The tournament progressed with fierce intensity, and by the time the dust settled on the following day, the number of fighters had dwindled to just sixteen. The thinning crowd was proof of the relentless competition, and the atmosphere had only grown more charged. Among those who remained, the sects’ rivalry now loomed even larger, shaping not only the mood of the crowd but also the fighters’ determination.
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The Silver Flame Sect had emerged as a dominant force, their numbers whittled down to seven disciples—a show of strength and discipline that filled their members with renewed pride. The Cloud Heavens Sect, on the other hand, had seen two of their disciples eliminated, including Kara Avren, their ‘Glacial Bloom,’ who had been humiliated by Lucavion.
Only four Cloud Heavens disciples remained, and the difference in numbers weighed heavily on them. Their pride was bruised, and with Silver Flame nearly doubling their representation, the tournament seemed to be tipping in favor of the fiery sect.
The remaining fighters were no less impressive, despite being unaffiliated with either sect. Among these, Lucavion and Valeria stood out.
Both had proven their skill, facing the disciples of the powerful sects with ease, each win adding to their growing reputation. Alongside them were two other warriors, each a peak 3-star or 4-star Awakened, equally fierce and skilled.
This small but formidable group of independent fighters represented the rare individuals capable of challenging the sects’ authority, their every move watched by the crowd with keen interest.
As the tournament progressed and the numbers dwindled, it became clear that the rivalry between the Cloud Heavens Sect and the Silver Flame Sect would not remain contained.
With every new matchup, their disciples would fight with a fervor that went beyond mere competition—it was personal, a direct continuation of the bitter feud that had defined their histories.
And today they could see it directly.
The crowd buzzed with excitement as the matchups for the day were announced, their anticipation reaching a fever pitch.
Out of the four remaining disciples of the Cloud Heavens Sect, three had been matched against disciples of the Silver Flame Sect—a twist of fate that felt too perfect to be coincidence.
The bitter feud between the sects would play out directly in the arena, and today, the crowd would bear witness to the clash of their long-standing rivalry.
Lira Vaelan, the Silent Thunder herself, was set to face a disciple of the Silver Flame Sect, her expression calm yet focused as she prepared herself for the battle.
The crowd could sense the tension emanating from her, her every movement exuding the disciplined restraint she was known for.
Her junior disciples, who had also drawn Silver Flame opponents, mirrored her determination, each preparing for their own grudge match with equal intensity. The weight of their sect’s pride was upon their shoulders, and none of them intended to falter.
For the Silver Flame Sect, the excitement was equally intense, their disciples bristling with quiet confidence as they prepared to face their Cloud Heavens counterparts.
Each one knew that this was a chance to prove themselves and to strike a blow to their rival sect’s prestige. The fiery demeanor of the Silver Flame disciples was matched only by the cold, disciplined resolve of their opponents, setting the stage for an explosive series of fights.
Meanwhile, Zerah, the fourth remaining disciple of the Cloud Heavens Sect, had been paired with one of the independent fighters, a wiry, quick-footed warrior who was rumored to be a peak 3-star Awakened. The crowd looked forward to this clash, eager to see if Zerah would rise to the challenge of defending her sect’s honor against a skilled outsider.
Across the arena, Varen Drakov’s expression held a mixture of irritation and restrained amusement as he saw his name paired with that of one of his own sect’s junior disciples. It was a twist of fate that he clearly hadn’t anticipated, and the frustration was evident in the tight line of his mouth.
Despite the circumstances, Varen maintained his composure; he would show the same respect to his junior. Even though he was facing a disciple of his own sect, he wouldn’t go easy on him, as this was simply against his own principles.
Then there was Lucavion, whose calm, enigmatic presence had become something of a legend among the spectators. His opponent was another of the unaffiliated fighters, a rising swordsman known for his swift footwork and precision strikes. It was a matchup that promised to be a display of skill over brute force, a clash of blades without the weight of sect rivalries or family loyalties.
