The sun hung high in the sky as the crowd around the central plaza swelled, anticipation building with each passing match. The early rounds of the annual outer disciple competition had ended, and now only a few remained- those who had truly stood out.
Li Yao stood calmly on the edge of the arena, his axe resting against his shoulder. Across from him stood Yan Mu, calm and focused, with twin swords sheathed on his back. This match had drawn more attention than any previous one, and even some of the inner sect disciples had appeared along the edges of the arena to watch.
From the crowd, Lan Yue watched silently. Though she had opted to compete in the talisman-making competition rather than the combat trials, she paid close attention now. She wanted to see just how far the talents who joined the sect alongside her had come. Her gaze lingered on Li Yao- curious, assessing. Yan Mu, she expected to be strong. But Li Yao's presence in the later stages of the competition had surprised everyone.
The judge, a calm-faced senior brother from the inner sect at the Foundation Establishment stage, raised his hand and then brought it down.
"Begin!"
Both disciples burst into motion.
Yan Mu was the first to strike, his hand glowing with brilliant golden light as he activated the Luminous Sun Palm, a mid-tier offensive fire technique known for its burning pressure and radiant force. The heat shimmered in the air as he lunged forward.
Li Yao responded without hesitation, his axe flashing in a wide arc. His basic axe movements lacked complexity, but the raw force behind them- amplified by body refinement- was enough to knock Yan Mu's palm aside. Sparks flew as heat clashed with tempered steel.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as the two exchanged a flurry of blows. Yan Mu's palms weaved and struck like sunlit waves, while Li Yao's axe moved with brutal precision, each swing forcing Yan Mu back a step.
But then they stopped. Breathing heavily, they retreated from one another.
This pause was broken when, for the first time in the tournament, Yan Mu reached behind his back and drew his twin swords- one black, one silver. His stance shifted instantly. The aura around him sharpened.
Li Yao, watching him carefully, gripped his axe tightly.
With a sharp exhale, Yan Mu stepped forward and unleashed a flurry of dual-sword attacks. His technique was fluid and relentless. The twin blades danced like flames and wind, closing every gap in his offense.
Li Yao didn't hesitate.
With a deep breath, he activated the Crimson Cleave technique. Red light surged along the edge of his axe, crackling like fire and thunder. He swung his axe in great arcs, each blow heavy with force and blazing intent.
Their weapons clashed in the center of the arena, sending waves of force outward. The arena floor cracked beneath their feet. The temperature rose sharply with each clash of flame and steel. Even from afar, some of the weaker outer disciples had to step back, unable to withstand the spiritual pressure the two unleashed.
From the elevated platform, the elders watched with growing interest.
Elder Zhao of the Swordwind Peak leaned forward, his sharp eyes glinting. Known for his cultivation of swift, sharp sword techniques, he had been silently evaluating the younger generation. Yan Mu's twin sword technique had impressed even him. The boy's footwork was clean, his attacks layered, his timing impeccable.
"He's fifteen," Elder Zhao murmured to the Sect Leader, who sat beside him. "His foundation is stable. If this continues, he'll reach Foundation Establishment before the age of twenty."
Sect Leader Yu Zhen nodded. "Your peak lacks a true core disciple. He would be a fine successor."
With a quiet hum of acknowledgment, Elder Zhao made his decision.
"I will take him as my personal disciple."
At this, the other elders showed no surprise. Yan Mu's performance had practically demanded such a result. Elder Lin and Elder Mo both nodded with faint smiles.
But their gazes slowly shifted toward Li Yao.
He hadn't matched Yan Mu's refinement or elegance, but his Crimson Cleave- an advanced fire-based axe technique meant for Foundation Establishment cultivators- was being wielded with surprising depth. And more importantly, his body refinement was clearly effective.
Elder Qiu of the Ironbody Peak narrowed her eyes. "That axe boy. What's his name?"
"Li Yao," Elder Mo replied. "An orphan from a border village. He works in the herbal gardens."
"Hm. His physique shows signs of solid tempering. His use of the axe is beautiful and pure."
Elder Qiu folded her arms. "Body refinement is all but forgotten among the younger generation. He may not be polished, but I'll take him."
Just as she was about to speak, an old, ancient voice echoed directly into the minds of all the peak elders.
No one else heard it. Only the elders.
And yet, the change in their expressions was visible. One by one, they turned solemn. Even Elder Qiu lowered her head slightly in respect.
"…Understood," she said, and made no further declaration.
The battle in the arena had reached its climax.
Both Li Yao and Yan Mu were panting, their clothing singed, their bodies bruised. Their energy was running low. But their eyes still gleamed with determination.
"Let's end it," Li Yao said, voice hoarse.
Yan Mu nodded. "One final strike."
Yan Mu's twin swords ignited with a burst of qi. He gathered his strength, forming a sweeping cross-blade technique called Sunlight Crossing—a dual-strike attack that burned with radiant force.
Li Yao raised his axe, flames crackling along its edge. He gathered every drop of qi left in his body and pushed the Crimson Cleave to its limit, flames surging around him like a roaring bonfire.
They charged.
Their final blows collided in the center of the arena, the explosion shaking the ground and sending a blast of dust into the sky.
When the dust settled, both figures were still standing- barely.
But then the crowd saw it: Li Yao had been pushed just past the edge of the marked arena boundary.
"Winner: Yan Mu," the judge announced, after a long pause.
The crowd murmured in surprise. Many hadn't even noticed Li had crossed the edge.
Li Yao took a deep breath and smiled. "Congratulations, Brother Yan."
Yan Mu shook his head, walking over and extending a hand. "I cannot accept this win. You're still standing. I just got lucky."
The handshake between them was brief but earned cheers from the crowd. Among the outer disciples, few had ever witnessed such a hard-fought match.
The tournament continued. In the semifinals, Senior Brother Wei made it to the top four but lost narrowly to a powerful spear cultivator with a perfected movement technique.
Li Yao noticed that Wei hadn't gone all out. He suspected that Wei was deliberately holding back his true strength.
Eventually, the final rankings were decided:
First place went to Senior Brother Xu Min, a cultivator at the ninth stage of Qi Refining, known for his unmatched control of sword qi.
Second was Yan Mu.
Third was an aloof senior sister who had stunned the crowd with her control of frost and illusion techniques.
Fourth went to Wei Shan.
Later that day, the results of the talisman and alchemy competitions were announced. Lan Yue placed first in the talisman category, impressing even Elder Lin with her intricate, elegant scriptwork.
By the end of the ceremony, Elder Zhao formally stepped forward to announce:
"From this day forth, Yan Mu will be my personal disciple of Swordwind Peak."
Cheers erupted, but many of the younger disciples also turned to look at Li Yao.
Though he hadn't won, many whispered that he had fought to a draw. And among those watching closely, his potential was far from unnoticed.
Lan Yue watched Li Yao with quiet curiosity, noting how calm he remained despite his loss. She sensed there was more to him than what met the eye.
The day ended with the Sect Leader offering closing remarks and a blessing to all disciples.
As the crowd dispersed, Li Yao walked back to his hut in the outer sect compound. His body ached from the duel, and his qi reserves were almost empty. But his heart was steady.
He hadn't won- but he had earned recognition.
As he approached his door, he noticed a figure waiting outside.
The old deacon from the herbal gardens stood silently by the doorway, arms crossed, face as unreadable as ever.
Li Yao paused, straightening his back.
"Deacon?"
The old man turned slowly and nodded. "We need to talk."