Chapter 17: The Survival Trial
The arena transformed for the seventh round, a qi-constructed forest rising from the stone floor like a dreamscape, its misty depths alive with the hum of 9th Layer Qi Gathering constructs. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint metallic tang of qi, the mist curling around ancient trees that shimmered with ethereal light. The crowd's murmurs were a distant hum as Lin Xuan and Liu Yue stepped into the trial, their Celestial Unity Crests pulsing in sync—his on his back, hers on her golden coin—binding them in a silent promise. Lin Xuan's crimson eyes glowed faintly, his body taut with readiness, while Liu Yue's raven hair shimmered like a midnight veil, her moonlight eyes scanning the fog with cautious hope.
The survival challenge began with a roar—a qi construct shaped like a hulking bear lunged from the mist, its claws gleaming with qi energy, its growl a deep rumble that shook the ground. Lin Xuan's heart pounded, but his training kicked in. "Abyssal Lotus Step!" he called, his body gliding with mixed martial arts footwork, dodging the swipe with a dancer's grace, the claw missing by inches and splintering a tree trunk. Celestial Wrath Elbow followed, the qi-enhanced strike landing on the bear's arm with a thunderous crash, the limb shattering into dissipating qi. The crowd cheered, but the trial pressed on—a second construct, a serpent with glowing eyes, slithered forward, its fangs dripping with venomous qi.
Liu Yue moved in tandem, her shield rising to block the serpent's strike, the golden barrier absorbing the impact with a soft hum, the Celestial Unity Crest on her coin pulsing brighter. Her qi blade slashed through the air, a silver arc that sliced the serpent's neck with precision—a technique from the Human Emperor's Records flowing with a grace that surprised her. Their teamwork was a symphony, each move complementing the other, the mist swirling around them like a living entity. Another construct emerged—a wolf with jagged qi fangs—and Lin Xuan met it head-on. Abyssal Lotus Step carried him aside, his feet gliding with fluid precision, and Celestial Wrath Elbow crushed its skull with a resounding crack, the wolf dissolving into mist. Liu Yue's shield absorbed a retaliatory strike, her qi blade finishing the beast, and the forest fell silent, the trial's end marked by the constructs' dissipation.
The Veilmoon Sect elders, led by Elder Bai Yun with her 5th Layer Qi Transformation aura, watched from the mist, their Moonlight Dao auras a neutral shimmer, their faces unreadable beneath hooded robes. Lin Xuan and Liu Yue stood victorious, their breaths heavy, their bodies slick with sweat, but their spirits high. The crowd's cheers washed over them, a wave of admiration that warmed Lin Xuan's chest, though his crimson eyes caught the Hei Clan elders' narrowed gazes, their dark qi a silent threat.
That night, the courtyard was a quiet refuge under a crescent moon, 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 guiding his hands with a gentle rhythm. He practiced Abyssal Lotus Step, the footwork blending seamlessly with his movements, his feet gliding like shadows across the stone, each step a testament to his growing mastery. Liu Yue sat nearby, her raven hair glowing softly under the moonlight, her moonlight eyes alight with excitement. "Senior Brother, we were unstoppable today!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with pride. "The way we moved together—it felt like we've fought like that before. Your strength, it's… incredible."
Her trust warmed him, but that ache in his chest deepened—a bittersweet reminder of their bond and the burdens they carried. He smiled faintly, tossing her a pill. "Your qi blade was flawless, Junior Sister," he said, his voice gentle. "Keep pushing—we'll need that strength against the Hei Clan. They won't let this go easily." She caught the pill, nodding with determination, her moonlight eyes reflecting the flame's glow. The courtyard fell silent, save for the crackle of the fire, and Lin Xuan's mind raced with plans, the Hei Clan's shadow looming, but with Liu Yue's support, he felt a flicker of hope for the battles ahead.