The energy in the arena shifted. Word had spread quickly about Xian Di's victory in the first round, and though the crowd had mocked him earlier, there was now a heavy sense of uncertainty. Participants who had once scoffed at his name were now quietly watching him, trying to understand the sudden change in his strength.
The elders, seated high above the courtyard, exchanged quiet glances, their expressions unreadable. Something was happening with Xian Di, something unexpected. And it wasn't just his previous victory—it was the way he fought, with cold precision and an awareness that none of them had seen before.
Xian Di stood off to the side, his face expressionless as the next match was called. The crowd had grown quieter, the whispers around him more cautious. No one was willing to mock him now, though a few still clung to doubt.
"Tang Zhou will put him in his place," one participant muttered, earning nods from the others.
Tang Zhou's reputation preceded him. He was one of the strongest among them, his cultivation at Qi Refinement Stage 3 (Mid), his mastery over both physical and Qi-based attacks well-known. More importantly, Tang Zhou wielded a long sword, a weapon that had earned him many victories in the past. The sword's blade shimmered with refined Qi, a symbol of his power and control over his techniques.
When Tang Zhou's name was called, a murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. He stepped into the arena, his long sword already unsheathed, the blade glowing faintly in the morning light.
Tang Zhou's eyes found Xian Di, and his lips curled into a smirk. "Your luck ends here," he said, his voice cold and filled with confidence.
Xian Di didn't respond. He stepped into the arena without a word, his spear held loosely in his hand. His gaze was fixed on Tang Zhou, but there was no emotion in his expression, only the quiet calm of someone who had already calculated every move.
The elder raised his hand. "Begin."
Tang Zhou wasted no time. He lunged forward, his sword sweeping through the air with a sharp whistle, the Qi-infused blade glowing as it cut toward Xian Di. It was an attack meant to end the duel quickly, a show of force that had broken many opponents before.
But Xian Di was gone before the blade reached him.
His body blurred, slipping through space with a speed that seemed almost unnatural. He reappeared a few steps away, his spear already in motion. The thrust was silent, the air barely stirred as the spear darted toward Tang Zhou's chest.
Tang Zhou reacted quickly, spinning his sword to block the strike. Metal clashed against metal, a burst of Qi exploding from the impact. The crowd gasped, their eyes widening as the two fighters engaged in a flurry of attacks.
Tang Zhou pressed the offensive, his sword moving with fluid grace, each swing calculated to push Xian Di back. His Qi surged with every strike, the force of his attacks shaking the ground beneath them. But Xian Di didn't falter. His spear danced in his hands, deflecting each blow with precise movements, his body moving in perfect harmony with the space around him.
The two fighters seemed evenly matched, but something about Xian Di's movements unnerved Tang Zhou. There was no hesitation, no wasted effort. Xian Di moved as though he had already seen every attack, his spear always one step ahead.
As the duel continued, Tang Zhou's frustration grew. His sword lashed out in a wide arc, the blade glowing with a fierce light as he poured more Qi into the strike. It was a powerful, sweeping attack that had brought many opponents to their knees. But Xian Di wasn't there to meet it.
In a heartbeat, he disappeared again, his body vanishing into the space between moments. Tang Zhou blinked, his eyes widening as he searched for his opponent.
Xian Di reappeared behind him, his spear poised for the final strike. The tip of the weapon hummed with stored energy, the force of the thrust enough to end the fight in an instant. Tang Zhou spun, his sword raised in defense, but it was too late. Xian Di's spear stopped just short of his throat, the cool metal inches from piercing his skin.
Tang Zhou froze, his breath catching in his throat. The crowd fell silent.
The Aftermath
For a moment, there was nothing but stunned disbelief. Tang Zhou's sword arm trembled slightly, his Qi still flaring around him, but it was clear to everyone—he had lost. The gap between them had been too wide. Xian Di had not only matched him but had done so with an efficiency that left no room for error.
Xian Di lowered his spear and turned away, his expression as cold and unreadable as it had been before the duel. He walked back to the edge of the arena without looking back, leaving Tang Zhou standing alone in the center.
The crowd remained quiet, their earlier confidence in Tang Zhou shattered. The whispers were different now—cautious, uncertain.
"He beat Tang Zhou…"
"How did he get so strong? I couldn't even see him move."
The elders, who had been watching in silence, exchanged another round of glances. Whatever was happening with Xian Di, it had gone beyond their expectations.
As the next round of names was called, Xian Di stood at the edge of the arena, his mind already moving ahead to the next fight. His focus remained steady, his body relaxed. There were still more battles to come, but this was only the beginning.
He didn't need their approval. He didn't need their praise. The only thing that mattered now was the path ahead.