Chapter 15: The Ranking Test
The buzz around the Outer Sect wasn't about beasts or battles today—it was about ranking day.
Every month, disciples challenged each other to rise up the ladder. Glory, access to better resources, and even a shot at the Inner Sect were all on the line. But for Clinton, it wasn't about status.
> "Every step up gives you better training materials and better teachers," Narvek explained. "More importantly, you'll draw attention at the right time—not too early."
Clinton stood in the crowd, wooden lot in hand. His match was number 47. He didn't recognize the name of his opponent: Wei Shun.
The tournament-style duels were held on raised stone platforms surrounded by quiet spectators. No one was allowed to interfere, and no lethal force was permitted—though accidents did happen.
When his turn came, Clinton stepped up. Wei Shun was lean, with narrow eyes and a saber strapped to his back.
"You're the foreigner with the weird sword style?" Wei Shun said, cracking his neck. "I've been wanting to test that slash of yours."
Clinton raised an eyebrow. "Alright. Let's test it."
The duel began.
Wei Shun came in quick—faster than most. His saber style was sharp and clean, slicing wind with each blow. Clinton parried, stepped, slid to the side—Shadowleaf Step keeping him light on his feet.
> "Angle shift. Counter. Redirect his momentum."
Clinton moved like water, turning a heavy blow into a stumble and striking Wei's ribs with the flat of his sword. The crowd let out a soft murmur.
The fight didn't last long after that.
Clinton won, clean and composed.
He returned to the benches without fanfare. No smug celebration. Just a breath of air and a calm nod.
"Rank 17," the attendant announced.
He was climbing faster than most, but still avoiding the spotlight.
That night, Suyin brought him some meat buns to celebrate. "Careful," she said, handing one over. "You keep rising, people might think you're aiming for the Inner Sect."
Clinton smirked. "Aren't we all?"
She laughed. "Yeah, but not everyone gets there in months."
They sat in silence under the moonlight for a while. No pressure. No drama. Just two cultivators trying to grow.
> "By the way," Narvek said in his mind, "I detected a hidden technique buried within the combat data of your last opponent. I'm isolating and analyzing it."
"Oh? What is it?"
> "A saber style... mixed with storm-type Qi. It's incomplete. But if we finish it, it could be useful later."
"How where you able to do that?"
> "I can analyse the technique of people by just watching them and send it to your brain and you will be able to perform the technique too "
"That's crazy, I can virtually know all the martial arts techniques in this world " Clinton gulped and said.
Clinton leaned back and stared at the stars.
There were secrets in every fight. Stories in every move.
And he was just getting started.
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End of Chapter 15
Want to head into Chapter 16 now? It'll stay on track with your pacing—natural development, maybe a new instructor or mysterious scroll, nothing wild yet.