Martial Tournament (2)
The heat around Qingyun Peak grew thicker with every passing hour. The martial arena, packed with people since early morning, was now so crowded there wasn't even room to set foot. As the matches continued, the faces of the disciples surrounding the platform flushed hotter. Even the outer disciples, who had gathered just to watch at first, no longer kept their voices down.
"Did you see that just now?"
"A Mystic Mechanism Peak disciple used a mid-grade magic tool and still lost."
"Thunderclap Peak lives up to their reputation—pure ferocity."
"And Qingyun Peak goes without saying."
The stewards overlooking from the pavilion above gradually shed their initial relaxed demeanor. Even for Qi Condensation disciples, the inner sect tournament was a matter of each peak's honor. With every match that passed, the atmosphere sharpened.
"This second round is worth watching."
"Still, the faces climbing to the top are set in stone, aren't they?"
Someone said that, and another steward chuckled softly.
"You only know for sure after it's all over."
In truth, several upsets had already erupted below. Disciples who grew careless despite higher cultivation lost to those with lower levels. Underdogs with low odds flipped the tables with a surprise blow. Each time, cheers and screams alternated from the betting hall.
"Ah, I'm screwed!"
"Looks like plain rice cakes for me this month."
"What did I tell you? That Do Won guy's gonna win."
Some laughed, others clutched their heads.
Qingling Peak's waiting area.
Qingling Peak wasn't one whose name came up often in the arena. But today was different.
"That young Qingling Peak disciple."
"The one who took down a Golden Glow Peak guy earlier?"
"First round, she overwhelmed with magic tools. Second round, she was even more seasoned than expected."
The upset in the first round had been against Golden Glow Peak's Ha Jin-myeong. His cultivation was higher than Ryu Yeon-hwa's. Yet when the match began, Ha Jin-myeong was the first to fall. The young direct disciple of Qingling Peak drew two mid-grade or better magic tools and ended it before her opponent could recover. At first, everyone chalked it up to luck. But advancing to the second round changed the narrative.
The second-round opponent was an inner disciple from Mystic Mechanism Peak—Qi Condensation 7th star, wielding a mid-grade magic tool. And thanks to the first round, he wasn't careless. The match dragged on quite a bit. By then, the spectators admitted the Qingling Peak direct disciple wasn't just relying on tools.
"Still, that's probably her limit."
"Third round's against a Thunderclap Peak disciple."
"Qi Condensation 8th star."
"Those battle maniacs won't let their guard down."
Nearby disciples nodded in agreement. Thunderclap Peak was famed for its aggressive spells. It wasn't for nothing they were considered tricky even at the same level.
The betting hall odds shifted once more.
I popped a Hui Ling Pill into my mouth, and a cool medicinal energy surged toward my heated dantian. I immediately sat cross-legged and circulated my cultivation method. After the second round, my body felt heavier than expected.
The first round had been easy. Ha Jin-myeong underestimated me, and I struck his weakness. No challenge there since he crumbled before mounting a proper defense.
The second round was the problem. That guy had been wary of my Blood Needle from the start. Pulling out a mid-grade magic tool right away was probably why. He kept moving to stop me from using it easily. Every time I stepped forward to deploy a tool, he'd counter with a spell. Honestly, it was annoying. Not a match I could end in one go.
I'd maintained the Black Wood Spirit Tablet far longer than in the first round. His stubborn defense with mid-grade tools dragged it out, burning through my spirit energy big time. Still, I held back the Bean Soldier Technique. Seemed a waste to show all my cards against him. No need to reveal my full strength.
In the end, I'd barely clinched the second round by outmaneuvering with tools.
I exhaled slowly. The pill's energy flowed through my meridians, cooling my dantian. I could feel the inner heat subsiding bit by bit.
Still, I've made it this far.
At first, winning the first round felt like enough. But breaking through two matches stirred that greedy human nature. Having come this far, I wanted to go all the way.
As the energy spread, my body lightened considerably.
Master didn't give me these Hui Ling Pills for nothing.
I brushed off my sleeves and stepped out of the waiting area.
