The high-altitude gale swept past the steep stone tiers, carrying the heavy scent of crushed marigolds and chilled mountain tea over the ten thousand packed spectators.
Down in the courtyard below, the six thousand four hundred disciples stood in tight, immovable ranks. Some were leaning forward, their arms crossed as they traced the glowing runes on the floating sky-screens; others held wooden cups of lemonade, their eyes wide as they pointed up at the two new three-hundred-foot blue jade slabs gliding into the central grid.
"Look at the sky array... it's shifting!" an outer male disciple in an called out, nudging his companion. "Semi-finals! They're clearing the entire grid for just two arenas!"
Up in the stands, capital merchants in fine silk coats set down their brass pipes, craning their necks to catch the new golden text burning into the blue sky:
[SEMI-FINALS — THE FINAL FOUR]
Semi-Final 1: Lin Xiaobao vs. Su Qing
Semi-Final 2: Meng Huo vs. Shen Hang
