Chapter 14: Vengeance in the Arena
The next morning, the sky above the Azure Sky Sect was heavy and gray.
The air felt tight — everyone could feel it.
Ashen, Lian, Rika, Lina, and Raizen walked through the crowd toward the arena.
Whispers followed them. Some looked with curiosity, others with mockery.
And then came him.
Ren Huo stood in their way, wearing a smug grin. His two followers stood behind him, proud and arrogant.
> "Well, if it isn't the little village group," Ren said loudly.
"Enjoy this day, Lian. It'll be your last in this sect."
Lian's eyes narrowed, but before he could speak, Ashen stepped forward.
He didn't say much. He didn't need to. His eyes were cold enough.
Ren smirked but his voice had a hint of irritation.
> "You think standing there makes you strong? Just wait, you'll learn how this world works."
Ashen stared straight at him.
> "We'll see who learns first."
Ren clicked his tongue and turned away. "You'll regret that soon enough."
Rika leaned closer to Lian and whispered, "Be careful today. He's planning something."
Lian nodded silently. Ashen didn't look back — but he'd already made up his mind.
The tournament started.
Lina's match came first. She moved like lightning, her small frame weaving through her opponent's attacks.
One quick strike — and her wooden sword tapped her opponent's chest.
> "Winner, Lina Han!"
And then. after many battles Lina won all of her matches.
The examiner shouted, and the crowd murmured in surprise.
"Top ten spots secured!" one of the elders announced.
Lina smiled wide, her chest rising with pride.
Then came Raizen's match.
He stood calm and steady. His defense was solid, like a wall. His opponent tried to break through, but Raizen countered each move with clean, heavy strikes.
Finally, a powerful punch sent his opponent out of the ring.
> "Winner, Raizen Kain!"
Ashen smiled faintly. "Good. They did it."
Lina ran to Raizen after his match. "We're both in the Top Ten!"
Raizen smiled back. "Looks like all that training paid off."
---
After the match, Raizen was taken to the recovery tent.
It was full of injured participants, bandages, herbs, and medicine bottles everywhere.
Raizen laid down on one of the beds, still catching his breath.
A healer walked up — calm, polite, wearing sect robes.
> "You fought well," the man said. "Drink this, it'll help your recovery."
Raizen smiled weakly. "Thanks."
He took the cup and drank. The liquid was bitter, but he didn't think much of it.
The healer gave a small nod and left.
But as he turned, his mouth curved into a thin, cold smile.
Then he disappeared into the crowd.
---
Minutes later, Raizen's chest tightened.
He gasped, clutching his stomach.
"W-what…"
A burning pain shot through his legs — it felt like fire under his skin.
He tried to stand, but his body wouldn't move. His knees gave out, and he hit the floor hard.
"HELP!" someone shouted.
Healers rushed to him, panic spreading.
"Poison!" one of them yelled. "But this is… this isn't anything I've seen before!"
Lina and Rika burst into the tent, followed by Lian.
"Raizen!" Lina cried.
Rika knelt beside him. "Stay still! We'll fix this!"
Raizen's face twisted in pain. "I… can't feel my legs…"
Lian turned to the nearest healer. "Do something!"
The man shook his head. "We're trying! The poison's strange — it's spreading too fast!"
---
Ashen stormed into the tent.
The air changed. It felt heavier.
He knelt beside Raizen, his jaw tight, his voice low.
"What happened?"
One healer looked terrified. "Someone poisoned him… we don't know how!"
Ashen looked at Raizen — his friend's body shaking, his eyes filled with pain.
Behind them, an elder stepped forward, his tone casual, almost cold.
> "What a shame," he said. "Such potential wasted. He can't walk anymore. He won't be accepted into the sect now."
Lian turned sharply. "What did you just say!?"
The elder shrugged. "Rules are rules. The sect doesn't take in cripples."
Lian clenched his fists. "He was targeted! Someone did this on purpose!"
The elder smirked. "Fairness doesn't matter in the real world, boy."
"Suddenly, Ashen remembers a past trauma: watching his comrades die before him, powerless to help because of his own weakness. To this day, he cannot let go, blaming himself for what happened, and he swore that day to never let it happen again. Even though he is not in his prime, he is strong enough to protect against anyone, but there's a price. Despite this, he will never back down."
