The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Protagonist; Divine | Calm, Composed, and Steadfast.
Shu Lin: Yena's direct senior | Protective, Calm, and Supportive.
Miao Miao: Yena's Best Friend | a flower spirit; Medicinal Healer | Loyal, Outspoken, and Protective.
Jin Yue: Disciple of Zhang Haoran | Worried, Cautious, and Supportive.
Shen Lei: Second Senior disciple | Duel Overseer | Fair, Observant, and Protective as a Senior.
Master Hua Jing: Sword Hall In-Charge | Strict, Stern, and Testing.
Yin Caixia: Second Senior disciple; Sword Cultivator | Disciplined, Competitive, and Honorable.
---------------------------------------------------
The next few weeks passed in steady rhythm.
Shu Lin, Yena, and her companions trained diligently, strengthening both their skills and their bond. Qing Yi, too, had shown remarkable progress under Miao Miao's guidance—despite the occasional bickering that marked their lessons. Over time, camaraderie bloomed quietly, tempered by the solemnity of purpose.
One morning, a formal summons arrived.
The chosen disciples gathered inside the sparring hall, where the Sect Master, Zhang Haoran, entered accompanied by several prominent elders. Everyone bowed as the atmosphere turned solemn.
Zhang Haoran stepped forward. "You have all proven yourselves worthy disciples of the Flying Dragon Sect. I now declare that a select few among you shall be chosen to represent our sect in the forthcoming Great Sect Tournament."
His gaze swept across the room before he continued, "To earn this right, you must master the arts of formations, matrix control, combat spells, and talisman work. Internal assessments shall begin immediately. Final representatives shall be determined through performance and strength of will."
He then gestured toward two figures beside him. "Master Hua Jing and Master Chen Yunhai will oversee your training from this point onward."
Master Hua Jing stepped forward with her usual composed authority. "We have carefully shortlisted disciples based on their cultivation, tactical sense, adaptability, and strength. If any among you dispute your selection or wish to withdraw, speak now."
Silence held.
"Very well," she said. "Follow me to the Sword Practice Hall. The trials begin this day—and so do the eliminations. Do you all understand?"
"Yes, Master!" the disciples answered in unison.
---------------------------------------------------
Scene: Sword Practice Hall
The hall buzzed with energy. Alongside the selected candidates, curious spectators filled the seats to watch.
Miao Miao leaned toward Yena, whispering, "They speak as if preparing for war. It's only the selection..."
Yena whispered back, "It matters greatly, Miao Miao. The sect that triumphs gains prestige—and for magic practitioners[1], the trials themselves can significantly elevate their cultivation. The rewards are many"
Miao Miao gave a thoughtful hum, then glanced about. "Mmm… This is my first time within the Sword Hall. It is rather grand."
"Is that so?" Yena smiled. "I often practice here with Shu Lin. He's a disciple of this hall."
"You're lucky. I rarely leave my own hall. I usually train with Master Lan—and because of my… unique spirit weapon, I don't often get to spar with others."
Yena gave her an apologetic smile.
Miao Miao added with a resigned sigh, "And I guess Master Lan is quite fond of me. After every training session, she drags me into brewing medicine with her. Elixirs, tonics, this herb, that herb… it never ends."
"That's not a bad thing, is it?" Yena offered.
Miao Miao pouted. "Once I get my powers back, I could create stronger elixirs with a flick of my finger. The process of making these tonics is… far too slow."
Yena chuckled. "Still, knowledge is never a burden."
"Hmm. Perhaps." Miao Miao's gaze shifted as she caught sight of Jin Yue and Shu Lin approaching side by side. "Strange… those two seem to have grown rather close."
Yena tilted her head. "And why should they not?"
"They…" Miao Miao muttered, trailing off as Yena's curious gaze met hers. "It is good that they are getting along."
["She is hopeless with matters of the heart. Fortunately, she has me. I shall see to it."]
As the two young men joined them, they took their place beside the girls.
"I hear we are to duel today," Jin Yue said, "but without our spirit weapons. We'll be given common ones."
Miao Miao blinked. "Why so?"
Shu Lin answered calmly, "To test our adaptability. In the tournament, one cannot expect favorable conditions. One must learn to adjust."
Yena added, "And to assess martial strength. One cannot rely on spiritual power alone." She exhaled lightly. "That is likely why I was chosen, despite my cultivation."
