The second day of the Grand Tournament.
Only sixteen disciples remained.
Lin Kai stood quietly at the edge of the arena.
Yesterday's victory had changed everything.
No more laughter.
No more open mockery.
Now—
There was distance.
Wariness.
Fear.
Across the arena, the referee's voice rang out:
"Next match — Mu Xue versus Chen Rong!"
The crowd instantly stirred.
"Third-ranked disciple!"
"Chen Rong is Stage 8!"
"This will be good."
Mu Xue stepped onto the platform.
White robes.
Silver sword at her waist.
Calm as still water.
Chen Rong, tall and confident, cracked his knuckles.
"Junior Sister Mu," he said with a grin, "don't blame me if I go all out."
She gave a slight nod.
"Please do."
The referee signaled.
"Begin!"
Chen Rong exploded forward.
His palms burned crimson as fire Qi surged outward.
"Blazing Flame Fist!"
Heat waves distorted the air.
The arena floor blackened under his steps.
He unleashed a barrage of flaming strikes.
Each one powerful enough to injure a normal Stage 7 instantly.
Mu Xue did not retreat.
She drew her sword.
A soft, clear sound echoed—
Like ice forming on water.
The temperature dropped instantly.
Her blade shimmered pale blue.
"Ice Spirit Art."
She swung once.
Just once.
A crescent of frost shot forward.
It met the incoming flames—
And erased them.
Steam exploded upward.
The crowd gasped.
Chen Rong's eyes widened.
He pushed harder, flames intensifying.
But every attack—
Extinguished.
Frozen.
Overpowered.
Mu Xue stepped forward gracefully.
Her sword moved like drifting snow.
One strike.
Chen Rong's flames froze mid-motion.
Second strike.
Frost climbed his arm.
Third strike—
The tip of her sword stopped at his throat.
Ice covered half his body.
Silence filled the arena.
The referee swallowed.
"Winner — Mu Xue!"
The crowd erupted.
"She didn't even use her full strength!"
"Stage 9 is terrifying…"
From below the stage, Lin Kai watched quietly.
The vortex inside him reacted differently this time.
Not greedily.
But cautiously.
Her Qi was dense.
Refined.
Controlled to perfection.
If he tried to devour her directly—
It would not be simple.
Mu Xue stepped down from the platform.
As she passed Lin Kai, her eyes briefly met his.
No words.
But something passed between them.
Recognition.
Both of them walking paths different from the others.
Later that afternoon—
The referee announced the quarterfinal matchups.
"Lin Kai versus… Luo Han."
A ripple passed through the crowd.
"Luo Han?!"
"He's ranked second!"
"Peak Stage 8!"
Luo Han stepped forward slowly.
Tall.
Calm.
His aura steady as a mountain.
Unlike Zhao Feng or Huang Zhen—
There was no arrogance in his eyes.
Only focus.
He looked at Lin Kai and spoke evenly.
"I've observed your matches."
Lin Kai returned his gaze.
"And?"
"You absorb external Qi."
The surrounding disciples froze.
Lin Kai said nothing.
Luo Han continued calmly.
"That kind of method is unstable."
A pause.
"But powerful."
His aura expanded slightly.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Peak Stage 8.
"I won't underestimate you."
The referee stepped between them.
"Quarterfinal match begins tomorrow at noon!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
After everyone dispersed—
Lin Kai remained alone near the empty arena.
He closed his eyes.
The vortex spun slowly.
Tomorrow—
He would face someone stronger than himself.
Someone steady.
Disciplined.
No reckless attacks to exploit.
The ancient voice echoed faintly:
"Devour him."
Lin Kai exhaled.
"No."
Not recklessly.
Not blindly.
If he lost control in front of the entire sect—
It would be over.
Yet deep inside—
The hunger was growing again.
Stronger opponents.
Denser Qi.
Greater temptation.
Above the arena, hidden in the pavilion shadows—
The robed figure watched with narrowed eyes.
"Quarterfinals…"
A faint smile formed beneath the hood.
"Yes."
"Let us see how much you can restrain yourself."