The second morning of the point-stage duels dawned gray and heavy. Clouds blanketed the sky, thick with the oppressive pressure of so many cultivators gathered in one place. The grand dueling ground buzzed like a hornet's nest, anticipation humming through every spectator, elder, and participant.
Today's roster promised fierce clashes. Rumors swirled Iron Vow Sect's brute force, Crimson Jade's fire lineage, and the sinister arts of Silken Vein Pavilion would all take the stage again.
The referee elder raised his jade tablet, voice cutting across the clamor."First duel of the day Tie Yuan of Iron Vow Sect versus Xu Min, inner disciple of Sea Cloud Kingdom."
Xu Min, a tall young man armed with a long saber, strode out with firm steps. His aura surged, mid-Core Formation, sharp as the sea winds he commanded. He pointed his blade toward Tie Yuan."I will not yield easily. Prepare yourself."
Tie Yuan only laughed, pounding his fists together, stone-like veins bulging across his forearms."Hit me. Five times. Then I'll show you what a real fist feels like."
The crowd erupted in mixed jeers and cheers. Xu Min's face darkened. With a sharp shout, he unleashed his first technique
"海浪狂刀 (Tidal Wave Saber)!"
A sweeping arc of blue qi surged forward like a crashing tide. It slammed into Tie Yuan's chest only to scatter into harmless mist. Tie Yuan didn't move an inch.
"Four left," he mocked.
Grinding his teeth, Xu Min launched his second strike, "漩涡斩 (Whirlpool Slash)!" The saber twisted, forming a spiraling vortex of watery energy. Again, Tie Yuan took it head-on. His skin shone faintly, earth qi reinforcing his body like living stone.
"Three left."
The third was faster "破舟击 (Shipbreaker Strike)!" The blade whistled, cutting with concentrated force. Sparks flew from Tie Yuan's skin but left no wound.
"Two left."
By now, Xu Min's breath was ragged. He summoned his trump card "海龙升天 (Rising Sea Dragon)!" A massive dragon of water erupted from his saber, jaws wide, crashing down upon Tie Yuan with devastating force. The arena shook, water splashing against the barrier.
When the mist cleared, Tie Yuan stood unmoved, his body steaming but unbroken.
"One left."
The silence was suffocating. Xu Min screamed and slashed his final move, condensing every drop of qi he had left. His saber shone like a blazing star then shattered upon Tie Yuan's chest.
The Iron Vow disciple smirked. "My turn."
He drew back one fist, the ground cracking beneath his feet."震地破脉拳 (Earth-Shattering Meridian Break Fist)!"
The punch slammed into Xu Min's chest. The sound of breaking bones echoed like thunder. Xu Min flew across the barrier, crashing into the wall. Blood splattered, and his scream was cut short as he crumpled, unconscious.
Healers rushed in. The verdict was swift his meridians shattered, cultivation crippled.
"Winner Tie Yuan!"
The crowd roared, but Qingling's disciples grimaced. They remembered Wei Zhan's fate. Iron Vow Sect wasn't dueling; they were crippling.
Sect Master Lin's gaze was like a frozen blade, directed at Tie Yuan's master, who only smiled faintly, arms folded.
The next duels shifted the mood.
"Feng Ruo of Qingling Sect versus Mo Jian of Sea Cloud Kingdom!"
Feng Ruo stepped lightly onto the platform, her crimson robes flickering with faint flames. Mo Jian sneered, raising his sword.
"Qingling's flame? Let me extinguish it."
From the start, the duel was dazzling. Feng Ruo conjured waves of scarlet flame"赤凤舞 (Scarlet Phoenix Dance)!"Firebirds swooped through the air, forcing Mo Jian on the defensive. He countered with water blades, clashing in hissing steam.
Back and forth they fought Mo Jian trying to suppress her fire with tidal strikes, while Feng Ruo twisted her flames into deceptive arcs, burning away his techniques bit by bit.
Finally, she tricked him into overextending with a feint. Her palm flared."烈阳焚心 (Blazing Sun Heartburn)!"
The fire punched into his chest, blasting him backward. His robe smoked, his hair singed.
"Winner Feng Ruo of Qingling!"
The stands cheered; her elegance and cunning had won over the crowd.
The day's battles continued. Sea Cloud's pride faltered, while Crimson Jade secured easy victories. Silken Vein Pavilion's Yin Rou tied an opponent into a web of red threads until he screamed for mercy.
Xuanye, however, drew a nameless disciple from Star River Academy. The boy fought bravely with spear techniques, but Xuanye's sword moved like lightning clean, efficient, never excessive. With three strokes, the duel was over.
"Winner Ling Xuanye of Qingling Sect!"
The audience whispered was he really only Core Formation? Why did his sword feel heavier than any Essence Integration cultivator?
By sunset, Qingling tallied more wins than losses. But their joy was tempered by the cruelty of Tie Yuan's fist, the growing arrogance of Crimson Jade, and the dark games of Silken Vein.
As night fell, the sects dispersed to their quarters. Yet beneath the surface, resentment and ambition festered, waiting to explode.