The bronze bell tolled thrice, and with it came the flood. Disciples from every corner of the Azure Spirit Sect streamed toward the great Outer Sect arena, a vast stone coliseum cut into the mountain itself. Stands rose tier upon tier, packed with robes of every shade. The low hum of conversation swelled to a roar, carrying names and rumors like sparks across dry grass.
And at the heart of it, only one name burned brighter than the rest.
"Lin Xuan!""The cripple turned prodigy!""They say he felled three challengers in a row yesterday.""Today will show if that was accident… or truth."
Wu Ming clung to Lin Xuan's sleeve as they entered the preparation grounds. "Senior Brother, do you hear that? They're chanting like it's a festival. Only, instead of lanterns, they want to see blood. Preferably yours."
Lin Xuan gave him a sidelong glance. "Then stay behind me. Blood runs downhill."
Wu Ming blinked, then groaned. "That… doesn't make me feel better."
The timid girl and lanky boy followed, silent but steady. Their faces bore nerves, but also pride. For them, this wasn't just Lin Xuan's battle. His rise was their shield.
Above the arena, the elders gathered on the high dais. Elder Ji, serene as always. The hawk-eyed elder, leaning forward, gaze sharp. The silver-haired elder, staff resting across her knees, eyes fixed on Lin Xuan with quiet curiosity.
And further back, Meng Zhao reclined lazily, flanked by his Core faction. His lips curved in the faintest of smiles. Dance, Lin Xuan. Dance until you exhaust yourself. Then I'll cut your strings.
The arena master, a stern man with a voice like a war drum, strode forward.
"Lin Xuan of the Outer Sect! Step forth!"
The roar rose like thunder.
Lin Xuan walked calmly onto the stone platform, spear resting lightly at his side. He stood as though the noise belonged to someone else, as though this storm of attention was a mere breeze.
"Your challenger," the master declared, "Fan Lei!"
A broad-shouldered disciple stomped onto the platform, his crimson armband gleaming. His aura flared — mid Qi Gathering, solid and aggressive.
"You humiliated my brothers," Fan Lei sneered. "Today, you eat stone."
The gong rang.
Fan Lei charged like a bull, fists wreathed in qi. Lin Xuan's spear flicked once, butt striking his wrist. The force redirected the punch into empty air. Fan Lei stumbled forward, and Lin Xuan's spearhead tapped his shoulder, pinning him in place without piercing.
The crowd erupted.
"One move again?""Impossible!""He didn't even use qi!"
Fan Lei staggered back, face pale with fury and shame. The master raised a hand. "Victory — Lin Xuan."
Wu Ming screamed from the stands, voice shrill enough to cut the roar. "One! Move! Again!"
The next challenger was leaner, his sword gleaming with qi. His movements were sharp, controlled — this one had drilled discipline.
The clash was longer this time, steel ringing against spear. Sparks showered as sword and spear danced, qi flowing in every motion.
Lin Xuan allowed himself to breathe harder, masking his calm. He let the System's guidance weave patterns in silence, turning the opponent's practiced forms against him. A pivot, a sweep, a step that looked almost accidental — the sword flew from the challenger's hand, clattering across the arena floor.
The crowd gasped again.
"He dismantled sword technique with… basic steps?""No, it wasn't basic. It was… perfect."
The hawk-eyed elder leaned forward, suspicion burning in his eyes. The silver-haired elder smiled faintly.
The arena master's tone sharpened. "Next challenger — Han Yu!"
The name rippled like a blade through the crowd. Han Yu was no ordinary Outer disciple. His robes were embroidered subtly, his posture confident. He bowed briefly toward the Core pavilion before raising his blade.
"Lin Xuan," he said coldly. "Your whispers have climbed too high. Today, they fall."
The fight began fast. Han Yu's blade blurred, a flurry of strokes meant to overwhelm. Lin Xuan's spear flowed like water, deflecting, turning, redirecting. For the first time, the clash looked evenly matched — and that only heightened the spectacle.
Gasps echoed with every exchange. Cheers rose with every near strike. Wu Ming clutched the railing with white knuckles.
But Lin Xuan remained calm. He expects me to collapse under pace. Let him burn himself out.
The moment came swiftly. Han Yu lunged too deep, qi surging. Lin Xuan pivoted, spear sweeping. The butt struck Han Yu's ribs, dropping him to one knee. The spearhead halted at his throat.
Silence fell.
Then the stands exploded.
On the dais, Elder Ji's face remained unreadable. The hawk-eyed elder's gaze sharpened. "He hides too much. His foundation cannot be so stable without outside aid."
The silver-haired elder tapped her staff once, voice calm. "Or he trains quietly where others only shout."
Meng Zhao's smile slipped a fraction. His fingers tightened on his cup. Still he hides. Still he shines. This will not do.
The arena master hesitated, then glanced toward the Core pavilion. Meng Zhao nodded slightly.
"Final challenger," the master declared. "Zhou Ren!"
The name carried weight. Zhou Ren was known as a beast, his strength already brushing the edge of late Qi Gathering. Whispers crackled through the crowd.
Lin Xuan's grip tightened on his spear. So they send the trap now.
The gong rang. Zhou Ren attacked with savage force, fists crashing like boulders. Each blow carried qi that rattled the stone floor. Lin Xuan parried, redirected, evaded — but the pressure mounted. Dust rose with every strike, the crowd on their feet, roars shaking the sky.
Wu Ming screamed, "Senior Brother! Don't let him smash you into noodles!"
Zhou Ren lunged, qi flaring into a full-body strike. Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. The System hummed.
[System Notice: Enemy pattern mapped. Counter available.]
Lin Xuan stepped forward instead of back. The spear twisted low, catching Zhou Ren's leg mid-lunge. A pivot, a sweep — Zhou Ren's momentum carried him up and over, crashing onto his back with a thunderous crack.
The arena went silent.
Zhou Ren wheezed, unable to rise. Lin Xuan's spear hovered above his chest.
"Victory — Lin Xuan!" the master roared.
The silence broke into chaos. Cheers, disbelief, fury, awe. The name Lin Xuan spread like wildfire, impossible to contain.
As Lin Xuan left the arena, calm as still water, whispers crashed like waves.
"The cripple turned storm.""No one hides talent forever.""Lin Xuan… Lin Xuan… Lin Xuan…"
From the pavilion, Meng Zhao's cup shattered in his hand. His smile returned, thin and deadly. Fine. Let him shine. The higher he climbs, the sharper his fall will be.
And in the shadows, the silver-haired elder whispered to herself, "The storm gathers. Let us see if he becomes anchor… or tempest."
The System hummed in Lin Xuan's mind.
[Hidden Quest Complete: Survive the Arena Clash.][Reward: Technique Fusion unlocked.]
Lin Xuan's lips curved faintly. So the game deepens.