The infirmary of Qingling Sect was shrouded in the scent of crushed herbs and burning incense. Dim lamplight spilled across Wei Zhan's still body, his breathing shallow, his skin pale as moonlight.
Xuanye stood at the foot of the bed, his hands clasped behind his back, eyes shadowed. Around him, Su Feilí, Yue Chányīn, Shui Lin, Feng Ruo, and Huo Shan formed a silent circle.
Shui Lin's voice trembled with barely restrained fury.
"They've started it. That's what this is — they want to break us before the finals."
Huo Shan's fists tightened until his knuckles cracked.
"Breaking bones, crippling meridians… it's not a duel anymore. It's war."
Su Feilí looked to Xuanye.
"We can't just endure this, Xuanye. If we stay soft, they'll take more from us."
For a long moment, Xuanye said nothing. The flickering lamplight danced across his cold gaze. Finally, he spoke, voice low but sharp as steel.
"From now on… no mercy. Any who raise their hands against our people, our sect — I will return the favor. A hundredfold."
The others exchanged glances and, one by one, nodded. The pact was unspoken, but in that room, it was carved into their hearts.
Morning Duel – Crimson Jade Prince vs Yue Chányīn
By dawn, the dueling ground was alive again with tension and excitement. The first match announced drew loud murmurs:
"Prince Hong Ye of the Crimson Jade Dynasty versus Yue Chányīn of Qingling Sect!"
The prince descended onto the field, Mirage Flames dancing in red-gold wisps along his arms, the Molten Jade Fan spinning idly in his hand. Across from him, Yue Chányīn walked as if treading upon frozen water, snowflakes swirling around her boots.
The referee's hand cut the air."Begin!"
Hong Ye's Mirage Flame surged forward, a wave of heat distorting the very air. Yue Chányīn's eyes narrowed — she lifted her blade, Frozen Moon Edge, and met the flames head-on. Ice bloomed in a shockwave, smothering the fire in a hiss of steam.
She stepped forward, blade flashing in a chain of techniques:
Frost Petal Waltz – rapid, petal-like strikes that froze droplets of vapor midair.
Glacial Veil – a spiraling wall of snow and frost, shielding her from counterattack.
Crimson Shatter – a precise thrust aimed at breaking through his flame defense.
Hong Ye responded with sweeping arcs of Heat Mirage Form, his fan scattering fire-clones to flank her. Each time, Yue Chányīn's ice severed them, the ground beneath them hissing from the clash of elements.
At last, she leapt high, qi surging through her sword. Snow and moonlight gathered into a blinding arc — Winter's Final Lament — a slash fusing her full ice attribute with lethal precision. The strike split the Mirage Flames apart and carved a deep line across the prince's chest.
He fell to one knee, blood hissing against the frozen ground. The referee raised his hand.
"Winner — Yue Chányīn!"
The Qingling seats erupted in cheers. The Crimson Jade Empress's face darkened.
Duel – Su Feilí vs Feng Ruo
The next match was bittersweet — two friends, two Qingling disciples. Su Feilí stepped forward in flowing robes of pale rose silk laced with black threads, her aura calm and composed. Feng Ruo, wreathed in controlled fire, smiled faintly.
They clasped hands before stepping apart.
"We fight fair," Su Feilí said softly."Fair," Feng Ruo agreed.
The fight began with speed rather than raw power. Feng Ruo unleashed Blazing Feather Dance, his flames curling into the shapes of crimson wings, each strike like a diving phoenix. Su Feilí countered with Petal Flow Steps, her sword weaving arcs that deflected each burning slash while leaving trails of pink-silver light.
For a time, the battle was even — water vapor from Su Feilí's defensive blooms met Feng Ruo's heat, filling the arena with drifting mist. But Su Feilí's higher cultivation told in the end. With Jade Blossom Finale, she disarmed him, the force of the blow scattering the last of his flames.
The referee declared her the victor, though both smiled as they left the field side-by-side.
Other Matches
Empyrean Lotus Empire vs Sea Cloud Kingdom –Prince Lian Xun displayed his mastery over Lotus Light Piercing Palm, defeating his opponent in three clean exchanges, earning the Empire another strong position on the board.
Void Horizon Sect vs Iron Vow Sect –Void Horizon's illusion master faltered against Iron Vow's sheer brute force, the bout ending in a decisive victory for Iron Vow's second disciple.
Black Mist Academy vs Obsidian Bone Sect –A shadow against bone Hei Mu fought Zuo Kuang in a suffocating duel of stealth and control. The barrier rang with the clash of hidden blades and spirit chains, but Hei Mu emerged the victor, slipping a blade across Zuo Kuang's throat just enough to draw blood before the referee ended it.
To be continued...