatedly throughout the platform.
Neither disciple gave an inch.
After dozens of exchanges, Ru Feng suddenly changed his rhythm. Darkness Qi erupted from both sabers simultaneously as he crossed them before his chest.
Shadow Twin Saber Art.
Twin Crescent Severance.
Two crescent-shaped slashes burst forward, overlapping one another before rapidly converging upon Ji Xin.
Several nearby disciples immediately recognized the technique.
"It ended."
"She can't block both."
Ji Xin's expression remained unchanged.
A faint pressure suddenly spread throughout the platform.
Sword Aura.
Stage Five—Ripple.
The atmosphere around her sword changed instantly. The blade released a low hum as an invisible pressure quietly spread outward. Even the surrounding air seemed to grow sharper beneath the influence of the Sword Aura.
Many spectators widened their eyes.
Although most already knew Ji Xin had awakened Sword Aura, witnessing it directly carried an entirely different impact.
Ji Xin stepped forward instead of retreating.
Her sword moved once.
The two incoming crescent slashes shattered simultaneously.
Before the fragments of Darkness Qi had completely dispersed, Ji Xin was already standing before Ru Feng.
His eyes widened. "So fast—"
He instinctively crossed both sabers before his chest.
Clang!
The tremendous force forced him back several steps.
Before he could recover his balance, Ji Xin advanced once again.
Her sword danced continuously, each strike carrying greater pressure than the last. Under the enhancement of Sword Aura, every exchange became increasingly difficult for Ru Feng to withstand.
Minutes gradually passed.
Ru Feng fought with everything he possessed.
His twin sabers unleashed technique after technique, as he attempted to regain the initiative. Unfortunately, Ji Xin's control remained flawless.
She never rushed. Never waste movement. Every exchange gradually shifted the advantage further toward her.
Finally, an opening appeared. Ru Feng's right saber was knocked slightly off balance.
Ji Xin stepped diagonally into his blind spot.
Her sword flashed.
The tip stopped lightly against his throat.
Silence settled across the platform.
Ru Feng looked at the sword before letting out a helpless smile. "I lost."
The supervising elder nodded. "Winner, Ji Xin."
Applause immediately erupted from the surrounding spectators.
Ru Feng withdrew his sabers before cupping his fists respectfully. "I was defeated fairly."
Ji Xin returned the salute with equal respect. "You fought well."
Both disciples stepped down from the platform as discussions immediately spread among the Azure-Rank participants. Ji Xin's calm yet overwhelming display had once again demonstrated why she was regarded as one of the Sect's most talented younger disciples.
Not long afterward, the final matches of the first elimination round concluded as well.
The competition bracelets flickered simultaneously.
The rankings have been updated once again.
Only thirty-two disciples remained.
After a few minutes' break, the second round had officially begun.
Characters gradually appeared upon every bracelet, revealing the next round of pairings. The qualified disciples immediately lowered their gazes, checking their assigned opponents before making their way toward the designated arenas.
Then one particular matchup spread throughout the arena with astonishing speed.
Arena Platform Sixteen.
Li Yan Tian Vs Ji Xin.
A wave of discussion immediately swept across both the participants and the spectators.
Many disciples instinctively turned toward Arena Platform Sixteen.
Ji Xin was already one of the most admired disciples within the Shadow Haven Sect. Beyond her status as Ji Hong's granddaughter, she was widely acknowledged as one of the Sect's greatest young talents and recognized as one of the Sect's beauties.
Her opponent, however, was Li Yan.
The disciple who had conquered the Azure-Rank Hidden Level earlier today. The disciple whose reputation had risen faster than anyone else's over the past year.
The battle instantly became the most anticipated match of the second round.
Upon the elders' platform, Cao Lian looked toward the competition bracket before letting out a quiet sigh. "It seems Xin'er won't be advancing any further this year."
Ji Hong smiled helplessly. "I didn't expect them to meet this early either."
He shook his head slightly before adding, "Although… I already told Li Yan to go easy on her if they happened to face each other."
Both stepped onto Arena Platform Sixteen.
The platform immediately became the center of attention.
Although battles continued across the other arenas, a considerable number of disciples—and even several elders—shifted their focus toward this match.
One participant was Ji Xin, the Sect Leader's granddaughter and one of the Sect's most talented Azure-Rank disciples. The other was Li Yan, who had only recently conquered the Azure Pagoda's Hidden Level and whose reputation had been built on his achievements.
Ji Xin stood quietly opposite him.
Her azure robes fluttered gently beneath the breeze, while the longsword in her hand emitted a faint, restrained sharpness. Her cultivation stood at the Qi Channeling Realm (Stage-6), three stages above Li Yan.
