With all eyes upon him, Wu Zheng stood steady at the center of the banquet hall. A wave of calm washed over him as he recalled his mother's visit the night before. Wu Hua had come to him with a teasing smile, her voice light and playful.
"Did you forget about the gift for your brother?" she had asked, laughter in her tone. "It's important, you know?"
Wu Zheng had smiled back, though a hint of embarrassment tugged at him. "I thought it was just a banquet," he replied slowly, beginning to grasp the evening's true significance.
Wu Hua had laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with affection. "That's why I'm here. I brought you something." She handed him a neatly wrapped package, her warmth radiating in the space between them. "This is for Wu Rui."
He accepted the gift with gratitude, appreciating her thoughtfulness. The wrapping felt smooth beneath his fingers, and he could sense the care that had gone into it. As he walked toward Wu Rui, package in hand, Wu Zheng maintained his calm demeanor, even as the anticipation buzzed around him. Guests whispered among themselves, their excitement filling the air.
"Wu Rui," he said, his voice steady as he approached his brother. "I wanted to give you something." He extended the package, keeping his face relaxed while allowing a flicker of nervousness to appear in his eyes, just as he had planned.
Wu Rui looked at him with a neutral expression, taking the package casually. "What's this?" he asked, unwrapping it with a hint of curiosity. When he revealed the Earth-ranked technique, a small smirk appeared on his face. "An Earth-ranked technique? Not bad for a little brother," he remarked, his tone casual but thoughtful. Wu Zheng noted the shift in Wu Rui's demeanor, recognizing that the gift had made an impact.
"I thought it would be useful for your cultivation," Wu Zheng replied evenly, the words flowing smoothly despite the weight of the moment.
As their conversation continued, Wu Zheng felt a sense of relief wash over him. Their exchange was tinged with an unspoken understanding, one that hinted at the challenges that lay ahead. Wu Rui, though seemingly indifferent, was sizing him up. He could sense the scrutiny in his brother's gaze, but he remained unfazed. He had no desire to prove himself; his focus was solely on the upcoming duel.
After Wu Zheng returned to his seat, he glanced around the hall. The faces of family and peers showed a mix of excitement and skepticism. To them, this duel was a spectacle, but to him, it was a means to improve his skills. He was determined to win against the sixth-stage opponent Wu Rui had chosen, all while cleverly concealing his true strength.
As the gift-giving ceremony wound down, excitement rippled through the crowd. Guests leaned forward in their seats, murmuring eagerly about the upcoming duel. Wu Zheng took a deep breath, centering himself for the battle ahead. His mind replayed the strategies he had developed, and he felt the familiar thrill of competition coursing through him. The anticipation was palpable, but he knew he needed to keep his composure.
Winning this duel while struggling was about showing that his talent was good but not extraordinary. He would demonstrate enough skill to satisfy the expectations of those around him while also honing his abilities in this new fighting style.
The atmosphere buzzed with chatter as the ceremony ended, and Wu Zheng steeled himself for what was to come. As he prepared for the duel, he felt a sense of purpose settle over him. It was not about proving himself to others; it was about pushing his limits and refining his craft.
The hall quieted, and he focused on the challenge ahead, determined to emerge from the duel not only victorious but also better than before.
As the guests buzzed with excitement over the upcoming duel, Wu Cheng stood at the head of the banquet hall, his expression inscrutable. Sensing the rising anticipation, he decided not to delay any further. "Let us proceed to the arena," he announced, his voice cutting through the chatter. The room fell into a hushed anticipation, the thrill of competition palpable in the air.
Wu Zheng followed his father's lead, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. He moved through the hall, glancing at the guests as they began to rise from their seats, their faces lit with eager curiosity. The banquet hall, filled with the scents of rich delicacies and laughter, now transformed into a pathway leading to the secondary arena, specifically constructed for events such as this. It was a space designed not for grandeur but for practical displays of skill and strength.
As they exited the hall, Wu Zheng led the way down a wide stone corridor, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that depicted the clan's rich history. Each step echoed softly in the air, the anticipation of the crowd growing louder as they neared their destination. The corridor opened up to an expansive courtyard, where the secondary arena stood proudly at its center.
The arena was a formidable structure, reinforced with protective formations and layered with rate stones, designed to withstand the full strength of mid-stage Golden Core cultivators. Its surface was smooth and gleaming, the light reflecting off the polished stone like a calm lake, creating an air of elegance amidst the intensity of the upcoming battle. Surrounding the arena, a grand seating area accommodated up to a thousand spectators, intricately designed to offer an unobstructed view of the action. The seats were filled with eager guests, their murmurs blending into a low hum of anticipation.