The next day, the selection process concluded, and it was soon announced that the Tournament would consist of two stages. Five days remained before the first stage, and all participants were required to gather outside the city precisely at noon.
The news sent a wave of excitement through the young cultivators, yet Qinxuan received it with unusual calm — as if she had anticipated this very outcome.
Dividing her day, she devoted the first half as always to her patients, and the second entirely to preparation. At first glance, she seemed unhurried, yet every one of her actions was deliberate.
With ample experience and knowledge of the rules governing most official tournaments, the young woman had already formulated several hypotheses about what exactly awaited them in the first challenge.
By the end of the first day, she had not only gathered everything necessary — from basic supplies to rare ointments — but had also broken through to the first Mortal rank.
After purging the poison, this was no longer extraordinary, yet it remained a good omen. The remaining four days were devoted entirely to a single goal — Delia's preparation.
She assessed her friend's skills honestly: above average… but no more. After a few trial strikes and a brief duel, Qinxuan arrived at an obvious conclusion — most of her new disciple's victories had been won thanks to surprise or an enormous disparity in strength.
Facing an opponent of equal level — or, worse, one stronger than herself — would be a true trial. A dangerous one.
Thus, training began with the basics.
— First and foremost rule, — a stern voice cut the morning air, — never underestimate your enemy. No matter how weak they may seem, you cannot know what they are planning. If you have the chance, end the fight quickly. As quickly as possible.
Silence answered — full attention.
— Second rule, — Qinxuan continued. — Assess strength correctly. Both yours and your opponent's. If you feel the odds are not in your favor — run. There is no shame in retreat. Shame lies in dying out of foolish stubbornness. And if escape is impossible… use everything you can.
She counted off her fingers:
— Provocations, deception, ambushes, poisons, traps, hide-and-seek, hostages — anything that gives you an advantage. When life itself is at stake, there are no dirty tricks.
Only after ensuring Delia fully grasped the meaning of her words did Qinxuan move to practice. She demonstrated everything — stances, footwork, body posture, blade movements. The ease with which every motion came back perfect on the first try genuinely astonished her.
Yet even so, she made her friend spend three days perfecting the basics. Not because the tall girl did anything incorrectly — quite the opposite. But the foundation needed not only to be understood but ingrained into her body.
On the final day,when the student was ready for another round of stances to and combinations once again, Qinxuan appeared with a friendly smile — the kind that usually heralded strange adventures or trouble.
— Let's start simple, — she said. — What do you know about combat techniques?
— Besides that they're rare and expensive? — came the shrug. — Nothing.
— Ho-ho.
— What do you mean by "ho-ho"?
"The physique of the Divine Truth sent a warning signal."
Within an hour of the lecture, the disciple had learned far more than she had expected. Combat techniques, like cultivation ranks, were divided into Mortal, Earthly, and Heavenly.
In the city, Mortal-rank techniques were possessed by only four major clans, the city lord, and the Trade Guild. Earthly techniques could only be learned in the Alliance capital, and only as a reward for exceptional merit.
Heavenly… Heavenly techniques were almost mythical. The only known technique of such a level belonged to the Eternaite imperial family in the Sacred Empire.
Delia stretched wearily, massaged her face, and cast a glance at her friend, who was sipping tea with a satisfied expression.
— You didn't tell me all this just for general knowledge, did you?
— Of course not. — Qinxuan adopted a serious expression. — My real goal was to see you struggle to keep from yawning, even though you were curious.
— …
— Ha-ha! Alright, alright. I like your silent expression.
The brunette deliberately turned away, intending to completely ignore the cheeky girl.
— Should I take that as a sign that you're not interested in these two things at all? — Innocence itself spoke, rustling something in her hands.
— …
— Ah! — she exclaimed, jumping slightly. — Could this be the legendary Heavenly Technique of Ignoring? Why did you hide that you know it?!
Unable to resist, Delia turned back with a smirk:— You might want to be quieter — you don't want the whole city flocking here for the second Heavenly technique on the entire continent, do you?
— Don't worry, — Qinxuan nodded seriously. — I'm confident you're fast enough to pick me up and carry me out of here.
— Want to test it? — Narrowed eyes and open palms — a mock threat.
— Tempting… but another time. Here.
Two thin books landed in waiting hands. One was engraved: "Blur of Reality", the other: "Blade of All Styles."
Brows drew together.
— These… are Mortal-rank combat techniques?
— No.
— So…?
— Earthly rank.
She almost dropped the books.
— But… where did you get them?!
Qinxuan responded with silence and a look that clearly said: "Not telling."
Nothing to do but accept the gift.
Study began immediately.
Blur of Reality proved to be a movement technique with two stages. The first initiated a mild spatial distortion, making it difficult for the opponent to concentrate. The second allowed the practitioner, while in motion, to blend with the environment, vanishing from sight. But reaching the second stage was possible only at Earthly rank.
Blade of All Styles required a bladed weapon. The technique allowed the creation of an energy blade to strike the opponent at a distance. It had no strict stages, but development at Mortal rank was considered one of the most difficult tasks. Its true potential only manifested at Earthly rank.
And so it happened: the first technique posed no difficulty for Delia — within half an hour, she fully mastered the initial stage. Qinxuan nodded approvingly but was about to warn her that Blade of All Styles would demand far more…
Yet within half an hour, Delia successfully unleashed the first blade, plowing through the ground, scattering dirt and dust. Then another. And another. Each strike grew stronger and more confident.
For a moment, the master was speechless.
Even the greatest geniuses of Llatem had taken hours to achieve this. And the power of the blade Delia created… was terrifying. By Qinxuan's estimation, opponents below the seventh rank would not withstand a direct hit.
Thoughts swirled in a whirlwind.
And black eyes fixed on the impossible student, shone with delight, anticipation, and something else… the same awe a scientist feels upon accidentally discovering a phenomenon capable of turning the world upside down.
— Incredible, — Qinxuan whispered, and for the first time during the entire training, her voice wavered. — You… don't even realize how incredible this is.