Yet her expression remained completely serious.
Unlike many others, she had long since understood that Li Yan's true strength could never be measured by cultivation alone.
Almost six months had passed since she witnessed him inside the Tier-3 Hunting Grounds.
She still remembered that scene clearly.
Three Tier-3 Magical Beasts. Defeated within only a few breaths. Only physical strength.
Ji Xin slowly drew her sword.
A faint smile appeared on her face. "I know I can't win."
Several nearby disciples exchanged surprised glances.
Li Yan smiled faintly. "Then why are you smiling?"
Ji Xin met his gaze directly.
"Because…" she replied honestly, "I finally have the chance to fight you."
Li Yan shook his head with a small smile. "That does sound like you."
The supervising elder looked between them. Seeing both competitors prepared, he raised one hand.
"Begin."
The battle started instantly.
Ji Xin struck first.
Darkness Qi flowed smoothly along her blade as she launched a precise thrust toward Li Yan's chest.
Li Yan shifted half a step sideways. The sword missed him by less than an inch. Almost simultaneously, his own sword appeared.
Clang!
Steel met steel.
The sharp collision echoed throughout the arena.
Ji Xin immediately continued her assault.
Her sword moved with remarkable elegance, every strike naturally flowing into the next. There was no hesitation between attacks, no unnecessary movement. Each slash, thrust, and feint displayed a foundation built through years of disciplined practice.
More importantly—
Every movement carried the pressure of Sword Aura.
A faint pressure spread across the platform, making the surrounding air noticeably sharper. Several spectators unconsciously held their breath.
Li Yan's expression remained unchanged.
His sword met every attack with astonishing precision.
Each deflection required only the smallest movement. Each step positioned him perfectly for the next exchange.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
The clash continued.
Five exchanges.
Ten exchanges.
Fifteen exchanges.
As the pace steadily increased, Darkness Qi surged around both swords, their blades flashing repeatedly across the platform like streaks of black lightning.
Ji Xin still refrained from using any combat techniques. She understood something clearly. The moment she used one…
Li Yan would stop treating the battle as a simple exchange.
And the match would end.
She wanted a little more time.
Just a little longer.
She wanted to fight him properly, rather than become another disciple defeated in only a few breaths.
To ordinary disciples, the battle appeared evenly matched.
To the elders—
And to Ji Xin herself—
The difference had become increasingly obvious.
She was already fighting with everything she had.
Li Yan was not.
From the elders' platform, Ji Hong silently observed every exchange. His eyes remained fixed upon Li Yan. Compared to several months ago, the young disciple's control had improved tremendously.
Every movement displayed perfect timing. Every defense naturally transitioned into offense. There was no trace of impatience.
Only complete control.
Several more exchanges passed.
Then—
The rhythm changed.
Ji Xin launched another precise thrust.
Instead of retreating, Li Yan stepped forward. The sudden change completely disrupted her timing.
Before she could adjust her footing, Li Yan's sword moved. It was an ordinary strike.
Simple. Direct. Without any technique. Without any unnecessary flourish. Yet its timing was flawless.
Clang!
The instant their swords collided, Ji Xin felt an overwhelming force travel through her blade.
Her expression changed. "This…"
Before she could react—
Clang!
Her sword flew from her grasp.
The weapon spun several times through the air before embedding itself firmly into the platform several meters away.
Ji Xin instinctively took half a step backward.
Li Yan had already arrived before her.
His sword rested a few inches from her chest.
Silence descended across Arena Platform Sixteen.
The battle had ended.
The supervising elder glanced at both competitors before announcing calmly,
"Winner, Li Yan Tian."
For several moments, the spectators remained completely silent.
Li Yan withdrew his sword and stepped back. As promised to Ji Hong, he had not injured Ji Xin.
Not even slightly.
He had merely disarmed her.
Ji Xin stood where she was, unmoving. Her gaze remained fixed upon Li Yan. Not upon the sword. Not upon the outcome. Only upon him.
The entire battle replayed itself within her mind.
His composure. His precision. His flawless control.
Most importantly—
The pressure she had felt while standing directly before him.
Only now did she truly understand why so many disciples admired him. It had nothing to do with talent alone. Nor with his achievements. It was the quiet confidence he carried into every battle.
A faint ripple stirred within her heart.
Gentle. Subtle.
Yet impossible to ignore.
By the time she regained herself, Li Yan had already turned and begun walking away from the platform.
Without realizing it, her eyes followed his departing figure. Only after several moments did she finally lower her gaze.
A faint smile gradually appeared at the corner of her lips. "…Interesting."
Very interesting.
She walked over, retrieved her sword, and quietly stepped down from the platform.