Unseen Strengths and Unspoken Intentions
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Xing Wuye returned to his quarters. The day's battles had left his mind buzzing, his thoughts tangled in images of the fierce combatants he had witnessed in the arena. He sat down, crossed his legs, and settled into a meditative position. His breathing slowed as he drew his thoughts inward, shifting his focus from the cacophony of the external world to the quiet within.
During the fights, he had observed many techniques that intrigued him. Most competitors used their qi not just to enhance their speed and strength, but to materialize it into tangible forms, shaping it into fierce weapons and shields, even wild beasts. Qi condensed in this way transformed each fighter's strikes into something terrifyingly real, infusing them with a force beyond anything Wuye had seen before.
How is it that they can shape their qi like that? he mused, wondering if it was an advanced technique he simply hadn't encountered. His mind wandered back to the last moments of his former sect, the flash of the man in black and gold robes as he tore through the sect's defenses. Wuye had only seen the aftereffects of that power—the total annihilation left in the man's wake. He hadn't witnessed the actual fight with the elders, nor had he grasped the scale of power required to devastate an entire sect in a single stroke. Now, watching these fights, he glimpsed the path to such strength, a path that required relentless refinement of both technique and spirit.
The final battles of the day had been fought by disciples in the Foundation Establishment realm, their prowess and control over qi making each match a near spectacle. The sheer force behind their blows, coupled with the precision with which they directed their energy, highlighted the vast gap between his own skills and theirs. I've been like a frog at the bottom of a well, he thought, a trace of self-deprecation in his smile. The world held power levels he had never imagined, and he was only beginning to realize the limits of his previous understanding.
Before closing his meditation, he pondered if the Holy Saint, Li Jiang, would enter the arena tomorrow. He wondered who could challenge someone of such status and cultivation, and how Li Jiang's strength would compare to the disciples he had seen that day. Still, such thoughts felt distant—while he was curious, he knew that for now, he had to focus on his own cultivation and growth.
Lost in his contemplation, the night passed swiftly, and dawn came before he was aware of it. Wuye's eyes opened to the morning light creeping through the cracks in the door. He stretched, ready to face another day at the grand conference. Rising, he moved toward the door, only to find Yu Lian waiting outside.
She stood there with a light smile, looking up at him expectantly. Wuye sighed inwardly, his mind immediately suspecting her intentions. She's likely here for the same reason as yesterday, he thought, already picturing the trouble this encounter might bring. But he decided against protesting. Yu Lian was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, several levels above him in power, and it wouldn't do him any good to offend her. I'll tolerate this for now, he decided. Ren Shi's animosity is already enough. There's no need to add another enemy.
Without a word, Wuye followed Yu Lian as she led him through the bustling streets toward the arena. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the chatter and energy of countless cultivators and spectators gathered for another day of events. As they neared the arena, the towering pagodas came into view, standing like solemn guardians over the lively scene. In the center of it all, the grand coliseum loomed, its ancient stonework radiating a sense of gravitas and power.
Once they reached the stands, Wuye took his seat in the usual spot, scanning the arena. Not long after, Liu Yanmei, the Holy Saintess, caught sight of him and offered a slight smile. She leaned over, her voice gentle but curious. "Have you thought about my offer to join our sect?"
Wuye clasped his hands in respect, his face calm as he bowed slightly. "I appreciate your kindness, Senior Sister, but I must decline." He kept his tone polite, but the truth was, he didn't trust her motives. The ease with which she had extended her offer raised his suspicion, and he couldn't shake the feeling that her intentions went beyond mere hospitality.
Liu Yanmei's smile remained unchanged, but her gaze lingered on him for a moment, as if studying him with a hidden depth. What Wuye didn't know was that Liu Yanmei's motives were not as complex as he imagined. Her decision to reach out was influenced by her cultivation technique, a powerful mantra that heightened her intuition, allowing her to sense the potential in others with remarkable clarity. It wasn't so much suspicion that drew her to Wuye, but rather a vision of his future—a future where his strength and influence would far surpass that of many cultivators around him. She saw the beginnings of a powerful path, one that would likely lead him to heights few could reach.
Her gaze softened, and she turned her attention back to the arena as the announcer stepped onto the stage. He raised his arms, his voice amplified, and greeted the audience. "Welcome back to the Grand Conference of Sects! Today marks the second day of competition, where the strength and skill of the finest cultivators will once again be put to the test!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, their excitement palpable as they anticipated the matches to come. Wuye felt a flicker of interest stir within him. Despite his guarded stance toward the sects, he couldn't deny the thrill that filled the air, the anticipation of seeing more powerful techniques and strategies unfold.
The announcer continued, "For our first match of the day, we have two rivaling forces from different sects, both of whom have honed their skills to remarkable levels." His voice rose, adding a dramatic flair. "A duel between Li Jiang, the Holy Saint of the Dual Blessed Land, and his rival from the Scarlet Moon Sect!"
The crowd's cheers grew even louder, and Wuye's attention sharpened. He turned to look at the arena, anticipation rising within him. Li Jiang—the figure he had traveled with, who had been courteous and reserved—was now stepping into the ring to display his true strength. His opponent, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a fierce expression, walked out to face him. The energy between them crackled, two forces of equal determination preparing to clash.
Li Jiang's gaze was calm, his movements fluid as he stepped onto the arena. Despite his relaxed demeanor, there was an unmistakable air of confidence about him, as if he was fully aware of the gap between himself and his opponent. The rival cultivator's eyes narrowed, his stance rigid and coiled with tension. It was clear that this was not the first time the two had faced each other.
Wuye's eyes remained fixed on Li Jiang, watching every detail as he moved with precision and grace, his robes billowing slightly in the breeze. There was no wasted movement, no visible tension in his body. His qi pulsed subtly, his presence a powerful yet calm force, like a mountain rooted deeply into the earth. Wuye sensed that this battle would be a rare opportunity to witness the capabilities of someone who had reached a level he had yet to fathom.
As the two cultivators faced off, the crowd fell into a hush, their attention riveted on the stage. Wuye felt his heart quicken, his anticipation tempered by a lingering sense of unease. He didn't fully trust Li Jiang, nor Liu Yanmei. Their power and influence in the Dual Blessed Land gave them an aura of mystery that left Wuye wary, as though every gesture and word concealed some hidden motive. But here, on the battlefield, there would be no masks, no subtle games—only raw strength and skill on display.
He clasped his hands, leaning slightly forward as he watched. This would be the first time he would see Li Jiang in true combat, and he intended to observe every aspect of the fight, to analyze the skills and techniques wielded by the higher realms. The techniques, the energy, the power—each element held the potential to reveal something crucial about the world he sought to master.
The announcer's voice rose once more, a final rallying call to the spectators. "Let the first match of the day begin!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the arena.
And as Li Jiang and his rival took their positions, ready to unleash their strength, Wuye found himself drawn deeper into the moment, a spark of determination igniting within him. Watching these powerful cultivators clash would only fuel his own drive.