Chapter 11: Shadows of the Tournament
The outer disciple tournament was a week away, and the Azure Cloud Pavilion thrummed with preparations. Training grounds echoed with the clash of qi-infused strikes, and the air carried the scent of spirit herbs brewed for healing salves. Li Wei intensified his cultivation, alternating between refining Starlight Slash and perfecting his Spirit Blade Formation. Lin Xue's Cloud Veil Formation complemented his techniques, their teamwork growing seamless.
Elder Mei summoned Li Wei to the Alchemy Hall, presenting him with a challenge: refine a Spirit Enhancing Pill for the tournament's judges. "Succeed, and you'll gain favor," she said. "Fail, and you'll start the tournament at a disadvantage." The pill required rare ingredients—Celestial Dewdrop and Phoenix Ash—provided by the sect. Li Wei worked tirelessly, his Qi Flame Control maintaining a delicate balance. After two failed attempts, he succeeded, producing a pill that glowed like a miniature sun. Elder Mei's rare smile returned. "You're ready."
But Fang Luo's shadow loomed. Rumors spread that his cousin, Liang Wei, had bribed judges to rig the tournament brackets, ensuring Li Wei faced top disciples early. Lin Xue confirmed the whispers, her merchant contacts revealing Liang's influence among inner disciples. "We need a plan," she urged. "Fang will target you in the first round."
Li Wei nodded, his Spirit Sense honing his instincts. He proposed a strategy: combine Cloud Veil Formation with Starlight Slash to create an ambush technique. They trained in secret, perfecting the move. Li Wei's qi reserves grew, his sixth-stage cultivation stabilizing.
On the eve of the tournament, Fang confronted Li Wei outside the training grounds. "You'll fall tomorrow," he sneered, his qi flaring. "Liang has ensured it." Before Li Wei could respond, Lin Xue stepped forward, her own qi sharp. "Crawl back to your cousin, Fang. Li Wei's not alone."
Fang retreated, but his laughter echoed. Li Wei turned to Lin Xue, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you," he said. She shrugged, a faint blush on her cheeks. "We're allies. Don't make me regret it."
As the tournament dawn broke, Li Wei stood among a hundred outer disciples, the arena a vast platform ringed by floating jade seats. Elder Mei and other elders watched from above, their auras oppressive. The brackets appeared on a glowing jade screen, and Li Wei's heart sank—his first opponent was Deng Tao, an eighth-stage Qi Condensation prodigy backed by Liang Wei.
The scroll in his robe pulsed, as if whispering: The dao is forged in adversity. Li Wei gripped his fists, Starlight Slash humming in his meridians. The tournament would be his crucible, and he would emerge stronger—or not at all.