Chapter 16: The Hei Clan's Trap
The sun was a distant, muted glow behind a veil of clouds, casting a heavy pall over the Dawnriver City arena. Lin Xuan stepped into the dueling circle, his crimson eyes burning with resolve. Across from him stood Hei Fang, a wiry man with a 1st Layer Qi Transformation aura, his spear glinting with a menacing edge. Hei Fang's dark qi pulsed—a testament to his clan's sinister pact—and the air grew thick with anticipation. From the sidelines, Liu Yue watched, her moonlight eyes wide with a mix of hope and fear.
The duel began with a spear storm. Hei Fang's weapon danced, qi tendrils lashing out like vipers aimed at Lin Xuan's chest. Lin Xuan's heart pounded, but he steadied himself. "Illusion Diversion!" he shouted, conjuring phantoms that fractured Hei Fang's focus. Celestial Glide carried him aside, leaving the ground splintered where the spear landed. Hei Fang snarled, unleashing a net of death, but Lin Xuan twisted, the attack grazing his arm.
Undeterred, Lin Xuan channeled Celestial Wrath Elbow, blending it with Muay Boran power. The strike landed with a dull thud, the qi erupting in a shockwave that staggered the elder. Hei Fang retaliated with fury, but Lin Xuan's Celestial Glide carried him clear. Tooth Dagger flashed, tearing a gash across Hei Fang's thigh, and Void Pulse Kick—infused with Kyokushin power—struck the elder's knee, buckling the joint with a crack. As Hei Fang stumbled, Lin Xuan closed in, Energy Devour surging to siphon the elder's qi. Hei Fang collapsed, and the crowd erupted.
Lin Xuan's victory was overshadowed by Elder Hei Long, who rose from the stands, his 7th Layer Qi Transformation aura a crushing force. "You hoard the Scriptures of Severed Unity, boy!" he bellowed, his words a curse that seemed to coil around Lin Xuan's throat. "Surrender them, or your clan's blood will stain this city!"
Lin Xuan's fists clenched. He bowed mockingly. "Senior Hei courts death with such arrogance. I would rather die than give the scriptures to a dog like you." The crowd gasped. Before Hei Long could respond, Elder Gao Feng intervened. "The tournament remains neutral," he declared firmly. "Sit, Elder Hei, or face disqualification." Hei Long's dark qi simmered, promising retribution.
That night, the courtyard was a quiet haven. Lin Xuan sat cross-legged, his silver-blue flame casting warm shadows as he refined a pill. The Celestial Unity Crest pulsed on his back, guiding his practice of Celestial Wrath Elbow. Liu Yue approached, her moonlight eyes shadowed with fear. "Senior Brother, what if the Hei Clan comes for us? They're so strong."
Lin Xuan set the pill aside. "Junior Sister, we've faced their kind before and stood tall. Your qi blade today—it was a light in the dark. We'll endure this together." A warmth spread through him at her small smile. He resumed his training, the Human Emperor's Records unlocking a new technique: Abyssal Lotus Step—an enhancement of Celestial Glide with mixed martial arts footwork. He practiced the fluid movements, his mind racing with strategies for the Hei Clan's next move.