The first light of dawn had barely touched the horizon when the village stirred to life. In the quiet before the sun, the streets of Verdant Peak Village were already bustling with excitement.
Today would test not only their skills but their spirit. The tournament was more than a contest—it was a crucible, and he had faith in the abilities of his disciples. Descending the stairs, Mo Yanluo found his disciples ready and waiting in the courtyard.
"Today, the tournament begins. Remember what I've taught you. Do not get complacent over a single victory. If you are faced with defeat, learn from it and improve. Everything becomes meaningless if you die."
The disciples nodded, their resolve written on their faces. Together, they stepped into the awakening village, joining the river of cultivators flowing toward the grand arena.
The tournament grounds were a sight to behold. The central arena, a vast circle of smooth stone ringed by tiered wooden stands, could hold thousands of spectators. Banners of every sect fluttered in the breeze, their colors vibrant against the clear sky. At the back of the arena, a raised platform held the elders and honored guests—this was where Mo Yanluo and his disciples were seated. To his left, sat Heilang, the Unorthodox Sect's leader and to his right sat Feng Yulan, the Undying Phoenix Sect's leader.
He also spotted Wei Lian at the center of the platform, seated with the Orthodox Sect elders, his expression unreadable, along with other powerful cultivators.
The stands were already filling with spectators—fellow cultivators, villager elders, merchants, and curious onlookers, all eager to witness the spectacle.
Ying Tao leaned close, her voice low. "Master, Wei Lian is watching us."
Mo Yanluo nodded. "I noticed, let him watch. We have nothing to hide anyway."
A hush fell over the crowd as a gong sounded, its deep resonance echoing across the arena. Wei Lian and the elders rose from their seats, and the leader of the Orthodox Sect, a venerable man with blonde hair and piercing sapphire eyes, stepped forward.
"Welcome, cultivators and honored guests, to the Grand Martial Arts Tournament!" His voice was charismatic, amplified by his profound cultivation. "Today, we gather beneath the open sky, united by the path of cultivation. For generations, the Grand Martial Arts Tournament has stood as a beacon of excellence and as a way to demonstrate a cultivator's strength. Let every strike be honest, every victory earned, and every defeat met with grace. May the strongest and wisest prevail! May the heavens bear witness to your deeds! "
The crowd erupted in applause. Musicians struck up a lively tune, and a troupe of dancers performed a traditional sword dance, their movements fluid and captivating.
As the opening ceremony concluded, the tournament master—a stern-faced woman with a coarse voice—stepped forward.
"The first round will begin shortly. Competitors, please assemble in the preparation area. Spectators, remain seated and adhere to the rules of courtesy. Any form of misconduct and behavior that violates the rules will be punished accordingly."
Mo Yanluo turned to his disciples. "Ming Yue, Xue Lan, Yan Ling, Xiao Fengwu—go and prepare. We will be watching and cheering for you. Do you best."
The four bowed and hastily made their way to the competitors' area, their hearts pounding with suspense.
The tournament master announced the first pairings. Ming Yue was drawn against a disciple from the Starry Sky Sect, a young woman named Yuan Lihua, known for her mastery of the whip.
Xue Lan would face Ye Ling, a young, prodigious disciple of Ye Hong from the Blood Moon Sect.
Yan Ling's opponent was Lei Wudao of the Celestial Sword Pavilion, renowned for his prowess with the sword.
While Xiao Fengwu was matched against Yan Jieyu, an elder disciple of the Undying Phoenix Sect.
The crowd buzzed with excitement as the first match was called: Ming Yue versus Yuan Lihua.
At the center, Ming Yue stood with her sword sheathed, her silver moon pendant catching the light. Across from her, Yuan Lihua of the Starry Sky Sect adjusted her stance, her fingers coiled around the handle of a long, flexible weapon—a whip that shimmered with a faint, dragon-like iridescence. Ming Yue could sense that her opponent was strong, maybe on par with Xiao Fengwu but she did not falter.
The referee raised his hand, and the crowd silenced.
"Ming Yue of the Heavenly Demonic Sect versus Yuan Lihua of the Starry Sky Sect. Begin!"
Ming Yue bowed, a sign of respect for her opponent, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword. Yuan Lihua mirrored the gesture, then stepped back to her position. With a flick of her wrist, the whip unfurled, its length snaking through the air. At the end of the lengthy whip was a sharp, pointed tip.
Ming Yue inhaled deeply, steeling herself. She had heard of the Starry Sky Sect's reputation for elegant, unpredictable techniques, but she had never faced an opponent wielding a whip with such skill. She would have to rely on her agility and the sharpness of her Serene Moonlight Sword Arts.
Yuan Lihua lunged forward, her whip arcing through the air in a wide, sweeping motion. The whip hissed like a dragon's breath, cutting a path toward Ming Yue's legs. Ming Yue leapt, her sword flashing as she parried the whip's tip, sending sparks flying.
