Chapter 16: The Tournament Finals & The Sect Mistress's Struggle
The Morning After: A Dangerous Shift
Lin Tian woke up feeling victorious, not because he had won a battle, but because he had survived a fox Milf ambush without losing himself.
š "Su Meiyu is getting bolderā¦ but next time, she won't escape so easily."
The scent of jasmine and fox magic still lingered faintly in the air, a reminder of last night's encounter.
He stretched, stepping out onto the balcony of his private residence. The sun had barely risen, yet the sect grounds were already alive with excitement.
Today was the tournament finals.
And Lin Tian had only one opponent left.
The strongest disciple of the Azure Moon Sect.
š "Let's see if this guy can actually make me use effort."
But as he turned to leave, a faint presence brushed against his senses.
Lin Tian froze.
Someone was watching him.
He turned his head slightly, his sharp instincts locking onto the direction of the gaze.
And thereāon the highest pavilion balcony, partially obscured by flowing silk curtainsā
Yue Qingyan stood, watching him.
Their eyes met.
And for a brief momentā
She didn't look away.
Sect Mistress Yue Qingyan's Unwanted Distraction
š "Why am I watching him?"
Yue Qingyan's fingers tightened slightly around her long robe sleeve, but she made no move to leave.
She had come here to oversee the tournament preparations.
Yet she found herself lingering, her gaze drawn toward one man.
Lin Tian.
His easy confidence, his lazy smirk, the way the morning sunlight caught his chiseled features.
Something about him unsettled her.
She had seen arrogant geniuses before. She had seen disciples grow in power.
But she had never seen one who defied logic like this.
š "He is dangerous."
Not just because of his strength.
Not just because of his ability to break through realms faster than anyone should.
But because of the way he looked at her.
The way he had smirked at her in the arena.
The way he had challenged her authority without fear.
And worst of allā
The way her heart reacted to it.
She let out a slow breath, stepping away from the balcony.
š "I am the Sect Mistress. I will not be swayed by something so trivial."
Yet, as she turned, her own words felt hollow.
Because deep downā¦
She knew she was already losing.
The Tournament Finals: The Last Opponent Appears
The Azure Moon Sect's Grand Arena was filled to its limits. Thousands of disciples and elders had gathered, creating a sea of murmuring voices and anticipation.
š¬ "This is it! The final match!"
š¬ "Lin Tian has won every fight effortlessly. Will he finally be challenged?!"
š¬ "The Sect Mistress is watching this one personally. It has to be special!"
Lin Tian stepped into the arena, his robes flowing with effortless confidence.
Thenā
His final opponent arrived.
A man draped in a sleek, royal blue battle robe, his long black hair tied in a warrior's knot. His sharp features and intense gaze immediately radiated a presence of authority.
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So this is Liu Feng, the Azure Moon Sect's so-called strongest disciple."
Liu Feng's expression remained calm, but there was an undeniable pressure around him.
"You're talented," Liu Feng admitted. "But you are reckless."
Lin Tian grinned. "And yet, here I am, standing in the finals while you had to wait for me."
š¬ "He's already provoking him!"
š¬ "Does he have no fear?!"
Liu Feng's brow twitched.
Thenāhe slowly unsheathed his spirit sword, its edge glowing with golden Qi.
"I will not go easy on you," he said simply.
Lin Tian cracked his knuckles. "Good. I was getting bored."
The referee raised his hand.
"Final matchāBEGIN!"
The Duel of Speed and Power
BOOM!
Liu Feng vanished in an instant.
š¬ "FAST!"
Lin Tian narrowly dodged, feeling a gust of sword Qi slice past his face.
Before he could reactāanother attack came.
Then another.
Then another.
Liu Feng was everywhere at once, his sword a blur of golden arcs, each one sharp enough to cut through solid steel.
š¬ "He's pressing Lin Tian already!"
š¬ "Can Lin Tian even keep up?!"
Lin Tian's smirk never faded.
Because unlike the crowdāhe wasn't panicking.
He was studying.
š "His movements are fast, but predictable. If Iā¦"
Then, at the perfect momentā
He struck.
WHOOSH!
Lin Tian dodged a split second earlier than expected, twisting his body in a way that caught Liu Feng off guard.
Before Liu Feng could recoverā
Lin Tian's fist slammed into his gut.
BOOM!
Liu Feng was blasted backward, skidding across the arena floor.
š¬ "WHAT?!"
š¬ "HE LANDED A HIT?!"
But before anyone could reactā
Lin Tian was already in front of him again.
Faster than Liu Feng could even process.
His fist stopped inches from Liu Feng's forehead.
And just like thatā
The battle was over.
The Unbelievable Conclusion
The crowd was dead silent.
Liu Feng stared at the fist inches from his face.
Thenāhe let out a long breath.
And slowly lowered his sword.
"Iā¦ surrender."
BOOM!
The entire sect erupted in chaos.
š¬ "HE WON! LIN TIAN WON THE TOURNAMENT!"
š¬ "HE'S THE STRONGEST DISCIPLE IN THE SECT?!"
š¬ "THIS IS INSANE!"
Lin Tian smirked, lowering his hand.
"Smart choice."
Liu Feng narrowed his eyes. "You're stronger than you should be."
Lin Tian grinned. "Get used to it."
But as the crowd celebratedā
One person did not cheer.
Up in the VIP stands, Yue Qingyan's fingers pressed against her lips, her mind spinning.
š "He won. Just like that."
This wasn't normal.
Lin Tian was growing too fast.
Too strong.
Tooā¦ dangerous.
And worst of allā
He was starting to get under her skin.
š "I need to put an end to this before it's too late."
Her violet eyes darkened.
Lin Tian had conquered the tournament.
But his greatest challenge was still ahead of him.
Because nowā
The Sect Mistress was done ignoring him.
End of Chapter 16