The sun burned high over the Crescent Ring Arena, its massive stone terraces echoing with the chants of thousands.
It was time.
The Inner Court Tournament—held every five years—was a proving ground. Only the top thirty disciples of the Li Clan and its allied branches could enter.
And this time, a ghost had returned to the list.
> Name: Li Fan
Cultivation: Unknown
Spiritual Root: None
Ranking Seed: —
Mockery filled the air.
"He entered without Qi?"
"Someone must've bribed an elder."
"He won't last a round."
But the elders said nothing. Even Li Zhen, who once campaigned for Li Fan's banishment, kept his mouth shut.
They had seen the lightning. And none wanted to bet against Heaven's enemy.
---
🌙 On the Viewing Platform
Mu Qiu sipped wine lazily. Beside him sat a guest wrapped in a gray cloak — a messenger from the Moon Sect, silently watching.
"They think he'll lose," Mu Qiu muttered. "That's when he's most dangerous."
The Moon Sect envoy said nothing, but their eyes didn't leave the arena.
---
💥 Match One: Li Fan vs Lin Hu
Lin Hu grinned as he twirled his iron staff, flames dancing along its shaft.
"I'll be nice, cousin. One arm should be enough."
Li Fan tilted his head. "You'll need more arms when you wake up."
The bell rang.
Lin Hu exploded forward, sweeping the staff low to break Li Fan's balance. Fire trailed in a deadly arc—
Li Fan stepped in.
Not around. Through.
He caught the flaming staff with both hands, absorbing the impact, his nerves already predicting the next motion.
Then he spun—shoulder crashing into Lin Hu's chest.
BOOM!
The boy was flung into the wall like a sack of flour. The flame staff clattered uselessly to the stone floor.
Silence.
Then: "Winner… Li Fan!"
Cheers erupted—but most were stunned. The real cultivators stared with new eyes.
> That wasn't strength. That was… mastery.