The Azure Cloud Sect had announced a sudden event: a tournament among the outer disciples to test their skills under pressure. Lin Yuan received the notice quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips. This was the perfect opportunity to apply his system upgrades and hidden training without revealing his full strength.
On the day of the tournament, the training grounds were packed. Outer disciples filled the arena, their chatter echoing against the stone walls. Some whispered about Lin Yuan, recalling his recent victories. Others, confident in their own abilities, dismissed him as a minor obstacle.
Lin Yuan walked calmly to the center of the arena, eyes scanning for the first opponent. The system buzzed. [Tournament Bracket Detected – First Opponent: Zhang Wei, cultivation slightly above average, known for reckless aggression]
The bell rang, signaling the start. Zhang Wei charged with a roar, attempting a direct attack. Lin Yuan sidestepped easily, analyzing the trajectory with the system's combat analysis. Each movement, each strike, was predicted in advance. He responded with minimal force, using precise counters that left Zhang Wei off-balance.
The crowd gasped as Zhang Wei stumbled, his attacks failing one after another. Lin Yuan delivered a swift strike to his shoulder, forcing him to fall to one knee. The system notified him: [Minor Fate Fragment Acquired] [Combat Efficiency: 90%]
Next came a series of faster, more skilled opponents. Lin Yuan adjusted his strategy with each fight, using a combination of evasive maneuvers, calculated counters, and system-guided strikes. By mid-afternoon, he had defeated half of the bracket without breaking a sweat.
Whispers among the spectators grew louder. "That trash disciple… he's unstoppable!" "How is he so fast and precise?" Lin Yuan remained focused, ignoring the noise. The system guided him silently, pointing out weaknesses in his opponents and suggesting the most efficient methods to defeat them.
By evening, Lin Yuan reached the semi-finals. The remaining opponents were the strongest outer disciples, each with years of cultivation experience and a reputation for ruthlessness. Yet, the system had prepared him for this exact scenario. He adjusted his stance, heart calm, senses alert.
The semi-finals would not just test strength—they would test strategy, observation, and adaptability. Lin Yuan was ready. The tournament was far from over, but one thing was certain: his rise was no accident. The system, his training, and his calculated actions were turning him into a disciple feared and admired by all.
[Quest Update: Tournament – Reached Semi-Finals]
Lin Yuan's eyes glimmered with determination. Each battle brought him closer to his goal: not just victory, but a reputation that would make even the elders cautious. The tournament had begun, and with the system at his side, no one could predict the heights he would reach.