Chapter 13 - Tri-Clan Tournament

"This seems like a hopeless cause Grand Master." Instructor Garnt was standing in line for late signups to the Tri-Clan Tournament. The arena in the Imperial Central Zone of the Southern District was used for it. Normally, the various powers ran anything from mild tournaments to gladiatorial competitions to raise money or resources from the various clans and guilds.

The massive structure cast a shadow in the early morning light as the maw of the arched entry of dark stone loomed over the line of late additions. Garnt's massive form was not unusual among cultivators but his clear power stood out from the weaker Soul Realms around them. Two hooded figures stood behind him, one at the same height but the other shorter. They were here for a desperate gamble.

The Grand Master had learned the Overseer's son was using the top prize of the tournament to force Teyla to marry him. The grand prize was listed as a favor from the Imperial Overseer and some alchemical pills or resources on top of that. The winner of the tournament might also snag the attention of Imperial visitors looking for talents to recruit.

Members of all 3 clans of course could submit themselves but the greater honor would be rising in a clan selection held months ago. Lind had not submitted himself, obviously, but he could still enter this way. The line moved fairly swiftly to the many open windows. Many of the cultivators here were desperate for a lime light, but would have to survive the elimination rounds to come soon.

"Hope is a matter of effort and desire young Garnt. Lind has chosen this path and he passed your little 'test.'" The harsh emphasis on the last word made Garnt cough. He was a tier 8 Soul Realm, closing on tier 9 after several years but he had vast experience over Lind beyond the cultivation realm. Still, Lind had demonstrated a firm grasp of tier 1 Soul Arts.

Lind had to temper 6 elements but no technique existed, thus he had clearly focused on these Arts to be his tempering. It was shocking to Garnt the level of dedication this would take but Lind's limit was also tier 1 Soul Arts. Blending any of the elements resulted in a backlash that could be minor to critical depending on how far Lind pushed it. Sadly, he would have to push it today.

"The Overseer's son is not a dedicated cultivator but he is a member of an Imperial representative's family. The rumors about him are too pervasive to ignore but he had not been held accountable either." Garnt lived most of his life in the Frey Clan, but all had seen the decline in several areas from the Central Zone. Trash has cluttered areas where the poor had once been at least housed while awaiting jobs that needed manual labor.

The increase of illegal drugs and gang activity had increased away from the immediate areas of the clans. In essence, the Southern District had begun to decline but no complaint from anyone had made any difference in the last 7 years. If one did not have distinct clan markings or guild emblems of significant rank, it was unsafe to head out at night. The tournament actually helped clean up crime as important visitors were likely to come.

The Grand Master nodded under his hood, but any response was drowned out by excited murmurs suddenly surging around them.

"Did you hear?! The great Sects have sent members this year!"

"Of course we heard, the Star Sapphire has been laying out the odds and announced it!"

"Solon of the Divine Sword is a legend in the Soul Realm already. I heard he can fight a major realm above to the Sand Tier!"

"Pah! He is nothing compared to the Mistress Shoti of Heavenly Maidens. She is an enchantress of unparalleled ability. I wonder if she will notice me when I cheer for her?"

Both Garnt and the Grand Master suddenly felt foolish for indulging Lind. Though the specific names were not known to either, the powerful sects of their own continent were well known. The Heavenly Maiden Sect, as its name implied, was a female only sect that only fools would underestimate. The Divine Sword Sect, on the other hand, was bathed in blood and war yet they never besmirched honor. Often the members of that sect could walk unopposed even if only in the Soul Realm tier 1.

"Young Lind, it may not be needed for you to participate–" The Grand Master stopped talking as the pools of dark green clearly did not change. The boy was set. He was only tier 3 of the Soul Realm, but his elements were at the peak of tier 4. His hard work was beyond impressive considering his obstacles. The years of intense practice to bring his innate cultivation to heel with Soul Touch was nothing short of amazing.

"I will take no chances. The Overseer's son is known to be only a tier 5 Soul Realm by pills. I can stop him. I must stop him." There was no emotion in Lind's voice. There was no bravado or delusion. Lind was a honed blade in a sheath, waiting to be used. Lind had done nothing but polish his skills under Garnt's instruction once again.

"If you get hurt, I am telling the Grand Mistress everything." Garnt enjoyed seeing both Lind and the Grand Master flinch. Part of this venture was hiding it from Mira and the Grand Mistress, nevermind Teyla herself. While indulging the pride in training was one thing, actually submitting to the tournament was a headache waiting to happen.

"Next!" In the course of gossip and talking, their turn had come up.

