Match 3
Shen Lian — Radiant Sky Institute
vs
Zhou Ming — Starfall First Academy (Fifth Rank)
A quiet shift moved through the Starfall First section.
Fifth rank wasn't weak. Zhou Ming had earned his place through consistency and control. But Shen Lian's name carried a different kind of weight.
The profiles lit up.
Shen Lian
Academy: Radiant Sky Institute
Primary Monster Gene: Cloudshadow Serpent
Elemental Affinity: Wind — High
Rank: Three-Star Warrior [High]
Zhou Ming
Academy: Starfall First Academy
Primary Monster Gene: Twincrest Mountain Goat
Elemental Affinity: Earth — Mid
Rank: Three-Star Warrior [Mid-High]
Zhou Ming stepped onto the platform first, halberd resting across his shoulders, expression steady. He didn't look tense—but he didn't look confident either.
Shen Lian followed, coat fluttering slightly despite the still air. His presence was quiet, almost muted, like the light around him dimmed just a fraction when he moved.
The barrier sealed.
The signal sounded.
Zhou Ming didn't hesitate.
He advanced with solid footwork, halberd sweeping out in a controlled arc.
[ Ridgeguard Sweep ]
Earth-aspected energy reinforced the strike, forcing Shen Lian to step back as the blade carved a shallow groove into the platform.
Shen Lian drew a thin, curved blade from his side and met the next strike head-on.
Metal rang.
Zhou Ming followed through cleanly, rotating his grip, shifting angles, keeping pressure steady rather than explosive. Every move was disciplined. Every strike had intent.
He was holding his ground.
Shen Lian's eyes narrowed slightly.
Zhou Ming blocked again, halberd shaft vibrating as shadow-coated steel slid along its length. He twisted, redirected, even managed to force Shen Lian to give ground twice.
"He's parrying him."
"Fifth rank or not, that's solid control."
But the rhythm didn't last.
Shen Lian's movement changed—not faster, but thinner. Harder to track.
[ Dusk Drift ]
His body slipped sideways, shadow stretching unnaturally beneath his feet. Zhou Ming reacted on instinct, halberd swinging through where Shen Lian had been.
Nothing connected.
Shen Lian reappeared inside Zhou Ming's guard.
Zhou Ming blocked by reflex, bracing the halberd crosswise as shadow-coated strikes came down.
Once.
Twice.
The third strike slid past the shaft and cut into his shoulder.
Zhou Ming grunted and stepped back, planting his foot hard.
[ Stonebound Hold ]
Earth surged up around his boots, anchoring him in place. He steadied his breathing and raised the halberd again, refusing to collapse.
Shen Lian didn't rush.
He circled.
Each step shortened the distance Zhou Ming could safely control.
Zhou Ming attacked again, pushing forward, forcing contact, refusing to be smothered.
Shen Lian met him—and this time, didn't disengage.
[ Nightcleave ]
The shadow along his blade thickened, striking through Zhou Ming's guard with brutal precision. The impact cracked the earth reinforcement and sent Zhou Ming staggering.
Before he could recover—
[ Ravenfall Mark ]
A cold weight settled onto his chest. His limbs felt heavier, reactions dulled, balance slipping away.
Zhou Ming dropped to one knee, halberd clattering against the platform.
The medic signal flared.
---
[ Match Ended ]
Winner: Shen Lian — Radiant Sky Institute
The barrier fell.
Zhou Ming stayed where he was for a moment, breathing hard, then forced himself to stand with help from the medics. He bowed once toward Shen Lian.
Shen Lian nodded back—brief, unreadable—then turned and left the platform.
In the Starfall First section, no one spoke.
Zhou Ming hadn't been outclassed instantly.
But everyone had seen it.
He could endure.
He just couldn't last.
The platform shifted again as the next pairing locked into place.
Match 4
Tang Wei — Starfall Fourth Academy (First Rank)
vs
Liu Fan — Starfall First Academy (Sixth Rank)
This one drew quieter attention—but not indifference. Liu Fan wasn't a headline name, but coming from First Academy meant his fundamentals were solid. Tang Wei carried the expectations of his entire academy on his shoulders.
The profiles appeared.
Tang Wei
Academy: Starfall Fourth Academy
Primary Monster Gene: Stormfeather Kite
Elemental Affinity: Wind — Mid
Rank: Three-Star Warrior [High]
Liu Fan
Academy: Starfall First Academy
Primary Monster Gene: Basalt Tortoise
Elemental Affinity: Earth — Mid-High
Rank: Three-Star Warrior [Mid-High]
Tang Wei stepped onto the platform first, adjusting the light blade strapped along his forearm. His breathing was steady, but his shoulders were tight—this wasn't a match he could afford to lose.
Liu Fan followed, broader and heavier, the faint outline of an earthen shell pattern flickering across his skin as his gene activated. He planted his feet and didn't bother hiding his confidence.
The barrier sealed.
The signal sounded.
Liu Fan advanced immediately.
The ground hardened beneath his steps, each one deliberate and heavy. When he swung, it wasn't fast—but it didn't need to be.
[ Stoneback Advance ]
Tang Wei slashed first, wind trailing his blade, but the strike glanced off Liu Fan's reinforced arm with a dull thud. The feedback rattled Tang Wei's wrist.
Liu Fan countered with a short, crushing blow.
Tang Wei barely leapt back as the platform cracked where he'd been standing.
The Fourth Academy section tightened.
"He can't break through."
"That defense is thick…"
Liu Fan kept coming, arms raised, body turning with each step so no angle stayed open for long. Tang Wei circled, wind boosting his footwork, but every approach was shut down before it could become dangerous.
A grazing hit clipped Tang Wei's shoulder.
Another shockwave knocked him off balance.
Tang Wei slid back, boots scraping, chest rising sharply.
For a moment, it looked bad.
Then Tang Wei steadied himself and lowered his stance.
The wind changed—not stronger, but cleaner.
[ Featherline Step ]
His movement sharpened. Lighter. Less wasted motion.
Instead of forcing attacks, Tang Wei began cutting at angles—short slashes, quick feints, never lingering long enough to be caught.
Liu Fan turned slower now.
Tang Wei slipped past his guard and struck low.
[ Crosscurrent Cut ]
Wind twisted at the last moment, bypassing Liu Fan's shell-like defense and slicing across his thigh.
Liu Fan grunted and shifted his weight.
Tang Wei didn't give him time.
He vaulted upward, wind lifting him just enough to clear Liu Fan's reach.
[ Skyfold Descent ]
The blade came down in a tight arc, striking the shoulder joint instead of the torso. The impact wasn't explosive—but it was precise.
Liu Fan staggered.
Tang Wei landed and followed through.
[ Gale Thread ]
A rapid series of wind-edged strikes hit in quick succession, forcing Liu Fan back step by step until his footing broke.
Liu Fan tried to brace again—
—but the medic signal flared as he fell to one knee, breath knocked clean out of him.
[ Match Ended ]
Winner: Tang Wei — Starfall Fourth Academy
For a split second, the arena held its breath.
Then Starfall Fourth erupted.
Cheers burst out, sharp and loud, relief and pride crashing together. Students stood, shouting Tang Wei's name like they couldn't believe it had really happened.
Tang Wei exhaled slowly, lowered his blade, and gave a short bow before stepping off the platform.
Across the arena, several First Academy students exchanged looks.
And Starfall Fourth had earned every bit of that victory.