Chapter 34 – Tournament Final
The city's finest restaurant was buzzing with morning chatter, clinking dishes, and the scent of steamed buns and lotus broth. Early sunlight streamed through wide windows, illuminating lacquered tables and silk curtains that swayed gently in the breeze.
At one of the best tables near the window, three plates had already been cleaned to a shine, and five more were on their way.
Ryo leaned back, arms folded behind his head, staring in disbelief as Flux calmly polished off another bowl of stir-fried mountain boar with wild plum sauce.
Ryo"Still eating like a beast? Seriously, where do you even put it all? I don't think I'll ever get used to how weird you are."
Flux reply "Huh? This again?" He didn't even look up. "Just shut up and eat. I'm hungry."
Ryo "Hahaha! Of course you are. If food could win fights, you'd already be sect leader."
They laughed, a light sound that carried above the morning noise.
---
The Next Morning
Golden sunlight painted the streets of Mologan City in warm hues. Market stalls bustled in the distance, but the area near the arena had grown quiet. Flux and Ryo walked side by side, their shadows stretching long across the stone path.
Ryo "Finals, huh? Time sure flies. After this, it's back to the mountain for me. The sect elders are probably sharpening their lecture scrolls already."
Flux reply "Sounds rough."
Ryo continue "Rough? It's worse than a demon beast attack. 'Discipline this, etiquette that…' Blah blah blah." He groaned dramatically and glanced sideways at Flux.
Ryo "You're up against Xavier, by the way. Y'know... good luck with that."
Flux"Appreciated."
Ryo reply "No, seriously. He's a beast. Graceful as a crane, deadly as thunder. And your little charm tricks? I know you already know this but Don't even try it. He's like... a wall of spirit iron."
Flux smirking slightly "You really want me to lose, huh?"
Ryo grinning"I mean… it was fun when you were the underdog. But now? You're getting too close to my league."
Flux gave a soft chuckle but didn't respond. His eyes were focused on the rising silhouette of the arena, its massive gates gleaming like bronze under the morning sun.
As they neared the entrance, Ryo slowed.
Ryo "Well… I'll find a seat. Give 'em a good show, will ya?"
Flux "I'll try."
Ryo raised two fingers in a lazy salute before vanishing into the crowd.
---
Waiting Room
Flux sat alone on a bench of smooth stone. The air was quiet, heavy. He removed his hat and stared at the high ceiling.
Flux thinking "It's finally the finals…"
His fingers tightened slightly around the brim of his hat.
"I've only been in Mologan City for a month. But somehow… it feels longer than all the time I spent in Oaktown or the forest."
Faces flickered through his mind—Ryo's constant rambling, the auction hall's hush, the flash of battle, laughter in strange places.
Flux thinking "I came here to experience the Cultivation world... and I did. More than I expected."
He let out a slow breath, closed his eyes, and waited.
---
A Clear Voice Called Out
"Flux, please prepare to enter the arena."
He stood. Replaced his hat. Smoothed his robe with slow hands, then rolled his shoulders once. The door creaked open.
Sunlight hit him like a wave.
The crowd roared.
High walls surrounded the massive dueling platform. Banners flapped in the wind. Thousands of spectators watched from all directions, their cheers forming a single pulsing sound that trembled in his chest.
Across the stage, a gate opened—and from it emerged Xavier Reu.
He walked with a calm, practiced grace, each step measured. His long black hair framed sharp, expressionless features. Lightning flickered faintly around his boots.
Their gazes met.
The arena went silent.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath as two swords—one silver, one steel-blue—gleamed under the sun.
Xavier look at him and said "Flux, was it?" His voice was cold. "Strange. You just appeared out of nowhere. No history, no sect. Where did you come from?"
Flux slight frown"Huh?"
Xavier after a pause"Never mind. Don't worry about it."
The air rippled.
---
The Match Began.
Flux moved first. His silver aura exploded outward, and he surged forward with a flicker of speed. His sword shot out in a streak of light.
Clang!
Xavier's blade intercepted it in a burst of thunder. Sparks flew. The shockwave knocked dust into the air.
Zzzzzt—SHRACK!
A slash of raw lightning arced toward Flux. He ducked, pivoted, and darted back.
CRACK!
Xavier blurred forward. His sword hummed with lightning qi, and every swing carved arcs of electricity in the air.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their swords clashed again and again, each strike louder than the last. Flux flowed like water, using momentum and instinct to parry each blow.
But Xavier was relentless.
Every movement of his was refined, merciless—his blade an extension of his will.
Flux thinking"He's too fast. I can't match him up close."
Each time Flux tried to shift or disengage, Xavier was already there, cutting off space like a hunter circling prey.
"I knew I wouldn't win. But still…"
His eyes narrowed.
"I want to try."
He gripped his sword tighter. Silver mist burst from his body as he tapped deeper into his qi reserves. His aura surged, creating a gust of wind that rattled the arena stands.
"No more holding back."
He unleashed his full spiritual sense. The air trembled as silver energy wrapped his blade. His eyes glowed sapphire beneath his hat's shadow, and his robes fluttered violently around him.
Xavier raised a brow. Then his aura flared in response—lightning danced in a spiral around him like coiling serpents.
BOOM!
Their next clash cracked the platform itself. Cracks spiderwebbed outward. Debris flew as sword and thunder collided, over and over.
Spectators leaned forward in awe.
Flux thinking "My qi… I'm draining too fast."
Each strike was heavier than the last. His arms ached. His vision blurred.
"One final move… I have to gamble everything—now."
He leapt back and raised his hand. His flying sword hovered mid-air, surrounded by blazing silver energy.
He took one final breath.
And then—he roared.
A crescent slash of swordlight tore through the air toward Xavier.
Xavier stood firm.
His blade lowered. Lightning wrapped around the edge like liquid fire.
ZzzzzZAAAP—
He struck.
SLASH!
Swordlight and lightning met mid-air.
BOOOOOOM!!
A blinding explosion erupted. The force rocked the arena. Dust surged high into the sky. Screams and cheers mixed into chaos.
When the smoke cleared—
Flux stood, barely.
His knees trembled. His sword wavered in the air beside him. Blood dripped from a shallow cut on his cheek. His robes were scorched at the edges.
He took one breath. Then another.
Flux: "...I surrender."
And with that, the final match was over.