The wind around the dueling platform had quieted.
Zeravon stood still, a faint mark on his sleeve where his opponent's strike had brushed past. He hadn't fallen. He hadn't won either. But something had shifted — in him, and in those watching.
From the audience, subtle murmurs rose:
> "He adapted halfway through the fight…"
> "Still no spirit technique, but his movement— that was precise."
Zeravon stepped down quietly, his breath steady.
His friends — Jianyu and Ruo Lan — approached.
"Not bad," Jianyu muttered, arms crossed. "You didn't win, but you didn't get crushed either."
Ruo Lan smiled gently. "You're learning. Fast."
Zeravon only nodded. He didn't feel pride — nor shame. But somewhere inside, he had started sensing the **flow** of combat. The currents of Qi. The rhythm of energy. And although he lacked techniques, his control… was quietly growing.
---
**Later — On a High Balcony**
Yueyin leaned against a carved marble pillar, eyes half-lidded as she watched the arena below.
The wind played with strands of her silver-black hair.
An inner elder walked behind her, his tone respectful but questioning.
> "Princess Yueyin… why attend a lower sect's competition?"
Her answer was a whisper, almost too soft to catch:
> "I'm observing someone."
> "A genius?"
> "No," she said, looking at Zeravon below. "A silence."
The elder blinked, confused, but said no more.
---
**Three Matches Later – Unexpected Pairing**
Another round began. The jade pillar flared with names.
> "Zeravon vs. Duan Chao!"
The crowd stirred. Duan Chao was one of the top ten outer disciples. Known for his ferocity and wind-elemental sword style.
> "This will be a slaughter," someone said.
> "Zeravon's luck ran out."
Zeravon stepped up again.
This time, Yueyin subtly leaned forward.
---
**Match Begins**
Duan Chao didn't wait. His sword flashed, wind slicing toward Zeravon like a storm. It wasn't just a test — it was a strike meant to **knock him out cold**.
Zeravon's eyes narrowed slightly. His foot shifted only an inch — but it was **enough**.
The wind blade grazed his robe, not his skin.
Duan Chao attacked again.
Zeravon moved — always a fraction faster than the blow, but never truly **fighting back**.
From above, Yueyin whispered:
> *"He's suppressing something…"*
And then — it happened.
Duan Chao overextended.
Zeravon's body moved **on instinct** — not to strike, but to **stop** Duan Chao's momentum.
His hand met Duan's wrist, redirected it gently… and Duan stumbled off balance, crashing to the ground on his own.
Gasps echoed.
> "He… didn't even attack!"
> "But he still won?"
Instructor Wei's eyes narrowed.
---
**Winner: Zeravon**
The jade pillar flared. Some disciples looked stunned. Others annoyed.
Zeravon walked off stage without reaction.
But Yueyin smiled faintly.
> *"He's remembering how to move."*
---
**That Night — At the Outer Pavilion Cliffside**
Zeravon sat beneath the moonlight, breathing slowly.
He hadn't used Qi offensively.
He hadn't drawn techniques.
He had simply **moved**.
> *"What was that feeling…?"*
Like something was guiding him.
Not a voice. Not a memory.
Just… rhythm.
And far in the distance, deep underground, something ancient pulsed once — unnoticed by all but one.
---
**Elsewhere – A Forbidden Vault in the Upper Realm**
A guardian spirit opened its eye.
> *"Zeravon… has taken a step closer."*
And on a distant mountain…
> **The treasure… awakened.**
---