Morning came with the clear ring of bells. The Martial Square was already crowded when Li Wei arrived. The tournament would narrow the remaining disciples to fifty. He took his place at his assigned arena and waited.
His next opponent, Ren Yao, stood across from him. The man was broad-shouldered, calm, his qi condensed into a dense shield. He was known for defense, not aggression.
When the signal sounded, both moved at once.
Ren Yao's sword came forward in smooth arcs, each strike aimed to test pressure rather than kill. Li Wei matched him step for step, parrying and sidestepping without haste. Flowing Cloud Steps allowed him to slip a fraction out of reach each time, adjusting angles before countering.
For several breaths, neither gained ground. Their blades met again and again, the sound of metal clear and sharp. Then Li Wei noticed it—each time Ren Yao deflected downward, his wrist tensed a little too long.
Li Wei let another exchange pass, then shifted his stance. When Ren Yao struck again, he turned the block into a feint and cut low. The blade brushed past the guard and drew a thin line across Ren Yao's shoulder.
Ren Yao stepped back, qi flaring as he reinforced his defense. His expression tightened, but he did not retreat. He came again, heavier, his sword pressing forward with raw force.
Li Wei waited until the last instant, then exhaled and struck once more. Tempest Fang Slash burst forward in a controlled surge. The compressed qi struck the defensive layer and pushed through. Ren Yao staggered, his sword flying from his grip.
The formation around the arena flashed to signal the end.
Match complete.
Li Wei sheathed his blade and bowed.
Ren Yao caught his breath, then returned the gesture.
"Your control is sharp," he said quietly.
"Your defense was solid."
They left the platform together. There was no tension between them. Within the Heavenly Dragon Sect, rivalry ended where the rules began.
From the high platform, Elder Zhao observed. His expression remained unreadable, but when Li Wei glanced up, he caught the faint nod of acknowledgment before the elder turned away.
---
That evening, Li Wei sat at the terrace behind the lodgings, watching the mist rise from the valley. His body felt light, but his mind remained cautious. Winning two rounds meant little; the tournament had only begun to reveal its real competitors.
He thought of the matches still ahead. The Top 50 would face each other next. Each name represented years of effort, missions, and resources. Some had backing from inner-sect mentors. Li Wei had only himself and the discipline that carried him this far.
The sound of footsteps drew him from thought.
Mei Yun approached, carrying two bowls of rice. She set one beside him before sitting down.
"You've advanced," she said. "Half the outer sect was watching."
"Then they wasted their time," he replied.
She smiled slightly. "You really can't enjoy a win, can you?"
"There's still work to do."
Mei Yun rested her elbows on her knees, looking out over the lanterns below. "Elder Zhao mentioned you after the matches. He told the others your swordsmanship was efficient. That's high praise for him."
Li Wei shook his head. "He expects results, not words."
"That's still something. The Sect favors consistency. Keep that, and you'll have a place beyond this tournament."
He didn't answer, but the faintest hint of thought crossed his eyes. Beyond the tournament lay the Inner Sect, and beyond that, the path his parents had once walked. For now, those thoughts stayed buried. The present came first.
After she left, he trained until night settled fully. His courtyard was silent except for the whisper of his blade cutting air. He ran through each form slowly, testing stability. The qi in his dantian moved without resistance, solid and smooth.
His cuts grew cleaner. Every motion carried weight, not speed. The Azure Wind Scripture demanded harmony between stillness and movement. He followed that rhythm until fatigue dulled his arms, then sheathed his sword.
He stood a moment under the pale moonlight, letting his breathing even out. His control had improved; his strikes were steadier, his recovery faster. The foundation was setting properly.
He turned in early. Tomorrow's match would demand more focus than the last.
---
Dawn broke clear and cold. The sect's bells rang again, calling the remaining contestants to gather.
Elder Zhao addressed them from the high platform. "The next round begins. Strength is measured not by aggression but by endurance. Remember that this tournament reflects the sect. Fight cleanly."
Every disciple bowed. Order, as always, came first.
Li Wei's name appeared on the glowing bracket above the square. His opponent was a spear cultivator from the western peaks, ranked far higher before the tournament began. The crowd stirred at the pairing, but Li Wei ignored the noise.
He entered the arena when called.
The woman waiting opposite him saluted briefly before the match began. Her posture was balanced, her breathing calm. She had the look of someone who understood patience.
The bell sounded.
Her first strike came swift, the spear sweeping in a horizontal arc. Li Wei met it at an angle, diverting the shaft instead of blocking directly. Sparks scattered. She recovered quickly, twisting the spear into a downward thrust.
He moved sideways, stepped in, and aimed a short cut toward the gap beneath her guard. The strike missed by half an inch. She smiled faintly and pressed forward again.
They exchanged blows in tight rhythm. Neither gained ground. Her reach was longer, but Li Wei's movement was sharper. He used the Flowing Cloud Steps to circle around her strikes, testing reactions, waiting for a single mistake.
On the fifteenth exchange, he found it. Her right hand slipped slightly on the spear's shaft after a deflection. A small motion, but enough.
Li Wei advanced a step, twisted his sword upward, and sent a burst of qi along the edge. The impact knocked the spear aside, sending her sliding backward across the stone.
She caught her balance quickly, but the match was decided. The protective array flared around them, signaling the end.
She exhaled, nodding once. "I concede."
Li Wei bowed in return. "Good fight."
By midday, the brackets updated again. Li Wei's name now stood among the Top 32.Each round thinned the ranks further, each victory carrying heavier expectations.
Back at his quarters, he cleaned his sword and sat once more to meditate. His qi ran smoothly, no turbulence, no weakness. He could feel the faint hum of his foundation deepening with each battle, every movement reinforcing what he had built.
Outside, the wind shifted across the mountains. It brushed past the window and stirred the flame of his lamp. Li Wei opened his eyes.
Another day, another fight ahead.
He rose, tied the sword to his waist, and stepped out into the fading light.