Morning light spilled over the Embercloud Sect as the sun rose behind the nine great peaks. Mist lingered along the valleys, curling around stone steps and bamboo groves. The air was filled with the quiet energy of expectation. Today was the day of the Outer Disciple Tournament, the event every new disciple had been preparing for since the day they arrived.
The central plaza had been transformed into a wide dueling arena. Outer disciples, instructors, and even some inner disciples gathered in droves. Colorful banners waved overhead, each bearing the sigil of one of the nine peaks. The faint smell of incense drifted through the air, adding a sense of ceremony to the occasion.
Among the crowd stood Li Yao, his hands folded behind his back, his eyes focused. He had spent every spare moment refining his control over Crimson Cleave and deepening his qi threads. While confident, he knew that the competition wouldn't be easy.
The ringing of the sect bell silenced the growing murmurs. A long, deep tone echoed across the plaza as all eyes turned to the skies. From above, a group of powerful figures descended, each radiating strength and presence that made even senior disciples straighten their backs.
At their head was Sect Leader Yu Zhen, dressed in white and gold robes, his long beard and calm eyes giving him an air of quiet authority. Behind him came the peak elders:
Elder Mo of Pillfire Peak, the sect's foremost alchemist, whose every breath carried the scent of rare medicinal herbs.
Elder Lin of Verdant Sigil Peak, a scholar of seals and inscriptions, with robes embroidered in layers of runic patterns.
Elder Zhao of Formless Array Peak, a quiet man whose presence disrupted the natural flow of qi around him, like an invisible formation was always active.
Elder Qiu of Ironbody Peak, a broad-shouldered woman with arms like carved stone and a cold, stern expression.
Elder Chu of Starforge Peak, dressed in dark grey robes laced with faint silver veins, known for her expertise in refining spiritual artifacts and weapons.
Elder Zhao of Swordwind Peak, a middle-aged man with an aura like a drawn sword- quiet, sharp, and focused. His disciples were often trained in speed, precision, and deadly sword arts.
The elders sat on raised stone seats behind a jade dais. Sect Leader Yu Zhen stepped forward to address the disciples.
"This tournament is a tradition passed down for generations. Today, you show us your efforts, your discipline, and your understanding of the path you walk. Some of you may catch the eye of an elder and be given an opportunity to cultivate on one of the peaks. This is your moment- face it with courage."
With a wave of his hand, the tournament began.
The early matches went quickly. Some were brief and decisive; others dragged out as the contestants matched each other's strength and technique. The disciples' fighting styles varied greatly.
One match featured a boy using Serpent Flow Spear, a technique where the spear moved like a winding snake, slipping past the guard of his opponent repeatedly before finishing the match with a spiral thrust.
Another girl used Frost Needle Arts, summoning narrow spikes of water to trap her opponent's movements. The match ended with a clean strike when her opponent slipped while dodging the terrain.
Li Yao stood near the outer ring of the plaza, watching with care. These weren't just fights- they were lessons. He studied each technique, noting the strengths and weaknesses, the timing, and how the contestants managed their qi.
Then came a notable match between Sei, a quiet disciple known for his dedication to physical training, and a ninth-stage outer disciple wielding a wind-imbued longsword.
The battle opened with a flurry of slashes. Wind blades sliced across the field, cutting grooves into the stone floor. But Sei advanced through them, using Stone Breaker Fists, a martial art based on grounded strikes and explosive internal force.
Every blow he landed sent shockwaves through the air. The match became a clash between sharp wind and solid earth. After a few intense exchanges, Sei broke through his opponent's guard with a well-placed body blow, forcing a surrender.
From the dais, Elder Qiu gave a rare nod of approval.
"He's promising," she said to Elder Chu. "He's either naturally gifted or he's training with intent to temper the body."
Elder Chu replied, "He's rough, but he could be taught. Starforge needs strong arms at the forge- and strong minds at the anvil."
Soon after, Li Yao's name was called. His first opponent was a girl at the fifth stage, practicing a palm art called Verdant Flow. Her strikes were gentle and layered, using waves of qi to control space and momentum.
But Li Yao didn't struggle. He hadn't even used Crimson Cleave. His basic axe strikes, backed by the power of body refinement and superior qi, completely outclassed her. The fight ended in moments, with Li Yao landing a clean strike that knocked her weapon from her hand.
Some seniors raised their brows. He was only a new disciple, but his movements were clean, and his strength obvious.
In the crowd, Yan Mu watched quietly. He hadn't expected anyone around his age to already be at the sixth stage. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Who is this? I haven't heard of anyone else progressing this fast... he thought.
Yan Mu had already fought earlier, facing a seventh-stage disciple. His fighting style focused on precision and explosive control. He used the Luminous Sun Palm, a fire-based technique that generated bursts of radiant heat with each strike.
The way he controlled qi flow impressed even some elders. His strikes were measured, his energy flow consistent. He didn't waste a single motion. His match had ended within thirty seconds- his opponent overwhelmed by both pressure and technical execution.
"His spirit root is indeed high-grade," Elder Mo observed. "He's cultivating with care. Rare among outer disciples."
"I'm already interested," Elder Zhao of Swordwind Peak added. "With sword technique and some guidance, he could be truly dangerous."
Eventually, the first round came to an end. Out of all the new disciples, only Li Yao and Yan Mu remained unbeaten. The rest had either withdrawn or been eliminated by more experienced opponents, many of whom were at the eighth or ninth stage of Qi Refinement.
Naturally, the next match paired the two remaining standouts—Li Yao vs. Yan Mu.
The crowd hushed when the names were called. Some seniors whispered to each other. Inner disciples from Swordwind Peak and Pillfire Peak leaned forward. Even Elder Zhao and Elder Chu, who had mostly remained neutral, began to pay closer attention.
Li Yao walked to the center of the arena, steady and composed. He resisted the temptation to activate the Heavenly Observation System. Although the spiritual energy cost would be small, he wanted to face Yan Mu without any shortcuts.
Yan Mu stood across from him, arms relaxed at his side.
"Brother Yan," Li Yao said respectfully, "I hope you give it your all. I certainly will."
Yan Mu nodded. "I was planning to. Let's not waste the opportunity."
The judge raised his hand and gave a sharp nod.
The match began.