Passion always cools eventually—the clan tournament had officially begun.
On the upper half of the tournament bracket, the dueling platform had been constructed to the specifications of a grand battle arena, with a diameter of 100 meters and forged entirely from reinforced steel rock.
Two contestants stood on the stage, bowing to each other in salute.
On the left stood a boy around thirteen or fourteen, holding a Red Butterfly Meteor Spear. His face was resolute, exuding a faint aura of blood and killing intent—he was a follower from the Qin family.
"Qin Huacheng, Martial Soul: Red Tassel Meteor Spear. Level 28, Assault-type Grand Soul Master!"
On the right stood a girl of the same age, with neat short hair brushing her shoulders. Her face was delicate, barely palm-sized, with exquisitely sculpted features that gave off a cool and aloof aura, perfectly matched by the Seven Kill Sword in her hand. She was as ethereal and flawless as a pearl touched by morning dew.
"Chen Yanwu, Martial Soul: Seven Kill Sword. Level 33, Spirit-type Battle Soul Sovereign!"
Chen Yanwu was the daughter of Chen Xiaojun's uncle, Chen Chenglin. Orphaned from a young age, she had grown up in the household of Chen Hanxin, whose influence led her to choose the spiritual path.
Facing off, spear and sword clashed with deadly intent. A sudden gust of wind stirred fine dust into the air, whirling into a spiral that quickly scattered—but never came within two meters of either of them.
Knowing his soul power was inferior, Qin Huacheng launched the first strike. He began with Beng Spear Style, his Red Tassel Silver Spear thrusting upward and aiming directly at Chen Yanwu's throat with terrifying momentum.
In spear technique, it is said:
"The front hand is like a tube, the rear hand like a lock."
The front hand must be loose and agile for fluid movement, while the back hand grips firmly at the base. Spear fighting focuses on blocking, seizing, and thrusting, supplemented by other variations.
Chen Yanwu activated Sword Shadow Step, raising her Seven Kill Sword horizontally to block. The Qin family's spear techniques were known for their ferocity and domineering style, and Qin Huacheng's assault was relentless: Overlord's Bow, Side Step Spear Lift, Advance Cleave, Standing Rake Spear—his moves flowed seamlessly.
He was especially skilled in the Qin family's Thrusting Spear techniques:
"One line, ten thrusts—
First the brow, second the hand,
Third, the shoulder, fourth, the elbow,
Fifth, the chest, sixth, the knee,
Seventh, the groin, eighth, the pecking rooster,
Ninth, the throat like a silver snake,
Tenth, the spinning strike—inescapable."
Each thrust connected in seamless succession—blinding speed, difficult to defend against.
But Chen Yanwu moved with grace, her Sword Steps allowing her to dodge left and right, spinning as she danced through his strikes like a celestial being. Even his signature move, the Returning Horse Spear, was easily evaded.
A keen observer would notice that she was using minimal movement to trace a large circular path, keeping just out of reach of the Red Tassel Meteor Spear. Their weapons only occasionally clashed, and only then would a faint sound echo from their forceful collisions.
Qin Huacheng's furious assault was elegantly avoided every time. Chen Yanwu's radiant features, graceful form, and flowing motion called to mind the ancient line:
"Like light clouds veiling the moon,
Like drifting snow caught in the wind."
Chen Jianjun watched with a serious expression. "That's Veiled Moon and Dancing Snow, isn't it? I didn't expect her to master it already."
Veiled Moon and Dancing Snow was one of the Eight Sword Steps—an advanced version of Lotus Trembles in Place, requiring footwork that followed precise positions and rhythm. It was a technique mostly used by female members of the Chen family.
This move was created by the thirteenth-generation female ancestor of the Chen family, Chen Mingxiu, a 98-level Supreme Douluo. Normally, only Soul Sect-levels began to learn it.
Even Chen Xiaojun couldn't help but praise,
"Radiant like the rising sun at dawn,
Luminous like a lotus emerging from green waves—
Big Sis is truly walking on air!"
Indeed, Chen Yanwu was the eldest among the younger generation—one year older than Chen Jianzun, two years older than Chen Jianjun. She was the "real" big sister. Now fourteen, she was born with 8.5 innate soul power—another genius of the Chen family.
Qin Huacheng thought grimly,
"This won't work. Her footwork is too refined. At this rate, I'll run out of soul power much faster than her. I need overwhelming speed to corner her."
"First Soul Skill—Spear Strikes Like a Dragon!"
The spear's tip vibrated violently, shooting forward like a soaring dragon—fierce, fast, and precise.
A cold, crystalline voice rang out—
"First Soul Skill—Centering Harmony!"
The Seven Kill Sword traced a circle in the air, channeling soul power through intricate waves that effortlessly neutralized the strike.
Qin Huacheng didn't relent.
"Second Soul Skill—Phantom Spear Storm!"
His spear suddenly trembled, the tip multiplying into dozens of illusions, thrusting again at Chen Yanwu from all directions.
She turned with a flowing motion, forming a second circle. The illusory spears vanished in a blink, drawn in and dissolved as though by a vortex.
The long spear flew from his hand, spinning several meters through the air before driving into the ground. Only the tassel on the spear fluttered gently in the wind.
Chen Yanwu's soul technique fused offense and defense seamlessly—it defended by attacking and attacked while defending.
Qin Huacheng's face changed. He charged barehanded, right fist howling through the air.
Chen Yanwu remained unfazed. She gently flicked her sword against his fist.
Pain shot through Qin Huacheng's arm. His hand went instantly numb and weak. The Seven Kill Sword now rested against his neck.
"You've lost, Huacheng," Chen Yanwu said coolly. "Your spear technique is fierce, but lacks composure."
