The sun hung high above the sect's grand arena, its golden light spilling over the six stone stages where countless disciples had fought for glory over the last five days. The once-fiery excitement of the tournament had now turned into quiet awe. Those who still remained — the final eight — were names that would be remembered for years to come.
Bai Long, Xue He, and Leng Yue stood among them, their robes untouched by dirt or sweat, each radiating a calm that only widened the gap between them and the rest. They hadn't struggled even once. Their victories had been so absolute, so clean, that whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
"Those three… are true geniuses," someone murmured.
"No, not geniuses," another corrected, voice trembling. "They're monsters."
The elder presiding over the tournament stepped forward, his voice magnified by spiritual energy.
"Congratulations," he announced, pride flickering in his tone. "You have all officially been promoted to Inner Sect Disciples. Furthermore, you are granted the right to choose one martial art from the third floor of the Martial Library."
A wave of excitement erupted among the competitors. Becoming an Inner Sect disciple was a dream few achieved — access to Earth-level arts from the third floor even more so. But among the eight, two figures remained motionless.
Bai Long and Leng Yue.
While others grinned with barely contained excitement, Bai Long simply folded his arms, eyes half-lidded with boredom. Earth-level arts? He had already seen through dozens of them in his past life — techniques that others revered as rare treasures were but simple patterns to him now.
As for Leng Yue, she stood like an ice sculpture, beautiful and untouchable. Her expression didn't so much as flicker. Her interest lay elsewhere — her glacial gaze occasionally drifted toward Bai Long. She didn't understand why. She had ruled galaxies as the Ice Phoenix Empress in her past life; nothing in existence had ever stirred her heart. Yet since meeting his eyes that day, a subtle tremor in her soul refused to fade.
"Enough celebration," the elder continued. "These are the match-ups for the quarterfinals and semi-finals."
He lifted a jade scroll, revealing the names and stages. Murmurs rippled through the crowd again as everyone strained to see. Bai Long scanned the listings, his gaze landing on two particular names.
"So, they put me opposite her in the bracket," he mused. "They want to see who's stronger in the final."
Xue He peeked over his shoulder, his grin unrestrained. "Brother Li, you're going to face that goddess? She's beautiful and terrifying — I almost pity you!"
Bai Long gave him a sidelong glance. "You could never understand pity, besides, you'll face her before me."
Xue He's grin faltered as he remembered that crucial piece of information.
The elder's voice cut through the noise. "Proceed to your assigned stages!"
Quarterfinal Matches
Bai Long stepped onto Stage Four, his crimson hair fluttering lightly in the breeze. Across from him stood his opponent — a young man named Tie Long, third stage of Nascent Soul Realm, sword trembling slightly in his grip. He swallowed hard. Facing Bai Long felt like standing before a sleeping dragon, one whose eyes could open at any moment to swallow him whole.
"Begin!"
Bai Long walked forward at an unhurried pace, sword hanging loosely at his side. His steps were light, casual — each one a quiet insult to his opponent's effort. Tie Long's jaw tightened.
'So what if he's stronger? The least he can do is fight seriously!'
With a roar, Tie Long charged forward, his sword flashing downward with all the strength he could muster.
Clink.
The sound was almost pathetic. Bai Long hadn't even lifted his sword — he merely flicked his wrist, deflecting the attack and sending Tie Long's blade spiralling out of his hand.
"You…" Tie Long froze, realizing the fight was over before it began.
"Stage Four winner — Number 412!" the judge called.
Bai Long turned without a word and stepped off the stage.
Across the arena, other results echoed through the air:
"Stage One winner — Number 413."
"Stage Two winner — Number 1."
"Stage Three winner — Number 527."
The crowd erupted into cheers and gossip once again. The eight had become four.
The elder raised his hand. "You may rest now. The semi-finals will commence later today."
Xue He found Bai Long shortly after, waving as he approached.
"Brother Li, what now? Should we train? Meditate? Maybe eat? My stomach's been growling since morning."
Bai Long stretched lazily, his eyes drifting toward the horizon. "We'll have to wait. But I'm bored of weaklings… so how about a spar?"
"A spar? Oh, that's… interesting because—" Xue He suddenly glanced to the side, eyes widening in fake panic. "Ah! My very real friend is calling me! Urgent business, Brother Li, truly urgent!"
He turned to run, but Bai Long's voice came out like a blade's edge.
"Coward."
Xue He didn't even bother denying it. "A smart coward lives longer, Brother Li!"
5 minutes ago — Stage Two Arena
Leng Yue stood still as the morning frost. Her opponent, a young woman at the third stage of the Nascent Soul Realm, trembled slightly under her gaze. There was no arrogance in Leng Yue's expression, no scorn — only a calm detachment that made her opponent feel as if she were facing not a person, but the will of heaven itself.
"Begin."
Her opponent moved first, releasing her spiritual energy in a fiery burst, twin blades glowing orange. She dashed forward, attacking with all the speed she could muster. The air hissed — yet, when the flames reached Leng Yue, they simply… froze.
A crystalline stillness spread outward, devouring the fire.
Leng Yue's sword moved once — slow, graceful, effortless. A single arc of ice-blue light traced through the air. A heartbeat later, her opponent's weapons shattered like glass, and she was sent sliding across the ground, her arms covered in frost.
"Stage Two winner — Number 1!"
Leng Yue lowered her sword, her expression unchanged. Around her, disciples whispered in reverent fear.
"She didn't even use spiritual pressure…"
"That's Leng Yue's true power? Just one swing?"
But she wasn't listening. Her eyes had already drifted upward — toward Stage Four, where Bai Long had fought.
'That man…' she thought, her chest tightening slightly. 'Why can't I see through him? Why can't I understand why my heart… moved?'
Her heart, so long frozen in divine silence, stirred for the second time ever — and the second time today.
***
30 minutes before the semi-finals.
Bai Long leaned against a railing, eyes half-closed. "This might finally get interesting."
Leng Yue, now in her private box, gazed down at him in quiet contemplation.
And Xue He? He stood off to the side, rubbing his hands nervously as he whispered, "Why do I feel like I'm about to be frozen and burned alive at the same time…"