Chapter 8: Shocking the Sect
The moment Liu Wei's body hit the ground, silence fell over the Heavenly Sword Sect's grand arena.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
They couldn't believe what had just happened.
Jian Feng—the weakest disciple of the sect—had won in a single move.
Even the elder overseeing the match took a moment before announcing, "Jian Feng wins!"
The stunned silence quickly turned into an uproar.
"How is this possible?!"
"Liu Wei is at Foundation Establishment! He didn't even last a second!"
"Was it a trick? Did he use some hidden weapon?"
The spectators couldn't comprehend what they had witnessed. Just days ago, Jian Feng had been a nobody, an insect in the rankings. And now, he had defeated a stronger opponent without even drawing his sword.
Jian Feng, unfazed by the commotion, simply turned and walked off the stage. His expression remained calm, but inside, he was evaluating himself.
Too slow.
His footwork had been a little off, his execution slightly flawed. Against someone like Liu Wei, it didn't matter. But against Xu Tian? That imperfection could cost him everything.
I need to refine my technique further.
As he left the stage, a group of inner disciples watched from the stands, their expressions unreadable.
"That was not luck," one of them muttered. "His movements were too precise."
Another disciple nodded. "He's hiding something. If he keeps advancing, the elders will start paying attention."
Their eyes turned toward the highest seats, where the sect elders sat observing the tournament. Most of them had ignored Jian Feng in the past, dismissing him as a lost cause. But now, a few had begun whispering among themselves.
Could it be… that he was not as useless as they thought?
---
Meanwhile, on the VIP platform, Xu Tian's gaze darkened.
He had seen everything. Unlike the fools below, he knew this wasn't some fluke or trick.
Jian Feng's technique… was dangerous.
The way he moved, the way he struck—it was too refined. Too controlled.
For a moment, Xu Tian felt something he hadn't felt in years.
Discomfort.
And he didn't like it.
A sneer curled his lips. "Interesting."
One of his followers laughed. "It doesn't matter. Liu Wei was never strong to begin with. Jian Feng will get destroyed in the later rounds."
Xu Tian remained silent.
He wasn't so sure.
But if Jian Feng kept winning…
Then he would personally deal with him.
And when that time came—
He would make sure Jian Feng never stood up again.
---
Trivia:
Foundation Establishment Stage (筑基境): The stage where a cultivator begins forming a stable foundation for higher cultivation. Those at this level are considered true cultivators, far stronger than Qi Refinement disciples.
Sect Politics (宗门斗争): In many cultivation sects, strength isn't the only factor for survival. Even talented disciples must navigate politics, as internal factions and rivalries can be just as deadly as external enemies.