The Spiritual Competition League qualifiers arena lies beneath the city, its dome a monolithic slab of spiritual energy glass reflecting the flickering neon banners in the stands. Lin Ye stands in the waiting area, his heartbeat loud enough to hear—this is his first time on a formal competition stage in three years, and the spiritual pattern core in his palm burns hot enough to pierce the bandage.
" Nervous? " Xiaotao's voice comes from behind. She's changed into a silver tank top today, the ginkgo leaf pattern at her nape shimmering gold under the lights, her Starmoon Meteorite bracelet pulsing gently in sync with her spiritual patterns.
Lin Ye shakes his head, eyes scanning the opposing team in the waiting area. They wear dark green uniforms, led by a man in a silver mask—half his face is covered, and the right eye that peeks out glows the same dark gold as Lin Ye's Burning Heaven Flame Patterns.
" That's Team Eclipsis, " Ajiu's voice cuts in. She leans against the wall with her arms crossed, the dark purple tips of her hair looking like congealed mist under the spiritual energy lights. " Semi-finalists last league. Their captain's called 'Shadow Eclipse,' controls the 'Eclipsing Shadow Raven'—a monster that devours opponents' spiritual pattern energy. "
Lin Ye's spiritual pattern core suddenly trembles. He presses his wrist instinctively, only to see dark golden Burning Heaven patterns crawling up his hand, burning tiny holes through the bandage.
" Stay calm. " Xiaotao grabs his hand abruptly, sliding her Starmoon Meteorite bracelet onto his wrist. A cool sensation spreads through his skin, the deep blue light of the meteorite intertwining with his flame patterns to form a bridge of light between them. Lin Ye realizes Xiaotao's ginkgo leaf pattern has somehow materialized on his hand, fitting perfectly with his own.
" Is this... symbiotic resonance? " He remembers Old Jin saying some pattern combinations trigger special reactions.
Xiaotao nods: " Our patterns are adapting to each other. When we go out there, think of me as your other hand. "
The referee's whistle blows.
A golden array lights up in the center of the arena, complex spiritual patterns emerging from the floor. Team Eclipsis's five members step forward first, and Shadow Eclipse removes his mask—half his face is covered in dark purple patterns, a pulsing Shadow Raven egg embedded in his left eye socket.
" Lin Ye of the Burning Heaven. " Shadow Eclipse's voice is like rusted gears grinding. " Three years ago, you burned my arena. Today... I'll burn your patterns. "
Lin Ye's pupils contract. He finally sees the pattern in Shadow Eclipse's left eye—it's a twisted variant of the Burning Heaven Flame Pattern, identical to the one that surged out of control in his memory.
" Let the match begin! "
Before the referee finishes, Shadow Eclipse's swarm of Shadow Ravens descends like a black tide. The shadows ooze corrosive spiritual energy, sizzling the arena's pattern circuits like acid on metal.
" Starmoon Meteorite, control the field! " Lin Ye yells. Xiaotao's bracelet erupts with light, the meteorite's blue energy condensing into a net that traps the ravens mid-air. Ajiu seizes the opportunity, her Shadow Raven Pattern materializing into a black-winged bird that crashes into the nearest shadow—their collision rings out like clashing metal.
" Interesting, " Shadow Eclipse licks his lip. " But you think this is enough to stop the Eclipsing Shadow Raven? "
He raises his hand, and the Shadow Raven egg in his eye cracks. A giant raven the size of two men bursts forth, its wings blocking out the arena lights when spread. The bird's beak glows with a black energy ball, each wingbeat cracking the floor like a spiderweb.
" Its spiritual pattern concentration exceeds 20%! " Su Tang's voice rings from the commentary booth. " That's illegal enhanced patterns! The league prohibits— "
" Shut up, " Shadow Eclipse cuts her off. " In spiritual competition, rules are made by the strong. "
The giant raven's talons swipe at Lin Ye. He rolls aside but is sent flying by the backwash, slamming into the arena fence. The Starmoon Meteorite bracelet on his wrist suddenly burns hot, and Xiaotao's voice explodes in his mind: " Catch! "
A blue projectile hurtles toward him—an "Ice Spur" condensed from the meteorite. Lin Ye grabs it, and the residual Burning Heaven patterns in his body ignite—the ice on the spur melts instantly, transforming into a fire chain that pierces the raven's left eye.
The raven shrieks, its wings thrashing wildly. Ajiu charges forward, pressing both hands against it: " Shadow Raven Devour! " Black shadows slither into the raven's wound, causing its form to shrink and its energy to destabilize.
" Now! " Lin Ye leaps, his spiritual pattern core fully activated. Golden flames erupt from his fingertips, condensing into the "Burning Heaven Domain"—the ultimate skill he used in the finals three years ago, thought lost forever with his "ruined" veins.
Where the flames pass, the raven's remains turn to ash, and Shadow Eclipse's dark purple patterns peel from his face, revealing festering flesh. He staggers back, knocking over a spiritual energy device.
" This can't be... " He howls, clutching his face. " Your veins were destroyed! "
Lin Ye stands at the arena's center, flames forming a cocoon around him. He feels his Burning Heaven patterns resonating with the Starmoon Meteorite and Shadow Raven patterns—three distinct energies now woven into a stronger network, like threads pulled by the same hand.
" Patterns don't survive on bloodline, " he smiles at Shadow Eclipse. " They survive on partners. "
The referee raises a red flag: Team Rebellion wins. The stands erupt in thunderous cheers as Xiaotao and Ajiu tackle Lin Ye in a hug. Xiaotao's bracelet still radiates heat, and Ajiu's Shadow Raven Pattern forms a tiny shadow behind him, nuzzling his ear with its beak.
" Someone threw this from the stands, " Ajiu pulls out a blood-stained note from her coat. It reads: "Beware the Heaven-Burning Beast under the mask. It waits for your awakening."
Lin Ye unfolds the note, scanning the crowd. In the front-row VIP section, Chen Zhuo lowers his telescope, the photo in his trench coat pocket visible—the masked man in the photo is handing a half-spiritual pattern core to a young Chen Zhuo, its patterns identical to Lin Ye's Burning Heaven Flame.
The arena PA crackles to life: " Next match, Team Rebellion vs. Team Oracle. Please proceed to the lounge— "
Lin Ye clenches the note, turning to Xiaotao and Ajiu. Their patterns glow softly under the lights, mirroring his own.
" Let's go, " he says. " It's time the league sees what real spiritual pattern competition looks like. "