Xuan stepped onto the stage for his first match, his expression calm as he faced his opponent—a lean but well-built young man with sharp eyes. His name was Wei Chen, a disciple known by his peers for his fire-based techniques.
As soon as Wei Chen laid eyes on Xuan's robe, his brows furrowed. A core disciple? His gaze flickering, assessing Xuan's qi. His cultivation… it's not much stronger than mine? Is he really at the same realm? But how is he a core disciple then?
Wei Chen's thoughts raced. Core disciples were usually much stronger than their peers, usually chosen from among those who had already far surpassed the Inner Essence Realm. But Xuan? He was still in the early stage, just like everyone else. This didn't make sense. Then, his eyes landed on Xuan's right side.
He's missing an arm.
A smirk crept onto Wei Chen's face as he tossed aside his worries. He's still at the same realm as me and missing an arm. I can do this. If I defeat him, defeat a core disciple… I'll be recognized. The elders will take notice of me. His fists clenched with excitement. This was an opportunity.
Taking a stance, he cracked his knuckles. "Didn't think I'd be fighting a core disciple," he said. "But don't expect any mercy just because of that."
Xuan didn't react, simply settling into his stance. He had expected something like this. His status as a core disciple would draw attention, but the fact that he was missing an arm would make many underestimate him.
That was fine. He didn't care about that. The only thing that mattered was getting into the top three.
The elder overseeing the match raised his hand.
"Begin."
Wei Chen wasted no time, stepping forward as his qi surged. Flames seemed to flicker around his fingertips as he prepared to launch a new qi technique he had learned.
But Xuan didn't give him the time.
His foot moved.
A burst of wind exploded beneath him as his leg shot out, the Falconburst Kick activating in an instant. The speed was blinding.
BAM!
Wei Chen barely registered what had happened before the impact sent him flying. Pain exploded in his ribs as he twisted mid-air, his sparks vanishing before they could even form properly. He crashed onto the ground, sliding several feet before coming to a stop.
His mind reeled. What… what just happened?! His ribs ached, his breath came in ragged gasps. He tried to push himself up, but his arms trembled.
The match was already over.
Xuan exhaled as he lowered his foot. He hadn't done anything special—just moved forward and struck. But for some reason, his opponent had barely reacted. Was he intimidated by his core disciple status afterall? Whatever it was, he didn't mind it. All that matters was that he won.
The overseeing elder announced. "Winner—Xuan."
A murmur spread through the audience. That weird one-armed core disciple had won in an instant.
Wei Chen, still on the ground, clenched his fists. How… how is he this fast?
>>>
The second fight was the same. His opponent had barely stepped forward before Xuan's kick sent him crashing into the ground. Another swift victory.
By now, the murmurs in the crowd were growing louder.
"Did you see that? He's fast—way too fast."
"That movement isn't normal. Is this why he's a core disciple?"
At this point Xuan realized something. He seemed to be faster than the others.
But then the third fight arrived, and this time, his opponent was different.
A massive, burly disciple stepped forward, his muscles bulging under his sect robes. His stance was wide, solid, and full of confidence. Unlike the others, he didn't seem fazed by Xuan's earlier fights.
"You're fast," the large disciple admitted, rolling his shoulders. "But let's see how you handle me."
Xuan didn't reply. He might not be able to this guy out as easily. This opponent seemed like he could take more hits.
"Begin!" The elder announced.
The burly disciple stomped forward, his hands clenched into fists. He swung a heavy punch toward Xuan's chest—one that could probably send an ordinary person flying.
Any other disciple would have dodged. Even Xuan knew he should have.
But something inside him told him otherwise.
A deep, unshakable instinct whispered that he didn't need to avoid it. That he was stronger.
So Xuan met it head-on.
He didn't dodge.
He didn't counter with his Falconburst Kick.
Instead, he stepped forward and met the punch with a punch of his own.
CRACK!
A gust of wind burst from the impact as both fists collided, sending a sharp shockwave through the air. The burly disciple's face twisted in shock as he staggered back, his knuckles throbbing from the sheer force of the clash.
Xuan remained unmoved. His arm barely even shook. He wasn't wrong. He was stronger.
For a moment, the onlookers stared in stunned silence.
The disciple gritted his teeth and tried to push forward again, but Xuan was already a step ahead. His muscles tensed as he twisted his body, driving his knee straight into his opponent's stomach.
WHAM!
The force of the impact sent the burly disciple reeling, his breath escaping in a pained gasp. Before he could recover, Xuan twisted his body and launched a clean, decisive strike—his palm slamming into the disciple's chest with enough force to lift him off the ground.
With a heavy THUD, the large disciple crashed onto his back, shaking the arena floor.
Silence.
The spectators could only gape in disbelief.
Xuan's speed was one thing. But raw strength? This was different.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Inborn divine strength?"
"Maybe he has a unique physique? That would explain why he's a core disciple."
"It has to be. That would explain everything. He must have inborn divine strength."
The elder quickly recovered from his shock and raised his hand. "Winner—Xuan."
Xuan stepped off the stage, stretching his arm slightly. He hadn't expected to overpower someone like that so easily. Inborn divine strength? He had heard the other disciples words as well. Did he have that?
Either way, this wasn't the time or place to figure it out. And most importantly, this was his third win. With this he had officially passed the first round of the Dawnfire Trials.
>>>
As Xuan made his way toward the waiting area, a familiar voice called out.
"Well, look at you. Didn't expect you to be making such a scene."
Xuan turned and spotted Lan Yue standing a short distance away, arms crossed, a teasing smile on her lips.
"Big Sis Yue," he greeted, walking over. "You were watching?"
Lan Yue's smile widened. "Of course. How could I miss the chance to see my little junior brother throw himself into battle like an idiot?"
Xuan sighed, already bracing for her usual antics. "I wasn't throwing myself into anything."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So stepping into a punch on purpose isn't throwing yourself into things? Do you even know what dodging is?"
Xuan hesitated for a second before muttering, "It worked, didn't it?"
Lan Yue chuckled, shaking her head. "You really are something." Then, with a sudden flick of her wrist, she pulled out two shin guards from within her robe.
Xuan blinked, staring at them, then at her. "Where… were you even keeping those?"
His eyes flickered down. The shin guards weren't exactly tiny, and yet, before this moment, he hadn't seen even the slightest indication that she had been carrying them. No bulging sleeves, no extra bag—nothing. It was as if she had pulled them out of thin air.
Lan Yue grinned mischievously. "A lady has her secrets." She tossed them toward him, and he caught them instinctively.
Holding them in his hands, he immediately noticed that they were well-crafted, sturdier than he had expected, and reinforced with qi-infused fibers. He was sure that this was a high-quality product indeed. But there was something else—something subtle.
He sniffed once and immediately frowned. A light, floral scent still lingered on them. Lan Yue tilted her head expectantly, clearly waiting for him to say something.
"…Did you douse these in perfume?" he asked flatly.
Lan Yue gasped, feigning shock. "Me? Never! That's just my natural fragrance. Honestly, though, don't you think it suits you? A little floral elegance for our fierce little core disciple?"
Xuan exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. "Right. Thanks, Big Sis Yue."
He turned the shin guards over, inspecting them more closely—and then his expression froze.
His grip tightened slightly as he stared at something etched subtly along the inside of the guards.
Black lines formed on his forehead.
Lan Yue's teasing smirk widened ever so slightly.
"What… is this?" Xuan asked slowly, lifting his gaze toward her.
"Hmm?" Lan Yue blinked innocently. "Oh, just a little something extra. A signature touch, you might say."
Xuan's eye twitched.
This girl…