The sun had barely risen, but Moonlight Plaza was already packed to the edges with cultivators, merchants, and townsfolk alike. Banners fluttered in the warm breeze, each bearing the sigils of the Four Great Sects—Crimson Cloud Sect, Thunder Heart Pavilion, Jade River Sect, and Frozen Moon Palace. Though none of their disciples participated directly, their elders observed from a pavilion high above, eyes sharp as hawks hunting for new talent.
The tournament had officially begun.
But the first to take the stage were not the famed scions of powerful clans. No, it was the rogues—the unaffiliated cultivators, drifters, and war-orphans—who bled first on the arena's stone floor.
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A large formation orb hovered above the raised dueling platform, glowing with a warm golden light. The referee, dressed in deep purple robes emblazoned with the tournament's emblem, stepped forward and raised his hand.
"First match: Hei Tu of the Broken Fang Sect versus Wei Lan of the Mist River Clan! Step forward!"
A crowd of murmurs rippled through the plaza as the two fighters took their places.
Hei Tu was a towering, battle-scarred man, muscles bulging beneath cracked leather armor. Wei Lan, in pale blue robes, moved with fluid grace, his eyes sharp and calculating.
The referee's voice rang clear.
"Prepare yourselves! Begin!"
Hei Tu roared, swinging his massive warhammer infused with earth Qi. Each step cracked the stone beneath his feet. Wei Lan danced nimbly, evading blows with the refined footwork of the Mist river style.
With a flick of his sleeve, Wei Lan sent a volley of ice needles darting like deadly arrows. Hei Tu swung wildly, but one needle found its mark, lodging in his shoulder.
Wei Lan closed the distance swiftly and struck a precise pressure point on Hei Tu's back. The larger man collapsed to his knees, breath ragged.
The referee declared, "Winner: Wei Lan of Mist River Clan!"
Cheers erupted from the spectators as Wei Lan nodded respectfully.
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The orb pulsed again.
"Next match: Jin Ruo of the Silver Serpent Gang versus Chu Jun , from the Golden Alchemist Guild!"
The crowd's energy shifted, curious to see the alchemist's skill.
Jin Ruo, a lithe woman wielding twin blades, moved like lightning. Chu Jun, cloaked in dark robes, twirled talismans and tossed pill-based explosives.
Their duel was a whirlwind of movement and light. Chu Jun's fiery pill bursts aimed to blind Jin Ruo, but she closed her eyes, relying on spirit sense. Her blades flashed, stopping inches from Chu Jun's throat.
"Winner: Jin Ruo!" the referee announced.
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"Third match: Bao Zhen of Iron Ridge Clan versus Mo Han of Plum Valley!"
Bao Zhen stomped forward, halberd in hand, muscles taut like drawn bows. Mo Han, calm and scholarly, wielded a folding fan etched with wind sigils.
The match was a test of strength versus finesse. Bao Zhen activated a gravity-suppressing formation scroll beneath him, slowing Mo Han's movements. Seizing the moment, Bao Zhen's halberd crashed down, shattering Mo Han's fan.
"Winner: Bao Zhen!" the referee called as the crowd roared.
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Match after match unfolded.
"Next fight: Poison Mistress Lian Hua versus Flame Adept Deng Feng!"
"Shadow Thief Qian Rui versus Illusionist Mei Yan!"
"Alchemist Sui Xin versus Sword Adept Lei Shun!"
Each bout revealed unique skills and strategies—poison versus flame, stealth against deception, alchemy clashing with swordsmanship. The crowd was captivated by the display of raw talent and cunning.
Xu Ming watched quietly from the rest area with Lin Feng. He absorbed every move, every opening.
"That silver whip girl?" Lin Feng nodded toward a lithe fighter. "She's crushed two opponents already."
Xu Ming's eyes narrowed. "Her telegraphs are predictable."
Lin Feng laughed. "You're already planning counters. Scary."
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The formation orb glowed brighter.
"Next match: Liang Chen of Liang Clan versus Qiao Fu of Dustborn Sect!"
The plaza hushed. Liang Chen, in shining silver armor, crackled with thunder Qi. Qiao Fu, older and composed, wielded a wooden staff.
Liang Chen unleashed the Stormbreaker Arc, a powerful thunder slash. Qiao Fu raised an earthen wall, but it shattered beneath the lightning storm.
"Winner: Liang Chen!" the referee's voice rang out.
Liang Fei, watching from above, nodded in approval.
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"Next fight: Rong Mei of Rong Clan versus Flameborn Yan!"
Rong Mei's frost spear pierced Yan's fire spells, freezing and shattering his attacks swiftly.
"Winner: Rong Mei!"
Rong Yixuan stood impassive in the crowd.
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"Final match before break: Qin Yu of Qin Clan versus Han Xiang of Windvale Tribe!"
Qin Yu's crimson Qi wave felled the brawny Han Xiang in seconds.
"Winner: Qin Mo!"
The elders took notice.
---
As twilight draped Moonlight Town in gold, the orb announced a pause.
The crowd buzzed with excitement. The big names had yet to enter, but the stage was set.
Xu Ming exhaled slowly.
His name remained uncalled.
Soon, he would step onto this very platform.
And when he did, the storm would come