Disciples already crowded around the stone tablet. Some stood on tiptoe peering in, others whispered over the new matchups.
Third round...
Then a wooden plaque announcing the next pairing hung on the tablet.
Qingling Peak, Ryu Yeon-hwa.
Thunderclap Peak, Yu Seong-baek.
The moment it went up, murmurs swelled.
"Yu Seong-baek just hit Qi Condensation 8th star, right?"
"He's one of the top inner disciples on Thunderclap Peak."
"His swordsmanship is top-notch."
Sword. My eyes narrowed at the word. In xianxia worlds, protagonists were often sword cultivators because they were strong. Even in games, sword builds outpowered pure spell ones. This wasn't a game, of course. But sword cultivators' reputations held up here too. And he had the highest cultivation of anyone I'd faced yet—Qi Condensation 8th star.
He won't be careless.
Anyone underrating me at this stage would be the real oddity.
I glanced at the cultivator standing by the tablet. The man in the sky-blue robe had a quieter air than expected. Lean build, a single sword slung across his back. Even standing silently, he exuded pressure. He met my gaze briefly and gave a curt nod. A brusque greeting, but I didn't bother starting a conversation. No point in needless posturing. I headed back to the waiting room.
Soon after, the overseeing steward raised his hand.
"Third-round participants, take the stage."
The surrounding noise quieted a touch. I walked steadily to the platform. As I ascended, Yu Seong-baek climbed from the opposite side. He cupped his hands first.
"Thunderclap Peak inner disciple, Yu Seong-baek."
"Qingling Peak direct disciple, Ryu Yeon-hwa."
With greetings done, the steward's hand dropped.
"Begin."
The words fell, and the scabbard on Yu Seong-baek's back hummed lowly.
Wooong—
As expected.
The real hassle with sword cultivators was this: Imperial Sword Technique. His sword slipped from its sheath, splitting into six sword lights. No mere illusions—the single blade traced six trajectories at once.
Low exclamations rippled from the crowd.
"Light-Splitting Sword?"
"Straight to that from the start?"
"Senior Brother Yu Seong-baek means business."
Yu Seong-baek spoke for the first time.
"I watched your first two matches."
His voice was low and steady.
"I know you're not just lucky."
He glanced at the six hovering sword lights, then fixed his eyes on me.
"So this time, I'll go all out from the beginning."
As he finished, blue lightning-like energy flashed along the blades. The dispersed lights quivered lightly. He raised two fingers casually.
"Try blocking this."
Shk!
The six sword lights lunged simultaneously. I reflexively deployed the Black Wood Spirit Tablet. The dark green barrier rose just as—
Bang! Bang bang bang!
Collision after collision rang across the platform. He gave no opening for my counter, pouring on the sword lights relentlessly. I twisted behind the tablet.
Kwaang!
One light whipped the barrier's side as it looped back. My arm went numb. Blocking forever would drain my spirit energy first. I timed a gap where three lights overlapped and flung the Blood Needle at an angle.
Shk!
The red streak dove low toward Yu Seong-baek's flank. But he was waiting—two fingers flicked up.
Kang!
Red sparks flew as a sword light intercepted head-on. The Blood Needle veered off course.
Tch, not that easy.
I recalled it and unconsciously licked my lips.
"Not bad."
Yu Seong-baek's low voice carried. He raised his fingers again, and the lights soared back into the air—this time circling to encircle me fully.
Not good.
My hand slipped into my sleeve, fingers brushing round beans. Purple Soldier Beans. No need until now.
Fine. Time to change the game.
I kept the left-hand barrier up while infusing spirit energy into a Purple Soldier Bean with my right. Surprise flickered in Yu Seong-baek's eyes. He clearly didn't recognize it.
"What is..."
I formed a hand seal instead of answering.
"Rise."
The bean sprouted instantly, forming a soldier clad in bark armor. The stands erupted.
"Bean Soldier Technique?"
"That skill at her age?!"
No time to heed the noise. Yu Seong-baek snapped his fingers, sending two lights at the soldier.
Kagang!
