The assembly ground was wrapped in silence. All eyes were fixed on the stage where the referee stood tall, announcing the names.
"Next duel! Ling Xuanye of Qingling Sect versus Hei Lang of Black Mist Academy!"
Whispers broke among the crowd."Hei Lang… isn't he the disciple of Wu Jinhai?""They say he never misses his kill."
Xuanye stepped forward with steady steps, his black-and-navy robe swaying like a storm cloud. Across from him, a figure cloaked in black mist materialized — Hei Lang, the shadow of Black Mist Academy. His aura oozed murderous intent.
Both fighters clasped their hands in a brief gesture of respect.
The referee raised his hand."Begin!"
The barrier surged up, glowing faintly. As soon as it stabilized, Hei Lang vanished. A ripple of fear swept through the spectators. He reappeared behind Xuanye, his dagger dripping with poisoned Qi, releasing a suffocating killing intent.
The move was sudden, merciless."This… this is a killing blow!" an elder from another sect gasped.
Hei Lang's body blurred as his dagger shot forward.
Xuanye, however, remained calm. He sidestepped at the last possible instant, his robes fluttering as the poisoned blade sliced air.
Gasps erupted in the stands. Qingling's disciples exhaled in relief, but their hearts still pounded in fear.
"STOP!" someone roared.
Sect Master Lin Tianyan's voice thundered in Chinese:"住口!" (Silence!)
His command silenced the chaos. The elders froze. The crowd fell into a tense stillness. The duel continued.
The Emperor's Voice
Inside Xuanye's Sea of Conscience, the spirit's voice echoed like a drum of heaven."Erzi (儿子), this was his deadliest attack. Now… it is your turn. Use the second move I taught you. Use only ten percent of your Qi. That is more than enough."
Xuanye's grip on his sword tightened."Understood, Master."
The air trembled as he raised his blade. The spirit's energy guided his hand, and a faint thunder hummed along the edge of the sword.
The Strike That Silenced the World
Hei Lang prepared to strike again, vanishing into shadows.
But Xuanye's eyes glowed faintly. His sword swung.
"雷神灭寂 – Thunder God's Annihilation."
Only ten percent of his Qi surged through the blade, yet the world seemed to tremble. The strike tore the barrier's energy like paper, sending a wave of devouring force across the arena.
Sand scattered. Wind howled. The ground cracked.
Hei Lang's figure was caught mid-shadow and hurled out of the barrier. The protective dome shattered with a deafening boom, and Hei Lang was thrown beyond the stage, crashing into the far wall unconscious, his dagger splintered.
The crowd erupted into uproar.
"What power was that?!""A single slash… broke the barrier?!"
Xuanye stood unmoved, his sword returning to his side. He had used only a fragment of his true strength.
Chants of his name echoed through the arena."Xuanye! Xuanye! Xuanye!"
The rival sects and empires seethed with anger and fear. Some left their seats with heavy sighs, their pride wounded.
End of the Knockouts
After Xuanye's overwhelming victory, the remaining duels proceeded. The knockout rounds concluded with only half the participants surviving. Out of dozens of sects and empires, only thirty-two disciples remained qualified for the next stage.
Among the survivors were:
Qingling Sect's six representatives.
Black Mist Academy's Hei Mu.
Void Trace Sect's Qin Zhen.
The royal siblings of Crimson Jade Dynasty.
The prince of Empyrean Lotus Empire.
And other strong cultivators from smaller sects and kingdoms.
The stage for the true tournament was now set.
Return to the Quarters
That night, Qingling's victors returned to their quarters, pride glowing in their eyes. Xuanye was summoned by his father, where Su Feilí was already present. One by one, the other Qingling competitors arrived.
Sect Master Lin Tianyan stood before them, his gaze firm yet proud."Today, you have upheld the dignity of Qingling Sect. Tomorrow, the trials will grow harsher. Stay vigilant."
Each disciple bowed deeply. His words lit a fire in their hearts.
Su Feilí stepped closer to Xuanye, patting his hand softly."弟弟 (Dìdì), you did great today."
Yue Chányīn, usually cold, nodded lightly."You fought well."
The others added their praises. Xuanye, with a small smile, returned their encouragement."You all fought splendidly. Our path is just beginning."
Whispers of Spies
Later, gathered in Xuanye's room, Su Feilí shared troubling news."Our spies report that some sects harbor members with clear killing intent against us. We must be cautious. Our lives come before any tournament."
Shui Lin scoffed."Tournament or not, Qingling's pride will not bow. Anyone who stands in our way will fall."
The room was silent for a moment, then filled with determined voices. Plans were whispered, and strategies formed under the dim light of the lamps.
The moon hung high as they finally rested. Tomorrow would begin the true battles.
To be continued...