Rising to the Inner Sect

The tournament grounds were still buzzing with excitement from the previous battles, but the atmosphere shifted the moment Young Sect Leader Yu Feng stood up. His presence commanded attention, and the arena fell into a respectful silence. His voice, calm yet powerful, echoed through the open air as he addressed the gathered disciples.

"As we have reached the conclusion of the main tournament, it is time to recognize the top five disciples who have proven themselves. These five will now enter the challenge tournament against the inner disciples."

A ripple of anticipation ran through the crowd. This was the moment many had been waiting for—the chance for the top outer disciples to challenge the inner sect, a rare and prestigious opportunity.

Yu Feng's gaze swept over the audience before he began to announce the names. "In fifth place, Zhang Rui."

Zhang Rui, a spear user known for his tactical prowess and steady heart, stepped forward. His expression was calm, though there was a glint of pride in his eyes. The crowd murmured in approval. Zhang Rui had fought hard and earned his spot among the best.

"In fourth place, Bai Feng."

The crowd roared at Bai Feng's name. Known as the Raging Dragon, Bai Feng's aggressive fighting style had won him many fans. Though he had been knocked out of the main tournament earlier than expected, his overwhelming strength and tenacity had secured him a place in the top five.

"In third place, Liu Zhen."

Liu Zhen, another rising star, carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who had fought many battles. He was not the most flashy fighter, but his skill in martial arts and his sharp mind had made him a force to be reckoned with. He nodded respectfully as his name was called, standing beside Bai Feng and Zhang Rui.

"In second place, Zhao Jian."

The crowd erupted into cheers as Zhao Jian's name was announced. The restrained swordsman had fought with a calm intensity throughout the tournament, his defensive style making him both unpredictable and deadly. His rivalry with Liu Zhang had been one of the highlights of the competition, and now, standing among the top five, Zhao Jian's quiet confidence seemed even more pronounced.

Finally, Yu Feng's gaze settled on the final name. "And in first place, Wang He."

The arena exploded into applause. Wang He, the giant who had dominated his opponents with his greatsword and unyielding strength, stepped forward. His victories had been nothing short of spectacular, and his final battle against Zhao Jian had left the crowd in awe. Wang He stood tall, his broad shoulders relaxed but his eyes burning with determination.

"These five disciples will now move on to the challenge tournament, where they will face off against our inner disciples," Yu Feng continued, his voice carrying a note of excitement. "Wang He, as the winner of the main tournament, you will have the honor of choosing your opponent first."

Wang He, ever the honor-bound fighter, stepped forward without hesitation. His eyes scanned the inner disciples standing to the side, each one carefully observing the top five contestants. After a brief moment, Wang He made his choice.

"I choose Liang Kun," he said, pointing to a large inner disciple who was also at the late stage of the Dragon Transformation realm.

The crowd murmured in surprise. Liang Kun was a well-known inner disciple, but rumors had circulated that he had advanced to his current realm through the consumption of pills rather than through hard training. Still, Wang He had chosen him, perhaps out of respect for his fellow warrior or perhaps to make a point.

The two stepped into the arena, and the match began. At first, Liang Kun seemed to hold his own, matching Wang He's attacks with swift counters. But as the fight continued, it became clear that Liang Kun's strength was lacking. His movements became sluggish, and his strikes lacked the power and precision needed to keep up with Wang He's relentless onslaught.

Wang He, ever the honorable warrior, didn't mock his opponent but instead fought with measured restraint. He had realized early on that Liang Kun wasn't his equal, and rather than crushing him outright, Wang He allowed the fight to proceed with dignity.

However, the crowd had already picked up on the fact that Liang Kun was weaker than expected. Murmurs spread through the audience, and soon it became clear to everyone that Liang Kun's strength had come from external help, not from hard-earned cultivation.

The match ended with Wang He's inevitable victory, though it was far less thrilling than the audience had hoped for. Still, Wang He had proven once again that his strength was unmatched, and his victory was met with polite applause.

As Wang He left the stage, Yu Feng turned his attention to Zhao Jian, who would be the next to fight. Zhao Jian stepped forward with his usual calm demeanor, his eyes scanning the inner disciples. After a moment, his opponent was announced: a saber wielder named Xu Ming, known for his ferocity and skill.

