Morning sunlight streamed across the city square, reflecting off the massive stage where the final contestants stood waiting. The crowd had grown, all eager to witness the final rounds.
"Today, we'll determine the strongest among you!" the overseer declared, his voice amplified with qi. "The first match, Li Yan versus Xue He!"
The announcement immediately caused a stir.
"That calm guy from yesterday, the one who crushed his opponents like insects?"
"He's fighting Xue He! Two monsters facing off already!"
Xue He stepped onto the stage, his black hair swaying gently in the wind. Flames danced faintly around his sword, responding to his will. Across from him, Bai Long walked forward at an unhurried pace, his expression as placid as still water.
When they stood twenty metres apart, the tension in the air thickened.
"Begin!"
The moment the word left the referee's mouth, Xue He moved. A line of fire streaked across the stage, leaving molten cracks in its wake. His sword whistled, tracing a fiery crescent that split the air itself.
Bai Long didn't move.
The slash struck him head-on — or so it seemed — only for the flames to part around him harmlessly, scattering into sparks. His eyes shimmered faintly, silver light swirling within.
'Qi displacement barrier, he didn't even draw his weapon' Xue He realised, his heart skipping a beat.
"You're strong," Bai Long said calmly. "But you rely too much on your element."
Xue He's eyes narrowed. "Then allow me to correct that."
He spread his qi, creating six blazing flame blades that orbited him like satellites. With a sharp gesture, they shot forward in unison, twisting into a spiral of fire that roared toward Bai Long like a tornado.
Bai Long sighed softly. His form blurred, vanishing from sight. A split second later, Xue He felt a presence behind him — impossibly fast, impossibly quiet.
Before he could turn, a hand pressed against his back, gently but firmly.
Xue He stumbled forward, coughing from the residual shockwave.
"I concede," he said, lowering his sword.
The crowd fell silent for several heartbeats before bursting into whispers of disbelief.
"Winner — Li Yan!" the overseer announced, his voice echoing over the stunned silence.
Xue He turned to Bai Long and bowed deeply. "If I may ask… which realm are you truly in?"
Bai Long smiled faintly. "Spirit Severing."
He stepped off the stage, leaving behind a sea of shocked faces.
***
The Final Match.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the city centre. The last match of the tournament was about to begin, and though the crowd had been loud all day, now they fell silent with anticipation.
"Final match — Li Yan versus Chen Fei!" the overseer announced.
Bai Long stepped onto the stage, calm as ever. His opponent, Chen Fei, was older, perhaps in his forties, with a scar running across his cheek. His qi was strong, but compared to Xue He's earlier display, it felt unstable, rough. He was a peak-stage Golden Core cultivator.
"Begin!"
Chen Fei drew his sword with a shout, his blade flashing with a faint layer of earth qi. Cracks spread through the stone floor as he stomped forward, launching a heavy, downward slash.
Bai Long didn't even bother to dodge. He raised his right hand and stopped the strike between two fingers. The moment Chen Fei tried to pull back, he realised his sword wouldn't move — it felt as if it were trapped in iron.
Bai Long twisted his wrist.
The sword shattered.
Before Chen Fei could react, Bai Long stepped forward and placed his palm against his chest. A faint pulse of qi rippled outward, and Chen Fei was lifted off the ground, thrown several metres back before landing on his feet, gasping for air.
The overseer raised his hand. "Winner, Li Yan!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Even though many had expected this outcome, witnessing it first-hand was something else entirely.
"Just who is he?" someone whispered.
Bai Long simply turned and walked off the stage.
***
After the Tournament.
When the matches finally ended, the overseer returned to the platform and looked over the thirty-two remaining contestants.
"You've all fought well. Each of you has proven your talent and perseverance. From this day onward, you thirty-one will enter the Sword Manor's main branch as outer disciples!"
A wave of excitement spread through the crowd. Some contestants laughed in relief, others bowed deeply in gratitude. For many, this was the greatest opportunity of their lives.
Xue He, standing a few rows away, smiled faintly as he glanced at Bai Long.
"Looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of each other," he said.
Bai Long gave a short nod. "It seems so."
The overseer continued, "You'll all depart for Sword Manor tomorrow morning. A ship will take you across the Yunhe Range and straight to the mountain gates. Rest well tonight, from tomorrow onwards, your true path begins."
The contestants bowed once more as the crowd began to disperse.
As the evening light dimmed, Bai Long stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the setting sun.
The wind brushed through his hair as he murmured, almost to himself,
'Sword Manor, hmm… another stepping stone.'
A faint smile curved his lips before he turned and walked away, the last rays of sunlight reflecting in his silver eyes like twin blades of light.