Chapter 15: The Gauntlet's Challenge
The first light of dawn painted the Dawnriver City arena in hues of soft gold and amber, the stone floor glistening with dew that caught the rising sun like scattered diamonds. The air was crisp, tinged with the earthy scent of the surrounding forests and the faint metallic tang of qi as the crowd gathered, their voices a rising tide of anticipation. The fifth round loomed—a grueling gauntlet challenge where Lin Xuan would face three consecutive foes, each a formidable cultivator at the 9th Layer of Qi Gathering.
The stands were a sea of colorful robes, cultivators from every clan murmuring excitedly, their qi signatures blending into a chaotic symphony. Lin Xuan stepped into the ring, his dark robes swaying slightly in the breeze, his crimson eyes burning with a quiet resolve that silenced the chatter around him. Liu Yue stood at the edge, her raven hair cascading like a midnight waterfall, her moonlight eyes fixed on him with a mix of pride and worry, her golden coin clutched tightly in her hands.
The first opponent emerged—a Crimson Claw disciple with a wiry frame, his crimson robes tattered at the edges, his hands crackling with claw-shaped qi that hissed like a serpent. The crowd roared as he lunged, his strike a blur of fiery talons aimed at Lin Xuan's chest. Lin Xuan's heart thudded, but his training steadied him. "Illusion Diversion!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the noise as mirages of himself shimmered into existence, scattering the disciple's focus. Celestial Glide carried him aside, a graceful arc that dodged the claw by mere inches, the stone floor sizzling where it struck. The disciple snarled, unleashing a second wave, but Lin Xuan was already moving, his body a phantom in the morning light.
Drawing from the Human Emperor's Records, he channeled Phantom Lotus Palm, his hands weaving qi into a delicate yet deadly pattern. With a fluid motion, he blended it with mixed martial arts jabs, his fists striking like pistons—first a jab to the disciple's jaw, then a rapid series to his ribs. The palm strike followed, a soft thud echoing as qi erupted, sending the man staggering back, blood trickling from his mouth. Tooth Dagger flashed in Lin Xuan's hand, a silver arc that sliced across the disciple's thigh, drawing a sharp cry. Energy Devour surged, a cool rush as he siphoned the lingering qi, and the disciple collapsed, defeated. The crowd erupted, their cheers a thunderous wave, but Lin Xuan's crimson eyes remained focused—two more foes awaited.
The second opponent stepped forward—Zhi Clan prodigy Zhi Feng, a lean figure with a spear gleaming like polished obsidian, his 9th Layer Qi Gathering aura pulsing with a cold intensity. His movements were precise, a thrust aimed at Lin Xuan's heart with the speed of a striking viper. Lin Xuan's breath hitched, but he reacted instantly. "Void Pulse Kick!" he called, his leg sweeping up with Kyokushin Karate's explosive power. The kick connected with Zhi Feng's arm, a sickening crack resounding as the bone snapped, the spear clattering to the ground. Zhi Feng stumbled, clutching his limb, his face contorted in pain, but he retaliated with a qi blast from his free hand. Lin Xuan twisted with Celestial Glide, the blast grazing his shoulder, a sharp sting flaring as fabric tore. Undeterred, he closed the distance, Starlit Fang Strike igniting the air with a burst of starlight, blended with a Muay Boran elbow (Sok Ti). The elbow struck Zhi Feng's chest, a thunderous impact that crushed his sternum, sending him crumpling to the stone. Energy Devour pulled the residual qi, a refreshing tide that steadied Lin Xuan's stance.
The final foe, a rogue cultivator with a wild beard and a scarred face, roared as he entered, his qi blast a swirling vortex of green energy. The crowd held its breath, the tension palpable. Lin Xuan's muscles tensed, his crimson eyes locking onto the man. The rogue charged, his blast tearing the air, but Lin Xuan met it head-on. "Starlit Fang Strike!" he shouted, the punch erupting with celestial light, merged with a Muay Boran elbow. The elbow connected with the rogue's chest, a crunch of breaking ribs echoing, while the punch's residual force sent him skidding back. Tooth Dagger flashed, a precise cut across the man's arm, and Energy Devour drained the last of his qi. The rogue fell, gasping, and the arena exploded with cheers.
Lin Xuan's body trembled as the energy surge pushed him to the 8th Layer of Qi Gathering, a warm flood filling his veins. His chest heaved, sweat beading on his brow, but his gaze lifted to the stands where Hei Clan elders watched, their dark qi a silent threat. As he stepped from the ring, Mei Ling approached—a lithe figure with a 7th Layer Qi Transformation aura, her dark hair tied back, her expression grave. "Lin Xuan," she whispered, glancing around, "the Hei Clan plans to seize the Scriptures in the next round. Be wary—they're desperate." Her words sent a chill down his spine, but he nodded, gratitude flickering in his eyes.
That night, the courtyard was a quiet sanctuary under a starlit sky, the silver-blue flame casting dancing shadows across the stone walls. The scent of herbs filled the air as Lin Xuan sat cross-legged, refining a pill, the Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsing with a gentle rhythm. He practiced Celestial Wrath Elbow, blending it with Kyokushin precision, the elbow strike cutting the air with a sharp whistle, each motion a testament to his growing strength. Liu Yue approached, her raven hair glinting under the moonlight, her moonlight eyes soft with admiration. "Senior Brother, we'll prevail," she said, her voice a quiet strength that eased the tension in his shoulders. The ache in his chest deepened—a bittersweet pang tied to her trust and the weight of their journey. He smiled faintly, tossing her a pill. "Stay strong, Junior Sister," he urged. "We'll need it against what's coming." She caught it, nodding with determination, and the courtyard fell silent, the flame's crackle a soothing companion as he steeled himself for the next challenge.