The Azure Cloud Sect's tournament grounds sprawled like a coliseum forged from thunderstruck marble, encircled by floating jade platforms where elders observed. This was the Inner Disciple Melee—a brutal free-for-all to cull the herd, winners earning core candidacy and rare resources. Lin Feng stood among fifty, heart steady despite the roar of the crowd.
Weeks had honed him. Devouring patrols' spoils pushed him to Qi Condensation Layer 2 (20%), skills fusing into a personal style: the Shadow Devourer Path—evade, strike, consume.
[System Alert: Tournament Quest: Reach Top 10. Reward: Advanced Skill Slot. Penalty: None—growth is its own prize.]
Huo Yan clapped his shoulder pre-bout. "Don't hold back. Zhao's entered; he'll target you." Her eyes held worry, her own arc bending toward rebellion against her betrothal.
The melee began with a gong's thunder. Qi erupted—winds, flames, stones flying. Lin Feng veiled into shadows, Ghost Step carrying him to the fringes. He picked off stragglers: a water-user, drowned in his own qi backlash after a failed spell.
[Devoured. Gained: Tidal Pull (Basic).]
Essence fueled him, wounds healing mid-fray. A group of three cornered him—earth, fire, metal affinities. The earth disciple raised walls; Lin Feng burrowed under with Boar Charge, emerging to whip the fire user's legs.
She fell screaming; devoured.
The metal one swung chain whips; Lin Feng's Scale Harden clanged against them, Lotus Petal blooming to shatter links. Spear thrust ended it.
[Progress: 5 Kills. Essence +45.]
Deeper in, Zhao Kun dominated, his Azure Tempest scattering foes like leaves. Five down, his qi a maelstrom. Spotting Lin Feng, he bellowed: "Face me, thief of fate!"
Lin Feng obliged, stepping from shadows. The crowd hushed—rivalry legend already.
"You've grown," Zhao admitted, circling. His dialogues revealed layers: "I clawed from nothing. You? Gifted scraps. Unfair."
"The Dao doesn't care for fairness," Lin Feng countered, thoughts probing: He's projecting—his static pride cracking. "Only strength."
They clashed. Zhao's palms hammered like tempests; Lin Feng dodged with layered steps—Shadow, Ghost, Lotus. A graze singed his robe, but he countered with Tidal Pull, yanking Zhao off-balance into a Feral Bite qi manifestation.
Zhao roared, bloodied but unbroken. "Pill fiend!" He popped a berserk enhancer, qi doubling, veins bulging.
Empowered, he unleashed Forbidden Azure Vortex—a spinning gale of fists. Lin Feng veiled, but the vortex sucked him in, blows raining. Ribs cracked; HP plummeted.
[Critical: 40/100 HP. Adaptation: Wind Resistance +10%.]
Spitting blood, Lin Feng broke free, charging with enhanced Boar— tusks of qi goring Zhao's side. The bully staggered, vortex faltering.
Around them, the melee raged—Huo Yan flaming through rivals, Xuan Fei a blur of sword light. But eyes locked on the duel.
Zhao lunged desperately, palm to Lin Feng's chest. Qi invaded, freezing meridians. "Die!"
Lin Feng's mind flashed: Devour his technique? No—counter. He activated all: Veil to slip behind, Whip to disarm, Spear to pierce shoulder.
Zhao collapsed, qi depleted. "Impossible... what are you?"
"The future," Lin Feng whispered, not devouring—yet. Mercy? Or strategy? Dynamic choice—spare to study.
Elders intervened, gong halting. Top 10 declared: Lin Feng 7th, Huo 4th, Zhao 12th—humiliated.
Post-tournament, rewards flowed: a Spirit Tempering Pill for Lin Feng, boosting to Layer 2 (80%). Xuan Fei approached: "Your path intrigues. Train with me—learn the Cloud Sword."
Huo Yan pulled him aside later, flames dim in her eyes. "You spared him. Why? He's poison."
"Poison can be refined," Lin Feng said, his progression thoughtful. Antagonists evolve too—or break.
That night, Zhao nursed wounds in seclusion, rage festering. A mysterious visitor—cloaked, demonic qi wafting—offered alliance: "The system in the boy... claim it. Overthrow the sect."
Zhao hesitated, his arc teetering: Power, at any cost? "Tell me more."
Meanwhile, Lin Feng integrated rewards, unlocking [Devourer's Grasp: Extract Essence from Living (Weakened Targets)].
The demonic rift widened; scouts reported a beast tide. The plot escalated—personal rivalries feeding into sect-wide peril.
Lin Feng gazed at stars, thoughts profound: Devouring builds, but what of the soul?