Chapter Twelve: The Tournament Begins
The day of the tournament arrived, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. The Sūn Family had traveled to a grand arena located just outside the city, nestled within a large compound. Spectators from all over the region had gathered, eager to witness the first major competition since qi had returned to Earth. This tournament was about more than just showcasing strength; it was a fight for resources, cultivation techniques, and prestige.
Daniel and Lily arrived early, taking in the vastness of the arena, which was filled with bustling crowds. Martial artists of all ages were there to compete, from young teens to older cultivators well into their twilight years. It was clear that age meant little in the cultivation world; every single one of them had begun cultivating at the same time when qi returned.
"I hope you're prepared for this," Lily remarked as she glanced over at Daniel. "There are some strong contenders here."
Daniel nodded, his eyes scanning the arena. Although most of the competitors were in the mid Skin Refining realm, a few early Bone Forging realms stood out—particularly one young man in his mid-teens. Despite his age, his posture was confident, and his movements exuded a sense of control. He wore an air of quiet strength, and Daniel couldn't help but watch him closely.
"That's Alexander Xing," Lily said, noticing where Daniel's gaze had landed. "He has a rare heart resonance with qi, the Fire Physique. Right now, it's not much, but in the future, it will set him apart from others."
Daniel furrowed his brow. "Does that mean he's already stronger than most of us?"
Lily shrugged. "Not yet. His qi resonance with his heart hasn't fully manifested in his cultivation. But it will—eventually. For now, though, his cultivation is no different from the others."
Lilly pointed out two other cultivators, one of which was in his forties and had a foul, domineering expression that seemed to look down on everything. She said his name was Jonathan Wei and the other, a young girl, May Lin.
The bell rang, signaling the start of the tournament. Daniel's heart quickened as the first round began. The participants were divided into several groups, and the fights commenced.
Daniel watched intently as the early matches unfolded. He observed each combatant carefully, studying their techniques, the way they moved, and how they utilized their cultivation. Some relied on brute strength, while others used more tactical methods, attempting to outmaneuver their opponents. There were no auras, no visible manifestations of qi—only pure strength and technique.
He was particularly interested in how the Bone Forging cultivators had used external aids—herbs and artifacts—to enhance their power quickly. Daniel didn't have that luxury. His progress had been entirely self-made, the result of his own cultivation. As he thought, he realized that his foundation would be much stronger in the long run as a result of this.
Lily, as expected, made quick work of her opponents, her speed and skill in combat unmatched. Her sword moved like a blur, and she seemed to barely break a sweat as she took down each of her adversaries.
Daniel, too, won all his matches, his movements becoming fluid as he adapted to the style of combat. Despite the lack of sword skill or refined techniques, his higher cultivation realm allowed him to overcome his opponents.
After the first few rounds, Daniel felt a shift inside him—he was beginning to understand the true nature of combat. It wasn't just about strength; it was about finesse, strategy, and anticipating the movements of others. His observations allowed him to refine his understanding of his own abilities.
As the first section of rounds ended and the participants were allowed to rest, Daniel couldn't help but feel more confident. He had come to realize that although others may have external tools to boost their strength, his foundation would make him stand out.