Valeria was also matched with one of the Silver Flame Sect’s disciples. And this would be the first time she would be going against one of the disciples of the two sects. A disciple of the Silver Flame Sect, rumored to be the third strongest in this year’s batch. His name was Jarek Voss, a young man with a fierce reputation for his unyielding strength and relentless fighting style. Stories about Jarek’s powerful strikes and his fiery, tenacious approach to battle had circulated widely, making him one of the more formidable opponents in the tournament. This match would be Valeria’s first encounter with a sect disciple, and she knew it would not be an easy one. The crowd murmured with anticipation, eager to see how she would fare against one of the Silver Flame’s elite.
Another clash was set to draw significant attention: a Silver Flame Sect disciple would be facing off against an unusual and intriguing competitor, a barehanded martial artist who had recently earned the nickname
The Monk
.
Known for his unorthodox fighting style and serene demeanor, The Monk quickly gained a reputation as a skilled, adaptable fighter who preferred using his fists and feet over weapons.
His fighting style emphasized precision, resilience, and an almost meditative calm, a stark contrast to the aggressive and explosive techniques of the Silver Flame Sect. This matchup promised to be a spectacle, with The Monk’s refined, hand-to-hand techniques facing off against the raw intensity of Silver Flame’s combat style.
*******
The day’s matches were nothing short of intense, with each fight pushing the limits of the remaining fighters.
At the end of the day, some results came rather different.
Varen Drakov, the senior disciple of the Silver Flame Sect, fought with his usual ferocity and precision, dispatching his junior disciple swiftly but respectfully. Varen showed no mercy, adhering strictly to his principles, and his decisive victory reinforced his status as a powerhouse within his sect. He left the arena with his head held high, having set a powerful example.
Lira Vaelan, the Silent Thunder, met her Silver Flame opponent with controlled intensity, each of her moves calculated and efficient. Her calm, disciplined approach outmatched her adversary’s fiery aggression, and after a well-fought battle, Lira emerged victorious. The Cloud Heavens Sect’s supporters cheered, knowing she had defended their honor.
Lucavion’s duel with the unaffiliated swordsman was a display of sheer skill and finesse. His opponent’s swift footwork and sharp strikes were no match for Lucavion’s calm precision, and in a series of elegantly timed maneuvers, Lucavion dismantled his opponent’s defenses with ease. His reputation only grew as he exited the arena, having made quick work of another rising star.
Zerah, the fourth Cloud Heavens Sect disciple, faced her non-affiliated opponent with an icy calm, channeling her mana with practiced control. Her technique and overwhelming strength led her to victory, earning her another step forward in the tournament and maintaining the honor of her sect.
Valeria’s match against Jarek Voss, the third-strongest disciple of the Silver Flame Sect, was one of the most grueling fights of the day. Jarek’s strength and aggression tested Valeria’s skill, forcing her to tap into every ounce of her training.
Despite her discipline and calculated strikes, Jarek’s relentless assault pushed her to the edge. In a moment of intense concentration, Valeria managed to deflect one of his powerful attacks, finding a small opening and exploiting it to secure a hard-won victory. The crowd erupted in cheers, recognizing her resilience and determination.
The next fight saw a Silver Flame Sect disciple facing off against a Cloud Heavens Sect disciple. After a fierce back-and-forth, the Silver Flame disciple triumphed, his aggressive tactics outpacing his opponent’s more measured approach.
However, in the subsequent matchup, the Silver Flame Sect suffered an unexpected loss. Their disciple appeared strangely sluggish, his usual fiery precision absent as he stumbled through the fight. Spectators and fellow disciples alike noticed the discrepancy, some whispering that something seemed off about his performance. In the end, the Cloud Heavens Sect disciple won, though murmurs of suspicion lingered in the air, suggesting that not all was as it seemed.
Finally, the crowd held its breath for the match between The Monk and his Silver Flame opponent. The Monk’s serene, meditative style clashed with the aggressive energy of the Silver Flame disciple, the two fighters embodying opposing philosophies. Despite the intensity of the Silver Flame’s attacks, The Monk’s precise, controlled movements allowed him to evade and counter with ease, gradually wearing down his opponent. In a moment of calculated timing, he struck with pinpoint accuracy, securing his victory. The crowd roared, impressed by The Monk’s unorthodox technique and calm prowess.
As the dust settled, the results were clear: Varen, Lira, Lucavion, Zerah, Valeria, and The Monk had all advanced to the quarterfinals, along with one remaining Silver Flame and one Cloud Heavens disciple. The tournament’s elite eight were set.