Dawn came draped in grey mist.
A heavy fog settled over the lower courts of the Dawning Blades Sect, cloaking the arena grounds in a pale veil. Lanterns glowed like hovering spirits, casting long shadows on the slick stone tiles. It was a morning meant for silence—but today, the sect buzzed with whispers and anticipation.
A preliminary ranking duel had been announced.
The **internal ranking matches** were never official parts of the Gods' Tournament process, but they were tradition—used to determine pecking order, seedings, and who would lead the sect's team into the first arena round.
This year, the air was different.
Because **Kai Jin** had entered his name.
Not at the urging of a master.
Not to prove anything.
But because Yue had looked him in the eye and said: *"Let them see what I already do."*
---
The crowd gathered slowly along the edges of the sparring platform. Inner court disciples stood tall and proud in their polished robes. Outer disciples lingered at the back, wide-eyed. The elders sat beneath the elevated canopy in silence, watching.
Yue stood near the left pavilion, her arms folded, eyes never leaving the center ring.
Kai stood alone on one end of the platform.
His opponent stood opposite: **Duan Zhen**, an early-stage Foundation cultivator and the third-ranked disciple in the inner court. Known for speed and ruthless precision.
Duan Zhen smirked.
"I've heard your name whispered for years," he said. "It's strange, really. You're still just a Body Temperer. Yet somehow\... they talk about you like a ghost."
Kai said nothing.
"Don't worry," Duan added. "I'll make sure they stop."
A sharp clap rang out as the officiating elder signaled the start.
---
Duan moved first. Fast.
Faster than any outer sect disciple had a right to be.
His first strike was a spinning back kick, followed instantly by a sweeping punch aimed at Kai's temple. It would've broken stone.
But it met only air.
Kai stepped aside with an ease that made the crowd lean forward.
Duan narrowed his eyes.
The second wave came harder. Faster. Sharp jabs and internal strikes aimed at disrupting breathing and breaking balance. He was textbook-perfect.
Kai blocked one.
Dodged two.
Absorbed a third—but only barely.
He stumbled.
The audience murmured.
Yue's hands tightened.
Duan grinned and advanced, sensing advantage.
Strike. Strike. Elbow. Palm.
Kai bent, swayed, shifted—then took a full strike to the chest and was thrown across the platform.
He hit the ground hard.
Gasps rippled.
He didn't get up.
Not immediately.
Then, slowly, he rose. Blood at the corner of his mouth. His eyes half-lidded.
Duan approached again, prepared to end it.
But the moment he stepped in range—
Kai twisted.
One clean motion. Not fancy. Not flashy.
A pivot. A grip.
He caught Duan's wrist mid-strike and flipped him cleanly onto his back.
The ground shook.
Duan wheezed.
Kai stood over him. Calm. Breathing lightly. Bleeding slightly.
Then, he stepped back and raised a hand.
"I concede."
A stunned silence.
The officiating elder blinked. "What?"
Kai repeated, "I concede."
The crowd erupted in confusion.
Even Duan, still gasping on the floor, looked bewildered.
Yue didn't speak. But her eyes narrowed slightly.
---
Later, as Kai sat beneath the shade of the peach grove, the World Eye stirred.
*"You let him win."*
*"I didn't need to win."*
*"You embarrassed him. Without defeating him."*
*"He'll get cocky. It'll cost him later."*
*"Strategic cowardice. I like it."*
Kai closed his eyes.
Footsteps approached.
Yue sat beside him without speaking. She handed him a cloth soaked in tonic. He pressed it to his ribs.
"You didn't need to hold back," she said quietly.
"I did."
"Why?"
Kai looked at her.
"Because sometimes, you learn more by falling just short."
She exhaled, long and low.
Then, after a moment: "I still see you."
He said nothing. But he smiled, just a little.