The sparring grounds of the Azure Sun Sect were alive with tension as disciples gathered to witness the unfolding challenge. Shen Wei stood proudly at the center of the arena, his fiery aura radiating confidence. Behind him, a group of core disciples watched with smug expressions, convinced that their fellow core disciple's victory was inevitable.
The crowd buzzed with excitement as more disciples arrived, eager to see the spectacle.
"Shen Wei's already at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm," a disciple marveled. "He's breaking through realms faster than anyone his age."
"It's not surprising," another said. "He's one of the sect's prodigies. But why would he waste his time challenging an outer disciple like Makoto?"
"Probably to make an example out of him. Makoto dared to challenge Shen Wei's authority with his words earlier," one whispered, glancing nervously at Shen Wei.
Makoto stood at the edge of the arena, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture relaxed yet poised. His calm demeanor in the face of Shen Wei's overwhelming aura was enough to draw the crowd's attention.
"Does he not realize who he's up against?" someone scoffed.
"Makoto's just an outer disciple. He might've improved recently, but he's no match for Shen Wei," another chimed in, their tone dripping with disdain.
Shen Wei smirked, his gaze fixed on Makoto. "Outer disciple," he called mockingly, "are you going to stand there all day, or do you have the guts to face me?"
The elder overseeing the challenge stepped forward, his stern expression silencing the murmurs of the crowd. "Before we begin, both participants must reveal their cultivation bases."
Shen Wei's smirk widened as he released his qi. A blazing fiery aura surrounded him, its heat distorting the air and forcing nearby disciples to step back. The oppressive energy filled the arena, making the less experienced disciples tremble.
"Peak Foundation Establishment Realm!" someone exclaimed in awe.
"Shen Wei is already nearing the Core Formation Realm!"
"No wonder he's so arrogant. With that cultivation, he's practically untouchable among the younger generation," another disciple said, their voice tinged with admiration and envy.
The elder turned to Makoto. "Your turn."
Makoto didn't respond immediately. He simply closed his eyes for a moment before releasing his qi. A silvery aura enveloped him, calm yet profound, like the tranquil surface of a deep lake.
The crowd fell silent as the energy spread through the arena.
"Mid Foundation Establishment Realm?" one disciple muttered in disbelief.
"How is that possible? He's just an outer disciple!"
"He must be using an artifact to disguise his true cultivation," another said skeptically.
"No, he probably took drugs to forcibly increase his cultivation. It's the only explanation," a voice whispered, laced with disdain.
Shen Wei's smirk faltered for a brief moment before returning. "Impressive for an outer disciple," he said mockingly, "but cultivation isn't everything. Let's see if your skills match your inflated ego."
The elder raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. "Begin!"
Shen Wei moved first, launching himself at Makoto with explosive speed. His fist, enveloped in fiery qi, shot forward with the force of a blazing comet.
Makoto didn't move. His calm gaze followed Shen Wei's approach, and just as the attack was about to connect, he shifted slightly, letting the strike pass by harmlessly.
The crowd gasped.
"He dodged it so effortlessly!"
Shen Wei snarled, his frustration evident. He unleashed a flurry of attacks, his fists and legs glowing with fiery energy as he struck at Makoto from every angle.
Makoto weaved through the onslaught with uncanny precision, his movements fluid and calculated. To the untrained eye, it seemed as though he was barely trying, but to the more experienced cultivators, it was clear that Makoto was analyzing Shen Wei's every move.
"Is he... predicting Shen Wei's attacks?" one disciple whispered in disbelief.
"That's impossible. Shen Wei's speed and technique are among the best in the sect."
Shen Wei leaped back, his frustration mounting as he gathered his qi. With a sharp motion, he unleashed a wave of fire that roared toward Makoto like a ferocious beast.
Makoto raised a single hand, and a shimmering barrier of silvery qi formed before him. The flames crashed against the barrier, dissipating harmlessly.
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
"He neutralized the attack so easily!"
"That technique… It's not something a mere outer disciple should be capable of."
Determined to reclaim his dignity, Shen Wei activated his core technique. The ground trembled as fiery tendrils of qi spiraled around him, coalescing into the form of a massive serpent. Its glowing eyes locked onto Makoto, and its presence filled the arena with oppressive heat.
"The Flame Serpent Technique!" someone exclaimed. "That's Shen Wei's strongest move. No one has ever lasted against it!"
The serpent lunged at Makoto with terrifying speed, its jaws snapping shut with enough force to send shockwaves rippling through the ground.
Makoto's gaze sharpened as he stepped forward, his silvery aura intensifying. With a precise strike, he aimed at the serpent's core, dispersing the flames in an instant.
The crowd was stunned into silence.
"He… he neutralized the Flame Serpent?"
"That's not possible! Only someone with perfect qi control could do that!"
Makoto took a step forward, his movements calm and deliberate. Shen Wei launched another barrage of attacks, pouring all his strength into each strike.
This time, Makoto didn't dodge. He met each attack head-on, deflecting Shen Wei's blows with precise movements that seemed almost effortless.
"You rely too much on brute strength," Makoto said, his tone calm. "Power without control is wasted effort."
Shen Wei's frustration boiled over as he roared, his fiery qi flaring dangerously. "Stop lecturing me!"
Makoto's eyes narrowed as he seized an opening. With a swift, calculated strike, he sent Shen Wei stumbling backward, his balance momentarily lost.
Shen Wei gathered the last of his strength, channeling his qi into a final, desperate attack. He lunged at Makoto, his fist glowing with fiery energy as he aimed a decisive blow.
Makoto met the attack head-on, his silvery aura clashing with Shen Wei's fiery qi. The resulting shockwave shook the arena, forcing the crowd to shield themselves.
When the dust settled, Shen Wei was on the ground, his qi depleted and his expression one of disbelief. Makoto stood above him, his calm demeanor unbroken.
The elder overseeing the match raised his hand. "The winner is Makoto."
The crowd erupted into chaos, their earlier doubts giving way to astonishment and speculation.
"He beat Shen Wei?"
"There's no way he's just a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator. He must be hiding something!"
"No, it's probably drugs. His cultivation will collapse soon enough."
Yuna pushed through the crowd, her expression a mix of relief and pride. "Makoto," she said softly, "what were you thinking?"
Makoto glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Sometimes, actions speak louder than words."
As the crowd continued to buzz with speculation, Makoto turned and walked away, leaving the sparring grounds behind. His victory had sent shockwaves through the sect, but he knew this was only the beginning.
Deep down, he couldn't help but smirk. Let them doubt. Let them speculate. None of it mattered.
He was playing the long game, and the pieces were finally falling into place.