Chapter 15: The Gauntlet's Challenge
The dawn painted the Dawnriver City arena in hues of soft gold. The fifth round loomed—a grueling gauntlet where Lin Xuan would face three consecutive foes, each at the 9th Layer of Qi Gathering. Lin Xuan stepped into the ring, his dark robes swaying, his crimson eyes burning with resolve. Liu Yue stood at the edge, her moonlight eyes fixed on him with a mix of pride and worry.
The first opponent, a Crimson Claw disciple, lunged. Lin Xuan's heart thudded, but his training steadied him. "Illusion Diversion!" he shouted. Celestial Glide carried him aside, the stone floor sizzling where the claw struck. He channeled Phantom Lotus Palm, blending it with mixed martial arts jabs. His fists struck like pistons, a rapid series to the ribs. The palm strike followed, sending the man staggering. Tooth Dagger sliced his thigh, and Energy Devour siphoned the lingering qi. The disciple collapsed, defeated.
The second opponent was Zhi Feng, a lean figure with a spear. His thrust was aimed at Lin Xuan's heart. Lin Xuan reacted instantly. "Void Pulse Kick!" he called, the kick snapping Zhi Feng's arm. The prodigy stumbled but retaliated with a qi blast. Lin Xuan twisted with Celestial Glide, the blast grazing his shoulder. He closed the distance, Starlit Fang Strike igniting the air, blended with a Muay Boran elbow. The elbow struck Zhi Feng's chest, a thunderous impact that crushed his sternum. Energy Devour pulled the residual qi.
The final foe, a rogue cultivator, roared as he entered, his qi blast a swirling vortex. Lin Xuan met it head-on. "Starlit Fang Strike!" he shouted, the punch erupting with celestial light, merged with a Muay Boran elbow. The elbow connected with the rogue's chest, a crunch of breaking ribs echoing. Tooth Dagger made a precise cut, and Energy Devour drained the last of his qi. The man fell, and the arena exploded with cheers.
Lin Xuan's body trembled as the energy surge pushed him to the 8th Layer of Qi Gathering. His gaze lifted to the stands where Hei Clan elders watched. As he stepped from the ring, Mei Ling approached, her 7th Layer Qi Transformation aura a grave presence. "Lin Xuan," she whispered, "the Hei Clan plans to seize the Scriptures in the next round. Be wary—they're desperate." Her words sent a chill down his spine.
That night, the courtyard was a quiet sanctuary. Lin Xuan's silver-blue flame cast dancing shadows as he refined a pill. He practiced Celestial Wrath Elbow, blending it with Kyokushin precision. Liu Yue approached, her moonlight eyes soft with admiration. "Senior Brother, we'll prevail," she said, her voice a quiet strength. The ache in his chest deepened—a bittersweet pang tied to her trust. He smiled faintly, tossing her a pill. "Stay strong, Junior Sister," he urged. "We'll need it against what's coming."