Chapter 12: The Competition

The day of the tournament had arrived, and the sect's best cultivators had gathered to compete. Ethan felt a mixture of nerves and excitement as he prepared for his first match. He knew that the competition would be fierce, with many talented cultivators vying for the top prize.

As he made his way to the tournament grounds, Ethan spotted Li Na waiting for him. She wore a cheerful smile and held a small bouquet of flowers in her hands. "Good luck, Ethan!" she called out as he approached. "I know you'll do great!"

Ethan felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of her. He was grateful for her support and felt a surge of confidence knowing that she believed in him. "Thanks, Li Na," he replied, smiling. "I'll do my best."

The first round of the tournament was a fierce battle between Ethan and his opponent, a powerful cultivator from a rival sect. The two exchanged blows, each trying to gain the upper hand. But in the end, it was Ethan who emerged victorious, his superior technique and strategy proving too much for his opponent.

Li Na cheered him on from the sidelines, clapping and shouting his name. Ethan felt a rush of excitement at the sound of her voice, and he couldn't help but steal a glance at her from time to time.

As the tournament progressed, Ethan found himself advancing through the rounds, defeating one opponent after another. He felt a growing sense of confidence and pride as he fought, each victory bringing him closer to the top prize.

But even as he battled, Ethan couldn't shake the distraction of Li Na's presence. He found himself thinking of her often, wondering what she thought of his matches and how he looked in her eyes.

As the day drew to a close and the final match approached, Ethan found himself facing Chen Zhi, his rival from another sect. Chen Zhi wore a sneer on his face, his eyes glinting with malice. "I'll beat you this time, Ethan," he spat. "You're not good enough to beat me."

Ethan felt a surge of anger at Chen Zhi's words. He was determined to prove him wrong and show Li Na that he was the better cultivator.

The final match was a brutal fight, with both Ethan and Chen Zhi using all their skills and power to gain the upper hand. But in the end, it was Ethan who emerged victorious, his final blow knocking Chen Zhi to the ground.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Ethan was declared the winner of the tournament. Li Na rushed forward, throwing her arms around him in a congratulatory hug. Ethan felt a warm feeling spread through his chest at her touch, and he knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together.