The outer sect's dueling arena was carved into the side of Azure Sky Mountain — an open-air circle surrounded by jagged cliff edges. Blood had long soaked into the stones, and the wind carried the scent of shattered pride and broken bones.
Today, the stones would remember a new name.
Kai Lin stood barefoot on the cold stone floor, his black inner robe fluttering gently in the breeze. His expression was unreadable, his gaze distant — not distracted, but cold, as if everyone around him were already ghosts.
Around the arena, dozens of outer sect disciples gathered, whispering.
"That's the cripple from the courtyard, right?"
"He crushed Duan Peng's legs. Elder Hou said he barely used any spiritual qi…"
"Hah, let's see him try that against Yu Fei. Late-stage Qi Gathering, and his fists are cast-iron."
On the opposite end, Yu Fei stepped forward. Broad-shouldered, arrogant, veins pulsing with over-channeled qi. A standard Azure Sky brute who mistook realm for dominance.
He cracked his knuckles and sneered. "I'll break you in front of everyone. Then we'll see what's left of your pride."
Kai didn't respond.
He took a single step forward.
[Sign-In Successful – Location: Arena of Severed Pride]
Reward: Cruel Bone-Grinding Step (Earth-Grade Movement Technique)
Effect: Generates rotational bone-pressure force on impact. Optimized for dislocation, rupture, and pain retention.
Note: System detected suppression from Heaven-Locking Seal.
Partial technique stored in Shadow Dantian. Accessible output limited to 20%.
Progress Toward Seal Break: 3.2%
Kai closed his eyes. The cruel step flowed into his limbs — heavy, spiraling force accumulating in his knees and ankles, invisible to spectators.
The duel began.
Yu Fei lunged forward with all the subtlety of a drunken ox, spiritual qi flaring, fist drawn back like a hammer.
Kai didn't move.
He tilted his body slightly—then vanished.
A whisper of dust, a footfall impossible to trace—
Then a sickening crack.
Yu Fei's leg bent the wrong way.
He screamed as his knee twisted inward with a grotesque pop, his body crumpling mid-stride. Before he hit the ground, Kai appeared behind him, hand resting on his shoulder.
Then his voice — flat and low.
"Bones are louder than words."
His palm descended gently.
With an echoing snap, Yu Fei's right arm dislocated at the shoulder. The crowd gasped.
A second palm—pop. Left elbow shattered.
By the third strike, no one moved. No one spoke.
Kai Lin didn't beat his opponent.
He silenced him.
At the arena's edge, an elder hidden in the shadows furrowed his brows.
"That step… Earth-Grade? And his strikes… too precise. That's not normal Qi Gathering."
He waved a sleeve, concealing his presence deeper.
"There's something in that boy. Something quiet… and dangerous."
Kai turned without a word, his eyes scanning the crowd. No challenge. No applause. Just silence.
Exactly as he preferred.
And high above the arena, the system stirred again—
[Fate Thread Detected: Destiny Entity observing Kai Lin.]
Hidden Event Unlocked: Threads of Silence (Locked – Chapter ???)