Chapter 20: Duel at Dawn
The duel's island was a jagged peak ringed by mist, its qi dense with the Spirit Realm's vitality. Li Wei stood at its center, his Foundation Establishment aura steady, the Nine Worlds Ascension Art scroll warm in his sleeve. Lin Xue watched from a nearby cliff, her Cloud Veil Formation ready to intervene. Liang Wei arrived, his Void Serpent spear crackling with Foundation Establishment qi. Inner disciples gathered, their whispers betting against the "upstart peasant."
"You've climbed high for a rat," Liang sneered. "But I'll bury you." His aura pressed, heavier than Deng Tao or Su Chen's. The duel began without a gong, Liang's spear thrusting like a comet. Li Wei activated Wind Step, dodging as the spear carved a trench. He countered with Celestial Harmony Strike, his qi syncing with the island's ambient energy. The blow shook the air, forcing Liang back.
Liang's Void Serpent unleashed a Shadow Coil Strike, dark qi wrapping Li Wei like chains. The scroll's voice guided him: Break the binds with harmony. He used Celestial Pulse, absorbing the dark qi and redirecting it as a shockwave. Liang's eyes widened as his own attack turned against him, shredding his robe.
"You dare!" Liang roared, his spear glowing with a Void Serpent Barrage. Dozens of dark qi spears rained down, the island quaking. Li Wei's Spirit Blade Formation spun, deflecting most, but one grazed his thigh, drawing blood. Lin Xue's formation cloaked him, giving him a moment to channel Starfall Strike. The auroral meteor crashed, cratering the ground near Liang.
The inner disciple swallowed a Spirit Fury Pill, his qi spiking dangerously. His spear morphed, its tip splitting into serpentine heads. Li Wei combined Heaven's Echo with Celestial Harmony Strike, the resonant blow syncing with the island's qi to form a radiant shockwave. It shattered Liang's attack, sending him sprawling.
Before Li Wei could finish, Elder Mei appeared, her aura halting the duel. "Enough. The runes prove Fang's guilt, and Liang's actions implicate him. He's demoted to outer disciple." Liang's face twisted in rage, but he was dragged away. The elders awarded Li Wei a spirit stone cache and inner court candidacy.
Lin Xue embraced him, her relief palpable. "You're unstoppable," she said. Li Wei smiled, but the scroll's pulse warned of greater threats. The Azure Cloud Pavilion was a stepping stone—the Spirit Realm held beast tides, ancient ruins, and the path to Core Formation.