Feng Xiao took a deep breath, feeling the lingering rush of his victory against Feng Jun. He had proven his strength, but he knew that his victory had only scratched the surface of what he'd need to accomplish. Around him, the crowd in the arena was still processing what they had witnessed—many were murmuring in disbelief, some in awe, and others in thinly veiled irritation. A handful of elders exchanged suspicious glances, their expressions unreadable.
Ling'er was waiting for him at the edge of the ring, her face alight with admiration and relief. Her joy at his victory was unmistakable, yet he noticed a slight furrow in her brow—a hint of concern.
"You really did it, Brother Xiao," she said, her voice barely containing her excitement. "You defeated Feng Jun! I've never seen you move like that before."
Feng Xiao smiled softly, aware that even Ling'er, one of his few friends, was surprised by the transformation. "It's only the beginning, Ling'er," he replied, his voice low but confident. "There's so much more I can achieve."
Before Ling'er could respond, a voice rang out, loud and authoritative, silencing the crowd.
"Feng Xiao!"
It was Elder Tian Zhao, one of the clan's senior overseers. His stern, scrutinizing gaze bore into Feng Xiao as he stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, exuding an air of authority. Every eye in the arena turned to watch the elder, and the murmuring died down.
"You displayed unexpected skill in your last match," Elder Tian began, his voice even. "But one victory means little. If you truly wish to prove your worth, you must continue."
Feng Xiao met Elder Tian's gaze, feeling the weight of the elder's authority. He understood the challenge implicit in those words—this wasn't merely a tournament for him; it was a test. The elders wanted to see if his newfound strength was genuine or merely a fluke.
Elder Tian turned to address the audience. "Next match! Feng Xiao versus Feng Lan!"
Feng Xiao's heart gave a slight jolt. He knew of Feng Lan—another cousin, though unlike Feng Jun, Feng Lan was a more experienced fighter. He was a peak Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, skilled in both swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat. In past gatherings, Feng Lan had ranked high among the younger disciples, and his experience meant he was both confident and ruthless.
As Feng Lan approached the ring, the crowd buzzed with excitement. He was tall, with sharp, chiseled features and a cold expression. His dark eyes were calculating, already assessing Feng Xiao with a hint of disdain. Clearly, he saw this match as a mere formality, a chance to put the "clan disgrace" in his place.
"So, you somehow managed to beat Feng Jun," Feng Lan sneered, unsheathing a slender, polished sword that glinted under the sunlight. "But don't let it get to your head. I'll end this quickly."
Feng Xiao remained silent, his eyes never leaving Feng Lan's sword. He could sense the aura of qi surrounding the blade—a sign of Feng Lan's control over his qi, a skill he'd cultivated through years of rigorous training. Feng Lan was not one to underestimate. But Feng Xiao's Heaven-Defying Comprehension had already begun analyzing every detail of Feng Lan's stance, the angle of his blade, even the subtle shifts in his breathing. Every movement, every detail was laid bare before him.
The elder raised his hand, signaling the start of the match.
Feng Lan wasted no time. He lunged forward, his sword gleaming as it sliced through the air, aiming straight for Feng Xiao's chest. His movements were fluid, each strike delivered with precision and confidence. To any ordinary opponent, his attacks would have been overwhelming, impossible to evade.
But to Feng Xiao, it was different. His heightened comprehension revealed patterns in Feng Lan's attacks, showing him the flow of each move before it even landed. He sidestepped, his movements swift and controlled, allowing Feng Lan's sword to miss by mere inches.
Feng Lan's eyes narrowed, irritation flickering across his face. He adjusted his stance and came at Feng Xiao again, this time faster, his blade dancing in quick, fluid strikes that left little room for escape. He pressed forward, forcing Feng Xiao to retreat across the ring.
But Feng Xiao remained calm, each step calculated. He was studying Feng Lan's every move, learning, adapting. His Heaven-Defying Comprehension was more than just knowledge—it was intuition, an instinctive understanding that allowed him to not only anticipate attacks but also see openings where none seemed to exist.
