Chapter 16: The Hei Clan's Trap
The arena's sixth round dawned with a heavy atmosphere, the sun obscured by a thin veil of clouds that mirrored the tension below. The dueling circle was a stark expanse of worn stone, its edges etched with faint qi scars from past battles, and the crowd's murmurs were a low hum as Lin Xuan stepped forward. His crimson eyes burned with resolve, his dark robes swaying slightly as he faced Hei Fang—a wiry man with a 1st Layer Qi Transformation aura, his spear glinting with a menacing edge under the muted light. The Hei Clan elder's dark qi pulsed, a sign of his lineage's sinister pact, and the air grew thick with anticipation. Liu Yue stood at the sidelines, her raven hair a midnight cascade, her moonlight eyes fixed on Lin Xuan with a mix of hope and fear.
The duel began with a spear storm—Hei Fang's weapon danced, qi tendrils lashing out like vipers, their tips crackling with dark energy. The crowd gasped as the first thrust pierced the air, aimed at Lin Xuan's chest. His heart raced, but his training steadied him. "Illusion Diversion!" he shouted, conjuring mirages that fractured Hei Fang's focus, the elder's spear striking a phantom image that dissolved into mist. Celestial Glide carried him aside, a graceful dodge that left the stone floor splintered where the spear landed. Hei Fang snarled, unleashing a second wave, the qi tendrils weaving a net of death. Lin Xuan twisted, his body a blur, the attack grazing his arm, a sharp sting flaring as blood welled.
Undeterred, Lin Xuan channeled Celestial Wrath Elbow, blending it with Muay Boran's raw power. The strike landed on Hei Fang's side with a dull thud, the qi erupting in a shockwave that staggered the elder, a grunt escaping his lips. Hei Fang retaliated, his spear thrusting with renewed fury, but Lin Xuan's Celestial Glide carried him clear, the blade missing by a hair's breadth. Tooth Dagger flashed, a silver arc that tore a gash across Hei Fang's thigh, drawing a hiss of pain. Void Pulse Kick followed, a precise kick infused with Kyokushin power that struck the elder's knee, the joint buckling with a crack. Hei Fang stumbled, his spear clattering to the ground, and Lin Xuan closed in, Energy Devour surging to siphon the lingering qi. The elder collapsed, defeated, his dark qi dissipating like smoke. The crowd erupted, their cheers a thunderous wave, but Lin Xuan's victory was overshadowed by the stands.
Hei Clan Elder Hei Long rose, his 7th Layer Qi Transformation aura a crushing force that made the air tremble. His black robes were embroidered with silver threads, his eyes cold and predatory as he pointed at Lin Xuan. "You hoard the Scriptures of Severed Unity, boy!" he bellowed, his voice echoing with dark intent, the words laced with a curse that seemed to coil around Lin Xuan's throat. "Surrender them, or your clan's blood will stain this city!" Lin Xuan's fists clenched, a surge of defiance rising in his chest. He stepped forward, bowing slightly but with a mocking tilt of his head. "Senior Hei courts death with such arrogance," he retorted, his voice steady despite the pressure, the crowd gasping at his audacity. Before Hei Long could respond, Elder Gao Feng intervened, his 3rd Layer Qi Transformation aura a calming presence. "The tournament remains neutral," he declared firmly, his robes fluttering. "Sit, Elder Hei, or face disqualification." Hei Long's jaw tightened, his dark qi simmering with unvoiced threats, but he sank back, his gaze promising retribution.
That night, the courtyard was a quiet haven under a starlit sky, the gentle rustle of leaves a contrast to the day's chaos. The silver-blue flame cast warm shadows as Lin Xuan sat cross-legged, refining a pill, the scent of herbs mingling with the cool night air. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed, guiding his hands as he practiced Celestial Wrath Elbow with Kyokushin precision, the elbow strike cutting the air with a sharp whistle, each motion a dance of qi and muscle. Liu Yue approached, her raven hair catching the moonlight, her moonlight eyes shadowed with fear. "Senior Brother," she said softly, her voice trembling, "what if the Hei Clan comes for us? They're so strong, and after today…" Her words trailed off, her hands twisting the hem of her robe.
Lin Xuan paused, the pill's glow reflecting in his crimson eyes. Her fear stirred a deep ache in his chest—a pang he couldn't name but felt keenly, tied to the weight of their shared journey. He set the pill aside and turned to her, his expression softening. "Junior Sister, we've faced their kind before and stood tall," he said, his voice gentle yet resolute. "Your qi blade today—it was a light in the dark. We'll endure this together, I promise." She nodded, a small smile breaking through her unease, and he felt a warmth spread through him, a quiet strength born of her trust. As he resumed his training, the Human Emperor's Records unlocked a new technique: Abyssal Lotus Step—an enhancement of Celestial Glide, infused with mixed martial arts footwork. He practiced the fluid movements, his feet gliding like shadows across the stone, his mind racing with strategies for the Hei Clan's next move. With Liu Yue's support, he steeled himself, the night air carrying the promise of battles yet to come.