Chapter 46: Central Arena
The next day, the selection tournament entered its third round. Nine warriors from the Foundation Establishment Stage, Mid Phase, had won their first two bouts. Alongside them, an unexpected challenger—Li Shuang, still at the Energy Refining Stage—advanced.
This was when true battles began.
Soon, disciples from the Foundation Establishment Late Phase, Golden Core Stage, and Nascent Soul Stage would enter the arena. When these higher cultivators stepped onto the field, they were forced to wear a special talisman. This charm suppressed their true might, reducing them to the level of Foundation Establishment Late Phase—much like the limitations found in the mysterious Langya Secret Realm.
By tradition, those planning to enter the Langya Secret Realm began wearing these talismans early. They trained to master a strength that was only a shadow of their true power.
Now, only one hundred fighters remained. From this moment, three round-robin duels would decide their fate:
Warriors winning all their duels would gain instant entry to the final roster.
Warriors who lost every battle would be eliminated.
Those with one or two victories would have their fate judged by the sect’s elder masters.
The high elders had now arrived. After the three rounds ended, they would rank each fighter by the power they had shown. The top fifty would gain passage into the Langya Secret Realm.
A decade ago, Li Shuang had been the undisputed champion of this tournament. In her youth, many believed she would reign supreme for three more cycles—until she reached the age of fifty.
Yet fate is as unpredictable as a sudden storm.
A rising prodigy met a tragic downfall. And now, Li Shuang stood among the fighters once more—even though she remained only at the Energy Refining Stage.
Could she, a mere Energy Refining disciple, stand against foes in the mighty Foundation Establishment Late Phase? The chance seemed nearly impossible.
…
At dawn, the Martial Training Field hummed with excitement.
“Let us see which duel will take place in the Central Arena today!”
“Only the duels held in the Central Arena catch the eye of the Sect Master and the Peak Masters. They choose the battles they deem most important.”
“I bet Senior Sister Jiang Yun Ge will fight there. This is her final chance to enter the Langya Secret Realm.”
“And what of Senior Brother Wen Lin? With his lightning-fast innate spirit, he has risen in fame these past ten years. Surely the Sect Master will favor his match.”
“Don’t forget Senior Sister Mu Jin and her Wind Spiritual Root when it comes to innate spirit power.”
The crowd buzzed with heated talk.
Then, disciples from the Disciple Hall stepped forward to announce the official duel listings. A large crowd gathered, eyes wide with anticipation.
And then—the announcement:
Central Arena: Li Shuang vs. Duan Zi Yu
The Sect Master had chosen Li Shuang’s duel for the Central Arena!
Rumors had spread that Li Shuang had mastered the Sword Domain. But what was the Sword Domain, truly? Most ordinary disciples barely understood its essence. Could this mysterious art allow a warrior at the Energy Refining Stage to defeat one from the Foundation Establishment Late Phase? At the very least, the Sect Master believed the outcome was uncertain, or else this duel would not be granted such honor.
Li Shuang’s opponent, Duan Zi Yu, was no renowned prodigy. His talent was average. He had lingered at the Foundation Establishment Stage for many years and had barely qualified for the tournament by virtue of still being under fifty. He could not compare to those who had swiftly ascended to the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stages.
Yet he was far from weak. Having stayed long in the Foundation Establishment, his cultivation had been honed to a level of purity few could match. Duan Zi Yu embodied a rock-solid foundation, his skills refined to their peak.
If Li Shuang truly defeated Duan Zi Yu, her strength within the Foundation Establishment would surely rank among the top ten. Yet her true cultivation level… was still only Energy Refining!
This duel promised to be a thrilling clash of wills and skill.
Ye Zhao Zhao studied the list of matchups, her expression darkening slightly. [I must keep focused today,] she thought. She, too, had a duel—but her match was set in a less important arena.
“The Sect Master clearly favors Li Shuang!” grumbled Chang Le An, clenching his fists. “There are three rounds in total. I might even face her in the next two! When that day comes, I will make sure she learns a proper lesson.”
Ye Zhao Zhao’s voice was soft and calm. “Third Senior Brother, pay it no mind. We must only focus on our own battles.”
Her gentle nature deepened Chang Le An’s protective feelings for her. [I will shield her from harm,] he vowed silently.
“It’s a pity we have our own duels today, and we may miss watching her defeat,” Chang Le An muttered.
A flicker of light shone in Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes. “If we finish quickly, we may still catch a glimpse.”
With a graceful motion, she summoned Long Yan. “Zhao Zhao,” Long Yan said, his eyes full of deep emotion.
Chang Le An frowned. “You are only a Sword Spirit. In times like these, you should address her as ‘Master.’”
Long Yan ignored him. The bond between him and Zhao Zhao was known only to them. To others, Zhao Zhao was kind and gentle, but with Long Yan, she had shown her darker side. [That side is what makes her so captivating,] he thought.
“Little Master, there is more to this chapter—please turn to the next page for an even more thrilling continuation!”
Everything Zhao Zhao desired, Long Yan swore to secure for her. And any foe she wished to see eliminated, he would strike down with his sword.
“Long Yan,” Ye Zhao Zhao said with a playful glint, “I have never been skilled in swordplay. This time, I will be counting on you.”
Long Yan lifted his chin with pride. “Leave it to me.”
He had cultivated his spirit form, and under Li Shuang’s silent influence, he had grown skilled in the mysterious ways of the Sword Dao. Even without his Master’s guiding hand, his understanding of the Sword Dao was enough to best most opponents.
Yet a shadow troubled him. Since leaving Li Shuang’s side, he had lost his sense of direction. His progress in the Sword Dao had stalled, leaving him frustrated.
He had always believed that Dragon’s Roar was destined to be an unrivaled sword, and that as its Sword Spirit, he was fated to be unbeatable. Even without Li Shuang, Dragon’s Roar should remain sharp, and he invincible.
But lately, something felt… off.
Ever since he had followed Ye Zhao Zhao, his spirit form had failed to strengthen further, and Dragon’s Roar seemed to have lost some of its gleam. The secret of a Sword Spirit was the harmony between spirit and blade. So why… [why did I now feel our bond weakening?]
No, that could not be. He was born of Dragon’s Roar; their bond was meant to be eternal. Perhaps it was merely his worries, clouding his mind with illusions.
“Shh! The people from Emotionless Peak have arrived!” a hushed voice broke the quiet.
Long Yan’s eyes followed the direction of the sound, ready for the next twist in this tale of martial valor.
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