As Feng Lan swung his blade in a powerful arc, Feng Xiao stepped forward instead of back, his body moving in perfect harmony with the flow of qi. He raised his hand and struck out with a burst of his own qi, aiming directly for Feng Lan's wrist. The timing was impeccable.
Feng Lan's sword wavered, his grip faltering as the qi disrupted his focus. Feng Xiao seized the opportunity, stepping in closer, striking again—this time at Feng Lan's shoulder. The blow was swift and precise, sending a jolt of qi through Feng Lan's body, forcing him to stagger back.
The crowd gasped, murmurs of astonishment rippling through the audience.
Feng Lan gritted his teeth, anger flaring in his eyes. He tightened his grip on his sword, his aura surging as he channeled more qi into his blade, preparing for a more powerful attack. But Feng Xiao remained composed, his own qi flowing smoothly within him, steady and unyielding.
"I won't be beaten by you!" Feng Lan growled, his voice laced with fury. He raised his sword high, summoning a technique known as Rising Flame Strike, an attack that channeled fire-elemental qi into a powerful, sweeping slash. Flames danced along the edge of the blade, casting an eerie glow over the ring.
As Feng Lan brought his sword down, a wave of fire qi surged forward, threatening to consume Feng Xiao in a blaze of intense heat. The technique was dangerous and taxing, a move that would exhaust most Foundation Establishment cultivators. But Feng Lan was desperate to end the fight and reclaim his honor.
Feng Xiao's gaze sharpened, his Heaven-Defying Comprehension rapidly analyzing the technique. He could see the weak points in the fiery strike, the instability in Feng Lan's control over the fire qi. To an untrained eye, it was an unstoppable force, but to him, it was a structure with cracks—cracks he could exploit.
He waited until the very last second, letting the flames draw closer, feeling their heat against his skin. Then, with a swift, graceful movement, he stepped to the side, avoiding the core of the attack while his own qi surged through his body. Using a technique he had only recently uncovered through his comprehension, he released a focused burst of water-aligned qi from his palm.
The water qi clashed with Feng Lan's fire, creating a sharp hiss and a burst of steam as the opposing elements neutralized each other. Feng Lan stumbled, momentarily blinded by the steam and caught off guard by Feng Xiao's counter.
Seizing the moment, Feng Xiao moved forward with a sudden burst of speed, closing the distance between them. He struck out with a precise palm strike to Feng Lan's chest, channeling a controlled wave of qi into the blow. The impact sent Feng Lan skidding backward, his sword clattering to the ground as he struggled to regain his balance.
The arena fell into stunned silence. Feng Lan, one of the clan's most promising young talents, had been decisively defeated. Feng Xiao, the supposed "clan disgrace," stood victorious once again.
For a moment, Feng Xiao felt a surge of satisfaction, but he quickly tempered it, aware that this victory would only fuel more suspicion and scrutiny. He could already see the elders whispering amongst themselves, their expressions a mix of surprise, suspicion, and, in some cases, approval.
Ling'er ran to his side, her face flushed with excitement and relief. "Brother Xiao, that was… incredible! No one's ever seen anything like it."
Feng Xiao gave her a small, reassuring smile, but he could feel the weight of the eyes on him, the questions and doubts that would surely follow. He had made a statement today, one that would not easily be ignored.
As Elder Tian Zhao approached the ring, his face was unreadable, but Feng Xiao sensed the elder's scrutiny. The elder's gaze lingered on him for a long moment before he spoke.
"You have surprised us all today, Feng Xiao," Elder Tian said, his tone measured. "But remember, true power lies not only in strength, but in understanding one's place and purpose. Do not let arrogance cloud your path."
Feng Xiao nodded, bowing respectfully. "I understand, Elder Tian."
But in his heart, he knew that this was only the beginning. His Heaven-Defying Comprehension was leading him on a path that few would understand, and he was prepared to face whatever trials awaited him. As he walked away from the arena, Ling'er by his side, he felt a growing resolve within him—a determination to rise above, to reach heights that even the clan's strongest could not imagine.