Strong winds blew sand toward a vast and prosperous city that rose toward the clouds.
Through the sand clouds, an old man in a black cloak walked, accompanied by a young man with black hair and a gray cloak.
Looking at the old man, the young man asked, "So, this is the city of combat you told me about, master?"
The young man's name was Lucius. His eyes shone with motivation as he gazed at the imposing gates before him.
Without looking at Lucius, the old man smiled and asked, "What is it, boy? Are you scared? Hahahah! Don't worry. Those trained by me will be like fish in the turbulent waters of this city." The old man laughed loudly.
Turning his gaze to the old man's back, Lucius said, "So it's a farewell, isn't it?" His eyes reflected the memories of the last three years.
Looking at the enormous city before them, the old man said, "What did you expect? That this poor old man would carry you through life? It's time to learn to walk on your own! One step at a time. In this world, if you don't have strength, you don't have a voice. True strength can only be gained by building your own path! So go, and don't make me lose face." The old man turned, his cloak billowing in the wind. His eyes fixed on the young man – pride, confidence, and expectation all contained in his golden eyes.
With a look full of renewed determination, Lucius asked, "Will I see you again?"
Turning back the way he came, the old man paused as he passed Lucius and said, "It will depend on you. Farewell." With a few steps, he disappeared into the breeze, as if he were a shadow dissolving into the air.
Without turning, Lucius murmured, "Goodbye, master. Your disciple will not disappoint you." Straightening his posture, Lucius firmed his step and walked toward the city gates. His goal was clear: the Tournament of Power.
Organized by the major academies of the continent, the Tournament of Power was not just a competition. It was the selection of the greatest geniuses, those destined to become pillars of humanity, leaders, and heroes of the new era. And Lucius was ready to prove his worth.
As Lucius organized his thoughts, a cloud of dust rose toward him.
Suddenly, a cloud of dust was accompanied by a cheerful voice: "Hey, young man! Today is your lucky day. I have a legendary sword. But honestly, I'm not a warrior. How about you take it? It's only a thousand silver coins. What do you say?" When the dust cloud dissipated, it revealed a man with a long nose, holding a golden sword adorned with intricate carvings and glowing runes.
Before Lucius could respond, a sharp laugh echoed from a nearby group: "Do you really think he can afford this? Just look at his clothes! Hahahaha! If you're trying to fool someone, choose someone less miserable!" The sarcastic voice belonged to a young bald man, with an arrogant posture, a spear hanging from his back.
Lucius calmly looked at the long-nosed man and then at the bald young man. With a sigh of disinterest, he turned and continued his walk toward the city gates.
The long-nosed man shook his head in resignation and moved away to try selling the sword elsewhere. The bald young man, offended by the indifference, narrowed his eyes. His thoughts boiled with rage: "Who does this bastard think he is to ignore me? I, the greatest genius of the Li family!"
With a cold smile, he shouted, "Hey, you there! Stop right now and come here!"
Lucius paused for a moment, but after a few seconds, he resumed his walk without even looking back.
"You...!" The bald man gritted his teeth, unable to contain his fury. "Guards! Capture this brat for me!"
Three armed guards with swords came out from the side of the young man and quickly advanced, surrounding Lucius. One of them stepped forward, his voice laden with authority.
"You shouldn't have offended young master Li, boy. If you kneel and beg for forgiveness, maybe your life will be spared."
The three guards had wolf-like gazes directed at their prey.
Lucius raised his eyes, cold as ice, locking onto the guard who had spoken.
"Twice I ignored," he said, his voice low but filled with threat.
Sensing that things were going wrong, the guard hesitated for a moment, but another intervened, trying to intimidate him:
"Stop the nonsense. Kneel or die!? No third option."
Lucius briefly closed his eyes as if recalling something.
Now I understand, master... You were right. On this stage, those who speak are the strong.
When he opened them, a fierce light flashed across his irises.
"That concentration!" A young woman murmured in the midst of the group.
