CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: FIST DAY OF TOURNAMENT

Three hours had already passed since the beginning of the grand tournament. The scorching sun now hung at a slanted angle in the evening sky, casting long golden shadows across the massive stone arena. The vast stadium was filled with roaring cheers, its atmosphere thick with excitement and the crackling tension of countless battles already fought.

Group One’s battles had concluded earlier, and the Situ Family had once again demonstrated their overwhelming dominance. With effortless victories, they marched into the semifinals without suffering a single loss. Now, the spotlight had shifted to Group Two, and the air quivered with anticipation.

High above the arena, the referee floated gracefully, his robe fluttering in the breeze. With a commanding voice that echoed like rolling thunder, he declared, "Please welcome the Howling Abyss Sect and the Iron Eagle Sect!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as ten young figures emerged—five from each sect. The Iron Eagle Sect’s disciples wore sharp silver robes, embroidered with winged patterns that gleamed under the sunlight, while the Howling Abyss Sect’s members donned flowing light-blue garments, symbolizing their sect’s deep connection with wind and water. Both groups stepped toward the edge of the arena, their faces stern, their auras simmering with restrained power.

The referee raised his hand high, then dropped it with force. His voice boomed: "Begin!"

Two disciples stepped forward, one from each sect—youths whose eyes blazed with determination. The boy from the Iron Eagle Sect stood clad in shimmering silver, his posture sharp as a spear, while his opponent from the Howling Abyss Sect wore a light-blue robe that rippled faintly as though touched by invisible currents of air.

The two let out primal screams and dashed forward. Their collision was so fierce that a blinding flash consumed the arena. When the light receded, the audience roared in awe. The referee, with a bright smile, raised his voice again: "The battle is going very intense! Both teams are now tied at two-to-two. This last battle will decide which team shall emerge victorious!"

The battlefield beneath them remained remarkably unmarred, the arena’s enchanted stone proving its strength even under the assault of countless blows.

Then came the final combatants.

From the Iron Eagle Sect leapt a muscular youth with striking blue hair, his presence like that of a charging storm. Opposite him, stepping forward with calm confidence, was the grandson of the Howling Abyss Sect’s leader—Zia Bailey.

The crowd’s energy surged as the two young prodigies locked eyes. Sparks of rivalry and unspoken respect ignited between them. Then, without a word of warning, they both charged forward, their fists crashing together with bone-shaking force. A thunderous shockwave burst outward, rattling the arena. Despite the terrifying impact, only the faintest cracks spread across the arena floor—a testament to the grand stage’s durability.

The Iron Eagle youth smirked, his eyes glittering. "Your punch is nice. What’s your name?"

Zia Bailey smiled calmly, his aura flaring. "I am the grandson of the Howling Abyss Sect. Zia Bailey. And you?"

The muscular boy pushed him back with sheer force and grinned. "I am Si Xong."

Zia Bailey rolled his neck while Si Xong cracked his knuckles, both preparing for the storm to come. With a simultaneous roar, they launched forward, their fists colliding again. What followed was an explosive flurry of strikes.

Punch after punch, kick after kick, the two young men exchanged blows with feral intensity. Blue and green auras burst into the air, each strike accompanied by booming impacts that reverberated across the stadium. They clashed, retreated, then soared into the air, where their limbs became blurs of motion—elbows, knees, palms, and kicks raining down in a pure display of hand-to-hand combat.

The audience gasped as the fight escalated into the skies. Mid-air, Zia Bailey let out a guttural roar and spun into a vicious back kick, slamming into Si Xong’s abdomen and sending him crashing backward. Yet Si Xong refused to yield. Landing firmly on his feet, he launched forward again, his fist arcing straight toward Zia Bailey’s forehead.

Zia ducked just in time, countering with a sharp punch to Si Xong’s leg, followed by a brutal headbutt to his abdomen. Si Xong coughed blood but retaliated instantly, spinning with ferocity and delivering a crushing kick to Zia’s face. The impact hurled Zia backward, but he flipped mid-air with catlike grace and landed firmly on his feet. Blood trickled down his cheek, but he merely wiped it away with the back of his hand, his eyes burning with renewed resolve.

He roared, his blue aura erupting like a tidal wave. Energy surged around his right palm as silver light condensed upon it.

Across from him, Si Xong bellowed in defiance, his fist turning a stone-like grey. "Iron Fist!"

Zia charged with equal ferocity. "Howling Abyss Palm!"

Their ultimate techniques collided. The world seemed to freeze for a moment before a storm of shockwaves exploded outward. The ground trembled beneath their feet, the audience shielding themselves from the oppressive pressure. The arena quaked violently, yet its ancient enchantments held strong.

