Chapter 13: Whispers of Sabotage
The tournament's first day ended with Li Wei advancing to the second round, his victory over Deng Tao earning him whispers of "dark horse" among the outer disciples. But the victory came at a cost—his qi reserves were low, and the Spirit Blade Formation had strained his meridians. In his hut, he absorbed a Spirit Enhancing Pill, its energy soothing his dantian. The Nine Worlds Ascension Art guided him to refine the pill's qi, pushing him to the peak of the sixth stage of Qi Condensation. The scroll revealed a new technique: Aurora Veil, a defensive move that refracted qi attacks like a prism.
Lin Xue visited, bringing news. "Fang's spreading lies," she said, her voice tense. "He claims you cheated with a forbidden artifact. Liang Wei's pushing the elders to investigate." Li Wei frowned, touching the scroll. Its power was his secret, but it was no artifact—just knowledge. "Let them investigate," he said. "I have nothing to hide."
The next morning, Li Wei was summoned to the Disciplinary Hall, a stern building of black jade. Elder Zhang, a gaunt man with a piercing gaze, questioned him. "Rumors say your techniques defy your cultivation. Show us this 'artifact.'" Li Wei produced his storage pouch, containing only spirit herbs and a few talismans. His Spirit Sense detected Fang lurking outside, his qi smug. Elder Zhang found nothing, dismissing Li Wei with a warning: "Prove your worth in the arena, not with excuses."
The second round paired Li Wei against Mei Hua, a seventh-stage disciple skilled in Water Lotus Dance, a flowing technique that redirected attacks. Lin Xue helped strategize, suggesting Aurora Veil to counter Mei Hua's fluid strikes. They trained on the island, Li Wei mastering the veil's prismatic defense. Lin Xue's Cloud Veil Formation enhanced their synergy, hiding Li Wei's movements during practice.
The match was intense. Mei Hua's water qi swirled like a river, her strikes fluid yet forceful. Li Wei's Aurora Veil refracted her attacks, scattering them into harmless waves. He countered with Starlight Slash, its auroral edge cutting through her defenses. Mei Hua yielded, her grace earning Li Wei's respect. The crowd cheered, but Fang's glare from the stands promised trouble.
After the match, Lin Xue revealed a discovery: Fang had bribed a disciple to tamper with the arena's protective formations for Li Wei's next match. "It'll weaken the barriers," she said. "A lethal strike could slip through." Li Wei's jaw tightened. Fang's schemes were escalating, and Liang Wei's influence loomed larger. He needed to grow stronger—fast.
That night, Li Wei cultivated under the auroras, absorbing their ambient qi. The scroll pulsed, hinting at a breakthrough to the seventh stage. He focused, the Heavenly Breath Technique drawing in waves of energy. His dantian expanded, and he reached the seventh stage, his qi denser, his senses sharper. The scroll revealed a new technique: Starfall Strike, a concentrated blast of auroral qi that mimicked a meteor's descent. Li Wei practiced, the strike cratering the ground. He was ready for Fang's next move.