Chapter 15: Clash in the Shadows
The formation chamber beneath the Azure Cloud Pavilion's arena was a cavern of glowing jade runes, their intricate patterns pulsing with the Spirit Realm's vibrant qi. Li Wei and Lin Xue stood before a tampered rune array, its qi currents twisted by Fang Luo's sabotage. The evidence was clear—Fang's qi signature marred the jade, proof he'd weakened the tournament's protective barriers. But before they could secure it, Liang Wei's oppressive aura filled the chamber. The inner disciple's spear, Void Serpent, gleamed with Foundation Establishment qi, its tip radiating killing intent.
"You've dug your own grave," Liang Wei said, his voice cold as the abyss. His qi, at the early Foundation Establishment stage, pressed against Li Wei and Lin Xue like a mountain. At the seventh stage of Qi Condensation, Li Wei felt the gap in power acutely, but the Nine Worlds Ascension Art scroll in his sleeve pulsed, urging courage. Lin Xue's eyes flickered with defiance, her Cloud Veil Formation ready.
"Run," Li Wei whispered to her, gripping his fists. "I'll hold him."
"Not a chance," Lin Xue replied, her qi flaring. "We're in this together."
Liang Wei struck, his spear thrusting like a serpent. Li Wei activated Wind Step, dodging as the spear gouged the stone floor. Lin Xue cast Cloud Veil Formation, shrouding them in mist. Liang's Spirit Sense pierced the veil, but it bought Li Wei a moment to channel Starfall Strike. Auroral qi condensed into a blazing meteor, crashing toward Liang. The inner disciple deflected it with a sweep of Void Serpent, the impact shaking the chamber.
"You're a pest," Liang sneered, unleashing a wave of spear qi that tore through the mist. Li Wei's Aurora Veil refracted the attack, scattering it into harmless sparks, but the force knocked him back. Lin Xue formed a Binding Vine Formation, qi threads wrapping Liang's legs. He snarled, breaking free with a burst of qi, but the delay allowed Li Wei to close the distance.
Using Qi Pulse Strike, Li Wei targeted Liang's meridians, disrupting his qi flow. The inner disciple staggered, his spear faltering. Li Wei followed with Spirit Blade Formation, invisible blades slashing Liang's robes. Blood seeped, but Liang's aura surged, his Foundation Establishment power overwhelming. "Die!" he roared, thrusting Void Serpent at Li Wei's heart.
Lin Xue intervened, her Cloud Veil morphing into a Mist Bind Array, slowing Liang's strike. Li Wei rolled, channeling Starlight Slash. The auroral blade sliced Liang's arm, drawing a howl. "Enough!" Liang retreated, vanishing into the chamber's shadows, his parting words chilling: "The tournament will be your end."
Li Wei and Lin Xue secured the tampered runes, their evidence intact. Exhausted, they returned to Li Wei's hut, knowing Liang's influence would shield Fang—for now. The scroll pulsed, revealing a new technique: Celestial Pulse, a defensive move that absorbed and redirected qi attacks. Li Wei cultivated through the night, stabilizing his seventh-stage qi. The tournament's next round loomed, and Fang awaited.