Chapter 18
A large crowd of maybe a hundred disciples had gathered on the eight floor of the Jade Veil Sanctum. The eight floor was the largest floor of the sanctum and it served as the arena.
As part of the customs of the treaty, the three sects would choose two champions to represent them in the tournament. Winning meant higher resource collection. It also meant that during sect exchange programs, the chosen disciples transferred gained Middle Sect disciple status and minor immunity.
The winning meant prestige, power, and advantage. Something each of the three sects desperately needed.
The arena was massive, white marble tiles stretched out in all directions. There were pillars with inscriptions on them. They served as shields in case things got messy, which they always did.
The ceiling opened slightly at the centre causing a ray of sunlight through the partially grey clouds to come through giving the whole arena a mystic vibe.
All eyes were on the middle of the arena, where a stoic elder of the Jade veil sanctum read out the rules.
"As per the accord, each sect will present two champions. Each duel will be one-on-one. No killing. No outside aid. No artifacts above the silver tier. Victory is determined by either incapacitation or clear surrender."
The elders voice echoed throughout the entire eight floor due to the amplification of his voice.
Liang Chen stood off to the side, he was dressed in black combat robes with his hair tied back in a ponytail. At his waist was the Whispering gale. Liang Chen had a look of boredom on his face.
Beside him, Yu Miaoran was chewing her lip.
"This year... it's different," she murmured. "Wisteria's confidence isn't just for show. And Heaven Tear—" she glanced across the arena toward a silver-haired disciple sitting in perfect lotus position, eyes closed—"they didn't bring their usual lackeys."
Cui Huang leaned against a formation pillar, lazily sipping from a gourd. "It's an ego contest. Just with better fashion."
Zhao Su chuckled at that comment. Today she was dressed in grey robes, her blonde hair falling behind her back.
The elder raised his hand again.
"Step forward when your sect is called. Crimson Lotus Sect."
Yu Miaoran straightened. "You're first."
Liang Chen moved silently towards the center of the arena. There were some gasps from the audience seats as they saw Liang Chen, mostly due to the fact that he had intentionally let his blood aura seep a little.
"Liang Chen, Crimson Lotus Sect. Inner disciple. Blood cultivator"
When the elder said blood cultivator, there were murmurs through the crowd. Blood cultivators were rare. They weren't illegal within the jurisdiction of the Yulan family, but to the other families, blood cultivators were seen as dangerous.
The elder looked up, his eyes unreadable.
"Approved"
The second name was announced. Jin Xieren. He was a young man with dark skin and dark curly hair. He wore red combat robes of the Crimson Lotus Sect, his hands were gloved.
"Jin Xieren, Crimson Lotus. Explosive Qi Cultivator. Mixed-style combat."
He waved lazily as the crowd murmured again. He gave Liang Chen a side glance as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the center.
"Remind me again why the hell do you always smell like a crime scene?"
Liang Chen didn't even flinch.
"Because I don't mask my true intentions."
That made Jin Xieren go quiet.
Soon it was the Wisteria Empress Sect's turn.
Their first champion was a female cultivator. She was a beautiful young woman with tanned skin, piercing light brown eyes and short dark hair. She wore a scandalous amount of perfume, enough to choke a vermin. Her dress was a lavender robe and was just as revealing as what Yanli wore today.
"Xun Xuefeng, Wisteria Empress Sect. Core disciple. Alchemic Qi Cultivator. Illusion and poison affinity."
She turned toward the crowd and gave a slight bow. "Try not to fall for me too quickly."
Then she giggled childishly and stood a few feet away from Jin Xieren.
Their second champion was a young handsome man, he had lavender eyes and pale skin with braided brown hair.
"Lin Yai, Wisteria Empress Sect. Inner disciple. Dual blades. Mist affinity. Spiritual fog manipulation."
Unlike Xun Xuefeng, he seemed more composed and relaxed.
