The arena fell silent as Lin Jie and Zhao Yun faced each other, their auras clashing like thunderclouds before a storm. The crowd could feel the tension, the stakes of the match palpable in the air. The announcer's voice boomed across the coliseum, introducing the two contestants.
"On one side, we have Zhao Yun, the prodigy of the Cloudblade Sect, renowned for his mastery of swordsmanship and unmatched speed! A cultivator at the Foundation Building realm, he is one of the favorites to win this tournament!"
The audience roared in response, cheering for Zhao Yun, who stood confidently with a longsword strapped to his back, exuding an aura of dominance.
"And on the other side, representing the rising Lin Clan, we have Lin Jie, a talented Beast Tamer from the Qi Refining realm! Will this underdog surprise us all?"
The mention of Lin Jie being from the Lin Clan drew murmurs from the crowd.
"The Lin Clan? Aren't they from one of the weakest cities in the kingdom?"
"How did someone from there even make it this far?"
Zhao Yun smirked at Lin Jie, his confidence unshaken. "You've come far for someone from a no-name clan, but this is where your journey ends. Go back to your weak clan and train for another lifetime."
Lin Jie's grip tightened on the Beast Taming Whip in his hand. His master, Lin Tianyu, had instilled in him a sense of pride and courage. This was his moment to prove that even the weakest clans could produce greatness.
---
The Battle Begins
The announcer shouted, "Begin!"
Zhao Yun unsheathed his sword in a flash, moving with the speed of a hurricane. His first attack came in the form of a Wind Slash, a technique that sent a crescent-shaped blade of wind hurtling toward Lin Jie.
Lin Jie leaped to the side, barely avoiding the attack. His Beast Taming Collar glowed, and with a sharp command, he summoned his Golden-Eyed Wolf, a beast he had trained tirelessly with.
The wolf lunged at Zhao Yun, its claws gleaming with sharp aura energy. Zhao Yun sidestepped the attack with ease, slashing at the beast with his sword. But Lin Jie had anticipated this. With a flick of his whip, he redirected the wolf, narrowly avoiding Zhao Yun's blade.
"You rely too much on your beast," Zhao Yun taunted, charging at Lin Jie directly.
Lin Jie grinned. "And you underestimate it."
The Golden-Eyed Wolf suddenly pounced from behind, its claws scraping against Zhao Yun's armor. Zhao Yun stumbled but recovered quickly, spinning to launch another Wind Slash. This time, the attack struck true, sending the wolf skidding across the arena floor.
Lin Jie grimaced as his bond with the beast transmitted its pain to him. But he didn't panic. He reached into his robe and retrieved a Beast Recovery Pill from the System's Store, tossing it toward the wolf. The beast's wounds began to heal instantly, its golden eyes burning with renewed vigor.
---
Tianyu's Observations
From the stands, Lin Tianyu watched intently. He wasn't concerned about Lin Jie losing the fight. Instead, he was observing Zhao Yun's techniques.
The System chimed in Tianyu's mind.
[System Notification: Zhao Yun is using a mid-tier Earth-grade sword technique, 'Gale Blade Art.' You could purchase it from the store for 1,500 points.]
Tianyu smirked. "Too expensive for now. Let's see if I can learn it just by watching."
The System responded, [Host's confidence is noted. However, mastering an Earth-grade technique by observing it might take years without a foundation. Would you like me to analyze it for you?]
Tianyu nodded. "Do it."
---
Lin Jie's Comeback
Meanwhile, the fight in the arena had reached a fever pitch. Zhao Yun's speed was overwhelming, and Lin Jie was struggling to keep up. Despite his best efforts, his cultivation level in the Qi Refining realm was still a significant disadvantage.
Zhao Yun dashed forward, his sword glowing with wind energy as he activated the second stage of the Gale Blade Art. He slashed at Lin Jie with blinding speed, forcing him to retreat.
Lin Jie's breathing grew heavy. His beast could only do so much. He needed to use everything he had.
"Golden-Eyed Wolf, Full Power!" Lin Jie commanded.
The wolf howled, its aura surging as it unleashed its innate skill, Golden Fang Strike. It charged at Zhao Yun, its speed matching his for the first time.
Zhao Yun was momentarily caught off guard, forced to defend against the wolf's relentless assault. This was Lin Jie's chance. He channeled all his energy into his Beast Taming Whip, the artifact glowing with a faint green light as he activated its skill, Binding Chains.
The whip extended and wrapped around Zhao Yun's sword arm, restraining his movements. The crowd gasped as Lin Jie pulled with all his strength, disarming Zhao Yun and leaving him vulnerable.
Seizing the opportunity, the Golden-Eyed Wolf struck Zhao Yun with a powerful bite, pinning him to the ground. Lin Jie stood over him, his whip crackling with energy.
---
Victory for the Lin Clan
The announcer's voice rang out, "The winner of this match is Lin Jie from the Lin Clan!"
The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and shock. No one had expected a disciple from the weakest clan to defeat one of the tournament's favorites.
Zhao Yun, battered and bruised, glared at Lin Jie as he stood up. "You got lucky," he spat.
Lin Jie shook his head. "Luck had nothing to do with it. Remember this — strength isn't determined by where you come from, but by how hard you fight."
---
After the Match
As Lin Jie returned to the waiting area, Lin Tianyu greeted him with a proud nod. "You did well," Tianyu said.
Lin Jie beamed. "Thank you, Master. I couldn't have done it without your teachings."
Tianyu glanced at the Golden-Eyed Wolf, which was licking its wounds. "Your bond with your beast is impressive. But you still have much to learn."
The System chimed in Tianyu's mind again.
[System Notification: Host's disciple's performance has increased the Lin Clan's reputation. System points awarded: +500.]
Tianyu smiled. "Good. Let's keep this momentum going."