With a roar, Zia Bailey poured everything into his palm strike. Si Xong’s grey fist cracked audibly, pain flashing across his face. He screamed, staggering, before Zia’s palm crashed against his chest, blasting him across the arena. Si Xong’s body slammed against the stadium wall with devastating force, leaving him unconscious.

The referee’s voice thundered across the stadium: "The Howling Abyss Sect has won this match with a score of three-to-two!"

The crowd erupted into deafening cheers.

Zia Bailey turned toward his grandfather in the audience and bowed deeply, respect shining in his eyes. From that moment, he had not only secured victory but also captured the hearts of the audience, becoming their favorite.

Five more Hours passed. More battles concluded, marking the end of Group Two. The sun dipped low, painting the horizon with hues of red and gold. Once more, the referee descended, his robe billowing in the evening wind. "What an interesting day! I hope you all enjoyed the battles. Today’s battles have ended, but the tournament has not! Tomorrow, even more exciting matches await us!"

The crowd’s cheers thundered like waves crashing upon a shore.

From the VIP room, Shaurya stretched lazily, his posture relaxed as if the day’s intensity had barely touched him. "Seems like our battles will be held tomorrow," he remarked.

Behind him, the elders of his sect stood from their seats in unison, their faces calm and composed. Elder Liya and Elder Wan, who had been sitting among the disciples in the crowd, now guided them back to their quarters.

Inside the VIP chamber, Shaurya turned with a casual smile. "I am going to meet the king. You all head to the restaurant or hotel."

The elders nodded respectfully before departing, while Shaurya made his way toward King Tian Long’s private room.

The king greeted him warmly with a booming laugh as he entered. Beside him sat a man with sharp eyes and a reserved presence—Li Dong, who quietly observed Shaurya. Inwardly, Li Dong pondered, This guy looks so ordinary... how did he manage to kill Ye Xuan?

Shaurya’s eyes swept toward him. "Hey king, who is this guy with you?"

King Tian Long laughed heartily and clapped Li Dong on the shoulder. "He is my old friend, Li Dong. He is a sword cultivator."

Shaurya raised an eyebrow and nodded in greeting. "Oh, nice to meet you."

Li Dong gave him a measured stare but eventually returned the courtesy.

The king’s eyes twinkled as he asked, "So Shaurya, how was the tournament? Did you like it?"

Shaurya chuckled, scratching his head awkwardly. In his heart, he thought, How should I answer this? Most of the time I was sleeping on Lin Shu’s lap... The memory of her gently brushing his hair while he rested resurfaced, bringing a faint smile to his lips. Finally, he replied, "Yeah, yeah. I really like the tournament. Waiting for my sect’s turn to shine."

King Tian Long nodded proudly. "Of course your sect will definitely shine. I bet in the end you will win. But just stay cautious. There are powerhouses like the Situ Family and the Jade Phoenix Sect that can trouble you."

Shaurya laughed lightly. "I know, and my disciples are already prepared to take everyone down."

The two shared hearty laughter, their camaraderie plain to see. Li Dong observed them silently, thinking, There are similarities between them. No wonder they get along so well. He let out a sigh.

Soon after, Shaurya bowed politely. "Okay, King. I will go first."

King Tian Long returned the gesture. "My wishes are with you."

With that, Shaurya flew off into the night sky.

Outside the stadium, disciples and elders of the Sanatan Flame Sect had already departed—some to their hotel rooms, others to the restaurants. The city below pulsed with energy, streets filled with bustling crowds still buzzing about the day’s matches.

Shaurya descended into the lively market, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. His gaze soon fell upon Zia Han and Zia Bailey, engaged in conversation. He approached swiftly and greeted them warmly.

Zia Han smiled back. "Oh, Sect Leader Shaurya. It’s been a long time."

Shaurya nodded. "Yeah. I saw your sect’s matches. Congratulations on reaching the semifinal."

Zia Han laughed. "Thank you, Sect Leader Shaurya. I will await your sect in the semifinals or final, and this time we will not lose."

Shaurya laughed as well. "Of course. We will also not back down."

Turning to the younger prodigy, he added, "You also improved a lot from the past. You will make your grandfather proud."

Zia Bailey bowed humbly. "You’re flattering me. I will wait to fight Luo Chen."

With a smile, Shaurya waved his hand. "It was nice meeting you two here. But I have to go. My sect members are waiting."

Both bowed respectfully as Shaurya departed. Zia Bailey watched him leave, admiration flickering in his eyes. "Grandfather, Sect Leader Shaurya is really a kind person."

Zia Han stroked his white beard thoughtfully. "Indeed. You must work hard so that we can show him our sect is not less than anyone."

Zia Bailey bowed. "Yes, Grandpa."

From a distance, in the shadows of a narrow alley, Zang Han observed the scene with a mischievous smile curling upon his lips.