Finally, the champions of the Heaven Tear Sect stepped forward.
She was tall and dark skinned, with dreamy blue eyes, defined cheekbones and silver hair. She wore robes of pale blue embroidered with gold.
"Qiu Jianyi, Heaven Tear Sect. Core disciple. Wind-Lighting sword cultivator."
The last champion was a woman, she had obsidian dark hair and orange eyes. She wore a similar robe to Qiu Jianyi.
"Chi Lanyue, Heaven Tear Sect. Inner disciple. Swiftblade and movement cultivator. Dual storm affinity."
"Now the matchups will be presented shortly" the elders' voice echoed through the arena again.
A small jade orb floated above the arena. It spun then projected the names of the contestants.
Round 1: Lin Yai vs Jin Xieren
Round 2: Liang Chen vs Qiu Jianyi
Round 3: Chi Lanyue vs Xun Xuefeng
Murmurs spread through the audience as soon as the matchup was made.
"...Qiu Jianyi versus Liang Chen?"
"Is that even fair? A Blood Cultivator versus Heaven Tear's prodigy?"
"Did you see Qiu's sword earlier? It was humming before she even spoke."
"Yeah, and that other dude, Jin something? Isn't he the one who blew a crater in the east training grounds last year?"
Yu Miaoran's jaw tightened. "They're targeting us. That can't be a coincidence."
Cui Huang folded his arms. "It's politics disguised as providence. Typical."
"Round 1 begins in thirty minutes," the elder announced. "Participants, prepare yourselves. Others, stand by."
In the Crimson Lotus Sect corner, Jin Xieren sat cross-legged, cracking his knuckles slowly as he rotated his neck.
"Your opponent's from Wisteria, huh?" Liang Chen muttered, standing nearby with his arms folded.
"He uses fog," Jin grunted. "That means he's not gonna come at me head-on."
Liang Chen glanced across the room, locking eyes for a brief second with Lin Yai, who was polishing his twin blades unnervingly calm.
"He won't fight fair," Liang said simply. "He doesn't have to."
Jin grinned. "Good. That means I don't have to either."
Yu Miaoran came up behind them. "I snuck a peek at their training logs. Lin Yai specializes in terrain control and visual deception. He's not a slugger, he's more of a strangler and assassin. He'll drown you in fog and slice you bit by bit."
Jin stood, rolling his shoulders. "Then I'll burn through the fog."
Zhao Su tossed him a ring. "Explosive paper talismans. Just in case."
"Zhao Su," Jin said, raising a brow. "I'm touched."
"Don't be. I just don't want to hear you whining after you get embarrassed."
Meanwhile, in the Wisteria Empress corner.
Lin Yai sat beside Xun Xuefeng, who was meticulously reapplying lip gloss.
"You should keep your head down for the first five seconds," she said without looking up. "That Jin guy isn't subtle."
"I don't plan to let him touch me."
"Mm," she hummed. "Don't let your pride fog your senses. That one bleeds well, I can see it in him."
Lin Yai's lips twitched. "So do you."
She turned and gave him a wink. "Exactly. That's why I'm still standing."
In the Heaven Tear corner, Chi Lanyue was balancing on one leg atop a stone spike she'd created with a flick of her sword. Her foot didn't even tremble. Wind curled around her like an obedient servant.
"You're still wasting energy showing off," Qiu Jianyi said, not even looking up from her seated position. Her sword lay across his lap, humming with arcs of silver lightning that danced across the blade.
Chi opened one eye, unimpressed. "You'd rather meditate while your opponent sharpens their blood?"
Qiu Jianyi smiled faintly, eyes still closed.
"If his blood's sharp, it will spill easy."
Soon the thirty minutes passed in tension.
The same elder that had read the rules stood above the elevated platform.
"Let the first match begin," he said, and his words needed no amplification.
The arena's barriers shimmered to life, forming a translucent dome around the marble platform.