Chapter 20: Calm Before the Storm
Ryo's laughter echoed through the fog like a thunderclap after the storm.
"Hah… hahahahaha! Say hello to the waiting room for me, Freak!"
Flux gave him a long look, one eyebrow slightly raised beneath the brim of his hat.
Unseen, far above the trees, a Core Formation overseer stood on a floating jade talisman, arms crossed. He had been monitoring the trial's participants since the beginning. His gaze drifted down to the clearing below, where the last Crimson Vail disciple vanished in a flash of white light.
The overseer's eyes narrowed as he watched Ryo howling with laughter like a maniac, doubled over and smacking his thigh.
He shook his head and vanished silently into the mist.
Back in the clearing, the fog had begun to settle again, and silence returned—save for Ryo's panting.
Flux knelt and collected several scattered tokens from the ground. He glanced at the number.
"These are more than enough," he said. "For both of us."
Ryo exhaled and nodded, still grinning. "Agreed. That's a decent haul."
"We should return to the shelter and lay low until the final day," Flux said.
"Sounds boring," Ryo muttered, kicking aside a broken sword. "But... yeah, smart."
They vanished into the trees, moving swiftly and silently through the fog.
---
Their hiding place was a hollow nestled between two cliff wall, veiled by illusory mist Flux had woven. The thick canopy above dimmed the light even during the day, and spiritual energy barely fluctuated in the area, making it ideal for concealment.
Once inside, Flux activated a layered concealment array and sat cross-legged.
He reached into his storage pouch and began pulling out packets of dried meat, steamed buns, spirit-grain rice cakes, and preserved fruits.
Ryo stared. "Are you seriously eating that much again? You didn't just defeat a sect."
Flux bit into a bun without a word, his expression neutral.
Ryo rolled his eyes. "For someone so mysterious, you sure eat like a starving beast."
Flux calmly chewed. "Energy expenditure equals replenishment."
"Yeah, yeah, cultivation logic," Ryo muttered, snatching a red fruit. "I'm stealing this, by the way."
"No need to announce it," Flux said.
They ate in peace, and afterward, both settled into meditation. Occasionally, Ryo would try to start a conversation—usually about food, women, or sword techniques—but Flux's responses rarely exceeded three words.
"Quite as ever," Ryo muttered once, slipping into sleep with his arms behind his head.
Days passed quietly. Mist drifted beyond the concealment array. Occasional distant crashes or qi flares stirred them, but none came close. Flux cultivated in serene silence while Ryo sometimes mumbled in his sleep or practiced formations with small stones.
---
On the third and final day of the trial, a deep boom echoed through the forest like a war drum.
Both snapped awake instantly.
"That wasn't thunder," Ryo said, already strapping on his gear.
Flux stood and dispelled the concealment. "Let's take a look."
They emerged and climbed a rocky incline that gave them a wide view of the forest basin below.
What they saw made Ryo whistle low.
A large battle had erupted near an open grove. At its center stood Xavier Reu, his long black hair flowing like silk in the wind, dark eyes sharp as obsidian, surrounded by a dozen cultivators closing in fast.
But Xavier wasn't panicking.
In fact, his face remained cold and unreadable, like still water hiding an undertow.
With a flick of his wrist, lightning surged through his blade. He dashed forward, slicing through an incoming barrage of flame talismans. His sword techniques were precise—each strike crackled with thunder, each step placed with practiced grace.
Flux watched intently. "They're trying to eliminate him before the arena phase," he murmured.
Ryo blinked. "Whoa, figured that out fast."
"Simple," Flux replied. "Look at their robes. Most of them are from the five ruling sects—and there's too many. No way this was spontaneous."
"Yeah… makes sense."
Flux turned to Ryo. "Aren't you going to help him? He's your sectmate."
Ryo scratched his head. "Does he look like he needs help?"
Down below, Xavier parried three attacks at once, his body twisting with fluid precision. Lightning wrapped around his legs and feet as he moved like a storm given form.
A spear thrust aimed at his side was met with a snapping counter—his blade curved in a whirl of electric light, breaking the weapon and sending its wielder flying.
Before the attackers could regroup, a flash of spiritual light flared across the grove—Xuan Bei and his squad crashed in from the side, reinforcing Xavier with righteous fury.
"He's got backup," Ryo said. "Well, now it's just overkill."
Flux tilted his head. "Reputation's a double-edged sword."
Ryo nodded. "Still wouldn't mind having a bit of it. Chicks dig heroes, you know?"
Flux didn't respond. His gaze sharpened as he watched Xavier's footwork, his seamless technique.
He's not just a cultivation genius… Flux thought." He's a born fighter. But something's odd. His rhythm—it's too refined. Has he been in more real battles than he should've?"
Below, a Foundation Establishment cultivator released a flurry of chained talismans—ice, fire, wind, and wood—but Xavier danced between them, his blade humming with unstable lightning. He twisted midair, unleashed a sweeping arc, and two opponents crashed backward into the trees, unconscious before they hit the ground.
Ryo leaned in. "I'm bored again. Might as well join the fun."
"You're going?"
"Yup. Got a good image to build now." He grinned. "Also, Xuan Bei still owes me spirit stones."
Ryo vanished into the mist, leaping from branch to branch like a lightning sprite.
Flux stayed back, unmoving. Mist curled around his boots. The brim of his hat shadowed his unreadable gaze.
From other parts of the trial realm, Core Formation and Nascent Soul realm overseers observed the clash with deep interest.
One elder nodded. "That Xavier Reu… definitely one of the strongest."
Another murmured, "A refined style… not something learned in a sect hall. He's seen real blood."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he had battlefield experience," one said. "Maybe even rogue fights. That footwork isn't clean—it's lethal."
As battle thundered below and elders took note from above, Flux simply stood, watching with those calm eyes hidden beneath the brim of his hat.
Xavier Reu… your so strange, what are you hiding?