A loud voice echoed through the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen, the long-awaited event has arrived! The Heavenly Dragon Gathering will be starting very shortly, place your bets while you still can!"
The spectators in the stands erupted into chatter.
"Surely the victor this year will come from the Xu family's Lingchuan Xu."
"Nah, it's got to be Chen Guanyu of the Flowing Hourglass Sect."
"Aren't you all forgetting about the Shi's family young master? I heard he's participating this year."
After around fifteen minutes, a loud horn silenced the crowd. "All bets are closed! The Heavenly Dragon Gathering is now starting. I'll be explain the rules. When the participants arrived, they had each drew a number from a lottery box. Their names will not be revealed, but will be referred to by the number they pulled. On stage here, I have another box with all of their numbers. For each round, I will draw two numbers. The winner of each round will advanced, being put into an entirely separate empty box, while the loser's number will be incinerated. Are you all ready?"
Cheers erupted from the crowd before another horn blared. "Silence please! Before we begin- everyone, bow to the Emperor!"
The spectators turned in unison, bowing deeply. "Long live the Emperor of Tianlong! Thank you for your attendance!", the referee spoke, the crowd following pursuit.
They stood and returned to their seats. "Now, without further ado... let's begin! The first number... 402! The second, 5! Please exit the participant area and proceed to the stage."
I glanced at the number in my hand. "12, huh... I wonder if my family is here? Well, it doesn't matter. I just need to win this."
The fighting commenced, and several hours had passed. 110, 48, 689, 1422... the numbers kept flashing by.
I sighed, impatiently waiting for my number to be called. "Man, this sucks. Why is there 1,500 participants for the gathering? They cut it down to 300 participants after this round anyways. Why not just do some strength measuring test? It's unnecessary for there to be 1,200 different matches just for the preliminary round. Not to mention some of these weak fighters are participating and end up taking a whopping thirty minutes to finish their fights..."
A ringing bell was heard from the arena, signaling the end of another match. The referee's voice sounded. "That's the end of the fight! Our next contestants- 2 and... 12! What are the odds of two low numbers being chosen?"
I mumbled. "2 and 12, how lucky... wait, 12?"
I hurriedly grabbed my ticket and looked at the number, confirming that it was my number. Finally, it was my turn. Rising quickly, I headed toward the tunnel. "2 huh... I wonder if its someone strong."
As I approached the arena, the blinding light made me squint. By the time my vision adjusted, I was already standing inside the arena. The crowd's chatter surrounded me.
"Number 12... looks familiar. Where have I seen him before?"
"What a handsome fellow! I wonder which family or sect he is from."
A loud, familiar voice cut through the noise, answering the crowd's answers. "Xingyun'er my boy! You grew taller and bulkier, just like me haha!"
The crowd turned toward the voice. There, standing proudly, was Shi Tianho.
"Shi Tianho? Then that means that young man is... Shi Xingyun?"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Of course, they'd recognize me after my father made such a commotion. After all my hard work attempting to hide my identity...
My opponent entered next. Based on what I can tell, he isn't anyone notable- he's neither popular nor strong. He had this odd, sinister grin as he was starring at me.
"Shi Xingyun, huh...?" He licked his lips, his tone filled with malice. "Hah, the Heaven's are favoring me today! I get to taste and nip my first genius in the bud! Ahh..."
I stared at him coldly. "Huh? Nip me in the bud? That's quite laughable. I'm going to assume... demonic sect?"
His grin faltered, replaced by anger. "Demonic sect? You're joking, right? Don't compare me to those losers. I'm independent, I train, eat, and sleep alone. Group me in with them again, and I'll kill you regardless of the rules."
Stretching my shoulders and legs, I replied, "Sure. Comparing you to a demonic sect member might be an insult to them. Your personality, behavior and looks are far more disgusting from what I can tell. Still, for someone with your arrogance, you must have some strength to back it up. Though I do wonder, if you're independent, perhaps you're just a thief and obtained techniques through theft? Either way, I don't care. Let's get this over with, yeah?"
He sneered, "Hah. You seem to be just as nasty as me, huh? Don't worry, I'll make you regret those words in a moment."
I pulled a basic sword out of my storage ring and walked to my end of the arena.
He scoffed, "Hey, a basic sword? I'm not that weak, come on. I know you have a better sword-"
I pointed my sword at him, cutting him off. "Someone like you believes you deserve to taste my real sword? Hah, this is your fortune itself. Just hurry up and prepare yourself."
The referee put his hand in the air before thrusting it forward. "Begin!"
He pulled out a pair of daggers before he vanished. "Here I come! Where am I? I wonder if you can find me."
An assassin, huh? Now his personality makes sense to me. Though, unfortunately for him, his technique level is subpar. I can pinpoint his location using my qi detection technique-
Blood trickled down my cheek. I felt my cheek with my hand, stunned. A cut? But how is that possible? He's clearly running around the arena in circles...
Behind my ear, a whispering voice. "Confused, huh? You talented and wealthy kids are all the same. You think basic Qi detection is enough to find me."
I elbowed behind me, hitting nothing but air.
The voice echoed from across the arena. "From what I've heard about recent events from your academy, haven't you gone through something similar? Ah, I let it slip. There's a hint for you, it may be your saving grace. Consider it a gift before you die."
I began to chuckle. "Hahahaha. I know precisely what you're referring to, but I don't need to even release myself from this illusion to defeat you. I hope I don't cause too much damage to the arena with this move."
I inhaled deeply, settling into the Shi Attack Sword Stance. I closed my eyes, narrowing on my senses of hearing and smelling to determine his general location. He's somewhere in front of me, that's all I need.
"Shi Attack Style, Form 1: Instantaneous Horizontal Slash"
In an instant, I slashed my sword across the entire area in front of me. Although I didn't directly connect with him, as a result of the recent large increase in my overall strength, I generated enough force with my swing to produce a powerful shockwave that sent him flying into the wall.
The illusion shattered and everyone in the crowd was silent, their faces filled with shock before an abrupt cheer. I faced my father who gave me a look of approval and a thumbs up.
Stuffing my hands behind my head, I left the arena. "How boring... hopefully my next challenger is more exciting. Had that guy come from an appropriate assassin sect or family, then maybe I would've struggled."
A piercing glare shot from the other participant area tunnel across the arena locked onto me like a predator eyeing its prey. A low, chilling voice followed, "Interesting, Xingyun... how fascinating. I look forward to seeing how you've improved. Don't disappointment now." The mysterious man chuckled before walking away.
I turned, starring at the tunnel. "Huh, must've been my imagination."