Peng Wu was enormous.
That was Orion’s first thought when the Stone Fist Hall disciple stepped onto the arena.
His second was—
Why is everyone in cultivation built like they wrestle mountains recreationally?
Peng Wu stood nearly as tall as Orion, but considerably wider.
His gray-brown robes left both arms exposed, revealing forearms that looked capable of snapping small trees.
The tournament crystal above the arena displayed their information.
Orion Atlas — Radiant Daybreak Sect — 1st Stage Essence Gathering
Peng Wu — Stone Fist Hall — 1st Stage Essence Gathering
Around the arena, conversation buzzed.
Orion could hear more of it now than he would have preferred.
“That’s Xuan Mei’s fiancé.”
“The mortal?”
“Not anymore.”
“Still only First Stage.”
“He needs top ten?”
Someone laughed.
Orion rolled his shoulders.
Across from him, Peng Wu cupped his fists.
“Brother Orion.”
Orion returned the gesture.
“Brother Peng.”
Peng Wu looked considerably less mocking than the spectators.
“I’ve heard about your circumstances.”
“That tends to happen.”
“I won’t underestimate you.”
Orion smiled.
“Thank you.”
The referee raised one hand.
“Both competitors ready?”
Orion drew his training-approved sword.
Peng Wu lowered his center of gravity.
Stone-colored Essence spread over his forearms.
“Ready.”
“Ready.”
The referee’s hand dropped.
“Begin!”
Peng Wu charged.
Fast.
Much faster than a man his size had any right to move.
Orion’s sword rose.
First Form — Dawn Breaks the Horizon.
Steel met fist.
CLANG!
Orion expected resistance.
What he did not expect—
Was Peng Wu flying backward.
The Stone Fist disciple’s feet left the ground.
He landed nearly four meters away and skidded across the arena.
Silence.
Orion stared at his sword.
Peng Wu stared at Orion.
The crowd stared at both of them.
Orion slowly looked toward the Radiant Daybreak viewing section.
Rowan was laughing.
Cassian looked smug.
Xuan Mei—
Had both hands covering the lower half of her face.
Orion couldn’t tell whether she was hiding a smile or preparing to disown him.
Peng Wu stood.
His expression became serious.
“What physique do you possess?”
Orion adjusted his grip.
“Complicated.”
Peng Wu nodded.
Apparently that was sufficient.
Stone Essence thickened around his body.
His skin took on a faint gray sheen.
He charged again.
Orion stepped forward.
This time, he didn’t meet force with force.
Radiant Step.
One foot slid diagonally.
Peng Wu’s fist passed beside Orion’s cheek.
Orion rotated.
His sword hilt struck Peng Wu beneath the ribs.
The man grunted.
Orion followed with a shoulder.
BOOM!
Peng Wu stumbled.
Orion’s eyes widened.
He hadn’t even reinforced himself fully.
Rao’s Immortal Body had changed more than he realized.
Two months of solar tempering had produced strength that did not match his cultivation realm.
Peng Wu roared.
Both fists descended.
Orion crossed his blade above him.
The impact cracked the stone beneath his feet.
But Orion didn’t buckle.
Peng Wu’s expression changed.
Orion smiled apologetically.
“My turn.”
He twisted.
Redirected the fists.
Stepped inside Peng Wu’s guard.
Then pushed.
Just—
Pushed.
Peng Wu crossed the arena.
And went over the edge.
The formation caught him before he fell more than a few feet.
Silence.
The referee blinked.
Then raised his hand.
“Winner—Orion Atlas!”
Noise erupted.
Orion remained standing at the center of the arena.
He looked down at his hands.
Then toward Peng Wu, who was already laughing as the formation returned him to the platform.
“Brother Orion!”
Orion looked over.
Peng Wu shook his head.
“Your realm is a lie.”
“Technically, it’s accurate.”
“Then cultivation realms are liars.”
Orion laughed.
They cupped fists toward one another.
“No injuries?”
Orion asked.
“Only my dignity.”
“Mine gets injured regularly.”
Peng Wu laughed again and departed.
Orion walked toward the exit.
His first tournament fight had lasted less than two minutes.
Same cultivation realm.
And it hadn’t been close.
A dangerous thought entered his mind.
Maybe…
He glanced toward Xuan Mei.
She was waiting at the bottom of the steps.
Orion smiled.
“…this won’t be so bad.”
Xuan Mei closed her eyes.
“No.”
“What?”
“You said it again.”
“And I was right.”
“For one fight.”
She looked at him.
“Orion.”
“Yes?”
“The heavens are listening.”
He laughed.
⸻
Xuan Mei’s opening match began an hour later.
Orion quickly discovered the difference between himself and someone genuinely considered a top genius.
Her opponent was a Sixth Stage Essence Gathering cultivator from the Red Pine Sect.
A respectable cultivation.
A talented young man.
Probably capable of defeating Orion without much difficulty.
Xuan Mei defeated him in twelve seconds.
The referee said begin.
Her opponent drew his saber.
Silver light flashed.
One sword stopped against his throat.
The other rested against his dantian.
He hadn’t even completed his first attack.
“Surrender.”
The young man stared.
Then sighed.
“I surrender.”
Orion slowly turned toward Yue Ling.
Xuan Mei’s master stood beside him with her arms folded.
“She was taking it easy.”
Orion stared.
“That was easy?”
“She didn’t use her physique.”
“Of course.”
“Or moon Essence.”
“Naturally.”
“Or her actual sword art.”
Orion looked back toward the arena.
Xuan Mei calmly sheathed both swords.
“Why does she train with me using two swords?”
Yue Ling smiled.
“Because she enjoys bullying you.”
“I knew it.”
Xuan Mei’s head suddenly turned.
Across the distance—
Her silver eyes narrowed at him.
Orion froze.
“Can she hear us?”
Yue Ling smiled.
“Fifth Stage Meridian Foundation.”
Orion immediately looked innocent.
Xuan Mei continued staring.
He waved.
She rolled her eyes.
But smiled.
[Affection: 40%]
Orion’s chest warmed.
Then he remembered the tournament board.
He turned toward it.
His second opponent had just been determined.
Orion Atlas versus
Lu Shen — Falling Spear Sect
4th Stage Essence Gathering
Orion’s smile slowly disappeared.
Yue Ling looked at the board.
Then at him.
“Still doesn’t look so bad?”
Orion sighed.
“Nobody likes a smug immortal.”
Yue Ling’s laughter followed him halfway across the arena complex.