Qin Yu glanced at the letter once more, the invitation to the Celestial Lotus Sect's tournament still in his hands. The message was brief but clear—the tournament would begin in five days, and he was expected to attend. It was an opportunity he couldn't ignore.
After months of grueling training with his Phantom Assassins, he had reached the peak of Core Formation and then, against all odds, had broken through into the Nascent Soul Realm. For someone his age, this was almost unheard of, and it was only possible due to the system's assistance. However, even with this power, Qin Yu knew the road ahead would be steeper with every realm.
"The higher I go, the more difficult it becomes," Qin Yu muttered to himself as he stared at the letter. His eyes flickered with determination. "But that's the way it should be."
He had been training nonstop for months, completing side quests, gathering resources, and consuming rare qi pills that had boosted his cultivation. His body had been honed through countless hours of practice, and his spiritual energy was more refined than ever. But he knew that entering the tournament wasn't just about showing off his power—it was about making connections, understanding the landscape of power in the cultivation world, and possibly even drawing the attention of powerful figures.
His Phantom Assassin, who had been silently standing guard, stepped forward.
"Are you ready, young master?" the assassin asked, his voice low and respectful.
Qin Yu stood, folding the letter and tucking it into his robes. "Let's go."
The Celestial Lotus Sect was grand in scale, as one would expect from one of the ten great sects. Its tournament arena was filled with disciples and cultivators from various regions, each one eager to prove themselves on the stage. Some wore the unmistakable robes of the Celestial Lotus Sect, while others donned the attire of different sects and influential families.
Qin Yu arrived quietly, not drawing much attention to himself. Though he was now at the Nascent Soul Realm, he preferred to observe from the sidelines for now. His cultivation was incredible for his age, but there were many unknowns at this tournament—many other powerful figures who might be watching just as silently.
As he scanned the crowd, his eyes narrowed on a figure sitting in a prominent position above the arena. The man was dressed in robes that didn't belong to the Celestial Lotus Sect. His presence was understated, but there was an aura of power about him that set him apart from the others.
Qin Yu's gaze shifted to the Phantom Assassin standing by his side. "Who is that?" he asked quietly.
The assassin glanced briefly at the figure before returning his attention to Qin Yu. "I'm unsure, young master. I cannot detect his cultivation level... which means he's likely above the Earthly Ascension Realm."
Qin Yu's brows furrowed. "He's stronger than you?"
"Yes," the assassin replied, his voice steady. "I would say his cultivation is beyond mine. Likely in the Celestial Realm, or perhaps even higher. He does not appear to be affiliated with the Celestial Lotus Sect, at least not directly."
Qin Yu nodded, his eyes lingering on the man. "Keep an eye on him. I want to know who he is and what his purpose here might be."
"As you wish."
The tournament grounds were filled with excitement as the Celestial Lotus Sect's elder stepped forward to address the crowd. His voice carried across the arena as he welcomed the disciples from the various sects, as well as representatives from wealthy families. It was clear that this tournament wasn't just a test of strength; it was also an opportunity for different powers to measure each other.
"We are honored to have among us not just the Celestial Lotus Sect's finest but also the talents of many other sects and families," the elder announced. "This tournament is an opportunity to showcase your skills, your dedication, and your path in the martial arts world. But before we begin, I must acknowledge a distinguished guest."
The elder turned toward the mysterious figure sitting above the arena. The crowd, sensing something significant, fell silent as all eyes turned to the man.
"This year, we are honored to be graced with the presence of an elder from one of the five greater sects—the Divine Mountain Sect!" the elder declared, his voice filled with reverence.
Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. An elder from one of the five greater sects? This was an unexpected twist. The Divine Mountain Sect was one of the most powerful sects in the world, far above even the Celestial Lotus Sect in influence and prestige. The fact that they had sent a representative to observe this tournament was significant.
Qin Yu's eyes narrowed. "So that's who he is..."
The Phantom Assassin, standing beside him, nodded subtly. "It appears so. His presence here changes the dynamic. The Divine Mountain Sect doesn't involve itself in these lesser tournaments without reason."
Qin Yu smirked. "Then this tournament just became much more interesting."
As the tournament progressed, the stage was filled with young disciples from various sects, each one eager to prove their worth. Some displayed incredible swordsmanship, others relied on powerful qi techniques, while a few showed rare and unique abilities.
Qin Yu watched carefully, studying each opponent. There were disciples from the Thunderstrike Sect, the Waterflow Sect, the Shadow Blade Clan, and several others. Each one brought their own unique style and approach to battle, but none of them struck him as a true challenge.
Still, he knew better than to underestimate anyone. His own strength was impressive, but the path of cultivation was unpredictable. There was always someone stronger, someone with a hidden card to play.
As the tournament continued, the elder from the Divine Mountain Sect remained quiet, observing everything with a calm and discerning eye. His presence loomed over the tournament like a shadow, adding weight to every battle.
And Qin Yu, though seemingly relaxed, was preparing himself for what was to come. He knew that eventually, his moment would arrive—and when it did, he would make sure everyone in the arena knew exactly who he was.
The tournament was just beginning, and the true test had yet to come.