Chapter Thirteen: Alex Xing's Defeat
Daniel had never seen so many people gathered in one place. The arena buzzed with an excited energy, the air thick with anticipation. The participants ranged from young teenagers to elderly men and women, all of them with one thing in common—an eagerness to test their strength. The tournament, which was being held in a large open-air arena near the outskirts of the city, had drawn crowds from all over. The stakes were high, and each cultivator was fighting for the resources that would elevate them to the next level.
Daniel took a deep breath, his heart racing with excitement. He was going to fight in a real tournament for the first time, and his opponent was Alexander Xing, a genius with the Fire Physique. Despite being in the early stages of Bone Forging, Alex's reputation as a talented swordsman preceded him.
The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium, signaling the start of the fight. Daniel stood across from Alex Xing, his grip tightening on the two one-handed swords he had chosen for this battle. Unlike most cultivators who wielded a single weapon, Daniel had found that dual-wielding suited his fluid style of fighting much better.
"Ready?" The referee asked, looking between the two.
Daniel nodded, his expression calm but focused. Alex, on the other hand, smirked, his long sword poised with confidence. The crowd went silent, the tension palpable.
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
Alex immediately lunged forward, his sword slashing in a controlled arc aimed at Daniel's midsection. The force behind the strike was impressive, but Daniel was quicker. He sidestepped with grace, barely dodging the tip of the blade. As Alex attempted a follow-up strike, Daniel responded with a swift counterattack, his left sword darting toward his opponent's exposed side.
Alex blocked with his sword, the metallic clash ringing out through the arena. He smirked, eyes flashing with pride. "Is that all you've got?"
But Daniel wasn't interested in words. He attacked again, his right sword slashing downward in a blur of movement, forcing Alex to retreat. The Fire Physique cultivator was strong, but Daniel's speed and precision with two swords were overwhelming.
Alex Xing gritted his teeth and adjusted his stance. He wasn't going to be beaten so easily. In a flash, he charged forward, unleashing a flurry of strikes, each one more aggressive than the last. Daniel parried each blow with ease, his swords dancing through the air in perfect synchronization. But he could sense Alex's strength growing with every attack.
Alexander Xing's eyes flashed with fiery intensity. He swung his sword in a wide arc, attempting to catch Daniel off-guard, but Daniel was already moving. His right sword sliced through the air, aimed straight for Alex's chest. In a split second, Daniel's blade met Alex's, but instead of a clean cut, a shockwave rippled through the arena. Alex was pushed back by the sheer force, his feet scraping against the ground.
But Alex Xing wasn't done yet. He narrowed his eyes, his sword raised high, preparing for a final, devastating strike. Daniel braced himself, his swords ready to deflect the blow. As Alex brought his sword down with all his might, Daniel's body instinctively reacted. With a graceful pivot, he avoided the strike and spun around, landing behind his opponent.
Before Alex could react, Daniel's left sword struck out, nicking the Fire Physique cultivator's arm. The crowd gasped as the fight paused for a brief moment. Alexander Xing stepped back, a grimace on his face. He was breathing heavily. He had underestimated Daniel's ability to adapt and outmaneuver him.
"Not bad," Alex muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "But I'm not done yet."
Daniel watched his opponent carefully, his two swords held in a relaxed but ready position. "This fight's over."
With a final flurry of attacks, Aelx Xing's exhaustion caught up with him. Daniel sidestepped and used his left sword to disarm Alex, sending the long sword flying from his hand. With a quick motion, Daniel's right sword tapped Alex's shoulder, signaling the end of the match.
The referee stepped forward, declaring Daniel the winner.
Alexander Xing stood silently for a moment before giving Daniel a nod of respect. "I didn't expect you to be this strong. I'll get you next time."
Daniel gave a small smile, his energy still buzzing from the fight. "We'll see."
The crowd erupted into applause as Daniel made his way off the stage. He had won his first tournament fight, but the true challenge was only just beginning. The other participants, especially Jonathan Wei with his massive axe and May Lin with her spear, were still waiting for their turn. Daniel's body hummed with excitement as he prepared for whatever came next.
He hadn't just fought Alexander Xing—he had learned something new about himself. His movements had been instinctive, and he could feel his understanding of swordsmanship deepening with each battle. There was still much to learn, but for the first time, Daniel felt the exhilaration of a cultivator truly starting to realize his potential.
But the tournament was far from over. Jonathan and May Lin would be tougher opponents, and Daniel knew he needed to stay sharp. As the next round approached, he couldn't help but feel eager for what lay ahead.