"Do not speak so," Miao Miao said at once.
Yena smiled. "It's okay miao miao. I do not see my meagre cultivation as a hindrance. I have my mind and my limbs—and I shall prove my place."
Jin Yue nodded. "Indeed. She is as capable as any other here." Then, turning to Miao Miao with mischief in his tone, "Little Miao Miao, are you perhaps… afraid?"
"Tch. I fear nothing."
"But I heard the next trial includes fasting. No food. No water," Jin Yue said solemnly.
Miao Miao gasped and turned to Yena. Yena shook her head with a small smile.
"Do not tease her," she said.
Miao Miao stepped forward and tapped Jin Yue's chest with a single finger. "If I survive the fasting round, I shall devour you whole."
Jin Yue placed a hand on his heart, feigning distress. "Such cruelty."
Shu Lin smiled quietly. Yena merely shook her head at their usual bickering.
Just then, Master Hua Jing entered with Shen Lei. The disciples bowed as she made her way to the platform.
"Those not selected," she commanded, "clear the arena."
Once order returned, Shen Lei approached Yena.
"You are the first to enter the arena," he said quietly. Then, to the group, "Each of you shall face a Second Senior Disciple in combat."
Jin Yue frowned. "I thought we would duel one another."
Shen Lei shook his head. "Your strengths vary too greatly. It would not be a fair measure. This will allow for proper assessment."
He turned to Yena once more. "All the best."
Then added, glancing at the others, "To all of you."
Miao Miao whispered, "Is it me, or is Senior Shen Lei extra kind to you?"
Yena frowned. "Miao Miao…"
"I'm just saying," she muttered.
Shu Lin, in a low voice, said, "He is concerned. He told me that Master Hua Jing doubted Yena's readiness. It was the Sect Master who insisted on her inclusion. So her trials may be… harsher."
"What?" Miao Miao expression darkened. "That is not fair!"
Yena spoke calmly, "It is not unfair. Most here have cultivated for years. If I wish to stand among them, I must prove myself worthy."
"But—" Miao Miao began.
"Trust her," Jin Yue said gently. "She shall overcome every trial—and do so with grace."
---------------------------------------------------
The duel had not yet begun. As the candidates stood in anticipation, Master Hua Jing stepped forward and addressed Yena.
"Before the duel, you may select a weapon for combat. Choose what you are most comfortable with."
Yena replied, her tone steady, "I choose the sword."
Her voice held quiet certainty, unwavering.
Master Hua Jing gave a slight nod. "Not bad. Since you've chosen the sword, you shall spar with one of my disciples." She turned slightly, then called aloud, "Caixia, step forward. You will spar with Yena."
Yu Chen, watching from the side, murmured, "Yin Caixia… One of the strongest among the Second Senior Disciples. She is expected to be promoted to First Disciple soon. And her spirit weapon is the sword. Seems Master Hua Jing is intent on excluding Yena from the final selection."
A quiet murmur rose among the disciples.
One candidate whispered, "Poor Yena. How could she defeat Senior Yin?"
Another added, "Are we all to duel with seniors of such level? That… that is worrying."
Their concerns echoed through the hall. Jin Yue's expression turned grim, unease settling in. Yet Miao Miao and Shu Lin remained composed.
Miao Miao, in her mind, scoffed.
["Tch. Yena? Defeated by a sword? Never. Her master was Lord Nirvana himself. Years of discipline under the God of War cannot be undone."] She sighed to herself.
Noticing her sigh, Shu Lin, attempting to reassure her, spoke softly, "Don't worry. I've seen her swordplay. She's skilled—she'll give a good fight."
Miao Miao nodded, masking her pride with a faint smile.
Jin Yue, however, looked tense. He knew Yena was capable—but facing a senior disciple whose spirit weapon was also the sword stirred an uneasy restlessness in him.
Yin Caixia approached Yena. "Greetings, Junior Yena."
Yena bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Senior."
Yin Caixia smiled, but her tone remained formal. "As your senior, I shall remind you—you may still choose to withdraw. Surely, you understand that sparring with the weapon that also serves as my spirit weapon grants me an advantage. I have no wish to injure you. But if we fight, I will not hold back."
