The arena of the Flame Sovereign Tournament sprawled across the volcanic plains like a city of fire and stone. Crimson banners snapped in the wind, each embroidered with the sigils of participating sects. The ceremonial flames danced atop pillars, casting flickering shadows over the gathered prodigies.
All was prepared. The seating arranged, the dueling platforms polished, and the high dais readied for the opening announcements. Murmurs buzzed among the cultivators, speculation and rivalry thick in the air.
"Finally, everything is set," Chu Mei murmured to her younger brother, Chu chen. She adjusted her robe lightly, eyes scanning the assembled competitors. "I wonder how the prince will arrive."
"Hopefully on time," Chu chen muttered, bouncing with restless energy. "I can't stand waiting."
From the horizon came the distant sound of a modest carriage rolling over the blackened stones. No banners, no fanfare just a simple traveler's vehicle, its wheels kicking up dust and sparks from the molten ground. A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Who's that?" Luo Feng hissed, irritation clear in his tone. "Does he even know how to respect the Flame Sovereign?"
It came to a stop near the stands.
"Isn't that Yue Zihan?" someone else whispered. "The prince himself… arriving now?"
Zihan stepped down from the carriage with perfect composure. His blindfold shimmered faintly red-blue, and his blood red robe flowed around him as if it had a life of its own. Han Qing followed closely, calm and composed, walking with measured steps that mirrored Zihan's elegance. Enjoying the spectacle.
[System: Host's social disruption – 93%. Gossip multiplier: 1.5x.]
The spectators whispered, some in awe, others in irritation. Even the Chu family members felt a mix of pride and exasperation. Chu chen scowled subtly, muttering under his breath, while Chu Mei's eyes gleamed faintly in admiration. Chu Ruo simply grinned, thrilled to finally see the famous e prince, Zihan in person.
At the high dais, Saintess Lan Xueyin watched quietly. Her pale blue eyes followed Zihan with polite interest. Though she sensed his aura was unusual, she assumed it was a unique sect cultivation method, nothing more. Her lips curved faintly in amusement at the prince's deliberate, unhurried style.
The carriage rolled to the center, and Zihan stepped out, fan folded gracefully across his lap. Every movement was deliberate, measured, and silently commanding. The murmurs around him grew louder:
"He's arrogant, isn't he?"
"A prince showing up late… How disrespectful."
"No one moves like that… There's something off about him."
Zihan's lips curved under the blindfold. Let them talk, he thought. Underestimating me is much more fun.
Once the opening ceremony began, the Flame Sovereign himself ascended the high dais, his robes flaming like molten gold. "Welcome, prodigies! This year's tournament promises skill, strategy, and spectacle. Remember the rules: respect your opponents, maintain honor, and the strongest shall rise."
Chu chen's fists clenched subtly, his eyes on Zihan. "We'll see who truly commands the Flame Dao," he muttered. Still irritated by the previous loss
Meanwhile, Zihan leaned slightly toward Han Qing. "Let's see how long it takes them to figure out I didn't even start showing off yet."
Han Qing chuckled quietly. "Half will never figure it out. The other half will regret underestimating you."
The preliminary rounds began. The platforms filled with prodigies, each eager to display skill, finesse, and clever strategies. Chu chen jumped into his first match with reckless energy, nearly overwhelmed by his opponent, only to be subtly guided by Chu Mei's whispered advice.
Across the arena, Zihan observed silently, noting every detail in the stance of Luo Feng, the traps of Mei Lin, and even the faint shadow of Chen Wu lurking in the sidelines. The Black Pavilion's presence was subtle, but perceptible to someone with Zihan's acuity.
[System: Social dominance – confirmed. Host chaos energy stable. Audience awe and irritation: maximal.]
And so the tournament had officially began, with whispers, sparks, and a sense of anticipation that stretched far beyond the ceremonial flames. Zihan's presence was subtle yet undeniable ,an invisible flame flickering at the heart of the arena, ready to ignite
The arena buzzed with energy as the preliminary rounds continued. Zihan stood slightly apart from the main platforms, fan folded at his side, blindfolded eyes scanning the subtle threads of Qi flowing through each duel. His presence was quiet yet commanding, drawing attention without effort.
The first match he watched involved Chu chen, the youngest of the Chu family. His opponent, a prodigy from the Blazing Sun Sect named Tan Lei, charged recklessly, blazing with raw fire Qi. Chen met him head-on, his own flames jagged but unfocused.
