The roar of cascading water echoed through the forest. A brilliant sun blazed overhead, its rays piercing through the canopy of lush green leaves. A waterfall surged down from the cliffs, its thunderous crash resonating like drums of war.
Upon a solitary boulder jutting out above the river sat Liu Xi, legs crossed in meditation. His right palm hovered before him, where a brilliant golden flame danced—formed from his Dou Qi and refined into fire through his will.
This was a spot he had carefully chosen near the academy. A secluded place, away from buildings, where he could practice the newly taught Pill Flame Technique without fear of accidentally burning down half the dormitories.
The flame flickered and shifted under his control. One moment it took the shape of a sword, its fiery blade shimmering with lethal sharpness. The next, it elongated into a whip that crackled with heat. Then it compressed, folding into a sturdy shield that radiated a scorching aura.
Liu Xi narrowed his eyes. 'The strength is passable… but if I were to face an opponent of the same rank, this still isn't strong enough to count as a true killing move. Before I can secure an Heavenly Flame, I'll need at least a beast fire to amplify this technique.'
He allowed the shield to collapse into raw flame, then guided the blaze with even finer precision. Slowly, a head formed from fire, then limbs, fur, and the outline of a beast. When the markings of a fiery king's crown etched themselves across its brow, Liu Xi's lips curved into a faint smile.
The flame had become a miniature tiger, no larger than a housecat.
With a wave of his hand, Liu Xi sent the creation forward. As the fiery cub soared through the air, it expanded, growing with the wind until it landed upon the river's surface as a towering flame tiger more than two meters long.
"Roar!"
The fire tiger bellowed, its cry reverberating through the trees. Heat rolled outward as the phantom beast exuded the natural dominance of the king of beasts.
Liu Xi regarded it with calm satisfaction. 'Good. This is progress.'
---
Three Months Later
Time passed swiftly. The long-awaited Inner Academy Selection Tournament had finally arrived.
Over the past three months, Liu Xi's days had been filled with cultivation, pill refinement, and practice of the Pill Flame Technique. Through relentless effort, his Dou Qi had steadily advanced, now stabilizing at the level of a 4-Star Da Dou Shi. His strength and confidence had grown considerably.
On the day of the tournament, the outer academy plaza transformed into a sea of noise and anticipation. A massive arena had been constructed in the center, its wide stone stage surrounded on all sides by students eager to witness the battles.
When the outer academy's Vice Dean Hu Qian officially declared the competition open, cheers erupted like thunder.
"First match! Huang Class, First Group—Wu Da, versus Huang Class, Second Group—Du Hao. Step onto the stage!"
"Second match! Huang Class, Second Group—Hu Yun, versus Xuan Class, Third Group—Lu Liezhu. Prepare yourselves!"
The matches rolled on one after another, the crowd roaring with every victory and groaning with every defeat.
At last came the call that stirred Liu Xi from his quiet watch.
"Fourteenth match! Huang Class, First Group—Liu Xi, versus Xuan Class, Second Group—Zhao Zonggen. Contestants, enter the stage!"
Liu Xi's eyes opened sharply. His spirit surged with vigor. With a single step, his figure blurred into motion as he executed Soaring Swan Step, leaping gracefully onto the stage.
The audience erupted in cheers. In the outer academy, Liu Xi's reputation had already reached legendary heights—known both as a genius alchemist and as a cultivator of formidable strength.
His opponent, Zhao Zonggen, was no ordinary student either. At only eighteen or nineteen years of age, he had already reached the peak of 8-Star Dou Shi, a level that made him one of the most promising of his generation. Yet when he realized his first match was against Liu Xi, his expression grew bitter.
"Master Liu Xi," Zhao Zonggen said solemnly, bowing slightly. "I know I cannot defeat you. But since I have stepped onto this stage, I must give it my all."
Liu Xi's expression softened into a respectful nod. "Very well. Then show me your best."
"Match—begin!"
The referee's shout cut through the crowd.
With a sharp hiss of wind, Zhao Zonggen dashed forward, blade gleaming. His wind attribute Dou Qi enhanced his speed, turning him into a blur.
"Gale Slash!"
His strike descended with swift, cutting force.
But Liu Xi was faster. His figure slid aside like drifting mist, evading the strike with casual ease. Before Zhao Zonggen could recover, Liu Xi tapped his chest with a single strike from his sheathed sword.
Boom!
The impact sent Zhao Zonggen flying backward, crashing onto the arena floor.
Coughing, he staggered up and stared in shock. He had unleashed his swiftest technique, yet Liu Xi had not only dodged it effortlessly but had countered with a sheathed sword—a blow that could easily have killed him had the blade been drawn.
Zhao Zonggen gritted his teeth. His pride refused to concede so easily. With a roar, he launched himself forward once more.
"Stormblade Barrage!"
His Dou Technique unleashed a flurry of slashes, faster and fiercer than before.
But Liu Xi only smiled faintly. 'A slight increase in speed, yes. But against me, the result will not change.'
Once again his form blurred, slipping into the dead angle of Zhao Zonggen's strikes. With perfect timing, Liu Xi's sheath whipped upward, striking Zhao Zonggen's wrist and forcing the blade free. In the same instant, he pressed the sheath's edge against his opponent's throat.
"You've lost."
The words were spoken calmly, yet carried the unshakable authority of one who had already decided the outcome from the start.
Breathing heavily, Zhao Zonggen's shoulders sagged. A wry smile tugged at his lips. "Thank you… for your mercy, Master Liu Xi."
The arena erupted.
The spectators who had seen the blinding speed of Zhao Zonggen's slashes could scarcely believe their eyes. Liu Xi had danced through them as if strolling through a garden, then ended the match with his sword still unsheathed.
Cheers and cries filled the air, with no shortage of starry-eyed gazes from female students who stared at Liu Xi's handsome figure with unabashed admiration.
Yet Liu Xi himself remained unmoved. He descended from the stage with the same calm demeanor, unshaken by victory. For him, defeating Zhao Zonggen was no triumph. The gulf in strength between them was simply too wide, and he still possessed many trump cards he had not revealed.
When the dragon descends upon the field, how can mortals resist?
---
From the viewing platform, Vice Dean Hu Qian and several outer academy elders observed in silence, their eyes shining with appreciation.
"This child won without arrogance or conceit. Even in victory, he remains composed. His heart is steady—his future is boundless."
"Indeed. With such temperament, his achievements will far surpass his peers."
The elders nodded in agreement, their faces marked with admiration.
And so, the opening day of the Inner Academy Selection Tournament saw Liu Xi's name shine once again, his calm strength etching his figure ever deeper into the hearts of all who watched.
(End of Chapter)
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