In a fluid movement almost impossible to follow, Lucius advanced like a shadow, appearing beside the guard who had threatened him. In a single motion, he took the guard's sword. Before the guard could react, Lucius spun, placing the sword at his throat.
Sighs came from the group of young people. Most of them hadn't even noticed Lucius move before the sword appeared at the guard's throat.
"You—"
"Silence!" With a roar, Lucius interrupted the guard.
"Kneel? Kill me? You can't even hold a sword properly! Stop dreaming!" Lucius' voice rang with fury throughout the area.
He had already regretted his actions; these guards were utterly useless. But if he had let them continue... who knew how far they would have gone in their madness. And how much time he would waste with it.
The guard froze, fear overtaking his face.
"Do you dare resist? Do you know who we represent?" His voice trembled, no longer full of confidence.
Lucius twisted his lips in disgust. Deciding not to waste any more time with this kind of trash, he ignored the words and, with a cold, disdainful voice, said:
"Get out of my way... your life is so insignificant that the wind could carry it away!"
With that, he threw the sword to the ground and walked through the guards as if they were just particles of dust in the wind.
"Hahahaha!"
"These guards are really something, Li Fan! True protectors of the General's Mansion!"
A young man stood out from the group. With his floral blue cloak and a feathered fan in hand, he was the very definition of a "silk pants" type.
He seemed very pleased to fan the flames in Li Fan's face.
Li Fan's square face turned red with anger. Roaring, he said, "What are you looking at?! The humiliation burning on his skin. "If you don't drag that brat here, you can start preparing your own graves! Did you hear me?!"
His voice thundered in the guards' ears.
Stunned and ashamed, the guards looked at each other, unsure of what to do. If they attacked, they would surely die. If they didn't attack, their young master would definitely kill them.
It seemed like a dead end.
Looking at Lucius' back, the guards began to sweat.
"Who's causing a stir here?" The voice echoed from inside the city gates, spreading through the surroundings like a celestial command.
Everyone except the gate guards felt as though a pair of eyes had passed over them, freezing them in fear.
They didn't even dare to breathe.
One of the gate guards turned to a high point within the city and said, "Reporting: it's a group of arrogant guards." His voice exuding contempt for the young bald man's guards.
As soon as the guard's voice sounded, the Li family guards turned pale. It was as if an invisible hand was strangling them, robbing them of control over their own lives.
"Life can be long or short, it all depends on you, understand!?" The voice resounded again, with a calmness that only intensified the weight of its presence.
"Forgive me... don't kill me."
One of the guards begged. The same one who had had his sword stolen by Lucius.
Lucius, although unafraid, felt small before that power. A thought rooted itself in his mind: "When will I be able to possess power like that?"
"Hahahaha! Li Fan, don't you think you should call your guards back?" The silky voice sounded again, laden with sarcasm.
"Mo Li...?!" "You...?!"
Pah! Li Fan, unable to bear the humiliation, spat blood from his mouth before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
The guards didn't even see their young master faint. They were more concerned with their own fate. Their bodies didn't obey them. They couldn't even breathe. The way things were going, they would die soon.
"Zao Lian, since when do you deal with ants!?" A different voice came from inside the city, full of provocation.
"Tsk...! Always defending your own, huh, Li Feng?" Zao Lian finished, his presence disappearing.
"Useless!"
Most people thought the voice referred to Zao Lian. But when they saw Li Fan rise as if shocked, they understood.
Finally free, the guards collapsed to the ground, their bodies trembling as sweat poured down.
They didn't even know who to thank for regaining control of their lives. But just to be safe, they chose to recover in silence.
"Tsk...! Bunch of idiots! I'll go ahead before you drag me down with you." A young woman in black said, stepping away from the group toward the city gates.
"Wait, Kayena! I'll go with you!" exclaimed another young woman, wearing a white dress, running after her.
As she passed Lucius, the girl in white gave him a discreet thumbs-up, acknowledging his posture, before continuing ahead.
Lucius snapped out of his thoughts and hurried toward the gates, determined not to be dragged down by the troublemakers around him.