Yan Ru rose gracefully from her seat, brushing her robe lightly as she turned toward Yan Zi. A calm smile adorned her face. "It's my turn now," she said softly, her tone carrying both determination and anticipation.
Yan Zi looked at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before softening into a faint smile. "All the best," he said, nodding. "Show them what you've got."
Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly, but she quickly composed herself. With a nod, she ascended the stage, her steps steady and filled with quiet confidence.
Zhang Kong, already standing in the center, gave her an appraising look. Towering over her, his broad shoulders and fiery aura made him an imposing figure. He cracked his knuckles with a smirk, his tone dripping with condescension. "Little girl, do your best. Don't disappoint me. I'd hate to make this too quick."
Yan Ru's gaze remained steady, her lips curving into a slight smile. "Don't worry, I don't plan to."
From the sidelines, Elder Gaung, Yan Ru's father and the First Elder, watched intently. His sharp eyes followed her every move, pride flickering across his stern face. "Hmph," he muttered under his breath, crossing his arms. "That boy underestimates her. He'll regret that soon enough."
"Elder Gaung, confident in your daughter?" Elder Gong teased, leaning closer.
Elder Gaung shot him a glare but didn't answer directly. "We'll see soon enough," he said curtly, though the slight smirk tugging at his lips betrayed his faith in Yan Ru.
The referee raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent, holding their breath. "Begin!"
Zhang Kong wasted no time. With a burst of fiery energy, he lunged forward, his fist glowing with a blazing aura. The force of his punch created a sharp gust of wind as it surged toward Yan Ru.
Yan Ru stepped to the side, her movements as fluid as flowing water, avoiding his attack by a hair's breadth. Her sword gleamed as she unsheathed it in one smooth motion, retaliating with a quick slash.
Clang!
Their attacks met, sparks flying as steel collided with Zhang Kong's fiery aura. The impact pushed Yan Ru back a few steps, but her stance remained firm.
"Tsk," Zhang Kong sneered, shaking his hand slightly. "Not bad, little girl, but you'll have to do better than that."
Yan Ru didn't reply. Instead, she adjusted her grip on her sword, her eyes narrowing as she activated her first skill.
"Moon Flower Sword!"
Her blade began to shimmer with a pale, ethereal light, resembling the moon's glow on a quiet night. As she moved, the light seemed to ripple like water, creating an illusion of cascading petals. She lunged forward, her strikes fast and precise, each swing carrying a graceful yet deadly intent.
Zhang Kong grunted as her blade grazed his arm, leaving a shallow cut. He glanced at the wound, his smirk faltering for the first time.
From the sidelines, Elder Gaung couldn't hide his satisfaction. "See that? She's only just warming up," he said, a trace of smugness in his voice.
Zhang Kong, however, wasn't so easily shaken. With a roar, he activated a defensive skill that enveloped him in a fiery shield. "You've got some tricks," he admitted, his tone tinged with annoyance, "but let's see how you handle this!"
He charged at her again, his fiery shield flaring as he unleashed a series of powerful punches. Yan Ru danced around him, her movements precise and fluid, her blade flickering like a silver flame.
"Too slow," she murmured, dodging another punch.
But Zhang Kong wasn't entirely outmatched. His superior cultivation gave him an edge in strength and speed. With a sudden burst of energy, he broke through her defenses, forcing her to retreat.
"Hmph," Elder Gaung muttered, his brow furrowing slightly. "She'll need to push harder."
Yan Ru took a deep breath, her gaze sharpening as she raised her sword again. With a soft chant, she activated her next skill.
"Flower Petals Storm!"
A whirlwind of glowing flower petals erupted around her, spinning with deadly precision. The petals slashed at Zhang Kong's fiery shield, breaking it apart with surprising ease.
"What?!" Zhang Kong growled, swiping at the petals with his fists. But they danced around him, cutting shallow wounds across his arms and torso.
The crowd erupted in cheers, marveling at Yan Ru's control.
Yan Zi watched from the sidelines, his expression thoughtful. Moon Flower Sword, Flower Petals Storm... Yan Ru's skills are truly elegant. But still, they lack the overwhelming power to match Zhang Kong's strength directly.
Zhang Kong, bleeding but not defeated, roared again. Gathering his energy, he formed a massive fireball in his hands, hurling it toward Yan Ru with all his might.
The ground shook as the fiery mass surged forward. The audience gasped, many leaning forward in their seats.
Yan Ru stood her ground, her sword glowing brighter as she activated her final skill.
"Blossom Sky Covers!"
A radiant dome of shimmering blossoms erupted around her, creating a barrier that absorbed the fireball's impact. The flames dissipated harmlessly, leaving her unharmed.
