The sun hung low in the sky by the time they reached the outer gates of the Grand Martial Tournament grounds. Even from outside, they could hear the roar of the crowd, a steady hum of energy rising from within. The arena itself loomed like a fortress high stone walls, massive banners fluttering with the emblems of sects from across the empire, and thick columns of smoke rising from nearby food stalls. Alex paused at the entrance, looking up. His heart beat faster.
Inside, the air changed. Thousands of people packed the seats, their faces a blur of excitement and awe. The stage was immense a circular platform of polished stone that shimmered with strange runes. Whatever battle had been going on was already under way. Let's get closer, Lin Feng said, her voice calm but serious.
They squeezed through the edge of the crowd and found a spot near the front rail. Xiao Xiao kept close to Alex, her eyes wide as she clutched her slime companion. Lin Feng folded her arms, gaze fixed on the battle below. A tall woman in black robes stood at the far end of the arena, her hair braided with glowing silver thread. Her hand moved in a swift, practiced motion, tracing symbols in the air. Magic burst to life a cascade of ice spears flying toward her opponent.
Her enemy was no less impressive. A broad-shouldered man clad in sleeveless martial gear, his chest crisscrossed with old scars. He moved faster than Alex's eyes could follow, weaving between the projectiles, his boots barely touching the ground. The moment he got in range, he slammed a palm into the arena floor. The stone cracked beneath him.
In an instant, the mage's magic faltered. A dome of force exploded outward from the fighter, disarming her spell mid-cast. She countered with a whip of flame no talismans, no incantation pure spiritual control. The flames hissed and danced like living serpents. Alex gripped the rail, eyes wide.
This wasn't like the scrappy duels in the forests or the tales whispered in taverns. This was another world entirely.
He watched as the fighter flipped through the air, catching one of the flame serpents with a glowing gauntlet. The fire bent to his will, turning from red to white. He hurled it back, and the mage caught it in midair, absorbing it with a swirl of mist that coiled around her arms like vines.
Then the two clashed again, midair, suspended by bursts of spiritual energy that shimmered like shattered glass under sunlight. Alex couldn't move. His breath caught in his throat. Even his system, silent and watchful in the back of his mind, had nothing to say. Is that Lin Feng began, narrowing her eyes.
She took a step forward, then another, pushing through the gathering at the edge of the battle platform. Alex glanced at her, confused.
What is it? Lin Feng didn't answer immediately. Her pace quickened, and when she broke free from the crowd, her voice rose.
Yue'er!
The name struck the air like a spark. The mage in the arena turned her head, eyes scanning the crowd. Then she smiled faintly, raising a hand to the official beside the platform. A moment later, the barrier that enclosed the battlefield shimmered and dropped. The official's voice rang out.
The winner Yue of the Crescent Flame Sect! Cheers erupted from the audience. The fighter she had battled bowed, bruised but smiling, and exited the opposite end of the stage. Lin Feng ran up to her sister and pulled her into a sudden, awkward hug.
I didn't think I'd see you here, Lin Feng said, eyes shining. Yue raised an eyebrow, amused. "I should say the same. The last time I saw you, you were running from three sect elders and a broken engagement.
Lin Feng rolled her eyes. Don't bring that up. Alex watched the two sisters from a distance. He hadn't expected Lin Feng to have siblings, let alone someone powerful enough to duel a mage-fighter hybrid on open stage and win. Before he could think too much about it, the voice of the official echoed across the arena again.
Next match will begin in ten minutes! All sects participating in the Rising Blossom Bracket, prepare for registration confirmation. Fighters must be present at the waiting area within the hour! Alex's stomach tightened. This was it. Their name would be called soon. Black Something Sect m their fate would be announced before thousands. He swallowed.
This wasn't like hiding in a hut on the mountain anymore. He looked down at his hands, still calloused from chopping wood, still plain and unremarkable. Yet beside him stood Xiao Xiao, the quiet girl who could tame a slime no one understood, and Lin Feng, bold and skilled with both sword and bow, who could stand tall even before a sister like Yue.
M Alex took a breath. Maybe they didn't stand a chance of reaching the finals.