The crowd gasped. Yuan Lihua did not pause. She twisted her wrist, and the whip coiled around her arm like a living thing before lashing out again, this time aiming for Ming Yue's shoulder. Ming Yue sidestepped, her blade intercepting the attack with a sharp clang.
Yuan Lihua's movements were fluid and unpredictable, her whip weaving intricate patterns in the air. She spun, the whip whirling around her body in great, looping arcs.
With a sudden flick, Yuan Lihua sent the weapon spiraling toward Ming Yue's feet, aiming to trip her. Ming Yue vaulted over the whip, landing lightly and countering with a swift thrust.
Yuan Lihua recoiled the whip in an instant, the weapon snapping back into her hand, intercepting the incoming attack.
Yuan Lihua smiled, "You are quick, Ming Yue. But can you outmaneuver the dragon?"
Ming Yue did not reply. Instead, she advanced, her sword held firmly in her hands. She feinted left, then darted right, testing Yuan Lihua's defenses. The Starry Sky disciple responded with a series of rapid, whipping strikes, each one aimed at a different angle, threatening to bite her flesh.
The whip flew past her ear, close enough to stir her hair. She immediately countered with a sweeping slash, forcing Yuan Lihua to retreat.
Yuan Lihua's eyes narrowed. She raised her trusty weapon above her head, spinning it in a tight, vertical circle. It fluttered wildly, and the air itself seemed to crackle with energy. With a cry, she brought the whip down in a powerful, overhead strike.
Ming Yue raised her sword to block, but the force of the blow sent a shockwave through her arm. The whip coiled around her blade, the tip lashing out like a dragon's fang. Ming Yue twisted her wrist, freeing her sword, and leapt back, her breath becoming ragged.
Yuan Lihua pressed her advantage. She advanced, the whip soaring in the air in a snake-like pattern, its trajectory impossible to predict.
Ming Yue focused, her mind ridding of any unnecessary thoughts as she recalled her master's teachings: "When faced with chaos, find stillness within."
She calmly waited for the next attack. The whip lashed out, aiming for her chest. Ming Yue dodged to the side, her blade flashing as she sliced through the air, severing the sharp edge from the whip. The crowd gasped as the severed tip fell to the ground, but Yuan Lihua did not falter.
"A smart move," Yuan Lihua said, her voice calm. "But the dragon is not so easily tamed."
She spun the whip around her body, the weapon coiling like a living serpent. With a sudden flick, she sent the whip arcing toward Ming Yue's lower body, then reversed its direction midair, aiming for her head.
Ming Yue ducked, the whip passing centimeters above her. She rolled to the side and sprang to her feet, her sword held at the ready.
Yuan Lihua's attacks grew more elaborate. She began to incorporate acrobatics, leaping and spinning as she wielded the whip. The whip coiled around her arm, then unfurled in a wide, sweeping arc, whistling through the air. Even without its sharp tip, it was still a formidable weapon in the hands of an experienced master.
Ming Yue countered with a series of rapid slashes, that forced her opponent to step back and defend. Utilizing this opportunity, she closed the distance, her sword flashing in a blinding silver arc. Yuan Lihua twisted, the whip coiling around her waist as she somersaulted backward, landing lightly on her feet.
The crowd roared with excitement. The battle had become a dance—a duel between the moon and the dragon.
Yuan Lihua, sensing an opportunity, flicked the whip in a tight spiral, aiming to entangle Ming Yue's sword. Ming Yue anticipated the move and twisted her wrist, her blade slicing through the air in a perfect crescent. The whip recoiled, grazing Ming Yue's shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood.
Ming Yue did not flinch. She lunged again, her sword held high. Yuan Lihua, sensing the danger, spun the weapon around her body in a protective barrier.
Ming Yue focused her qi, channeling it into her blade. The sword glowed with a pale, silver light, its edge sharp as the crescent moon. She waited for the perfect moment, her eyes locked on Yuan Lihua.
Yuan Lihua charged, her weapon whipping through the air in a final, desperate strike. Ming Yue did not dodge or flinch but faced it head on as her sword flew in a swift, upward arc. The blade intercepted the whip midair, slicing through its thong with a sharp crack.
The whip fell to the ground, its segments clattering against the stone. Yuan Lihua stood frozen, her eyes wide with surprise.
Ming Yue did not press her advantage. Instead, she lowered her sword and bowed, "You fought well, Yuan Lihua."
Yuan Lihua, after a moment's hesitation, returned the bow. "You have slain the dragon, I'm deeply impressed. I forfeit."
The crowd erupted in applause, their cheers echoing across the arena. The referee announced Ming Yue's victory, and she turned to leave, her heart drumming with triumph.
As she exited the arena, she caught sight of her master, Mo Yanluo, watching from the stands. He applauded with a rare smile touching his lips. Ming Yue bowed her head in acknowledgment, then joined her fellow disciples, ready for the challenges yet to come.