"Good luck, young Lind. May the spirits of Heaven and Earth watch over you." The Grand Master sent Lind off and Garnt could only look on at the young man. Garnt knew there was something more wrong with Lind that the current issue, but it was never brought up. "Have more faith in him, Garnt. Lind has carried a heavy burden and learned a heavier one but stepped up to help Teyla. Such a person is rare and we will help him after today."

The two men moved off to find a seat to watch the tournament.

****

"You are sure about this?" A large man in ill fitting silks was in a lounge. There was a young girl and boy waiting on him as a slim man stood to the side in a bow. The dark hair of the large man was greasy and the feel of the Qi in his body was unstable until a pill was swallowed. His blue eyes looked lewdly at the young girl until she shivered in her dark blue robes.

"I am certain that all the members of the Frey Clan have entered to stop you, my Lord." The slim man gave off no feeling of presence. If not for his voice, many would forget he was there. His features were not visible in the hood over his face. "There is a small rumor about Solon as well, but it is highly unlikely. It is possible the Young Mistress of the Gu clan is why he is here."

The overweight man did not respond right away but as a bell sounded a frown passed over his yellow face. How a cultivator could look so unhealthy was unknown, but this man had achieved it.

"That stuck up girl evaded me but her clan still let her be foolish for this. Idiots." A flash of movement and the young girl was suddenly pulled onto the large man's lap. Her yelp was quickly followed by a flash of fear in her blue eyes.

"Honored guest, I remind you that servants of Star Sapphire require appropriate compensation before any activity." The young man's pale amber eyes did not even blink as he spoke and the large man frowned but released the young girl. "Thank you for your consideration, honored guest."

"I may change my mind but I need to focus. Chen! Take care of the bugs in my way now." For the first time the slim man showed displeasure to the large man's command.

"Sir, I may find that difficult to hide to all of them. Fortunately, there is time. Let the tournament get to the main event first. You are already seeded, so simply wait to see who remains." The large man frowned again but found wisdom in Chen's words. It was wiser not to spend more than one needed to when exterminating gnats.

"Very well, but in that case, only get rid of true threats. Might as well give them false hope!" The dark laughter made the young servant girl shiver and none noticed the man named Chen blend into the background completely.

****

"Idiot!" Chen moved swiftly through the arena back areas as he nodded to the Overseer's guards. The doting of this fool had gone too far. At this rate, the Empire would take actions.

"Master." Another slim man stepped out of the shadows. Chen felt stress increase. This person would only stop him if something bad had cropped up.

"Speak". They were short on time so no words were wasted.

"The 3rd Princess is here with her envoy. They have not announced who they are, but I recognize her." Chen felt his heart rate actually fluctuate. This was incredibly bad. He had done his best to quash all rumors getting out of the Southern District but the eyes and ears of the Empire were everywhere.

"Take steps as planned, but do not draw attention. I will implement the master's commands." Chen then held up his hand as he thought for a moment. "Abandon me as I have ordered if necessary." Chen valued his men and knew the master he followed was a fool. Chen saw reluctance but his steely glare sent the minion running back into the shadows. Shortly after, Chen also disappeared.

****

Lind was meditating. He was in a large room filled with other competitors for the elimination round. He listened to the nervousness, the fear, and the excitement but he was calm. It was strange. Ever since he knew Teyla was in danger, it was as if his problems meant little to him anymore.

The clan had tried to reject the Overseer's pursuit of Teyla, but all they could do was have him prove his commitment in this tournament. Sadly, many would be reluctant to face the son of the Overseer. The man was disliked unlike his father, but the father was turning a blind eye to his son's failings.

Lind felt a twinge of rage but buried it under his calmness. He could not unleash lethal power here. He had to fight in the rules and he had to survive to pull this off. He had some confidence, but it was likely a harsh road in the main tournament. He sensed powerful individuals in the arena not inside this room.

Part of his training had produced interesting results. His Soul Eyes had improved immensely and his Soul Touch was capable of things he had never heard of. The reason Lind had been able to overcome Garnt was the very skills Lind had honed on his own away from prying eyes. The only people who knew his true potential were the twins and his mother. Granny only taught lessons of the mind not combat.

The ring of a bell told Lind it was time to get through the elimination round. It would be a massive brawl until the final 20 remained. The rules were simple. No killing in this round and no crippling. Either offense would be grounds for immediate elimination regardless of intent. Otherwise get them outside the ring or to concede and keep going until only 20 remain. Peak Soul Realm judges will oversee it. There was also likely World Realm representatives overlooking as well.

The gate creaked open as the roar of the audience filled his ears and sunlight blinded all in the room. Lind stood up and readied himself. He removed his black cloak to reveal gray robes. He was not here as a member of the Frey Clan, but the little brother of Teyla. As such, shadows moving in the background ignored Lind entirely as he moved into the ring.