Ashen slowly stood.
His voice came out low, sharp, and dangerous.
> "You think I don't know who's behind this?"
The elder raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And who do you blame?"
> "Your disciple. Ren Huo. And your his master right? — Elder Feng."
The elder's smile turned into a sneer. "Do you have proof? Even if Ren did it, what can you do? The strong are always right. The weak—"
He didn't finish.
Ashen's aura exploded.
The white glow around him burst out like a storm, pressure flooding the entire tent.
He moved faster than anyone could see — one step, and his hand was around the elder's throat.
The elder gasped, choking, his face turning red as he struggled to breathe.
> "The strong are always right?" Ashen said coldly.
"Then tell me — how right do you feel now?"
A wave of Qi burst from him.
The ground cracked. Tables and shelves shattered.
Healers and disciples were thrown back by the shockwave.
The tent trembled like it was about to tear apart.
The Sect Leader, the cloaked figure, and several high elders rushed to the scene — drawn by the surge of power.
When they arrived, they froze.
A boy, sixteen years old, stood in the center of the chaos, holding one of their elders by the throat.
> "Impossible…" one elder whispered.
Another elder shouted, drawing his sword.
He lunged at Ashen from behind.
Ashen didn't even turn around.
He flicked his wrist — an invisible force slammed into the attacker, sending him flying straight into Elder Feng, both of them crashing to the ground.
The entire area went silent.
Ren Huo stood frozen nearby, face pale.
His body trembled — fear creeping into his eyes.
He finally understood.
The boy he mocked… was not someone he should have provoked.
Ashen's white aura burned brighter.
The ground cracked under his feet. His face was cold, his voice even colder.
> "Who's next?"
No one moved.
No one dared.
The air turned heavy.
No one dared to speak.
Ashen stood in the middle of the recovery hall, white aura still faintly glowing around him. His hand trembled slightly — not from fear, but from holding back his power.
The Sect Leader stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. Behind him were several elders, including Elder Shen, Lian's master. The cloaked figure from before stood near the doorway, watching silently.
> "Enough."
The Sect Leader's voice was calm but firm, carrying a tone that silenced even the air.
Ashen turned his head toward him. The glow around him dimmed, but the cold look in his eyes didn't fade.
> "They poisoned my friend," Ashen said, his voice low and steady. "And they're acting like nothing happened."
Elder Shen stepped closer, his tone calm but serious.
> "Ashen, lower your Qi. You've made your point. I'll handle this matter personally."
Ashen's fists clenched tighter.
> "If I didn't stop him, he'd still be smiling right now."
Raizen lay weak on the bed nearby. Lina was holding his hand tightly, her eyes red. Lian and Rika stood beside them, faces dark with anger and worry.
The Sect Leader's tone softened slightly.
> "Your anger is not wrong. But if you lose control, your strength becomes a threat — even to those you protect."
Ashen said nothing. Slowly, his white aura faded until the pressure in the room eased.
The injured elder groaned, clutching his throat.
> "He attacked me! This boy must be punished!"
The Sect Leader's eyes turned sharp.
> "You caused this yourself. We will speak later. Leave."
Elder Feng glared at Ashen, helping the other elder stand. His face twisted with hate.
> "You'll regret this, boy."
They left, Ren Huo following behind, pale and silent.
When the tension eased, Elder Shen sighed.
> "Ashen, you almost caused chaos. But I saw what happened. I'll make sure Raizen's case is treated fairly."
Ashen's voice was calm, but there was steel in it.
> "Thank you, Elder. But if they try something again… I won't stop next time."
Elder Shen looked at him, then sighed again.
> "Then let's hope they don't."
The Sect Leader nodded.
> "Your friend will live, but the poison was strange. The healers are doing everything they can."
Ashen looked at Raizen one last time before leaving the tent. His steps were steady, but everyone could feel the anger still burning inside him.
---
Later That Night — The Inn
Lina sat beside Raizen's bed. His breathing had calmed, but his legs were still weak.
> "You'll be okay," she whispered. "You have to be."
Rika sat near the window, sharpening her blade slowly.
> "They won't stop here," she said quietly. "Ren Huo's not the type to let go."
Lina's grip tightened.
> "Then we'll make them regret it."
Outside, the wind blew softly through the streets of the sect.