"I lost, Big Sis," Qin Huacheng replied with a wry smile.
The upper bracket judge, Chen Wu, stepped onto the Soul Arena and declared:
"Match 2: Chen Yanwu is victorious!"
Chen Wu had long been responsible for training the children in actual combat. He had taught nearly all of them—everyone had their strengths.
He called out again:
"Next match, ready yourselves!"
—
Meanwhile, at the contestants' side—
After stepping down from the platform, Qin Huacheng was surrounded by a few others offering comfort:
"Huacheng, even if you lost, you were facing Big Sis. You showed everything you had—soul power, technique—you did well."
"Yeah, anyone up against her would probably lose."
"You just lacked a bit of power in the soul skill clash. Once you break into Soul Sovereign, it'll be much better."
Qin Huacheng gave a gentle smile.
"It's alright. I expected this result. The rest is up to you guys."
—
At the main pavilion—
"Brother Menglin, for Yanwu to show such insight and sword technique at her age, and to have already mastered Veiled Moon and Dancing Snow, it's incredible. A few moves and she completely dismantled the Qin boy—there's real promise here." Chen Wenchao couldn't help but praise.
"I've been away for years. Yanwu was raised by Hanxin," replied Chen Menglin, clearly proud.
Chen Menglin, three years older than Chen Yu, was an 88-level Soul Douluo. He served as one of the vice deans at the Soul Arena Academy and also oversaw the Chen family's affairs in Soul Arena City.
When the council punished the Demon Goat Sect, he represented the Chen family at the proposal and voting.
Though Chen Zhang was also based in Soul Arena City, as a Soul Saint, he mainly handled administrative work.
Chen Menglin's wife had passed early, and his son and daughter-in-law died some years ago. Since he was away, he entrusted his granddaughter, Chen Yanwu, to Chen Hanxin's care.
Two years ago, Yanwu had planned to attend Soul Arena Academy to reunite with him, but he disapproved. However, Yanwu had always been strong-willed and hard to sway.
Generally, Chen family children rarely attended that academy. Soul Arena City was a chaotic place filled with powerful factions, and always under scrutiny.
Ultimately, Chen Hanxin persuaded her to enroll instead at Moonlight Academy of the Heaven Dou Empire—often the first choice for Chen family girls.
"Yanwu was gifted on her own. I can't take credit," Chen Hanxin said humbly. "With her around, the house was lively. It was my fortune."
Chen Chen, recently reassigned back home, and Ling Xinghe, still away, had made the past few years a bit lonely.
"Old Meng, with your mentoring skills, don't start taking credit now," laughed his cousin Chen Qiujun, an 85-level Soul Douluo, 83 years old, one year older than Chen Yu, and dean of Sword Rain Academy.
Just like Chen Yu and Chen Hong were always butting heads, Qiujun and Menglin were old rivals.
Two years ago, Qiujun had wanted Yanwu to join Sword Rain Academy. She refused in favor of Soul Arena Academy, and although she never ended up going, he was still annoyed. He thought Menglin was leading her astray.
Especially since that decision nearly got her into danger. It wasn't until Chen Jianzun joined Sword Rain Academy last year that Qiujun finally cooled off.
"Mm." For once, Chen Menglin didn't argue back.
—
In the Chen disciples' rest area, Chen Yanwu floated in gracefully and took a seat.
"Big Sis!" Chen Feng quickly greeted her.
"Big Sis, you were amazing! Truly my idol!" said Chen Mu, who had idolized her since childhood, completely in awe of her ability to dominate the younger generation.
"Well done, Yanwu!" Chen Jianzun flashed a sunny smile.
As for Chen Jianjun… he didn't say anything—he just nodded heavily in greeting.
Jianjun loved a good challenge, but when it came to facing Yanwu, he usually got thrashed. Two years their senior, her soul power had always been far ahead, and her sword techniques countered his style hard.
But the worst part—Yanwu specialized in spirit attacks, which often left him with splitting headaches for days.
"Big Sis, so mighty and—not bald…" Chen Xiaojun began to recite his usual line, only to slow down as Yanwu's blade-like gaze turned on him. He quickly changed tune:
"A natural beauty, with fair skin and long legs!"
Everyone looked at him with amusement. Chen Mu shouted,
"You sly dog, so that's what kind of sixth brother you are! Damn, you're 666!"
"Xiaoliu, two years gone and now you're sweet-talking girls?" Yanwu said slowly.
"Big Sis, you don't know—he even has a little girlfriend now. Picked up a girl not long ago—she's super cute!" added Chen Mu with a shriek.
"Still waters run deep; green hills never age, only snow makes them white," Chen Feng quoted poetically, trying to elevate the mood.
"You two—single and thirsty—how old are you acting like you're love-starved?"
"You're the dog!"
"You're the one who's thirsty!"
"Big Sis, it's been two years, and for that one word you said when we parted—'Take care'—you haven't lost a pound!" said Chen Xiaojun with a grin.
Everyone went wide-eyed.
That… was suicide.
After the flag-raising earlier, Chen Xiaojun's confidence had taken flight.
Chen Mu nudged Chen Feng and whispered,
"Should we light a candle for him?"
"Xiaoliu, not bad. If we end up facing each other later, I'll be testing how much you've improved these two years," Yanwu said emotionlessly.
Then she turned to Chen Jianzun and Chen Jianjun, her tone suddenly serious:
"That flag display just now—you did well. But the declaration of battle has already been made. Xiaosi, Xiaowu, Xiaoliu—you're still young, I won't say more.
Da Jianzi, Xiao Jianzi—this is our last clan tournament.
We were too young in the last one, and the championship went to an outside family. This time, we must win—and we must win decisively, to honor the name of Seven Kill!"
(End of Chapter)