Chapter 16: The Sect Tournament
Morning came brisk and bright, the sky painted in pale gold above the mountain peaks. Li Wei adjusted the binding on his shoulder, now healed enough to allow normal movement, though a faint throb reminded him of past battles. Today was no ordinary day—the sect had announced the start of the annual Outer-Inner Tournament, a test designed to evaluate skill, strategy, and adaptability.
The outer disciples gathered in the central courtyard, forming lines according to rank. Rumors of Li Wei's feats from Silent Gorge and the hidden library had already spread, whispers curling like smoke between the stone pillars. Some looked on with awe; others with thinly veiled jealousy. Li Wei ignored them all. Attention was irrelevant; performance was everything.
Yun Qiao met him at the edge of the courtyard, her eyes glinting faintly. "You know the rules," she said quietly. "This isn't about winning alone. It's about strategy, reading the field, and surviving. Inner disciples will observe. And so will the elders."
Li Wei nodded. "I understand."
The first round began. Pairs of disciples were sent into the training arena, a massive open courtyard surrounded by stone walls and observation platforms. Each pair was given a mission to retrieve three carved jade tokens from scattered locations while avoiding or neutralizing the opponent. The challenge tested both speed and combat acumen.
Li Wei stepped forward, senses alert. Opponents moved toward him, outer disciples mostly, though one inner disciple lingered at the sidelines, observing but not interfering. His awareness scanned every detail—the slope of the courtyard, gaps between pillars, the placement of the tokens, and subtle movements in his opponents' qi.
A first strike came from a broad-shouldered disciple, charging recklessly with a wooden sword. Li Wei sidestepped, blade drawn, and executed a precise sweep, knocking the weapon aside. The boy stumbled, tripping over a stone, giving Li Wei the first token.
Another opponent—a nimble girl—attempted to flank him. Li Wei rotated, using a combination of speed and qi reinforcement to anticipate her strike, intercepting it with his dagger while simultaneously advancing toward the token she guarded. A burst of qi pulsed through his legs, propelling him forward, snatching the token before she could react.
The inner disciple observed silently, noting the efficiency and fluidity of Li Wei's movements, yet his expression remained unreadable.
Chaos erupted as more pairs engaged. Qi clashed in arcs of visible energy, shouts and grunts filling the air. Li Wei adapted, moving like water around rocks, avoiding unnecessary conflict while collecting tokens methodically.
Midway through the round, a sudden disturbance rippled through the crowd. A masked figure emerged from a side corridor, moving with Assassin Sect precision. His target was Li Wei.
Li Wei sensed the threat instantly. Qi warnings flared, subtle but unmistakable. He ducked low behind a stone pillar, letting the assassin's initial strike smash harmlessly into the stone. Sparks flew as qi ricocheted around him.
The assassin struck again, faster this time, precise, silent, deadly. Li Wei responded with equal precision, blades clashing in rapid succession, sparks and arcs of energy illuminating the courtyard. He forced the opponent back step by step, using the arena itself—pillars, walls, tokens, even other disciples—to manipulate the battlefield.
The inner disciple observer finally intervened subtly, redirecting minor ambient qi to prevent collateral damage, yet leaving Li Wei and the assassin to finish the confrontation themselves.
Li Wei feinted left, baiting the attacker into overcommitting. As the blade came down, he rolled beneath it, planting a dagger with forceful precision into the attacker's shoulder. The masked figure hissed and retreated into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as he arrived.
Li Wei exhaled, chest rising and falling rapidly. He surveyed the courtyard. Tokens collected: five. Opponents incapacitated: three. Others retreating in confusion.
The round ended. Elders stepped forward, evaluating each participant. Whispers spread: Li Wei had finished with unmatched efficiency, taking only minimal risk, neutralizing threats without unnecessary harm, and completing the mission faster than any other outer disciple.
Yun Qiao approached, expression half-amused, half-concerned. "You're attracting more attention than you realize," she said quietly. "Inner disciples will mark you now. Not all will be friendly."
Li Wei nodded, storing his collected tokens. "Then I will ensure I remain uncatchable."
The elders conferred, their eyes sweeping the courtyard with sharp, calculating precision. One stepped forward, addressing the gathered disciples.
"Li Wei," the elder said, voice echoing, "you have completed the first round in a manner most exceptional. The next round will test your ability to adapt under inner disciple scrutiny and external interference. You will face challenges designed to push your limits."
Li Wei's eyes narrowed, a faint smile touching his lips. "Good. I will not disappoint."
The courtyard buzzed with tension. Disciplines recalculated strategies, alliances shifted subtly, and the undercurrent of competition sharpened. Li Wei moved toward the edge of the arena, adjusting his stance, silently preparing.
He felt it—the pulse of hidden threats, eyes in shadow, the faint brush of lethal intent carried on the wind. The Assassin Sect was still watching. The sect's inner powerhouses were measuring him.
And beyond all, the system stirred within him, recognizing threats, monitoring adaptation, preparing for the coming trials.
Li Wei exhaled slowly.
Pain, blood, exhaustion, and vigilance had become allies.
This tournament was only the beginning.
The assassin legend was beginning to carve itself into the sect's walls, the shadows, and the whispers among disciples.
And Li Wei knew one certainty: the true trials were still ahead.