Chapter 15: Dueling Arena

Reon stirred from meditation at the sound of knocking, his footsteps echoing through the quiet room as he approached the door.

When he opened the door, a familiar figure stood before him—Xu Yang.

The morning light framed him, casting a soft glow over his composed features.

"Greetings, Big Brother." Xu Yang's voice carried its usual warmth, accompanied by a gentle smile.

"I came to see you after you returned from the Frost Mountain Cave, but noticing you were in deep cultivation, I chose not to disturb you."

He paused briefly before continuing, his eyes alight with excitement.

"Today is the Outer Sect's Weekly Dueling Event. The disciples will be competing, wagering Sect Points on the strongest contenders. Would you like to join?"

Reon studied him for a moment before nodding.

"Alright, let's head to the Dueling Arena," he said, his gaze sharpening with a quiet intensity.

.

.

The Outer Sect's Weekly Dueling Event.

A battlefield of ambition, a stage where outer disciples clashed to sharpen their blades, rise in the rankings, and claim precious Sect Points.

But this particular duel would be more than just another match.

In the original novel, Xue Taiyang—still seething from the humiliation he had suffered during the Sect Disciple Selection Ceremony—had thrown down a life-and-death challenge.

His goal?

Revenge.

His hatred burned too fiercely to be sated by anything less than his enemy's death.

To ensure victory, he had been given a Rare-Grade Artifact—a secret gift from an unknown benefactor.

Brimming with potent energy, the item was meant to tip the scales, to guarantee that his blade would be the last one standing.

Yet despite his arrogance—despite his painstaking preparations—he had still fallen.

Cut down in front of the entire Outer Sect, his dreams of redemption shattered in the very arena where he sought to reclaim his pride.

But Xue Taiyang had never realized the truth.

He was merely a pawn.

A disposable piece in the intricate game of a hidden manipulator.

One of the top ten Core Sect disciples had pulled the strings, orchestrating this clash from the shadows.

His grudge against Yang Lie, the protagonist, ran deep—his hatred rooted in jealousy, resentment, and wounded pride.

Yang Lie had risen too quickly.

He had seized the spotlight during the Sect Disciple Selection Ceremony, securing third place and drawing the attention of not just the elders—but even the Great Elders themselves. 

For that person's ambition, Yang Lie wasn't just an obstacle.

He was a threat.

A thorn that needed to be plucked before it could grow too sharp.

And worst of all... he had drawn the gaze of the very woman the mastermind had long coveted in silence.

Unforgivable.

Thus, the plan had been set into motion.

Using his influence, he had instructed Niu Ling—one of the top fifty Inner Sect disciples—to have one of his lackeys test the opponent's strength.

Niu Ling had been the one to push Xue Taiyang into provoking Yang Lie during the Sect Disciple Selection Ceremony.

And when disgrace tainted his name, it was also Niu Ling who whispered vengeance into his ear, convincing him that the only way to restore his honor… was through blood.

A life-and-death battle against Yang Lie—one from which only one of them would walk away.

And so, blinded by his thirst for vengeance, Xue Taiyang had walked willingly into the noose.

He had been nothing more than a sacrificial pawn, thrown onto the board to test Yang Lie's strength, to create chaos—and ultimately to fall.

Reon's fingers curled slightly.

"Since taking over this body, I've sworn to live on my own terms… not as anyone's pawn."

He exhaled slowly, his resolve like steel.

"That's why I've pushed myself to the limit this past week."

"At the very least, I can now stand my ground against Niu Ling's lackeys from outer sect."

His expression remained calm, but his mind was calculating.

"From what I remember of Niu Ling's character in the novel, he won't bother dirtying his hands dealing with someone like me personally."

"Not yet."

And if he did?

Simple.

Reon had no intention of leaving the Sect's protection until he had enough strength to crush his enemies outright.

Within the Sect's boundaries, without a justifiable reason, even Niu Ling couldn't kill him.

.

.

As he walked alongside Xu Yang, deep in thought, the towering Dueling Arena of the Outer Sect came into view.

Despite having read about it in the novel, seeing it firsthand stole his breath away.

It was a monument to power.

Carved into the mountain's heart, the coliseum stood like an ancient titan, its massive stone pillars etched with centuries of battle.

At its center, the jade dueling platform pulsed with spiritual energy, alive with an eerie beauty.

Above it, a shimmering protective barrier hummed softly, safeguarding the audience from the sheer force of the upcoming clashes.

But what caught Reon's attention the most—

The sheer magnitude of the crowd.

Thousands of Outer Sect disciples filled the colossal stands, their voices rising in a chorus of excitement.

The air was electric with anticipation, the murmur of bets being placed adding to the charged atmosphere.

All around the arena, the betting sector buzzed with activity—disciples eagerly wagering precious Sect Points on their chosen champions.

Peddlers shouted out odds.

The thrill of combat, of staking it all on strength and skill, coursed through the air like wildfire.

And at the very center of it all—

A voice rang out, amplified by spiritual energy.

"Now! The match between Lin Jie and Yang Lie is about to begin!"

The announcement ignited the crowd.

"On one side—Lin Jie! The undefeated champion with nine consecutive victories!"

Cheers erupted, a roar of support for the dominant fighter.

"On the other—Yang Lie! A promising newcomer to the Sect!"

The atmosphere crackled with energy.

All eyes locked onto the two figures stepping onto the platform.

"The match would begin in five minutes."