Elder Bo glanced briefly at Han Xiao before continuing, "Let's commence the preliminary test. We'll start with challenges to those who received tokens. Afterward, the main preliminary test will begin, excluding those with tokens. Instructors, proceed."
The thirteen instructors bowed respectfully to the elders and stepped forward to carry out the event as planned.
The shifty-eyed instructor, the leader of the group, unfurled a scroll and read aloud, "Listen up! Each challenge match will be limited to the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn. You each have a single chance to challenge one of the token holders, so choose wisely if you wish to skip the preliminary trial. Remember to follow the martial ethical laws during your fights. Lastly, no one is allowed to seriously injure or kill their opponent. Some of you may have grudges, but this is not the place to settle them. This is a trial, not a battlefield. Keep that in mind."
As the preliminary challenges were about to begin, a hush fell over the chaotic hall. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that prickled the skin and quickened the pulse. The disciples, previously unruly and distracted, now watched with rapt attention. The shifty-eyed instructor, having read the rules, stepped back and signaled for the first challenger to step forward.
A young man, eyes gleaming with determination, strode to the center of the hall. He was lean and wiry, his movements sharp and precise. He bowed to the elders, then turned to face the token holders with a fierce intensity.
From the crowd of token holders, a tall, broad-shouldered disciple emerged. His expression was calm, almost bored, as he adjusted the green wooden token at his belt. He glanced around, acknowledging the murmurs and whispers from the watching crowd, before focusing his gaze on his challenger.
"First, introduce yourselves and make your salutes!" the instructor announced.
"Zheng Lei of the Zheng Nation!" the challenger cupped his fist.
Reluctantly, the youth with the token clasped his palm back and responded with a hint of annoyance, "Qi Feng of the Great Qi Nation!"
The shifty-eyed instructor lit an incense stick, cut it to half its length, and placed it in a white porcelain pot filled with white rice. He then raised a hand, signaling the start of the match. The hall grew silent, the only sound the faint crackling of torches lining the walls. The two combatants squared off, their postures mirroring each other in readiness and resolve.
With a swift motion, the instructor brought his hand down, and the match began. The two fighters moved in a blur, their swords clashing with a sharp, metallic ring that echoed through the hall. The crowd leaned forward, eyes wide, as the first challenge of the day unfolded. Both combatants were at Level Eight of the Pulse Condensation realm.
Han Xiao observed their exchange closely, muttering, "Both have almost identical Essence Qi, and their basic sword skills have reached a solid foundational stage. Interesting!"
The fighters unleashed their sword techniques one after another, remaining evenly matched. After a fierce clash, they were forced several steps back, gasping for air, their chests heaving.
"You two have only a tenth of the time left to finish this match," the shifty-eyed instructor announced, noting their reluctance to use their qi. His words provided the necessary push.
Hearing him, both fighters glanced at the porcelain vase, noting the incense stick was nearly burned out. Their expressions turned serious as they assumed specific stances with their weapons.
Zheng Lei let out a husky war cry, and strong qi emerged from his left palm, caressing his longsword. Thin white lightning bolts intermittently zapped from the blade.
Not to be outdone, Qi Feng chanted a spell, infusing his sword with qi. Zheng Lei swung his sword thrice in the air and muttered, "First Law of Zheng Lightning—White Lightning Sword Dance!" He inclined his body forward at a forty-five-degree angle and dashed toward his opponent.
Qi Feng employed a high-rank sword technique, igniting an inscription carved on his sword that glowed blue. "Seasonal Sword Style, First Season: Spring of Swords!" A thick aura of blooming flowers enveloped the sword as foliage sprouted from the inscription. He dashed forward to meet Zheng Lei's charge.
The two fighters collided in a spectacular display of swordsmanship and qi, their techniques clashing with an intensity that drew gasps from the audience.
The sound of clashing swords echoed as the two fighters moved agilely across the wide dais, both aggressively attacking. Zheng Hai's lightning was his trump card, but the greenish branches extending from Qi Feng's sword successfully blocked it, preventing any damage. The sword, infused with vitality, sprouted more greenish creepers, quickly putting Zheng Hai at a disadvantage.
While Zheng Hai dodged a rapid series of attacks, Qi Feng exploited a weakness and struck from behind with one of the greenish creepers. Zheng Hai was forced to the ground, vomiting blood. The instructor raised his hand, signaling the end of the first challenge.
"Qi Feng wins! The first challenge failed!" the shifty-eyed instructor announced. He tossed the green wooden token back to its previous owner and shouted, "Now, both of you, give a final salute to your opponent and leave the stage. Quickly!"
Qi Feng casually swung his sword, retracting the qi from the inscription. The green foliage disintegrated into fine particles of qi, disappearing into the air. He remarked, "Your family's lightning technique is impressive. Your mistake was choosing the wrong opponent."
Zheng Hai stood up, wiped the blood from his lips with his sleeve, and cupped his palm. "Thanks for the spar, Brother Qi Feng!"
Qi Feng cupped his palm in return and responded, "You too." The two quickly left the stage before the instructors could consider them a nuisance.
Han Xiao observed the match intently and whispered to himself, "Thanks to the System, I have all the necessary cultivation techniques for Dual Cultivation. What I lack is a strong offensive martial technique for combat. That Seasonal Sword Style is impressive. I should visit the library later and choose it as my sword skill." He decided, recognizing the technique's potential.