A dull clash echoed. The soldier didn't cleave in one stroke—its upper body reeled back, bark chest splitting long, cracks spiderwebbing from left shoulder to arm. But it didn't collapse. Creaking, it straightened.
"......"
His eyes sharpened, surprised it withstood. I exhaled inwardly.
Good. It holds at least once.
That was plenty. I'd summoned it not to crush him head-on, but to disrupt those flying lights and pull the momentum my way, even briefly.
I switched seals.
"Block."
The cracked soldier lunged. Simultaneously, I formed two more. They took shape swiftly in the air—not as sturdy as the first, but sufficient.
"Split left and right."
The new pair fanned out. One charged his front, the other crouching low to his right.
Yu Seong-baek's fingers danced.
Shk! Shk!
Two lights split off toward them. The frontal soldier's chest caved deep, shoving it back; the right-flanker tore open at the side, half-kneeling. Still, they pressed on.
Perfect.
As the lights pinned the soldiers, the encircling pressure eased for a split second. I seized it, folding away the tablet. Dantian strain lessened. I poured energy into the Blood Needle instead. He caught on, eyes flashing sharp.
"Think the same trick works twice?"
He twisted two fingers. Three lights dove low to block its path.
I smirked.
"Gotta try to find out."
Shk!
The Blood Needle shot straight. As he layered lights to intercept—
Kang!
Sparks flew. But I'd aimed elsewhere.
"Grab."
The right soldier hurled itself at his flank.
"Annoying."
A light veered to smack it, but the first soldier grazed his ankle, snagging his robe. His fingers hesitated a fraction. Enough.
The deflected Blood Needle arced back in a half-moon. A light chased late.
Puk!
It struck his shoulder dead-on.
"Kuh!"
His form shook with a grunt. But true to Thunderclap Peak inner disciple form, he didn't crumple. Twisting mid-stagger, he forced two lights toward me.
Shk! Shk!
I gritted my teeth and dropped low. One grazed my shoulder, the other sliced my sleeve and robe hem. A stinging heat rose.
Close call.
Paper-thin margin. Yu Seong-baek's balance was shot too.
"Push."
The two cracked soldiers slammed forward. His shoe scuffed long marks on the platform. He clenched his jaw, raising fingers to recall the lights.
"Not... yet!"
Too late.
Thud!
One soldier shattered, shoving his torso. As his toes crossed the platform edge, the arena held its breath.
The steward's voice rang out.
"Out of bounds. Winner: Ryu Yeon-hwa."
Pent-up noise exploded everywhere.
"She won again?"
"Senior Brother Yu is out?"
"How'd she turn that around?!"
Murmurs spread like waves. I steadied my ragged breaths atop the platform. My dantian felt like a dry well. Black Wood Spirit Tablet, Blood Needle, three soldiers—all at once. Too much poured out. My legs wobbled faintly.
That was razor-thin.
Yu Seong-baek approached slowly and cupped his hands.
"Good fight."
Short and to the point.
"You too."
He turned without more words. Sighs of regret leaked from Thunderclap Peak's seats, but no one cried foul or luck. The match had been that fierce.
As I lingered in the afterglow—
"Ryu Yeon-hwa."
The steward called again.
"Step down."
"Understood."
Descending drained the strength from my body. I dragged my weary frame out of the arena toward the stone tablet. Crowds thronged nearby, disciples buzzing.
"Fourth-round bracket's up."
"Who's she facing?"
I peered through the gaps.
Qingyun Peak, Do Won.
Qingling Peak, Ryu Yeon-hwa.
The instant I confirmed it, groans rippled around.
"Ah... of all people, Senior Brother Do Won."
"Tough matchup."
"Do Won, the big senior brother, is half a step into Foundation Establishment at Qi Condensation 10th star."
"He's a top pick for the championship."
I stared silently at the tablet.
Qingyun Peak, Do Won.
The young man who'd guided me to the Spirit Measurement Hall when I first joined came to mind. His aura had felt late Qi Condensation then—had he been holding back?
Of all things, the real mountain.
But having climbed this far, backing down felt like a waste. I turned slowly from the tablet.