Zihan's lips curved beneath the blindfold. Predictable… but entertaining.
[System: Opponent skill low. Chu chen potential unrefined. Suggest observation and intervention if necessary.]
Chen stumbled slightly under Tan Lei's assault, his movements chaotic, but he refused to yield. Chu Mei's voice floated from the sidelines, calm and instructive. "chen, anticipate the shift in his energy don't let brute force dictate your rhythm."
Chu chen adjusted mid-strike, and with a combination of controlled bursts and clever feints, sent Tan Lei tumbling to the ground. The crowd cheered, half in awe, half in relief. Zihan gave a subtle nod of approval.
Next, Chu Mei herself took the platform against Mei Lin, the tactical Crimson Lotus prodigy. The battle was intricate, a dance of energy manipulation and clever traps. Mei Lin tried to ensnare Chu Mei with hidden blades of spiritual Qi, but Mei anticipated every move, countering without overextending.
Zihan's Soul Reading Eye beneath the blindfold picked up the rhythm instantly. Clever girl but predictable once her strategy becomes clear.
[System: Minor cultivation boost for observation. Reward: Spirit Crystals + tactical insight.]
The match ended with Chu Mei disarming Mei Lin and pressing her sword lightly to the rival's shoulder. "Control your Qi flow… and your arrogance," she murmured. Her eyes filled with conceal pride.The crowd erupted in applause, impressed by her elegance and composure. Zihan gave a faint, approving murmur.
Meanwhile, Luo Feng faced off against a prodigy from the Shadowblade Sect, Chen Wu. The battle was tense, silent, and calculated. Chen Wu moved with almost no wasted energy, evading Luo Feng's aggressive flames while planting subtle probes of Qi to test his reactions.
Zihan observed carefully, noting the Black Pavilion disciple's techniques. So the rumors were true. Shadowblade Sect has at least one operative in the mix.
Luo Feng's strikes became sloppy under Chen Wu's quiet, precise counters. Frustration burned behind his golden eyes, and he overcommitted on one attack. Chen Wu easily redirected his energy, sending Luo Feng sprawling, defeated but unharmed.
Zihan folded his fan with a faint smile beneath the blindfold. Subtlety wins over arrogance, yet neither sees me as a threat. Perfect.
Finally, Saintess Lan Xueyin took the stage in a demonstration match against a minor sect prodigy, Feng Yi, a 16-year-old from a mid-tier sect. Her movements were a combination of elegance and lethality, her ice-based techniques weaving around Feng Yi's fire attacks.
Zihan watched intently, noting the grace and precision that marked her as a master of subtle power. Unlike others, her cultivation style prioritized efficiency and control over brute force, a method that would synergize well with someone like Han Qing or even himself, if ever necessary.
The Saintess ended the duel with a single controlled strike, freezing Feng Yi's Qi just enough to immobilize him, leaving him unharmed but thoroughly subdued. The crowd erupted, murmuring about her beauty and skill.
Zihan allowed himself a slight smirk. She's sharp… but still blind to what truly lies beneath this calm exterior.
Throughout the preliminaries, Zihan's Soul Reading Eye flickered faintly beneath his blindfold, analyzing strengths, weaknesses, temperaments, and potential alliances. He cataloged each participant in his mind:
Chu chen – ambitious, flashy, insecure beneath confidence; needs moderation.
Chu Mei– tactical, reliable, a hidden powerhouse.
Chu Ruo– raw talent, loyal, reckless.
Luo Feng– prideful, predictable under pressure.
Mei Lin – cunning, dangerous if underestimated.
Chen Wu – mysterious, possibly aligned with Black Pavilion; observe.
Lan Xueyin– elegant, politically aware, unaware of hidden depths; potential ally if approached subtly.
By the time the preliminary rounds ended, the arena was a mix of awe, chatter, and tension. Zihan remained calm, a silent flame in the midst of chaos, aware of his own growing potential, the subtle threats of the Black Pavilion, and the intricate social dance among the prodigies. This was not about talent it was guadging vailed as a competition. The central continent was not as painful as it looked from the outside. Political fights were going on behind the shadows.
[System: Observation complete. Cultivation boost minor, tactical analysis gained. Sin points stable, madness points minimal. Reward function: Tactical insight + minor artifacts.]
Zihan folded his fan lightly and stepped back from the platform, ready for the next round. The tournament was heating up, and every duel, every whisper, and every subtle movement was a thread in the network he was beginning to weave. An estimate of who to be wary of and who to be killed directly