The first rays of dawn painted the sky over Qingling Sect in gold and crimson. Today, the dueling ground was alive with energy; banners fluttered, Qi resonated through the air, and cultivators from every corner of the continent gathered to witness the strength of Qingling's finest.
High above, on the dragon-carved platform, Sect Master Lin Tianyan sat with an expression of calm authority. Beside him, Ling Xuanye took his place as the young master of Qingling, his posture relaxed yet commanding. Below, disciples and spectators filled the arena, their whispers swirling like wind.
The host announced, voice carrying across the grounds:"Today, we will witness the strength of Qingling's Hall Descendants and the pride of other sects. The first duel will be—Shui Lin of the Hall of Mirror Waters (镜水殿) versus a disciple of the Void Horizon Sect!"
The Duel of Illusions: Shui Lin vs. Yun Xie (Void Horizon)
From one side, Shui Lin walked onto the stage, his blue and black robes trailing mist-like Qi, water elements coiling at his feet. In his hand, he carried the Azure Spirit Brush, the artifact of his hall, said to turn thoughts into reality through painting.
Opposite him, Yun Xie, the illusion prodigy of Void Horizon, stepped forward. His eyes glimmered with shifting light, a small crystal talisman glowing at his neck.
The referee raised his hand."Begin!"
With a single movement, Yun Xie activated his talisman. A world of endless mirrors unfolded—glittering glass towers rose, each reflecting Shui Lin's countless copies. Illusions overlapped illusions, voices whispered, and phantoms with swords rushed from every direction.
To outsiders, both stood unmoving, locked in a trance.
Inside the illusion, Shui Lin's calm voice echoed:"Impressive. But not enough."
He lifted his brush, dipped it into the water vapor swirling around him, and painted a single stroke across the sky. The brush stroke became a roaring tide, crashing through mirrors and shattering the phantoms to mist.
"Mirrorbreaker Wave! (破镜涛)" Shui Lin's voice rang.
The illusion collapsed instantly, returning both to the real arena. Before Yun Xie could recover, Shui Lin twirled his brush, water streams forming ropes that coiled around the Void Horizon disciple, binding him midair like a captured fish.
The crowd gasped, then erupted into laughter as Yun Xie hung helplessly.
"Tied by Flowing Currents! (水缚流丝)" Shui Lin said with a smile.
The referee declared:"Winner—Shui Lin of Qingling Sect!"
Cheers filled the arena. Elders nodded in approval, and Xuanye chuckled quietly from his seat.
The Clash of Stone and Force: Huo Shan vs. Iron Vow Sect Disciple
The referee's voice rose again:"Next duel—Huo Shan of Qingling Sect versus Zhan Kui of Iron Vow Sect!"
The ground trembled slightly as Huo Shan stepped forward, his earthy brown Qi radiating like a mountain's aura. Opposite him came Zhan Kui, a muscular cultivator with fists wrapped in steel bands, his presence exuding raw aggression.
The referee signaled."Begin!"
Zhan Kui roared and charged, his fists glowing with crimson earth energy."Ground Shatter Fist! (裂地拳)"
His strike crashed against Huo Shan's defense—a glowing barrier of stone and Qi forming around him."Earth Wall Guard! (岩壁护身)"
The collision sent ripples through the arena floor. Huo Shan stood firm like an immovable boulder, barely taking a step back. Zhan Kui snarled and unleashed a combo:"Seismic Hammer Barrage! (震地连锤)"
Multiple shockwaves hit, cracking the tiles. Dust rose. Yet, from within the cloud, Huo Shan's voice boomed:"You cannot break the mountain with mere fists!"
He stomped the ground. Stone pillars erupted, forming a cage of jagged spikes around Zhan Kui."Mountain Cage! (山岳囚牢)"
The Iron Vow disciple roared, punching through a pillar, but Huo Shan's follow-up came fast. He summoned the earth's energy into his fists and struck:"Avalanche Collapse! (崩岳重击)"
The blow landed squarely on Zhan Kui's chest, launching him back across the stage. He landed hard, coughing blood, unable to stand.
The referee raised his hand:"Winner—Huo Shan of Qingling Sect!"
The Qingling disciples cheered wildly. The Iron Vow Sect's elder scowled but said nothing.
To be continued...