Chapter 12 – The Elimination Rounds Begin
The great hall of the Azure Sky Sect shook with noise and power.
Hundreds of young fighters stood ready across dozens of fighting rings.
This was the Elimination Round — the first step toward the Azure Sky Tournament.
Because there were so many participants, the battles were held in the Elimination Hall, a massive place filled with Qi formations that repaired the floor after every fight.
There were no cheering crowds, only the calm, sharp eyes of elders and examiners watching from above.
At the highest seat, the Sect Leader sat quietly. His presence alone made the air feel heavy.
Around him were several elders, their robes drifting in the Qi wind.
One elder sighed.
> "So far, none stand out. All bark, no bite."
Another elder chuckled.
> "Same every year. They come thinking they're special, but most break before round two."
The Sect Leader said nothing. His eyes slowly swept across the field — calm, but piercing.
Beside him, a cloaked figure leaned forward, their gaze fixed on one ring where a small girl stepped up to fight.
---
Down below, Lina, only ten years old, drew her wooden sword.
The other fighters around her stared, whispering to one another.
Her opponent, a tall boy almost twice her size, smirked.
> "You lost before the match even started, little girl."
Lina frowned, eyes sharp.
> "We'll see."
At the edge of the ring, Ashen, Raizen, and Lian stood watching.
Lian crossed his arms. "She's nervous."
Ashen's tone was calm. "No. She's focused."
---
The examiner raised his hand.
> "Begin!"
The boy charged fast — loud, strong, and careless.
Lina didn't move until the last moment. Then, quick as lightning, she sidestepped, the boy's strike slicing only air.
Her blade tapped his wrist, then swept his legs out from under him.
He fell hard.
Before he could react, Lina placed the wooden blade at his throat.
> "You lost," she said quietly.
The examiner raised his hand.
> "Winner, Lina Han!"
The hall went still. Then, soft whispers spread among the elders.
> "That girl… she's under thirteen?" "Her movement control… it's perfect." "Who trained her?"
Even the Sect Leader's eyes opened a little.
The cloaked figure smiled faintly beneath their hood.
> "Interesting…" they whispered.
---
Raizen grinned from the sideline.
> "Told you she'd win."
Ashen's eyes stayed on the ring.
> "She's been waiting for this."
Lian laughed.
> "You really turned them into monsters."
Ashen shook his head.
> "No. They turned themselves into warriors."
---
Soon after, Raizen stepped into the ring for his match.
He moved with calm strength — every strike solid, every step steady.
He didn't rush, didn't show off. But each swing carried weight and discipline.
When the match ended, his opponent was on the ground.
The examiner nodded with approval.
> "Good control. No wasted motion."
From the stands, a few senior disciples murmured.
> "That boy's no show-off, but his form's clean. That's real strength."
Lian smiled. "Both passed the first round. Elder Rian would be proud."
Ashen nodded. "He will be."
---
During the break, Lian went to speak with the other examiners.
As he returned, a sharp, mocking voice stopped him.
> "Well, if it isn't the village boy who somehow became a core disciple."
Lian's steps froze.
Ren Huo, son of a rich clan and disciple of Elder Feng, stood there grinning, two followers behind him.
> "Didn't think the sect was recruiting farmers," Ren sneered.
"Guess even peasants get lucky now."
Lian's jaw tightened.
> "Still the same mouth, Ren."
Ren laughed softly.
> "And you're still pretending you belong here."
Before Lian could speak again, a calm voice cut through the noise.
> "You talk too much."
Ren turned. Ashen stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, gaze cold and steady.
Ren frowned.
> "And who are you supposed to be? His dog?"
Ashen didn't blink.
> "Someone who doesn't bark without reason."
The air went still.
Ren felt something heavy press against his chest — just from that calm tone.
For a second, he forgot to breathe. Then his smirk returned, but thinner this time.
> "You've got guts for a nobody."
Ashen's eyes didn't move.
> "You'll find out how much… if you keep talking."
Ren clicked his tongue, annoyed.
> "Enjoy your little peace while it lasts, village boy."
He turned away, but his jaw was tight — anger hiding behind that grin.
---
When he left, Lian let out a slow breath.
> "You didn't have to do that."
Ashen's tone stayed level.
> "He needed to stop."
Lian sighed.
> "Be careful. He's Elder Feng's disciple. He has power behind him."
Ashen's eyes narrowed slightly.
> "Power doesn't make him right."
---
Just then, Lina and Raizen ran back with bright faces.
> "We passed!" Lina said proudly.
Raizen nodded. "The examiner said we move to the next bracket!"
