The air in the Azure Sky Sect buzzed with excitement. The annual Sect Tournament was only a few days away, and the disciples—newcomers and veterans alike—were abuzz with speculation about the upcoming matches. For many, the tournament was more than just a display of skill; it was a chance to rise in the sect's ranks, earn the favor of the elders, and secure rare cultivation resources.
Zhang Wei sat cross-legged in his room, staring at the system interface hovering before him.
Quest: Prove Your Worth
Objective: Place within the top 50 in the Azure Sky Sect Tournament.Reward: Advanced Qi Condensation Manual and Sect Contribution Points.Penalty: Loss of standing within the sect.
He let out a slow breath, his gaze hardening. "Top 50 out of hundreds of disciples. No pressure, right?"
The system's mechanical voice chimed in: Host is advised to focus on refining combat techniques and Qi control. Victory will require more than brute strength.
Zhang Wei nodded. The last few days had been grueling. Between Elder Hua's relentless training sessions and his own cultivation efforts, he felt he'd barely had time to breathe. But the progress he had made was undeniable. His movements were sharper, his Qi control more precise, and his confidence growing.
The faint sound of knocking interrupted his thoughts. Zhang Wei stood, crossing the room to open the door. Lin Xiyu leaned casually against the frame, her arms crossed and a sly smile on her lips.
"You're not hiding in here because you're scared of the tournament, are you?" she teased.
Zhang Wei rolled his eyes. "Not scared. Just… preparing."
"Well, prepare faster," she said. "You're going to need every advantage you can get. The competition will eat you alive if you're not ready."
Zhang Wei smirked. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Lin Xiyu shrugged. "I'm just being honest. But I didn't come here to discourage you. I thought you might want to know about some of your opponents."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
"There are a few disciples you should keep an eye on," she said, stepping inside and closing the door. "People like Feng Jie and Bai Li. They've been in the sect longer and have a lot more experience. They'll be tough to beat."
"Any advice?" Zhang Wei asked, leaning against the wall.
"Feng Jie is all about overwhelming force. He'll come at you hard and fast, so don't try to match him head-on. Bai Li, on the other hand, is tricky. She uses illusions and misdirection, so you'll need to stay sharp."
Zhang Wei nodded, mentally filing away the information. "What about you? Are you competing?"
Lin Xiyu smirked. "I'm not officially part of the sect, remember? But if I were, you'd have no chance against me."
Zhang Wei chuckled. "I'll take that as motivation."
Lin Xiyu pushed off the wall and headed for the door. "Good luck, Zhang Wei. You're going to need it."
The day of the tournament arrived, and the Azure Sky Sect's main courtyard was packed with spectators. Elders sat on elevated platforms, their gazes sharp as they observed the proceedings.
Zhang Wei stood among the competitors, his heart pounding in his chest. The sheer number of disciples was overwhelming. Some exuded confidence, their movements calm and collected, while others looked as nervous as he felt.
Elder Hua stepped forward, her voice carrying across the courtyard. "Disciples, the Sect Tournament is an opportunity to prove your worth. Show us your strength, your skill, and your determination. The rules are simple: defeat your opponent and advance to the next round. The top 50 will be rewarded accordingly."
The crowd erupted in cheers as the matches began. Zhang Wei watched as the first pairs stepped into the arena, their battles fierce and unrelenting.
When his name was called, Zhang Wei took a deep breath and stepped into the ring. His opponent was a tall, broad-shouldered man who looked like he had been born to fight. The man sneered at him, his confidence palpable.
"You're the newcomer everyone's talking about?" the man said, his tone mocking. "This'll be quick."
Zhang Wei didn't respond. He raised his spear, his stance steady.
"Begin!" Elder Hua's voice rang out.
The man charged, his fists glowing with Qi. Zhang Wei sidestepped the first punch, his spear darting forward to strike the man's side. The blow connected, but the man barely flinched.
"You'll have to do better than that!" the man roared, swinging his arm toward Zhang Wei.
Zhang Wei ducked, his movements fluid. He struck again, this time aiming for the man's legs. The spear hit its mark, and the man stumbled, his balance faltering.
Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Wei surged forward, using the butt of his spear to strike the man's chest. The force of the blow sent him sprawling to the ground.
"Winner: Zhang Wei!" Elder Hua announced, her tone neutral but her gaze lingering on him for a moment.
Zhang Wei exhaled, relief flooding through him as the crowd erupted in cheers and murmurs. He helped his opponent to his feet, earning a grudging nod of respect.
The tournament progressed, each round more challenging than the last. Zhang Wei faced opponents with varying techniques—some relied on brute strength, while others used cunning and precision. Each battle pushed him to his limits, forcing him to adapt and grow.
By the time the final round approached, Zhang Wei found himself standing among the top 50 competitors. His body ached, and his Qi reserves were nearly depleted, but his determination burned brighter than ever.
"Zhang Wei," Elder Hua called, gesturing for him to step forward. "Your final match is against Bai Li."
Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed as he stepped into the ring. Bai Li was already waiting, her delicate features betraying no emotion. She carried no weapon, her hands resting calmly at her sides.
"You've done well to make it this far," Bai Li said, her voice soft but laced with confidence. "But this is where your journey ends."
"We'll see about that," Zhang Wei replied, gripping his spear tightly.
"Begin!"
Bai Li moved with blinding speed, her form flickering like a mirage. Zhang Wei swung his spear, but it passed harmlessly through her image.
"An illusion?" he muttered, his eyes darting around the arena.
Bai Li's laughter echoed, seemingly coming from all directions. "You'll have to do better than that."
Zhang Wei closed his eyes briefly, focusing on his senses. He felt the faint ripple of Qi behind him and spun around, his spear slicing through the air. The tip grazed Bai Li's arm, and her illusion shattered, revealing her true form.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Not bad," she admitted, her tone grudging.
Zhang Wei pressed the attack, his movements precise and relentless. Bai Li countered with a flurry of Qi-enhanced strikes, forcing him to stay on the defensive. The battle was fierce, their energies clashing in bursts of light and sound.
In a final desperate move, Zhang Wei feinted to the left before thrusting his spear toward her chest. The strike connected, and Bai Li staggered back, her Qi dispersing.
"Winner: Zhang Wei!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as Zhang Wei lowered his spear, his chest heaving. Bai Li gave him a small nod of respect before leaving the ring.
Elder Hua stepped forward, her gaze approving. "You have done well, Zhang Wei. Welcome to the upper ranks of the Azure Sky Sect."
Zhang Wei bowed, his heart swelling with pride. The tournament had tested him in ways he hadn't imagined, but he had proven himself.
As he left the arena, the system's voice rang in his mind: Quest complete. Rewarding Advanced Qi Condensation Manual and Sect Contribution Points.
Zhang Wei smiled. This was only the beginning.