The next morning, the Rising Sun Sect trembled with excitement.
A massive bronze bell rang across the mountains.
Dong—
Dong—
Dong—
All disciples gathered at the central arena.
Even outer disciples were permitted to watch.
On the high platform stood Sect Master Liang, flanked by the elders.
His voice carried like thunder.
"The annual Grand Tournament begins in three days."
Cheers erupted.
"The top ten will receive access to the Inner Spirit Pool."
Gasps.
The Inner Spirit Pool was fed directly by the sect's main spirit vein.
Pure.
Dense.
Perfect for breakthroughs.
Lin Kai stood among the crowd, silent.
Inside him—
The vortex stirred at the words spirit vein.
Hungry.
Very hungry.
Sect Master Liang continued.
"The champion will receive a Low Earth-Grade Martial Art and personal guidance from an elder."
Excitement surged like wildfire.
Then—
"The tournament will also determine selection for the Azure Sky Secret Realm."
Silence fell.
The Secret Realm opened only once every five years.
Treasures.
Ancient inheritances.
Danger.
Opportunity.
Lin Kai's eyes sharpened slightly.
Azure Sky Secret Realm…
The vortex pulsed slowly.
Opportunity.
"First match!"
The arena guards stepped forward.
Two disciples jumped onto the stage.
Steel clashed.
Qi burst.
The crowd roared.
One match after another unfolded.
Brutal.
Fast.
Unforgiving.
Finally—
"Lin Kai versus Huang Zhen!"
Murmurs spread instantly.
"Isn't that the one who suddenly broke through?"
"Huang Zhen is Stage 7!"
Lin Kai stepped onto the stage calmly.
Across from him stood a broad-shouldered disciple with a heavy spear.
Huang Zhen smirked.
"I was hoping we'd meet."
His spear slammed against the stone floor.
"I don't know what trick you used to advance…"
"But today, I'll expose you."
Lin Kai said nothing.
The referee's hand dropped.
"Begin!"
Huang Zhen moved first.
His spear thrust forward like lightning.
The force behind it cracked the stone tiles beneath his feet.
Lin Kai sidestepped narrowly.
The spear swept horizontally—
Lin Kai leaned back as wind pressure cut across his chest.
Fast.
Precise.
Much stronger than Zhao Feng.
The vortex inside him began analyzing instinctively.
Qi flow steady.
Lower body stable.
Energy concentrated at the spear tip.
Huang Zhen roared and unleashed a flurry of strikes.
Each thrust carried explosive force.
Lin Kai retreated step by step.
The crowd murmured.
"He's being pushed back!"
"Was it all luck after all?"
Huang Zhen grinned fiercely.
"Where's that arrogance now?!"
He gathered Qi into the spear.
The weapon glowed bright yellow.
"Mountain Shattering Thrust!"
The spear shot forward with overwhelming pressure.
Air exploded.
Stone cracked.
At the last second—
Lin Kai stopped retreating.
He stepped forward instead.
Directly into the attack.
Gasps erupted.
"Is he insane?!"
The spear tip reached his chest—
And Lin Kai grabbed the shaft.
Impact thundered across the arena.
Blood dripped from his palm.
But he did not let go.
The vortex spun.
Not wildly.
Not out of control.
Focused.
A thin thread of Qi began flowing from the spear into his body.
Huang Zhen's eyes widened.
"You—!"
Lin Kai didn't drain much.
Just enough.
Enough to destabilize the thrust.
The yellow glow flickered.
Lin Kai twisted his body and drove his shoulder into Huang Zhen's chest.
Boom!
Huang Zhen flew backward, crashing into the arena wall.
Dust exploded.
Silence fell.
Lin Kai stood still, breathing steadily.
Stage 7 aura stable.
Controlled.
The referee hesitated, then shouted—
"Winner — Lin Kai!"
The crowd erupted.
Shock.
Confusion.
Excitement.
Huang Zhen struggled to stand, disbelief in his eyes.
"You absorbed it…"
Lin Kai looked at him calmly.
"I borrowed it."
On the high platform—
Elder Xu's gaze sharpened.
Sect Master Liang stroked his beard thoughtfully.
But in the shadows behind the elders—
A robed figure watched with cold interest.
"…He's refining absorbed Qi instantly."
"Fascinating."
Back in the arena—
Lin Kai stepped down from the stage.
His expression calm.
But inside—
The vortex hummed in satisfaction.
Controlled devouring.
Efficient.
Effective.
Yet as he walked past the disciples—
He felt it.
Fear.
Whispers.
Distance growing.
And from across the arena—
Mu Xue watched him silently.
Her eyes unreadable.
The tournament had only begun.
But already—
Lin Kai had stepped into the spotlight.
And the higher he climbed—
The harder the fall would be