The sun had barely risen, yet Class D's courtyard roared with tension.
Xun Fei gripped his blade tightly, sweat dotting his brow. His noble lineage had once earned sneers—now, it earned pressure. He couldn't afford to fail.
Ling Yue flipped her dagger, her fox-like grin hiding nerves. "Who do you think we're fighting?"
Han Li stood at the center, broom resting over his shoulder. "Class C has more resources. Better gear. Better bloodlines."
He paused. "But they don't have you."
The students exchanged glances. Jian Mo swallowed hard, fingers shaking as he drew his talisman circle.
"We've trained only for a week," he mumbled.
Han Li raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Jian Mo blinked, then laughed nervously. "Right. And... that's enough."
Han Li turned serious. "Today's match isn't about victory. It's about pressure. Pressure reveals truth. Your flaws. Your limits. And your will to break them."
He tossed Ling Yue a pill. "Take this before the fight. It'll balance your unstable meridians."
She caught it midair. "Poison?"
"Maybe," Han Li said with a smile. "But it'll work."
—
At the central arena, dozens of sect elders and students gathered. Whispers ran like wildfire.
"Class D? Aren't they rejects?"
"Why waste time?"
Then, Class C entered—polished robes, gleaming weapons, confident smirks.
Behind them, Han Li and his ragtag students stepped into the ring.
One elder scoffed. "This will be over fast."
Han Li merely yawned.
As the bell rang, Ling Yue vanished like mist. Xun Fei's blade flashed, drawing blood instantly. Jian Mo's talisman erupted in flame.
Shock rippled through the crowd.
And in the sky, clouds swirled unnaturally.
The Sky-Eater stirred again, sensing battle-born energy unlike any before.
Han Li smiled faintly. "Now... burn, my little stars."