The inner sect arena buzzed with rising tension.
The Blossom Tournament had always been a celebrated occasion within the Jade Blossom Sect—disciples showcasing their skills, vying for recognition, and elders quietly scouting talent. Yet this year, the very air felt different. Heavier. Anticipatory.
The source of this gravity stood alone near the northern gate, arms folded behind his back, a silent black-clad figure who seemed untouched by the excitement or nerves that saturated the atmosphere.
Jin Mu-Won.
Since the first round, he had crushed his opponents with the kind of dominance that made onlookers forget to breathe. A whisper had started to spread: He's not just talented—he's someone reborn from legend.
His next match was set to begin. Yet, the sect's attention was no longer on the tournament alone—but on him.
---
"Contestant Number 44, step forward!"
The announcer's voice echoed across the arena. Cheers erupted as Jin Mu-Won stepped onto the smooth stone platform, his shadow stretching long under the morning sun.
Across from him, a young man in crimson stepped forward. Tall, lean, with a wicked grin and burning eyes—Li Wei, a representative of the Crimson Flame Sect.
Li Wei's flame aura burst forth like a wildfire. "I've been watching you, Mu-Won. Those cheap tricks of yours won't work against real power."
Jin Mu-Won didn't answer. He merely nodded toward the referee.
The gong struck.
Flames burst from Li Wei's fists. Twin dragons spiraled through the air, scorching the ground as they hurtled toward Jin Mu-Won.
Jin didn't move until the last moment.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, his own qi surged outward.
Technique Activated: Sky-Breaking Palm (Low Heaven Grade)
One palm. One ripple of force.
The flame dragons evaporated. Li Wei's body slammed into the far wall of the arena, unconscious before he hit the stone.
Victory Registered +100 Reputation +8 Sect Honor +5 Public Favor Combat Charm Effect Triggered
From the crowd, female disciples gasped—some clapped hands to their hearts. A few cultivators exchanged nervous glances.
"Did he just... erase that flame dragon with one palm?"
"Monster…"
"He's like a walking martial catastrophe."
---
Backstage, Yu Fei sipped tea calmly as Lin Xue paced.
"He's too calm," Lin Xue muttered. "I don't understand how he doesn't even break a sweat."
Yu Fei smirked. "Because sweat is for mortals. He's clearly a divine being in disguise."
"Stop teasing."
Yu Fei leaned back, expression unreadable. "I'm not teasing, Lin Xue. That man… he's dangerous. But not because he's cruel. Because he's gentle with overwhelming power. That makes people fall faster than violence ever will."
Lin Xue flushed. "I'm not—"
Yu Fei raised a brow. "You're not in love? Then why do your eyes chase him every time he turns?"
Lin Xue folded her arms. "I admire him. That's all."
"Of course." Yu Fei smiled knowingly. "So do I."
Yu Fei Favorability: +30
Lin Xue Favorability: 95 (Nearing Love)
---
Jin Mu-Won's next opponent was announced:
Bai Yiran of the Frost Cloud Sect.
She entered the stage with elegance and lethal grace. Her white-blue robes shimmered with frost, her saber humming with chilling intent. The temperature dropped ten degrees as she stepped forward.
"I hope you're ready, Jin Mu-Won."
"I've always admired frost," he said. "It preserves beauty… just before the break."
Their clash began with no ceremony.
Bai Yiran's saber danced like snowflakes in a blizzard—graceful yet merciless. Her Ice Lotus Steps left trails of freezing Qi that hardened the arena floor beneath her.
But Jin moved like mist—impossible to catch, flowing between each strike with fluid, minimal motion.
Then—
She aimed a finishing slash, ice blooming around her blade.
Jin caught it with two fingers.
Gasps rang out.
"How—?!"
"Too slow," he said softly.
With a palm strike to her abdomen, he sent her sliding backward—but he held back enough to avoid harm.
Bai Yiran stood, panting. "You… you held back."
He said nothing.
"You could have broken my saber."
He inclined his head. "I don't break things I respect."
A moment passed in silence. Then she bowed.
"Thank you for the lesson."
Favorability Gained: Bai Yiran +30
Status: Harem Candidate Unlocked
Combat Observation: Sword Qi Resistance Gained +2%
---
As the final round approached, the atmosphere in the sect turned tense. Rumors had already begun circulating about the identity of Jin's next opponent.
It wasn't a sect disciple.
It was the masked guest of the Red Lotus Sect.
---
When the challenger stepped into the arena, silence fell.
Tall. Clad in black and red. Masked, with a silver lotus symbol etched into his chestplate.
Jin Mu-Won's eyes narrowed.
> System Scan…
Identity: Unknown
Cultivation: Concealed
Threat Level: SS
Intent: Lethal
Hidden Technique Detected: Red Vein Puppet Technique (Banned)
Warning: Cult Affiliation Confirmed – Blood Lotus Cult
Jin Mu-Won smiled slightly.
He wasn't surprised.
---
Final Match: Jin Mu-Won vs. Masked Red Lotus Disciple
Gong.
The masked man moved first, faster than sound.
Jin blocked, parried, dodged—and then retaliated with a series of strikes that would have shattered most enemies.
But the masked figure didn't bleed.
His limbs moved unnaturally.
"Puppet?" Jin murmured.
The masked figure laughed, voice cold and metallic. "You see clearly. But it won't matter."
He unleashed a burst of crimson Qi.
It was poison. Jin Mu-Won stepped back, circulating the Heaven-Devouring Manual, absorbing the noxious energy and redirecting it into the ground.
Then he moved.
He didn't hold back.
Sky-Breaking Palm. Seven Shadow Steps. Qi Blades formed from nothing.
The masked man was fast—but Jin Mu-Won was faster. Cleaner. Hungrier.
One final blow cracked the mask.
It shattered, revealing a hollowed-out corpse powered by a crimson gem.
The body collapsed, twitching.
Then—
Boom.
The corpse exploded.
Jin Mu-Won shielded himself and the crowd with a barrier of Qi, absorbing the force.
As the dust cleared, elders rushed to the stage.
"Blood Lotus Cult," Elder Mei hissed. "They sent an assassin."
Jin Mu-Won stood calmly, brushing ash from his robes.
"I expected worse."
---
Victory: Jin Mu-Won
Tournament Champion Crowned
New Title Unlocked: Black Lotus Reaper
Rewards: +20 to All Stats, 1x Legacy Key, Jade Blossom Secret Room Unlocked
---
Later that night, Jin stood atop the Moonview Pavilion. Lin Xue approached him.
"You should be resting."
"I don't sleep much."
She hesitated. "You're leaving soon, aren't you?"
He nodded. "This sect has given me what I needed."
She stepped closer. "And what about what you gave us?"
He looked at her. "You've grown stronger. Braver."
"I meant me."
Silence.
Then—
"I don't know how long I'll live this life," he said. "I've walked roads no one should walk."
"I'll follow you," she whispered.
Jin Mu-Won turned toward her. She stood on her toes, kissed his cheek, and ran before he could reply.
Lin Xue Favorability: 100 (Love)
Harem Member Secured: Lin Xue
From behind a pillar, Yu Fei and Bai Yiran watched silently.
"…This is going to be interesting," Yu Fei muttered.
Harem Dynamics Unlocked
> Next Quest: Journey to the Broken Moon Sect
Threat Rising: The Blood Lotus Cult Knows Your Name
The Emperor's Path Begins