The day wore on and clouds had partially covered the sun, giving Jiu Yin some reprieve from the constant rays of the cursed sun. The arena felt slightly cooler, the harsh light softened into a muted glow that filtered through the high windows and partial roof. He removed his hood and massaged his shoulders a bit while stretching. The muscles felt tight from the long wait and the lingering tension of being under the sun for hours. Soon he would challenge someone. It was important to select carefully. This tournament was not about winning. It was about putting on a show for the observers from the sects.
After several matches, an Iron Warrior sixth rank from the Yin Clan vassal family jumped up to accept challenges.
“Who would take the challenge?” the announcer called out, his voice amplified across the arena.
Jiu Yin stood up. He could not help but feel a quiet excitement building in his chest. “I will!”
Jiu Lan looked at him with clear conviction. “Are you confident, brother?”
“Indeed. I wouldn’t challenge them if I felt I couldn’t at least put up a good fight.”
Squeezing his hand, she smiled and nodded. His mother did not speak, merely gave a firm nod of support, her eyes filled with a mixture of worry and hope.
“We have… err, Jiu Yin of the Lu Clan vassal families,” the announcer announced, sounding slightly surprised.
The walk down from their sitting place to the arena was filled with anticipation. The crowd’s murmurs grew louder as he descended the stairs and crossed the open space toward the fighting platform. The stone floor felt cool under his boots. The distant roar of the spectators echoed off the high walls. Jiu Yin kept his expression calm, but inside his blood sang with the thrill of the coming fight.
It didn’t shock Jiu Yin that there was some confusion. No one had even heard of him since his ability to cultivate was so recent. To most of the spectators and even many in the Lu Clan group, he was still the talentless outcast from a minor branch. The announcer’s slight hesitation only confirmed that. Jiu Yin allowed himself a small, private smile beneath the shadow of his hood. Let them underestimate him. It would make everything easier.
He made his way down from the seating area toward the fighting platform. The stone steps felt cool under his boots. The crowd’s murmurs followed him, a low buzz of curiosity and skepticism. “Who is that?” someone called out. “A vassal from the Lu Clan? Never heard of him.”
The fighting platform was a wide, circular area of reinforced stone, scarred from previous matches. Jiu Yin stepped onto it and faced his opponent.
The boy from a vassal family under the Yin Clan was already waiting. He was an Iron Warrior at the fifth rank, holding a two-handed long sword that looked well-used but well-maintained. He was taller than Jiu Yin, with a sturdy build and a serious expression. When he saw Jiu Yin approach, he bowed respectfully, lowering his sword in a formal gesture of acknowledgment.
Jiu Yin returned the bow, a small spark of respect forming in his chest. At least this one has manners, he thought. The boy’s respectful demeanor ingratiated him. Jiu Yin decided in that moment that he would let this match go on a bit longer than he could normally end it. There was no need to end it too quickly. He could use this fight to learn more about how this world’s fighters operated and to put on a show for the sect observers.
The announcer’s voice rang out across the arena once more. “Jiu Yin of the Lu Clan vassal families versus Chen Wei of the Yin Clan vassal families! Begin!”
The announcer’s voice rang out clearly across the arena. “Jiu Yin of the Lu Clan vassal families versus Chen Wei of the Yin Clan vassal families! Begin!”
Chen Wei surged forward immediately, his two-handed long sword raised high. The blade gleamed under the filtered light as he brought it down in a powerful overhead strike. The air whistled with the force of the swing. Jiu Yin dodged to the side at the last moment, the sword slamming into the stone platform with a loud crack, sending small chips of stone flying. The crowd murmured in surprise at the speed of the attack.
Chen Wei did not hesitate. He followed up with a wide horizontal sweep, the sword cutting through the air with a low hum. Jiu Yin ducked under it, feeling the wind of the blade pass just above his head. He moved lightly, circling around his opponent, dodging another thrust and then a follow-up slash. Each movement was precise, but from the outside it looked like he was purely defensive.
The crowd began to react. “He’s just running around! Is this the best the Lu Clan vassals have?”
“Chen Wei is going to crush him. This new kid is in over his head.”
Jiu Yin heard the murmurs and allowed a small, private smile. Let them think that. It gave him time to study his opponent’s patterns. Chen Wei’s style was straightforward and aggressive, relying on the weight and reach of his sword. His swings were powerful but left small openings after each heavy strike.
Not feeling the need to use his more unique abilities yet, Jiu Yin finally decided to fight back. As Chen Wei brought the sword down in another overhead strike, Jiu Yin stepped forward instead of dodging. He raised his forearm and swept the blade to the side with surprising strength. The clash of metal against flesh rang out. Chen Wei’s eyes widened as his sword was deflected, the momentum causing him to over-swing and leave his side completely exposed.
Jiu Yin seized the opening. His fist drove forward in a strong, focused blow directly into the boy’s inner arm. The impact was solid. A sharp crack echoed as the strike landed. Chen Wei gasped in pain, his grip loosening. The two-handed sword dropped from his hands and clattered loudly onto the stone platform.
Before Chen Wei could recover, he began to circulate his Qi desperately to form a defensive barrier. A faint reddish glow started to form around his body. But it was too late. Jiu Yin was already moving. He stepped in close and delivered a powerful kick to the center of the boy’s chest. The impact was brutal. The force lifted Chen Wei off his feet and sent him flying backward. He crashed hard onto the stone floor several meters away, sliding a short distance before coming to a stop. He lay there, gasping for air, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
The crowd fell into stunned silence for a long moment. Then the announcer’s voice broke through.
“Jiu Yin wins!”
The arena erupted in surprised cheers and murmurs. No one had expected the unknown youth to end the match so decisively.
From the viewing platform, the sect observers reacted.
The loud and boisterous observer from Thousand Peaks Mountain Sect laughed heartily. “Not bad! That raw strength and timing! Body cultivators at low-level Iron Warrior rank are rare. This one has potential.”
The regal and refined observer from Jade Valley spoke more calmly. “Interesting. He showed good judgment in waiting for the right moment. His movements are efficient. He could be worth watching.”
The quiet observer from Crimson Moon Valley said nothing. He simply stared intently at Jiu Yin, his eyes sharp and unblinking beneath the high collar that obscured half his face.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Jiu Lan and Jiu Ping were visibly excited. Jiu Lan’s eyes sparkled with pride. “He did it. And so cleanly.”
Jiu Ping clasped her hands together, a bright smile breaking across her face. “My son… he really did it. The ancestors are watching over us.”
The announcer’s voice rang out again. “Jiu Yin is the victor! Challenger, who do you wish to challenge next before we open the floor to volunteers?”
Jiu Yin stood calmly on the platform, breathing steady, and looked toward the other waiting fighters.