The word had spread like wildfire across the Ninefold Sect:
"Xian Lei challenged Duan Ming."
Not in secret.
Not in a back-alley arena.
But in the Grand Stage of the Azure Court, before elders, disciples, and the ever-hungry eyes of the sect's rumor mill.
And why?
For a title.
Not core disciple.
Not official inner disciple.
But something more dangerous:
Pseudo-inner disciple.
A loophole.
A bridge between ranks.
A seat just below the true dragons of the sect—and above the crushed ants of the outer world.
Xian Lei adjusted the wrappings around his forearm, feeling the cool kiss of spiritual wind as it swirled through the coliseum. Thousands had gathered in the terraces above, seated in rings of marble and spirit-forged jade.
His opponent stood across the stage: Duan Ming, third-tier inner disciple, age twenty-one, late Foundation Realm, bloodline enhanced by the Sea-Whale Clan.
A known bully.
A past-life enemy.
Someone who once broke Xian Lei's ribs in public and called it "discipline."
This duel wasn't just a step forward.
It was retribution, wrapped in opportunity.
System Buff: Duel Arena Mode Activated
Emotion Resonance: Rising.Bound Entity Presence: Observing (Active Suppression)
Yue Qianlan detected on upper pavilion. Emotional reading: Neutral, Analytical.
Tether Surge Threshold: Low (1.3%)Cultivation Boost: Dormant
Xian Lei narrowed his eyes.
She's watching. But holding back.
Perfect.
Let the sect believe he earned this without her.
Duan Ming raised his voice. "Still pretending to be someone, trash?"
Xian Lei didn't respond.
Ming sneered. "You begged for this duel. Don't think a few tricks in the Spire make you worthy."
Xian Lei said only, "Ready yourself."
His voice cut sharper than any insult.
Elder Wen stepped between them. A stooped old man with weathered robes and sharp eyes, he acted as arbiter.
"Per sect rules, this duel shall be until surrender, incapacitation, or concession. Spiritual weapons allowed. Lethal force discouraged… but tolerated."
Gasps from the crowd.
Duan Ming grinned, already drawing a jagged blue blade pulsing with aquatic qi.
Xian Lei summoned nothing.
Just lowered into a stance.
"Begin!"
Duan Ming dashed forward—his footwork refined, bursts of inner qi propelling each strike.
His blade arced like a serpent, sending pulses of crashing water into the air.
"Whale Song Slash!"
The air rippled—
And then froze.
Literally.
Xian Lei raised his hand.
A translucent lotus of frost and flame bloomed from his palm.
He thrust it forward.
BOOM.
The wave shattered.
Steam hissed where cold and water met.
The audience screamed in disbelief.
"Was that… frostfire?"
"No, impossible—!"
"He's only mid-Foundation!"
Duan Ming skidded back, face pale.
"You've been hiding tricks…"
"I've been surviving," Xian Lei replied.
System Alert: Minor Tether Pulse DetectedBound Entity Emotion: Flicker of Surprise+213 Qi Gained
Ming roared, forming seals.
"Fine then! Try my Sea Tyrant Pulse!"
He slammed his hand to the ground.
Spiritual currents surged up, forming a spinning whirlpool in the arena's center.
A technique meant to trap and drown the opponent's core.
But Xian Lei didn't flinch.
He stepped into it.
And let the storm wrap around him.
His root pulsed.
The frostfire lotus ignited.
He vanished—then reappeared above Ming in a blink, palm extended.
"Frozen Soul Palm."
WHUMP.
The air collapsed.
Ming was thrown like a ragdoll, smashing into the outer arena wall.
Silence.
Steam and frost hissed from the stone.
A heartbeat passed.
Then another.
Duan Ming groaned—then slumped.
"Winner: Xian Lei!" Elder Wen declared, his voice cracking like thunder.
Cheers erupted.
Mixed with awe.
Mixed with fear.
Above, Yue Qianlan watched without expression.
But her thoughts were no longer calm.
That root… It's stabilizing. Growing faster than I expected. But more than that… his technique. His precision.
He's no longer walking fate's path. He's carving his own.
System Update:Host has achieved battlefield victory over a recognized inner disciple.
Eligibility Earned: Pseudo-Inner Disciple Status
Benefits:– Access to Inner Sector training halls– Clearance to enter Hidden Scroll Pavilion (Tier I only)– Assigned elite resource quota (temporarily monitored)
▶ System Advice: Infiltration Path Unlocked
Suggested strategy: Maintain "rising genius" façade. Avoid revealing full System interface.
Emotion Harvest (Ambient): +948 QiTether Sync: 63.7% → 65.1%
Later that night, Xian Lei sat at the base of the frost gardens, overlooking the lake. The stars shimmered above, reflected in the glassy water.
Footsteps approached.
He didn't turn.
Yue Qianlan stood behind him, silent.
Then: "Why didn't you kill him?"
"Because the sect would notice," he replied.
"You had the chance."
"I wanted more than a win. I wanted access."
She studied him.
"You're getting stronger."
"So are you," he said softly.
"…You saw it, didn't you?"
"The anger? The grief? Yes."
She looked away.
"I didn't mean to send that into the tether."
"You didn't need to. You feel it whether you want to or not."
A long pause.
Then, she whispered, "You're still dangerous."
He smiled faintly. "To others. Not to you."
System Alert: Trust Anchor Deepening
Bound Entity Emotions: Suspicion → Acceptance → UncertaintyTether Intensity: 65.1% → 67.3%New Resonance Available Soon: [Shared Dreamwalk] (Locked)
Yue didn't leave.
Not immediately.
Just stood beside him, watching the stars.
Then: "Your next opponent will be stronger."
"Let them come."
She studied him again—truly studied him.
"…You're not just climbing the sect."
He met her gaze. "No. I'm climbing toward you."
She froze.
Then walked away without a word.
But her qi—
It trembled.