# Chapter 5: The Final Match
The arena was quiet. No one clapped. No one cheered. They were shocked. A servant had defeated an outer disciple. It was not supposed to happen.
Lin Yu stood in the center. He held the Silent Edge. The black sword was calm. It did not glow. It did not hum. It was just a tool.
Brother Zhao lay on the ground. He held his ribs. He could not stand. Two medics ran to him. They carried him away.
Lin Yu sheathed the sword. It disappeared into his arm. He walked back to the corner. He did not look proud. He looked calm.
Chen watched him. Chen's hands were shaking. He held his metal sword tight. His knuckles were white. He thought Zhao would kill Lin Yu. He thought the match was fixed. But now, he had to fight.
The Elder stood up. He looked at Lin Yu. He looked impressed.
"Next match," the Elder said. His voice boomed. "Lin Yu vs. Chen."
The crowd murmured again. Chen was a disciple. Lin Yu was a servant. But everyone saw what happened to Zhao.
Chen walked to the center. He stopped ten feet from Lin Yu. He looked angry. He looked scared.
"You got lucky," Chen said. His voice was loud. "Zhao was tired. I am not."
"Start," the Elder said.
Chen did not wait. He charged immediately. He did not use technique. He used rage. He swung his sword at Lin Yu's head. He wanted to kill.
Lin Yu stepped back. He dodged. The sword cut the air.
"Stand still!" Chen shouted. He swung again. Left. Right. Up. Down.
Lin Yu moved like water. He flowed around the attacks. He did not block. He did not attack. He waited.
[Enemy Morale: Low. Enemy Strategy: None. Pure Rage.]
Lin Yu heard the Sword Box. It was right. Chen was not thinking. He was angry. Angry fighters made mistakes.
Chen stopped. He was breathing hard. He was tired. He reached into his pocket. He threw something at Lin Yu.
It was a small ball. It exploded. Green smoke filled the air.
"Poison!" someone shouted.
The crowd gasped. Using poison in the arena was forbidden. But the Elder did not stop it. He watched. He wanted to see what Lin Yu would do.
Lin Yu held his breath. He closed his eyes. He did not need to see. He could feel the Qi.
[Warning: Toxic Smoke. Danger Level: Medium.]
"Box," Lin Yu thought. "Can I cut smoke?"
[Qi is energy. Smoke carries energy. Yes. Use Shadow Slash.]
Lin Yu moved. He drew the Silent Edge. He swung fast. He used Qi. The sword cut the air. It created a wind. The wind pushed the smoke away.
Lin Yu stepped out of the cloud. He was not hurt.
Chen's eyes widened. "Impossible. That poison is strong."
"Not strong enough," Lin Yu said.
He walked forward. Chen stepped back. Chen was out of tricks. He had no poison left. He had no energy left.
"Yield," Lin Yu said.
"Never!" Chen shouted. He charged again. He was desperate.
Lin Yu sighed. He raised the Silent Edge. He poured Qi into the blade. The black sword glowed dark.
[Skill: Shadow Slash.]
Lin Yu swung. The slash flew through the air. It was silent. It hit Chen's sword.
*Clang.*
Chen's sword broke. The metal snapped. The sharp piece flew away. It cut Chen's cheek. Blood flowed.
Chen fell to his knees. He looked at his broken sword. He looked at Lin Yu.
"I yield," Chen whispered. He could not fight without a weapon. And he was tired.
The Elder nodded. "Winner. Lin Yu."
This time, the crowd clapped. It was slow at first. Then it got louder. They respected strength. Lin Yu had proven himself.
Lin Yu walked to the Elder. He bowed.
"You have won," the Elder said. "You are no longer a servant. You are an Outer Disciple."
The Elder gave him a token. It was made of jade. It was green. It had the sect symbol.
"Take this," the Elder said. "It gives you access to the library. It gives you better rooms. It gives you monthly stipend."
"Thank you," Lin Yu said. He took the token. It was warm. It felt like power.
"And take