Zhang Kong staggered back, disbelief written all over his face. "What… How did you—?"
Yan Ru didn't give him time to recover. With a burst of speed, she closed the distance between them, her sword stopping just inches from his neck.
Zhang Kong froze, his chest rising and falling heavily as he glared at her. For a moment, the stage was silent. Then, the crowd erupted into applause.
Elder Gaung smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Not bad, huh?" he said, casting a sidelong glance at Elder Gong.
Elder Gong chuckled. "Alright, alright. She's impressive. But let's see how long she can keep that streak."
Yan Ru lowered her sword, her breathing steady despite the strain. As Yan Ru descended gracefully from the stage, her smile seemed to light up the entire clan arena. But her smile wasn't directed at just anyone—it was unmistakably aimed at Yan Zi. The boy stood leaning against a wooden pillar, his arms crossed, his usual calm demeanor unchanged. He noticed her gaze and gave her a subtle nod, a faint but sincere smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Elder Gaung, seated in the dignitaries' section, immediately caught this exchange. At first, he squinted, trying to determine if what he saw was real. When Yan Ru's eyes lingered just a bit too long on Yan Zi, his face froze. His brow furrowed, and his lips parted slightly in disbelief.
"She's smiling at him?" Elder Gaung muttered under his breath, leaning forward. "Of all people, him?"
Elder Gong, seated beside him, was quick to pick up on his mood. A sly grin crept onto his face. "What's wrong, Gaung? Your daughter just won a match. Shouldn't you be happy?"
Elder Gaung didn't even look at him. "Happy? Smiling is fine. I don't mind her smiling. But that trash? Yan Zi?" He almost spat the name like it left a bad taste in his mouth. "She's smiling at him? That boy who can't even cultivate? The second elder's useless son? What could she possibly see in him?"
Elder Gong nearly burst out laughing, barely managing to cover his mouth. "Gaung, come on. You're overreacting. He's not that bad. He seems...polite."
"Polite?" Elder Gaung scoffed, his voice rising. "Polite doesn't cut it! Look at him!" He gestured towards Yan Zi, who was now looking back at the stage, completely oblivious to the older man's outrage. "Standing there like he owns the place, nodding like he's some kind of supreme expert! What's he nodding for? He didn't do anything!"
Elder Gong leaned back, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Well, he does have a certain...mystique. Girls like that."
"Mystique?" Elder Gaung snapped, his voice almost a growl. "Mystique doesn't win battles! Mystique doesn't bring glory to the clan! Mystique doesn't—"
"—smile back at your daughter?" Elder Gong finished, his tone dripping with mischief.
Elder Gaung's face darkened further. "I swear, Gong, if you keep talking, I'll—" He stopped mid-sentence, clenching his fists. "You know what? Forget it. I'll deal with this later. This...this phase of hers won't last."
Elder Gong chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "A phase, huh? You better hope it's just a phase. Because from where I'm sitting, that smile wasn't just friendly." He leaned closer and whispered, "It was the kind of smile that says, 'I think you're amazing.'"
Elder Gaung's eye twitched violently. "Amazing?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. "Amazing at what? Standing there looking clueless? Drinking tea? Being a waste of talent?" He leaned back with a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. "This is ridiculous. My daughter—my daughter—smiling at him."
Elder Gong couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. "Oh, this is priceless! Gaung, you're acting like she just announced their wedding."
Gaung glared at him. "Don't even joke about that, Gong. Don't you dare." He sighed deeply and muttered, "First chance I get, I'm having a serious talk with her. And as for him..." His eyes locked onto Yan Zi, who was now quietly watching the next match begin. "He better not think this smile means anything. Not under my watch."
Elder Gong wiped a tear of laughter from his eye. "You know, the more you act like this, the more entertaining it gets. Maybe I'll ask Yan Ru myself what she thinks of that 'trash.'"
Elder Gaung shot him a murderous look. "Gong, I'm warning you."
"Oh, relax," Elder Gong said with a dismissive wave. "She's just a girl admiring a boy. And besides..." He smirked. "He is the second elder's son. That makes him clan blood, no matter what you say."
"Tsk!" Elder Gaung clicked his tongue, crossing his arms. "I'd rather see her admire a rock. At least rocks are sturdy."
Elder Gong laughed so hard he nearly fell off his seat, leaving Elder Gaung to stew in his frustration. Meanwhile, Yan Ru, still glowing with her post-battle confidence, glanced back at Yan Zi once more, her cheeks flushing slightly. And Yan Zi, entirely unaware of the chaos he was causing, simply nodded again, deep in thought.
Elder Gaung's eye twitched again. This was going to be a long day.