Lian smiled.
> "Good. Keep your focus."
Ashen crossed his arms.
> "Don't relax yet. The next rounds will be harder."
---
The fights went on.
Lina's speed and sharp instincts made her unpredictable.
Raizen's patience and strong defense gave him an edge even against older opponents.
They both fought with heart — and both reached the Final Tournament.
From the upper stand, the elders nodded. Even the Sect Leader showed mild approval.
Lian watched proudly. Ashen stood beside him, quiet but proud.
Across the arena, Ren Huo stared from the shadows, his expression dark.
> "So he dares to talk back to me…" he muttered.
One of his followers grinned. "Want us to deal with him?"
Ren smirked coldly.
"No. I'll handle him myself… soon."
When the day finally ended, the sun dipped low behind the mountains.
The elimination rounds were over — Lina and Raizen had made it into the Final Tournament.
Lian decided to treat everyone to a small meal in the nearby food court.
The place was lively, full of chatter and the smell of roasted meat. Sect disciples and travelers sat at wooden tables, celebrating their victories.
Lina could barely sit still.
> "I still can't believe we made it!"
Raizen smiled. "You earned it."
Ashen leaned back, arms crossed. "Both of you did well. But don't get careless tomorrow."
Lina grinned. "You sound like Father now."
Lian laughed softly. "He's right, though."
They were in the middle of eating when—
> Thud!
Someone bumped into Lian from behind.
"Hey—" he turned, then froze.
A girl stood there, holding her chest and breathing hard, clearly having run all the way. Her long brown hair was tied loosely behind her, and her bright eyes narrowed at him.
> "Lian Han! You're back at the sect, and you didn't even tell me!?"
Lian blinked, startled. "Ah—Rika? I—uh…"
Rika crossed her arms, pouting. "You've been here for days and didn't visit once! Do you know how awkward it was hearing from other disciples you were already here!?"
Lina leaned forward, eyes wide and mischievous.
> "Oooh… Brother, you didn't tell us you had a girlfriend!"
Rika's face turned red instantly. "W-We're not—! I mean—!"
Lian's face went red too. "Lina! She's not—! She's just a friend!"
Ashen smirked, hiding his amusement behind his teacup.
> "A very close friend, huh? You should've introduced her earlier, Lian. Keeping secrets isn't good for teamwork."
Lian shot him a glare. "You're not helping."
Rika puffed her cheeks. "We're friends, alright?"
Ashen smiled faintly.
> "For now."
That made both of them blush again. Lina and Raizen laughed, and even Lian couldn't hide a small grin as he sighed.
Finally, he stood up and said, "Alright, alright… before you start teasing more, this is Rika Tien. She's a sect disciple and… my old friend."
Rika gave a small bow, still red. "Nice to meet you all."
Lian gestured to his companions. "This is Lina, my sister. That's Raizen — he's also from our village. And this is Ashen."
Ashen nodded politely. "Pleasure to meet you."
Rika smiled shyly. "You too."
Lina leaned on the table, grinning. "Brother, I like her. She's cute."
Lian groaned. "Lina…"
Raizen chuckled. "Guess we know who's really in charge here."
Ashen laughed quietly, the sound light but warm. For a moment, the long day's tension melted away — replaced by laughter, teasing, and a rare sense of peace.
---
As the group left the food court, laughter fading into the night, Rika slowed her pace and looked at Lian quietly.
> "You've changed, Lian," she said softly. "But… you still attract trouble."
He glanced at her, confused. "What do you mean?"
Rika shook her head and smiled. "Nothing. Just… be careful, alright?"
She walked ahead to catch up with Lina and Raizen, who were playfully arguing about who would win tomorrow.
Ashen, walking behind them, noticed Rika glance back at Lian for a brief moment — her expression soft, but also a little worried.
He said nothing, only smiled faintly to himself.
> "So she's watching over him," he murmured quietly. "Good."
The wind carried faint laughter down the lantern-lit street.
But just as he turned away, his steps suddenly stopped.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
A faint chill swept through the street — quiet, yet sharp enough for him to notice.
It wasn't the night breeze.
It was something else.
Killing intent.
Ashen's calm face darkened, his gaze scanning the rooftops and shadows around them.
He could feel it — cold, focused, and directed straight at Lian.
> "So, someone's after him"
He let out a quiet, sharp laugh. "Whoever thinks they can touch him—let them try."
He used one of his techniques, one that could sense and locate hidden enemies nearby.
Ashen's voice was low and tight.
> "You just wait. You dare target people I care about — I don't care who you are."