Later, Shaurya arrived at the royal restaurant, where his sect’s elders and disciples were already gathered. The tables were laden with dishes of steaming vegetarian food, as Sanatan Flame Sect strictly forbade meat, alcohol, and other indulgences. Though none knew the reason, they abided by Shaurya’s will. The truth was simple—he was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu and upheld the principles of Sanatan Dharma.

Shaurya took a seat beside Lin Shu, sighing softly.

She turned to him with a curious glance. "What took you so long?"

Shaurya drank from a glass of water before replying. "Found the Howling Abyss Sect Master in the market, so I stopped to have a little chat with him."

Elder Wu, munching on a plate of vegetarian chow mein, spoke thoughtfully. "Situ Family and Howling Abyss Sect are already in the semifinals. If my guess is right, then Jade Phoenix Sect will win Group Three and advance as well."

Shaurya smiled. "It will be good if they win and face us. I want Xiao Rui to crush Zang Han."

Elder Wan leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "As I understand, Group One’s winner will face Group Four’s, while Group Two will face Group Three’s."

Shaurya raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? That means we will probably face the Situ Family in the semifinals. And Howling Abyss Sect will face Jade Phoenix Sect."

Elder Wan nodded. "Yes. Even if the Howling Abyss Sect is your friend, they are not strong enough to defeat Jade Phoenix Sect. At most, they may win a single round. But my prediction is they will lose with a margin of five-to-zero."

Shaurya lowered his head with a sigh. "So that means we will face both our opponents—the Situ Family and the Jade Phoenix Sect."

"If my prediction is correct, then yes," Elder Wan replied calmly.

Shaurya began eating with a small smile.

At a corner table, Xiao Rui sat silently, his fists clenched tightly, fury burning in his eyes. Across from him, his younger sister Xiao Lian stared determinedly at her plate, her expression set with iron resolve.

Elder Wu, curiosity flickering in his voice, asked, "Master, have you decided which disciples you will choose for the group stage?"

Shaurya replied casually, "No. I thought you would do it."

Lin Shu, seated beside him, smiled awkwardly. Elder Wu blinked in surprise, caught off guard. Elder Wan and Elder Liya rose from their seats and quietly left the table, leaving Elder Wu to manage.

"Oh yeah, I will do it," Elder Wu muttered hastily.

Shaurya smirked. "You haven’t decided it? Come on, Elder Wu, how can you be this reckless? Decide quickly."

Elder Wu bowed hurriedly. "I will do it quickly!" Then he rushed out.

Shaurya burst into laughter, his voice echoing warmly through the hall.

Lin Shu tugged his ear with a small pout. "Don’t you think Elder Wu is too old for your pranks?"

Shaurya winced, gritting his teeth playfully. "Ow, ow—it hurts! Sorry, sorry. I will try not to do it again."

The disciples nearby covered their mouths, laughing at their Sect Leader’s antics. The lighthearted moment warmed the air, easing the tension of the long day.

The next morning, the sun rose from the horizon, painting the city with radiant gold. By dawn, the stadium was already alive, its seats filling rapidly with eager spectators.

Shaurya stepped lazily out of the hotel, stretching.

Lin Shu stood waiting, her cheeks puffed in annoyance. "What took you so long? Everybody has already left for the stadium."

Shaurya’s mouth fell open in shock. "Already?"

Without hesitation, Lin Shu grabbed his hand. "Quick, we have to go. The matches are going to start." She pulled him along, and together they soared toward the arena.

Inside, the referee descended once more, floating in mid-air like a celestial being. The crowd roared in deafening excitement, shaking the very heavens. King Tian Long sat proudly on his throne, a smile on his face, while Li Dong dozed lazily in his seat, arms crossed.

Shaurya and Lin Shu entered their VIP room. Elder Wan and Elder Liya were present, waiting solemnly. Shaurya slumped casually into his seat, leaning back lazily.

Lin Shu shot him a stern look. "Sit properly. Stop behaving like this in front of everyone."

A translucent system window appeared before Shaurya’s eyes. "Exactly. Have some shame, Host."

Shaurya glared at the system, his eyes sharp with irritation, but when he turned to Lin Shu, his expression softened immediately. Sitting upright, he said, "It’s okay."

Lin Shu nodded approvingly. "Yes. Don’t let people think you are lazy."

The system whispered mockingly in his mind. "But isn’t it true, Host?"

Shaurya clenched his teeth.

Lin Shu noticed his tense expression. "What happened?"

His demeanor softened again. "Huh? Nothing. I’m just thinking when our sect’s turn will come. Let’s watch."

Their eyes met, and they exchanged quiet smiles.

The system grumbled, "For her, he becomes like a cute puppy. For me, he acts like he will eat me alive. Tsch... discrimination."

And so, as the roaring crowd awaited new clashes, destinies quietly stirred—some burning with vengeance, others brimming with hope. This was the only Calm before the storm.

To be continued...