The moment the match began, it was clear this would be different from Wang He's battle. Xu Ming, despite being at the Qi Condensation realm, was a formidable fighter. His saber movements were fast and precise, each strike carrying lethal intent. But Zhao Jian, with his restraint and precision, met each attack with calm deflection, his sword moving like water around Xu Ming's aggressive strikes.

The clash of sword and saber was mesmerizing. The two fighters seemed to dance around each other, their weapons a blur of motion as they tested each other's limits. Despite Xu Ming's higher cultivation level, Zhao Jian's technique and control allowed him to hold his ground, even pushing Xu Ming back on several occasions.

The battle went on for what felt like an eternity, with both fighters exchanging blow after blow. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, watching in awe as Zhao Jian, an outer disciple, held his own against a powerful inner disciple.

But as the fight continued, it became clear that Xu Ming was holding back. His strikes, though powerful, lacked the full intensity of someone fighting at their peak. Eventually, Xu Ming began to press Zhao Jian harder, and with a series of swift, precise strikes, he overwhelmed Zhao Jian's defenses.

Zhao Jian, despite his best efforts, was ultimately defeated. The crowd erupted into cheers for Xu Ming's victory, but there was a collective sense of respect for Zhao Jian's incredible performance.

Just as Zhao Jian was about to leave the arena, a figure descended from the stands. Lin Caiyun, the beautiful and renowned disciple of Elder Wei, landed gracefully on the stage. Her eyes, calm and piercing, were fixed on Zhao Jian.

"Zhao Jian," she called out, her voice soft but commanding. "You fought well. I would like to extend an offer. Will you become my disciple?"

The crowd gasped in shock. It was rare for a core disciple to take an outer sect member as their disciple, especially someone of Lin Caiyun's stature. Zhao Jian looked stunned for a moment but quickly regained his composure.

With a respectful bow, Zhao Jian accepted herWith a respectful bow, Zhao Jian accepted her offer. "I humbly accept, Senior Sister Lin Caiyun."

The crowd exploded into excited whispers, both out of admiration for Zhao Jian and envy for the incredible opportunity he had just received. Lin Caiyun was one of the most respected and powerful disciples under Elder Wei, known for her sharp mind and unparalleled mastery of qi control. For Zhao Jian, this was a chance to ascend into the upper echelons of the sect.

The other disciples, particularly those from the outer sect, couldn't help but feel jealous. It was a rare moment in the sect's history to witness an outer disciple rise so quickly, not only through their own merit but by gaining the favor of someone so prominent.

Wuye, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for Zhao Jian. Despite his reserved and cautious nature, Zhao Jian had proven himself time and again to be more than just a skilled swordsman. He had the heart of a warrior. Liu Chen, standing next to Wuye, stroked his beard and smiled knowingly.

"It was bound to happen eventually," Liu Chen remarked to Wuye. "Zhao Jian's potential is limitless. Lin Caiyun recognizes that, just as we all do. His strength is not in brute force or overwhelming qi, but in his discipline and skill. He is a swordsman to be feared."

"Senior Apprentice Brother Zhao Jian worked hard for this," Mei Ling said quietly. "I just hope we can all rise as high as he will."

Wuye smiled at Mei Ling's comment but couldn't help the bubbling excitement in his heart. If Zhao Jian could do it, then there was hope for all of them.

As the crowd began to settle down after the excitement of the announcement, Yu Feng once again stepped forward to regain their attention.

"The challenge tournament will continue tomorrow. But today, let us honor these outer disciples for their achievements. They have shown strength, determination, and spirit. Let this be a reminder to us all of the potential within each of us."

The crowd applauded in agreement, though many of them still whispered about Zhao Jian's sudden rise. With the matches for the day concluded, the audience began to disperse, the top five participants each retreating to prepare themselves for the battles ahead.

Wang He stood tall as ever, but even he couldn't help but glance toward Zhao Jian with newfound respect. Despite his immense physical strength, Wang He knew there was more to fighting than brute force. Zhao Jian had shown that true power came from mastery and strategy.

As the sun began to set behind the mountains, casting long shadows across the tournament grounds, the stage was set for the next round of battles.