Chapter 29 Unstoppable Rise

Just as the sun inevitably rises in the east, and sets in the west, so do does time pass, like grains of sand in an hourglass.

Summer peaked, and began to wane. On the 15th Day of the 8th Month, Mo Xiaowen attained the 6th Stage of Body Tempering. Following this achievement he began learning the movement technique, "Fish in Water".

A month later, the 19th Day of the 9 Month arrived, Mo Xiaowen learnt "Fish in Water" to an adequate level, and was able to move his body as if he was truly a fish in water. This allowed his speed and agility as a whole to soar.

Autumn arrived, and as if decreed by the Gods themselves, the leaves browned and fell. The wind blew colder, and clouds began to disperse.

Many disciples had broken through, but none could compare to Mo Xiaowen. As the sun rose in the east on one autumn morning, a breakthrough occurred. Now the Howling Demon had reached the 7th Stage. This happened on the 16th Day of the 10th Month.

The boy trained, and trained. Each day he put more effort, and endured pains that no other disciple could endure. This eventually caught the eye of the Elders, but they chose not to intervene. After witnessing the boy they understood the reason for his success. Effort.

As the temperatures lowered, and Autumn waned Winter was fast approaching, but that didn't change Mo Xiaowen's attitude. While others had just attained the 6th Stage, before they could even glimpse Mo Xiaowen's back, he reached the 8th Stage.

And thus, the 9,999th Year of the Jade Star Calendar came to a close.

---

The 5th Day of the 3rd Month, this date held a lot of meaning to the Demonic Cliff Sect in recent history. A dramatic shift occurred on this day a year prior, Zhang Wuji the brightest star in the Sect, a grand genius seen maybe once in 100 years, fell, not because of his opponent but because of himself.

With him he decided to take the hopes and dreams of others along with him, the reverberations of his actions still echoing out to this day.

Because of this the Elder's came to a conclusion. This day rather than being remembered as the day Zhang Wuji fell, would be the day a genius was born.

Every batch would have their own fight amongst themselves, this would occur two years after they entered the Sect within the arena. It was an event to motivate the disciples to try harder, and improve themselves while fighting against their peers.

Sitting atop the stage was a boy. He was 14 years of age, with medium length black hair and eyes. Unlike his peers his eyes held a sense of purpose, of clear sightedness. A confidence that as long as he focused on something he'd attain it.

Currently all attention was focused on him. From those of Batch 898 who were participants, to Batches 899, 897, and even the newly added 900 who were here for fun. Even Old Ox was attending to cheer Mo Xiaowen on.

As of now the event was yet to begin but the Elders had called Mo Xiaowen to the stage preemptively, almost as if they had something planned.

'Haiz, I wouldn't have been here if they didn't outright ask me to attend.' Mo Xiaowen sighed, his expression that of disinterest. He'd much rather use his time to train then fight amongst his peers.

"Ahem, the Tournament shall now begin. Anyone who wishes to challenge Mo Xiaowen may do so, the last man standing on the stage is the winner!" An Elder declared, riling up the crowd in an instant.

Immediately those of Batch 898 began to stir. It had been almost a year since they saw Mo Xiaowen fight, so some were thinking of challenging him to pull an early victory. Others opted to wait and see how things would play out, while some simply understood they had no chance at victory.

Hearing that the Elder gave the go ahead, Mo Xiaowen stood up from the stage. He was tempted to quit there and then, but since he had already promised the Elders sighed and continued to participate. But that didn't mean he was going to waste his time.

"All of you at the 7th Stage, come at me at once." The boy declared, his voice echoing throughout the arena.

The disciples blinked widely at Mo Xiaowen in shock, was he serious? Did he think he was at the 8th Stage or something. "I repeat, all of you at the 7th Stage come fight me." He declared once again this time with some annoyance.

Now they heard him loud and clear. In raged the disciples at the 7th Stage landed on after the other, making up about 9 people. Back then Mo Xiaowen had been considered 10th, while these 9 were those "above" him.

"Seems you've grown too big for your britches. Time for us to knock you down a peg." One of them sneered before approaching Mo Xiaowen with slow but heavy steps.

"I always disliked the fact that you fought the Crown Prince. Just cause you got a bit lucky and surpassed us momentarily you think you can take all the spot light? And now you're directly provoking us? Howling Demon, more like Arrogant Asshole!" Another roared as the 9 closed in on Mo Xiaowen.

"Show them what you're made of kid!" Old Ox cheered Mo Xiaowen on from the stands. No one understood where his confidence was coming from. Even the Elders were shocked at Mo Xiaowen's arrogance.

"....Talk to me about your grievances after the fight." With that said, Mo Xiaowen's figure flickered before appearing in front of one of them, his palm slamming into his chest.

"Huff!"

"Boom!"

The disciple was sent flying away, out of the stage and into the arena wall. Everyone was stunned stiff, with one hit he took out a disciples in the 7th Stage. Again his body flickered, as he moved oddly amidst the air, almost like he was swimming in it. In an instant his palm was once again crashing into another disciple's chest sending him flying.

"Damn it! Gather together, we have to attack him as a team!" One of them roared, the remaining 7 then gathered together before charging at Mo Xiaowen. The collective force produced by their attacks was all slamming towards Mo Xiaowen.

'I had been holding back until now, but now I can use my full power without killing them.' Mo Xiaowen's arm pulled back, almost as if he was compressing it into himself. The attacks approached, but Mo Xiaowen stood strong.

"HUFF!"

"BOOM!"

His fist shot out in an instant, his fist simply hitting the air caused their attacks to be nullified. But a man has two fists, and so came another attack, this time shooting them all out of the stage, bloodied and bruised, but at least still alive.

They say the wolf howls at the full moon, but Mo Xiaowen howls at the rising sun, like a rooster marking the start of a new day.