The Ritual
The drums pounded slower now, a heartbeat echoing across the courtyard. The disciples hushed. Even the smoke from the green braziers seemed to coil and wait.
At the edge of the platform, two attendants carried forth the jars of venom. This was the ancient rite: before a duel of grudge, both combatants marked themselves with poison. To endure the venom was proof of will. To succumb meant weakness unworthy of the Hall.
Zhao Yunhai stepped forward first. He plunged his hand into the jar, venom sizzling against his flesh. His grin widened as smoke rose from his palm. He smeared the liquid across his chest, the scales of qi on his body glowing brighter.
He turned his gaze toward Shen Lian, his voice booming: "When this is done, cripple, I'll drag your corpse to Kun's grave."
The crowd roared approval.
Shen Lian walked forward in silence. He dipped his fingers into the venom. It burned — but instead of agony, the lotus inside him stirred, drinking it in. The petals quivered, whispering:
Good. More.
He smeared the venom across his lips. His gray eyes glinted faintly black.
The crowd recoiled in a hush.
⸻
The Staredown
They stepped onto the black stone platform.
Zhao Yunhai towered, his muscles coiled, venom qi wrapping his fists like live serpents. His presence pressed heavy against the air.
Shen Lian stood calm, lean, his shadow long in the green light, his veins faintly trembling black.
The announcer's voice cracked: "Shen Lian versus Zhao Yunhai—begin!"
⸻
First Exchange
Zhao Yunhai moved first, faster than his bulk should allow. His fist shot out, cloaked in venom qi, striking with the Serpent Fang Barrage — a storm of hammering blows.
Shen Lian twisted aside, his arms flickering like shadows. Each block sent venom searing into his flesh, each dodge barely scraping past. His body rattled under the weight.
The crowd gasped as one of Yunhai's fists clipped his side — Shen Lian staggered, blood spraying from his lips.
"Too slow!" Zhao Yunhai roared, pressing harder. His fists were relentless, every strike like a boulder wrapped in poison.
Shen Lian's hand twitched. The lotus pulsed. Black tendrils flickered faintly, unseen by most, guiding his steps just enough to slip past another blow.
His palm lashed out once — precise, serpent-like. It struck Yunhai's ribs.
The crowd gasped.
But Yunhai only laughed. His qi scales rippled, absorbing the strike.
"You'll need more than that," he growled, driving his knee toward Shen Lian's chest.
Shen Lian barely twisted away, his robe tearing, blood smearing the stone.
⸻
Grinding Pressure
The fight became a storm. Yunhai's fists and knees hammered down, venom qi hissing with each blow. Shen Lian danced through them, striking with precision, probing for cracks.
But Yunhai's body was a fortress, his qi scales refusing to break. Each strike Shen Lian landed seemed to vanish into nothing.
Blood dripped steadily down Shen Lian's side. His breath grew heavy.
Inside, the petals screamed.
You cannot win like this. Let us strike. Let us drink him.
His hand trembled. His vision blurred. For a heartbeat, the lotus shadow flickered behind him, petals yawning open.
⸻
The Crowd
Gasps and shouts filled the terraces.
"Did you see that shadow?!"
"He's using it again!"
"Demonic—!"
Su Rou's nails dug into her palms until they bled. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "Shen Lian… don't."
Up above, Sect Master Hei Zong's eyes narrowed dangerously. Elder Mo Xuan's smile widened faintly.
⸻
The Near Break
Zhao Yunhai slammed both fists together, venom qi flaring into a massive serpent-shaped coil. He drove it forward in his killing move: Coiling Serpent Descent.
The serpent of qi crashed down toward Shen Lian, scales glimmering, jaws snapping.
The platform shook. The crowd screamed.
Shen Lian stood his ground. His veins bulged black. His hand rose. The lotus pulsed, petals trembling.
For one suspended heartbeat, all anyone saw was the outline of a shadow blooming behind him.
Petals. Black, sharp, endless.
⸻
Cliffhanger
The serpent of venom qi crashed into him.
The platform cracked apart. Smoke and dust erupted, drowning both fighters from sight.
The crowd roared, leaning forward, desperate.
Was Shen Lian crushed?
Or had the lotus bloomed again?
No one could see.