The second the words fell, the other man lunged forward, raising his blade high. His muscles tensed, every fibre primed to crush Bai Long with a single, decisive strike. But before he could even close the distance, a scene unfolded that left the entire arena in stunned silence — everyone, that is, except Xue He.
Bai Long, as calm as ever, reached out and caught the blade with only two fingers.
"Huh?! How did he—?" one spectator gasped.
"What stage is he?" another muttered, disbelief etched across his face.
"How can an outer disciple be this strong?" a third whispered.
Crack.
The sound of twisting metal echoed as Bai Long subtly rotated his fingers. The opponent's sword shattered into fragments, spraying sparks across the stone stage.
"Winner — number 412," the judge declared, his voice laced with shock and a hint of admiration.
Xue He leaned forward, frowning. "You really should exercise some restraint. Do you even know how expensive those swords are?"
Bai Long reclined in his seat, expression perfectly neutral. "It's not my problem if they choose to fight against me."
Xue He shook his head, a mixture of exasperation and awe on his face. "Still… that reward is practically begging for my name. I haven't even seen anyone who can take my first form of the Scarlet Sun Blade Art, let alone anything beyond that."
Bai Long opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the announcer's voice boomed through the arena again.
"For the final battle of the first round, Number 1 and 783 proceed to Stage One!"
The spectators turned as a large door at the back of one of the top viewing boxes slid open. A figure emerged, gliding forward with fluid, almost predatory grace.
"You might have to take back your words," Bai Long murmured, his gaze locked.
Pale jade-like skin, silver-blue hair, and eyes as deep and cold as the ocean itself. Even Bai Long, who had lived countless lives and seen beauty beyond imagination, found himself staring longer than he intended.
"Beautiful," Xue He muttered under his breath.
Bai Long's eyes snapped toward him. "You should probably close your jaw."
Xue He grinned mischievously. "Don't give me that. I saw how you looked at her. It's the same way all the girls look at you."
Bai Long opened his mouth to argue but couldn't. Xue He spoke the truth. In all his immortal existence, this was without question the most striking person he had ever seen.
***
Leng Yue walked toward the stage, completely unbothered by the stares and whispers of the crowd. She was used to it — accustomed to commanding attention without effort. As she stepped onto the stone platform, her opponent froze, transfixed by her presence.
'Pathetic,' she thought. 'Does he really think this is just a performance?'
"Begin!" the judge's voice rang out.
Her opponent snapped out of his daze and lunged, sword raised, but Leng Yue had already vanished. The crowd's eyes tracked her form — then nothing. A split second later, the man's body collapsed forward, unconscious, struck on the back of the head with the bottom of her handle.
"Winner — Leng Yue," the judge announced, his voice calm but carrying an edge of awe.
Leng Yue turned, her steps light and deliberate as she began walking toward the stairs. But then her sharp, ocean-blue eyes caught sight of a certain crimson-haired figure sitting in the stands. For reasons she couldn't understand, her heart skipped a beat.
Startled by her own reaction, she quickly averted her gaze, her movements betraying nothing as she hurried back to the box she occupied.
Meanwhile, in the crowd, Bai Long's expression remained neutral, though a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of interest passed through his silver eyes. He had sensed it — the subtle aura that radiated from her, calm yet commanding, powerful yet restrained. Something about her was… different.
Xue He, oblivious to the deeper observation, nudged him excitedly. "Brother Li, did you see that? That woman… she's unreal. Her speed, her precision — not even one of my moves would've landed a scratch."
Bai Long's lips twitched, a ghost of a smile. "Yes. She's strong. But strength isn't always what impresses."
Xue He blinked, confused. "Then what are you looking at?"
"Observation," Bai Long said simply, eyes still fixed on the stage, where Leng Yue had disappeared from sight. "A true warrior isn't only measured by what they can do — but by the control they hold over themselves and the battlefield."
Xue He chewed his lip, a little frustrated but intrigued. "Hmph. Well, whatever. I'm still taking that reward. No one's stopping me."
Bai Long leaned back slightly, stretching his fingers. "We'll see. For now, watch and learn. The tournament's just getting started."