The Ninefold Mountain Sect's arena gleamed under a sky streaked with jade clouds, its spirit stone tiers humming with the Tianxu Realm's ancient qi. The sect tournament's opening round drew disciples from across the Central Jade Continent, their cheers a roaring tide that echoed off the nine spires. Wei Chen stood on the stone platform, his dagger etched with jade runes gripped tightly, the two jade tablet fragments hidden in his tunic pulsing like twin heartbeats. His qi, at the peak of Late Qi Condensation, thrummed with celestial energy, but the weight of Elder Mo Tian's scrutiny—and Wei Liang's venomous smirk—pressed heavier than any blade.
Lin Xiyue lounged against a pillar at the arena's edge, her sword propped casually, her crimson ribbon fluttering in the breeze. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she called, "Don't trip over your own ego, scholar! I'd hate to miss my chance to thrash you again." Her grin was sharp, but a softness lingered in her gaze, a flicker of warmth that made Wei Chen's chest tighten.
He flashed a grin, masking the tension coiling in his gut. "Save your cheers, sword maiden. You'll need your voice when I steal the show." The crowd chuckled, but his eyes darted to Su Meilin, seated among the elders in her pristine white robes. Her moonstone gaze met his, calm but piercing, and the fragments burned hotter, as if resonating with her celestial qi. Her warning from the library—the tablet draws enemies—echoed, chilling his resolve.
Elder Mo Tian's voice boomed, silencing the crowd. "The tournament tests strength, will, and heart. Prove your worth, or leave in shame!" His Nascent Soul aura swept the arena, making disciples flinch. His eyes lingered on Wei Chen, heavy with suspicion after the sabotaged array. "Begin!"
The gong's clang sparked the first matches. Wei Chen's initial opponent was Zhao Hu, a burly disciple wielding a qi-infused axe at Middle Qi Condensation. Zhao charged, his Mountain Cleaver technique sending arcs of earthen qi that cracked the stone floor. Wei Chen's Jade Sovereign's Step blurred his form, dodging with a grace that belied his frail frame. He channeled the Jade Soul Scripture, forming a green shield that sparked against the axe's blows.
"Not bad for a scholar!" Zhao roared, swinging again. Wei Chen sidestepped, his dagger flashing as he struck with a Jade Soul Palm, a burst of celestial qi that sent Zhao skidding off the platform. The crowd erupted, stunned by the "useless heir's" prowess.
Lin Xiyue clapped, her grin widening. "Okay, scholar, you've got moves. Don't get cocky—I'm still taking you down!" Her teasing carried a warmth that made Wei Chen's pulse skip, but he caught her lingering glance, a mix of challenge and something deeper.
Su Meilin's fan flicked open, hiding a faint smile as she whispered to an elder, "His qi grows stronger. It's… unusual." Her eyes never left Wei Chen, and the fragments pulsed, as if acknowledging her words.
The next match pitted Wei Chen against Wei Liang, his cousin, whose spear twirled with Late Qi Condensation qi laced with a faint demonic taint. "Time to end your charade, cousin," Wei Liang sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "You're no cultivator—just a fraud with a stolen relic."
Wei Chen's grip tightened, the fragments burning. "Keep talking, Liang. It'll make this sweeter." The Jade Sovereign's memories stirred—a spear-wielding foe, struck down with precise strikes. He steadied his breath, readying his qi.
The match was a storm. Wei Liang's Dragon's Piercing Fang unleashed waves of qi that tore furrows in the arena, the demonic taint making the air acrid. Wei Chen's shield cracked under the onslaught, his qi straining, but he wove through strikes with Jade Sovereign's Step, his body a blur. The crowd gasped as he parried with his dagger, its jade runes flaring. A memory flashed: the Jade Sovereign, outwitting a traitor with a single strike. Wei Chen mimicked it, his dagger nicking Wei Liang's arm, drawing blood.
Wei Liang roared, his qi surging chaotically, the demonic taint stronger now. "You'll regret this!" he snarled, thrusting his spear in a frenzied Dragon's Wrath. Wei Chen's shield shattered, a shard grazing his cheek, but he countered with a Jade Soul Palm, hitting Wei Liang's chest. His cousin stumbled, teetering at the platform's edge, then fell, the arena shaking with cheers.
Lin Xiyue whistled, bounding over. "Not bad, scholar! I might actually respect you now." Her hand rested on his shoulder, lingering, her grin fierce but warm. Wei Chen's heart raced, caught between her touch and the fragments' pulse.
Su Meilin approached, her fan closed, her voice low. "Your qi resonates with the tablet, Wei Chen. It's drawing attention—dangerous attention." Her eyes flicked to the stands, where a cloaked figure watched, their mask glinting. Shadow Viper. The fragments burned, and Wei Chen's blood ran cold.
Before he could speak, a chill swept the arena, demonic qi flickering at the edges. Shadow Viper vanished, but their presence lingered, a taunt in the air. Elder Mo Tian rose, his aura crushing. "The tournament is paused. Wei Chen, Lin Xiyue, Su Meilin—to my pavilion. Now." His tone was grim, his eyes locked on Wei Chen's tunic, where the fragments' glow leaked faintly.
As they followed, Lin Xiyue nudged Wei Chen, her voice low. "Your cousin's playing dirty, and that masked creep's back. You sure know how to pick fights, scholar." Her teasing was light, but her hand brushed his, a fleeting warmth.
Su Meilin's gaze was steady, her voice softer. "Meet me at the library tonight, Wei Chen. The second fragment is close—we must find it before the cult does." The fragments pulsed, as if agreeing, and Wei Chen nodded, feeling the weight of their alliance—and the betrayer's shadow—growing heavier.