The air around the courtyard crackled with tension. Disciples crowded the edges of the training grounds, eager to witness the highly anticipated duel. Wei Liang stood at the center, gripping the hilt of his practice sword tightly. Across from him, Lin Ziyan smirked, radiating confidence as his pristine blade gleamed under the noon sun.
Jin Yue, the overseeing inner disciple, raised a hand to silence the murmuring crowd. "This is a formal duel between outer disciples Wei Liang and Lin Ziyan. Standard sparring rules apply—no lethal strikes, and the match ends when one combatant yields or is incapacitated. Ready your stances."
Wei Liang inhaled deeply, steadying his nerves. The memory of his training over the past few days flickered in his mind—Elder Lin's guidance, Zhang Fei's precision tips, Han Xun's defensive techniques, and his own relentless practice.
[Reminder: Hidden Trial Benefits Active. Qi Circulation Efficiency Enhanced by 20%.]
Lin Ziyan's smirk widened as he raised his blade. "This won't take long."
"Begin!" Jin Yue shouted, and the duel commenced.
---
The Opening Strikes
Lin Ziyan struck first, his movements fluid and precise. His blade whistled through the air, forcing Wei Liang to block with all his strength. The impact sent vibrations up his arm, but he managed to stay steady.
Wei Liang retaliated with a quick thrust, aiming for Lin Ziyan's shoulder. The older boy sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a diagonal slash. Wei Liang ducked, the blade narrowly missing his head, and pivoted to deliver a horizontal strike.
The clash of swords echoed through the courtyard, drawing gasps from the onlookers. Wei Liang's movements were sharper and more calculated than many had expected, and for a moment, it seemed like the two were evenly matched.
Lin Ziyan's brow furrowed slightly as he parried another strike. "You've improved," he admitted, his tone begrudging. "But it won't be enough."
---
The Shift in Momentum
Lin Ziyan's attacks became more aggressive, his blade glowing faintly as he began channeling Qi into his strikes. Wei Liang gritted his teeth, struggling to keep up with the increased pace. Each clash drained his stamina, and the gap in their cultivation levels became painfully clear.
He tried to steady himself, recalling Elder Lin's advice about endurance. As Lin Ziyan lunged again, Wei Liang sidestepped and slashed at his opponent's exposed side. The strike landed—a shallow cut, but enough to draw gasps from the crowd.
Lin Ziyan hissed in annoyance, his expression darkening. "Lucky shot," he growled, his Qi flaring.
Wei Liang barely had time to react before Lin Ziyan unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one faster and more powerful than the last. Wei Liang blocked and dodged as best he could, but the relentless assault began to wear him down.
---
A Glimmer of Hope
As Lin Ziyan pressed his advantage, Wei Liang saw an opening. When his opponent swung high, Wei Liang ducked and countered with a Qi-infused strike aimed at Lin Ziyan's chest.
The blow connected, sending Lin Ziyan stumbling back. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Wei Liang's confidence surged. He pressed forward, aiming to capitalize on the momentum.
But Lin Ziyan recovered quickly, his smirk returning. "Not bad," he said, his tone icy. "Let's see how you handle this."
He raised his blade, and a surge of golden Qi erupted around him. The sheer pressure made Wei Liang's movements falter for a split second—just enough for Lin Ziyan to regain control.
---
The Turning Point
Lin Ziyan's next strike was precise and devastating. His blade arced downward, and though Wei Liang managed to block, the force sent him skidding backward. His feet dug into the dirt as he struggled to maintain balance.
Lin Ziyan didn't let up. He moved with the confidence of someone who knew they had already won, each strike pushing Wei Liang closer to the edge of the courtyard.
Wei Liang's breathing grew labored. His limbs felt heavy, and his Qi reserves were nearly depleted. He tried to focus, recalling the enhanced Qi circulation technique from the hidden trial, but it wasn't enough to close the gap between them.
---
The Final Exchange
Lin Ziyan feinted to the left before spinning and delivering a powerful horizontal slash. Wei Liang ducked at the last second, his instincts honed by days of sparring. He retaliated with an upward strike, his blade grazing Lin Ziyan's shoulder.
For a brief moment, Wei Liang thought he had turned the tide. But Lin Ziyan capitalized on his overextension, stepping inside his guard and delivering a swift, controlled strike to Wei Liang's ribs. The blow wasn't lethal, but it sent Wei Liang sprawling to the ground.
He tried to rise, his sword trembling in his grip, but his body refused to obey. Lin Ziyan stood over him, his blade pointed at Wei Liang's throat.
"Yield," Lin Ziyan said, his tone firm but devoid of malice.
Wei Liang hesitated, his pride warring with his exhaustion. Finally, he lowered his blade. "I yield."
---
The courtyard erupted into mixed reactions. Some disciples cheered for Lin Ziyan, while others murmured in surprise at how long Wei Liang had lasted. Jin Yue stepped forward, raising a hand for silence.
"The duel is over," he announced. "Lin Ziyan is the victor. However…" He glanced at Wei Liang, his expression thoughtful. "Wei Liang's performance was impressive. Few outer disciples could stand against Lin Ziyan for so long. You have shown great potential."
Lin Ziyan sheathed his blade, offering Wei Liang a brief nod. "You fought well," he said, his usual arrogance tempered by a hint of respect.
Wei Liang met his gaze, his exhaustion mingling with determination. "Next time, it'll be different."
Lin Ziyan smirked faintly before turning to leave, his entourage trailing behind him.
---
Later that evening, Wei Liang sat with Zhang Fei and Han Xun beneath the old tree near the dormitories. Han Xun handed him a steaming bowl of soup, his expression unusually serious.
"You lasted longer than anyone expected," Han said. "Don't beat yourself up about it."
Wei Liang managed a faint smile. "I'm not. Losing showed me how far I still have to go. But it also showed me that I can get there."
Zhang Fei nodded. "Lin Ziyan is strong, but he's not invincible. You're already closing the gap. Give it time."
Wei Liang stared at the sky, the stars above shimmering like distant flames. The duel had been a setback, but it wasn't the end. If anything, it was a reminder of why he couldn't stop pushing forward.
He clenched his fists, the memory of Lin Ziyan's blade still fresh in his mind.
One day, he would win. Not just against Lin Ziyan, but against every challenge this world threw at him.