Yena met her gaze evenly. "I thank you, Senior, for your kind advice. But I shall not withdraw. If I lose, I shall consider it a lesson. I am trained in swordplay, and while I may not be exceptional, I know a few moves. You need not go easy on me. I too, shall give it my best."
Yin Caixia smiled faintly. "Very well. I wish you luck."
As the match neared its start, Shu Lin came to Yena's side. She stood near the rack of practice weapons, inspecting the swords.
Without a word, Shu Lin extended his sword to her.
"Take it. My spirit weapon."
Yena looked at him, startled. "How… how can I take your spirit weapon? Forget it, I'll just choose one from here. They seem fine."
Shu Lin replied, calm yet firm, "Of course they are fine. They are made for battle. But your opponent, Senior Caixia, will use her own spirit weapon. Even without magic, her familiarity with it will give her the edge."
Still scanning the weapons, Yena said, "She already has the upper hand. That doesn't mean using your sword will make me win."
"Winning or losing isn't the point…" Shu Lin's voice softened as he gently grasped her arm, turning her toward him. "Just don't get hurt. As your direct senior, I ask that you take this. It's stronger than the rest."
She exhaled slowly. "Very well. How could I refuse my senior?" She accepted the sword and bowed. "Thank you."
Shu Lin smiled, clearly relieved.
"You sound sarcastic again. I told you, you don't have to call me 'senior'."
"But you invoked your seniority just now."
"That was—"
"I know, I know."
Before he could respond, Master Hua Jing's voice rang across the hall.
"Both duelists—step to the center!"
Yena sheathed the spirit weapon at her side and strode toward the center of the arena, her expression composed, her gaze unwavering. Shu Lin watched her in silence.
As both stood facing each other, Shen Lei stepped forward. "Both players ready… Then begin!"
From the side, Miao Miao murmured, "Senior Caixia… she truly is formidable. But… Yena will be fine, right?"
Jin Yue, eyes fixed on the match, replied, "Indeed, Caixia's swordplay is fierce. Yet look—Yena defends with grace. She shows no sign of weariness."
Shen Lei, having drawn near, added quietly, "A keen observation. Though Caixia's strikes are swift and relentless, Yena withstands them, countering each with measured skill—conserving both her strength and her breath."
At last, Yin Caixia stepped back, her sword held at her side. Though her breath came quick, it was not yet heavy. "Yena… you are truly skilled. I had thought to go easy on you. It seems that shall not be necessary."
Yena inclined her head slightly. "Thank you, Senior. I am trained in swordplay. It would honor me more to face your true strength."
Yin Caixia nodded once in acknowledgment.
This time, it was Yena who advanced.
She leapt—her movement as fluid as the wind itself. Mid-air, she twisted her sword in a swift arc, cleaving through the air with such force that a sharp ripple burst forth, the gust surging toward Yin Caixia.
Caught by surprise, Caixia staggered a half-step back as the gust pressed against her, the very air of the arena stirred to unrest.
Without pause, Yena descended upon her, launching a swift, relentless series of strikes.
Yin Caixia, already wearied from her earlier assault, found herself pressed harder—her breath growing heavy, her defenses strained. Yet Yena, though having unleashed sixteen forceful blows in succession, remained composed, her gaze unwavering, her stance poised.
At last, Yin Caixia let out a faint breath between parted lips, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "I underestimated you… You are no less skilled than a sword cultivator."
Yena replied with quiet respect, "Your acknowledgment honors me, Senior. To spar with you is, in itself, a lesson most valuable."
From the side, Shen Lei stepped forward. "Master… I believe we should conclude. Senior Caixia appears fatigued—"
But Master Hua Jing cut him off with a faint, knowing smile. "Shen Lei… you seem eager to shield your junior." Her eyes remained fixed upon the duelists. "She is indeed commendable—holding her ground against her senior with such finesse. It appears her training has not been in vain."
Shen Lei "Master, Caixia is not defeated yet only if she dueled with her powers then the result maybe different."
Shen Lei pressed his lips together. "Master… Caixia is not defeated. Had she wielded her spiritual powers, the outcome might yet differ."
Master Hua Jing's smirk deepened. "Ah… so you think so too." She gave a light nod. "Very well. Let this duel enter its second round—with both combatants permitted to wield their powers."
"Master…" Shen Lei began, but his words faltered as she turned her sharp gaze upon him—a silent command that needed no voice.
---------------------------------------------------
[1] Cultivators