The morning sky above Twilight Sky Academy stretched vast and clear. In the center of the main courtyard, hundreds of students had gathered, their voices creating a cacophony of excitement. Atop a circular stone platform, the elders sat in a ringed formation, eyes fixed on the arena that would soon erupt into combat.
The Bronze Tournament.
An official event for lower and intermediate-level students to showcase their strength. Anyone who placed in the top ten would earn access to the Inner Chamber for three full days.
For Li Yun, it meant a step toward true power.
Amid the crowd, Li Yun stood silently, his body wrapped in a gray training robe. His gaze fixed on the center of the arena. Across from him, many familiar faces gathered—strong students from the lower silver class, and a few from the upper bronze.
Among them was Fang Lie—the one he had defeated before.
Fang Lie glanced at him and sneered.
"You showed up, loser," he smirked. "Thought you'd been killed by some unknown attacker."
Li Yun replied flatly, "Unfortunately, not yet. But if you regret that, I can help arrange another chance."
Fang Lie scoffed and walked away.
"Don't waste energy on him," came Tian Luo's voice in Li Yun's mind. "His power has stagnated. But be careful of the students from the Flame and Storm Classes. They carry inherited techniques."
Li Yun nodded silently.
The tournament began.
Dozens of battles flashed by in quick succession. Explosions of spiritual power, bursts of wind and fire, defensive formations, and martial techniques clashed again and again. Students roared with cheers as their classmates triumphed—or collapsed unconscious on the stage.
Li Yun sat at the edge of the platform, waiting for his name to be called.
Until finally...
"Match twenty-three: Li Yun versus Bai Sha!"
A murmur rose from the crowd. Bai Sha was well-known—a student from Upper Bronze Class, infamous for his Shadow Fist technique that was nearly impossible to read.
Li Yun stepped into the center of the arena.
Across from him, Bai Sha gave a thin smile. "You just moved up a few weeks ago. This isn't your place."
"Unfortunately, I like high places," Li Yun replied flatly.
The spiritual referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Bai Sha attacked immediately.
Three rapid punches flew forth, each shrouded in an aura of black shadow. Li Yun stepped back, but the strikes followed like phantoms, targeting the weak points of his body.
He leapt sideways—yet one punch grazed his shoulder. Dark energy spread, making his right arm stiffen.
"That strike disrupts energy flow," Tian Luo observed. "But your body's been strengthened by the first seal. Use it."
Li Yun exhaled lightly. His eyes glowed faintly.
He activated the Flame Origin Step.
His body moved swiftly, a red blur streaking through the air. Bai Sha was startled but attempted to block. It was futile—he couldn't read Li Yun's movement, who suddenly appeared behind him and struck his back with a palm infused with fire energy.
Boom.
Bai Sha was flung several meters away and landed unconscious.
Silence followed.
Then came applause. A few lower-class students cheered, seeing one of their own defeat a student from above.
Li Yun stood still, staring at his hand.
"Third Stage of Foundation Realm," he murmured. "Finally."
One battle after another passed.
Li Yun won—again and again. He faced students wielding swords, spears, defensive formations. None could withstand the pressure of the internal energy now stabilizing within him.
Until at last... the semifinals arrived.
And his name was called—alongside someone he never expected.
Yan Zhiya.
The crowd roared. Everyone knew Yan Zhiya. A genius female student from the Highest Flame Class. A daughter of a clan that once ruled a major city in the western region.
Li Yun stepped onto the arena. His eyes locked on Zhiya.
She smiled faintly. "Ready to be humiliated?"
Li Yun sighed. "Can't we talk this over with tea instead?"
Zhiya stepped forward. "You're the one who said you'd catch up. So catch me."
The battle began.
Li Yun struck first, his punches swift and powerful. But Zhiya moved like a drifting leaf—graceful, untouchable. She twisted her body, evading the attacks, and tapped Li Yun's chest with a single finger.
Blam.
Li Yun staggered back several steps.
"Soft flame strike," he muttered, feeling his chest burn and his spiritual rhythm falter.
Zhiya didn't pursue.
"You're too impatient," she said calmly. "Your internal energy is still turbulent. Not fully stable."
Li Yun clenched his jaw and unleashed the full power of Flame Origin Step.
This time, he moved faster. Strikes came from every direction. But Zhiya still dodged, a smile slowly blooming across her face—she was enjoying the fight.
Finally, after ten long minutes...
Thud.
Li Yun dropped to one knee, panting heavily. He could no longer circulate his energy.
Zhiya stood before him and offered her hand.
"Well done. You're better than I expected."
Li Yun took her hand.
Though he lost, he placed fourth. Enough to gain access to the Inner Chamber.
But behind this victory, eyes still watched. And they were not pleased with Li Yun's progress.
In the distance, someone whispered to their subordinate.
"If he enters the Inner Chamber... we're out of time. Initiate Phase Two."