Every day that passed, the grand arena trembled with noise as thousands of cultivators and spectators filled the stands.
"Place your bets! Ten spirit stones on the Fire Lotus Sect!"
"No! The Azure Spear girl will win again, I'm telling you!"
"You said that yesterday, you drunk bastard! You lost your shirt!"
Laughter erupted as two men nearly came to blows over a bet before being pulled apart by arena guards.
Down in the waiting area, Delia stretched her arms, her braid swinging behind her. "Another day, another battle. My poor body's not used to this kind of pressure."
Serena, seated beside her, smirked. "You're fine. You'll survive. Probably."
"Probably?" Delia huffed. "You're supposed to encourage me, not curse me!"
From across the hall, Kyle sat with his arms folded, eyes closed. Beside him, Nuna sat cross-legged, serene as ever.
"You don't want to go have a bit of fun before the matches start," Kyle said, smiling softly.
'This pervert!' Nuna cleared her throat, trying her best to keep her face neutral, "Keep it down or I'll cut it off," she replied softly. "Surely you can wait for tonight?."
Kyle chuckled, feigning shock. "My dear Nuna cutting of her favourite toy! Impossible! The heavens would fall over our head!"
That was the last straw, Nuna covered her face in embarrassment, a deep blush colouring her cheeks.
Those standing near the duo gave them dumbfounded looks, while more were blinded by the embarrassed expression on Nuna's face.
.....
"Round four participants, step forward!"
The crowd cheered as dozens of platforms rose once again. Lots of figures flashed up, robes billowing, weapons gleaming.
"Fight!"
Instantly, the arena erupted.
Bolts of lightning arced across one platform as a Lightning Sect disciple shouted, "Heaven's Wrath Art!" and swung his sword, blue arcs tearing through the air.
His opponent, a burly man from the Earthshadow Sect, slammed his palms together. "Stone Wall Manifestation!" The lightning crashed into solid rock, sending sparks flying like fireworks.
"Impressive defense!" shouted the commentator, her voice echoing through the arena's sound array. "But will it hold?!"
"Ten spirit stones say it won't!" a drunk man bellowed.
"It'll hold, you idiot! Earthshadow defenses are legendary!"
It did not hold. The wall shattered, and the Lightning Sect disciple's next strike sent the burly man flying off the platform, smoke rising from his robes. The crowd roared.
"Another victory for the Thunder Path!" Annalise's voice boomed across the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen, that's how you put on a show!"
...
As the fights continued, sect scouts got busy, noting names and faces.
Up above, sect elders and administrators sat in their viewing booths, their robes embroidered with symbols of prestige.
"She's the one who severed her opponent's arm on the first day?"
"Yes, Elder."
"Foundation Establishment, and her strike carried the weight of a Core cultivator. Intriguing. We will face quite a bit of competition for that one. Start drawing up a list of offers to convince her to join our sect."
The elders murmured in agreement. Another elder laughed, stroking his beard. "This tournament grows more interesting by the hour. But in the end, it's still obvious who will win."
Most eyes turned to Lucien, on the screen, he was seated calmly with his sword laid across his lap. His composure was absolute, his aura like a calm sea concealing an abyss.
"Yes, that young core formation disciple from the twilight sect will definitely take the championship easily," one elder declared. "The rest are mere ripples beneath his tide."
....
By the fifth day, the number of participants had thinned drastically. Excitement buzzed in the air; the weak had fallen, and only the strong remained.
Zephyr and Zenith stood side by side, their identical blue gemstone-like eyes gleaming.
"I'm going first today," Zephyr said, spinning her daggers idly.
Zenith smirked. "Don't take too long. I don't want the crowd forgetting which twin is stronger."
"Ha! We both know that's me."
Zephyr flickered onto the platform, her opponent, a spear-wielding man from the Sky River Sect, bowing slightly.
"Please, show mercy, Lady Zephyr."
She smiled sweetly. "Of course. I'll only break one bone."
The proctor raised his hand. "Begin!"
The man thrust his spear forward, Qi swirling like mist. Zephyr's form flickered—then vanished.
"What—?!"
A glint of purple light, a whisper of wind. Suddenly, the spear clattered to the ground.
Zephyr stood behind him, daggers resting at his neck. "You were saying?"
"Winner, Zephyr Storm of the Twilight Sect!"
As the crowd cheered, Zenith clapped her hands once. "Show-off."
"Jealous," Zephyr called back, grinning.
Lucien smirked faintly. 'They never change.'
...
By now, even the spectators could sense how sharp the competition had become. Cheers, curses, and drunk laughter filled the air as the sun dipped low over the arena.
"Step forward!"
Serena walked to her stage, her white robes trimmed with crimson edges. Opposite her, a burly youth from the Thunder Path Sect cracked his knuckles.
"You're beautiful," he said with a grin, "but I'm not going easy on you."
Serena smiled thinly. "That's good. I'd hate to kill someone who wasn't trying."
Her hands came together. "Crimson Lotus Art—First Bloom!"
Flames exploded around her, the air itself shimmering with heat.
The man roared, slamming his fists together. "Heavenly Thunder Body!" Sparks raced across his skin.
The stage quaked. Fire and lightning collided, blinding light erupting from the impact.
When the dust cleared, Serena stood calmly in the middle, her opponent sprawled on the ground, smoke rising from his armor.
"Winner—Serena!"
Delia screamed from the stands, waving her arms. "That's my girl! Burn them all!"
The crowd laughed, clapping and shouting.
Lucien watched quietly, his expression unreadable. 'She's strong. But her control still lacks refinement.'
...
On the seventh day, the round of 256 began. The crowd had grown wilder with each match. Drunk men shouted, money exchanged hands faster than spirit stones could be counted, and tempers flared among rival sects within the waiting area.
"You cheat! That wasn't a fair strike!"
"Says the man who bet against his own disciple!"
"Hold me back, I'll gut him!"
Guards dragged several cultivators apart before a brawl broke out.
Delia stood on her stage, biting her lip. "Alright, Delia, just one more win," she whispered to herself. "You can do this."
Her opponent, a tall woman with twin sabers, smiled. "You seem nervous. Don't worry, I'll make it painless."
Delia puffed her cheeks. "You talk too much!"
"Begin!"