The crisp morning air carried the scent of excitement and anticipation as Kai followed Meon through the bustling festival grounds. The young boy's heart raced with a mixture of nervousness and determination. Today was the day of the competition, and he was ready to prove himself.
Meon led Kai to a distinguished-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair and a commanding presence. "Kai, I'd like you to meet my father, Wei, the leader of Silver River Village," Meon said proudly.
Wei's eyes widened as he took in Kai's small frame. "So, this is the young prodigy I've heard so much about," he said, his voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief. "How can one so young be so powerful? You're only six years old, correct?"
Kai nodded respectfully, suppressing a chuckle. If only Wei knew the truth behind his strength. Instead, he replied diplomatically, "Age is just a number, sir. With dedication and the right training, anyone can become strong."
Wei raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Kai's mature response. "Well said, young man. I look forward to seeing your skills in action."
As Wei turned to speak with other village elders, Kai allowed himself a small, knowing smile. 'If your meridians were unlocked like mine,' he thought, 'you too could be as strong as me at any age.' The irony of his situation wasn't lost on him – a child with the knowledge and experience of a much older cultivator, trapped in a young body.
Soon, the anticipation in the air reached its peak as the competition's start was announced. Kai made his way to the designated arena, his hand resting on the hilt of the sword Chen had given him. The weapon felt solid and reassuring, a stark contrast to the makeshift branch he had been practicing with.
As Kai stepped into the arena, he saw his opponent for the first time.Lin stood confidently on the other side. Kai could sense his qi – he was at Mortal Qi Realm IV, a full sub-realm above Kai's current level.
The anticipated match started….
Lin wasted no time, charging at Kai with a fierce battle cry. His movements were swift and precise, clearly honed through years of dedicated training. Kai barely had time to raise his sword to block the first strike.
The clash of metal rang out across the arena as the two young cultivators engaged in a deadly dance. Lin pressed his advantage, his superior qi sub-realm allowing him to maintain a relentless assault. Kai found himself on the defensive, using all of his experience and instincts to avoid being overwhelmed.
As the fight progressed, Kai began to notice something. While Lin's attacks were powerful, they lacked the fluidity and efficiency that came with truly understanding one's own body. Kai, on the other hand, could feel his qi flowing smoothly through his unlocked meridians, responding instantly to his will.
Seeing an opening, Kai ducked under one of Lin's swings and retaliated with a quick thrust. The crowd gasped as Kai's blade nicked Lin's arm, drawing first blood. Lin's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in determination.
The fight intensified, with both boys pushing themselves to their limits. Lin's greater qi reserves allowed him to maintain his aggressive style, while Kai relied on his superior control and efficiency. The arena echoed with the sound of clashing swords and the excited shouts of the spectators.
As the battle wore on, Kai could feel fatigue setting in. His young body, despite its unlocked meridians, simply couldn't match the stamina of his older opponent. He knew he had to end this quickly.
In a risky move, Kai allowed one of Lin's attacks to graze his shoulder. The pain was sharp, but it created the opening he needed. As Lin committed to the strike, Kai channeled his qi into his sword and executed a lightning-fast counter-attack.
The blade hummed with energy as it arced through the air, catching Lin off guard. With a resounding clash, Kai's sword struck Lin's weapon with such force that it flew from the older boy's grasp. In the same fluid motion, Kai brought his sword to rest at Lin's throat.
For a moment, the arena was silent. Then, slowly, Lin raised his hands in surrender. "I... I yield," he said, his voice a mixture of disbelief and respect.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the elder stepped forward to declare Kai the winner. But the young victor hardly heard them. As the adrenaline of the fight faded, Kai suddenly became aware of the toll the battle had taken on his body. His vision blurred, and he felt his legs give way beneath him.
The last thing Kai saw before darkness claimed him was the concerned faces of the onlookers rushing towards him.
When Kai regained consciousness, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. The antiseptic smell and the soft bed told him he was in some kind of medical facility. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he became aware of voices coming from outside the room.
"...never seen anything like it," a man's voice was saying. "For a child so young to fight at that level..."
"But will he be alright?" a woman's voice asked, thick with worry.
With a start, Kai recognized the voices. They belonged to his parents – the same parents who had abandoned him long ago..
But Kai quickly squashed that spark. They had made their choice, and he had made his. He didn't need them anymore. With a effort, Kai tuned out their voices, focusing instead on assessing his injuries.
To his surprise, Kai found that while he was sore all over, his injuries weren't as severe as he had expected. His unlocked meridians were already hard at work, channeling his qi to heal his wounds at an accelerated rate. Even the internal injuries, which would have taken weeks to heal in a normal person, were already showing signs of improvement.
A day passed, and Kai's condition improved dramatically. The medical staff were amazed at his recovery rate, attributing it to his young age and strong constitution.
As soon as he was cleared to leave, Kai made his way to Chen's office. He had a reward to collect, after all. The familiar smell of incense greeted him as he entered the room, finding Chen seated behind his desk with a proud smile on his face.
"Ah, Kai," Chen said warmly. "I was wondering when you'd come to claim your prize. Your performance in the competition was truly remarkable."
Kai bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Master Chen. I couldn't have done it without your guidance and the sword you provided."
Chen's smile widened. "And now, as promised, I have an even better sword for you." He reached under his desk and produced a sheathed weapon. As he unsheathed it, Kai's eyes widened at the quality of the blade.
"This is a mid-tier sword," Chen explained. "It's capable of channeling qi much more efficiently than the one you used in the competition. With this, your strength will grow even further."
Kai accepted the sword reverently, feeling the weight and balance of the weapon. It was perfect. As he examined the blade, a thought occurred to him. The mystery of the forbidden technique he had used on Chen long ago still lingered in his mind. How had Chen, a cultivator at Foundation Establishment Rank I, not noticed Kai draining his life force? And why had the book containing such a dangerous technique been given to him in the first place?
But as quickly as these questions arose, Kai pushed them aside. Now was not the time for such ponderings. He had achieved a significant victory and gained a powerful new weapon. The future held endless possibilities, and Kai was determined to face them head-on.
As Kai left Chen's office, his new sword at his side, he felt a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. The competition had been just the beginning. With his unlocked meridians, strength, and now this mid-tier sword, Kai knew he was on the path to becoming truly powerful.