The arena was louder than usual.
Something about the second round drew even the lazy elders out of their meditation halls. Spectators packed every corner, from the grandstands to the outer walls.
And Xue Rong… stood still at the edge of the platform, heart pounding like a war drum.
The Opponent: Yan Buwei
– Level 9 Martial Disciple– Snake Shadow Palm– Core disciple of the Hundred Venom Sect– Known for crippling his opponents "accidentally"
The referee raised his hand.
"Combatants—begin!"
Xue Rong Moved First
His sword flashed like silver moonlight.
A clean, textbook slash aimed straight at Yan Buwei's collarbone.
But the older boy twisted, let the blade graze skin, and smiled.
"Ah... you're fast. But not cruel enough."
A puff of green smoke exploded from Yan's sleeve—poison mist.
Shen Mo in the Crowd
"He's trying to bait Xue into rage," he said to Han Li. "Or worse—fear."
"Should we intervene?"
"No. This is Xue Rong's trial. His sword is honest—but it must also become deadly."
In the Ring
Xue Rong coughed, blinded briefly.
And then—slam—a palm struck his ribs. His body flew backward.
The crowd gasped. Elders narrowed their eyes. But Shen Mo simply watched.
Xue staggered up.
"You're… not better than me."
"No," Yan Buwei hissed, "I'm meaner than you."
Flashback
Xue Rong remembered Shen Mo's words from their last training session:
"A sword that only knows mercy will never protect anyone. Not your friends. Not yourself. You need to decide—what are you willing to cut?"
"But if I become like them…"
"Then you're not strong enough to carry what's coming."
Back in the Fight
Yan charged again, palm glowing green.
But this time—
SHIIING!
Xue Rong's blade didn't dodge.
It pierced.
Straight through Yan Buwei's palm.
Blood sprayed. The crowd gasped.
Xue yanked the blade out, reversed his grip, and held it at Yan's throat.
"Do you yield?"
"Y-you—!" Yan trembled, clutching his ruined hand. "YIELD!! I yield!"
Victory
The referee hesitated. Then raised Xue Rong's arm.
"Winner: Xue Rong of the Twilight Shadow Mountain!"
The crowd erupted—but this time with shock, not cheers.
"Did you see that?""He went for the hand—crippling blow!""Isn't he from a no-name sect?!"
Shen Mo's Comment
"He's learning," Shen Mo murmured. "To kill without killing. Just enough pain to remind them who they're dealing with."
System Notification:
[Xue Rong's Combat Instinct: +1][Fate Thread: "The Sword Who Walks the Line" has advanced][Public Reputation of Supreme Sect: +10]
Later That Night – Dorms
Moonchick was drawing exploding talismans on Lin Fan's robes again.
"You'll thank me when it blinds the next guy who touches your butt."
"What!? Who's touching my—?!"
BOOM!Lin Fan rolled out of bed. "AAAAHH! WHY?!"
"Oops. Premature ignition."