Birth of a new skill

The crowd roared with anticipation as the next round of matches was announced. The tension in the arena thickened as Makoto and Yuna were both called to the stage, though to different platforms. While they shared a glance of unspoken understanding, they knew the path ahead required their own focus and strength.

Yuna stepped onto Platform Five, her opponent a hulking man named Zhang Wei, an inner disciple with a reputation for brute strength and resilience. His weapon of choice was a massive war hammer that crackled with lightning qi, adding a dangerous edge to his attacks.

Zhang Wei sneered, his voice loud and arrogant. "You should've forfeited, girl. I don't hold back, not even for someone as... delicate as you."

Yuna said nothing. Her jade-like eyes gleamed with quiet determination as she adjusted her stance. Her slender sword hummed faintly, a testament to the connection she had forged with her weapon.

The gong rang, and Zhang Wei charged forward, his war hammer raised high. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and a wave of qi exploded as he slammed his weapon down. Yuna darted to the side, her movements swift and fluid, avoiding the impact effortlessly.

"You're quick, I'll give you that," Zhang Wei said, pulling his hammer free from the cracked platform. "But let's see if you can keep up!"

Yuna didn't answer. Instead, she unleashed a series of precise sword strikes. Each movement carried the elegance of a dancer and the precision of a warrior. Her blade shimmered as it clashed against Zhang Wei's hammer, creating sparks that lit up the stage.

"Impressive," murmured one of the spectators. "She's not just fast-she's reading his movements."

Zhang Wei roared in frustration, his attacks becoming more erratic and desperate. Yuna, however, remained calm. She sidestepped a reckless swing, her sword flashing like lightning as it cut a shallow wound across Zhang Wei's arm.

The crowd erupted as Yuna began to dominate the fight. Her movements were so graceful that even the most experienced elders watched with keen interest.

On Platform Seven, Makoto faced a calm yet deadly inner disciple named Liang Zhu. Known for his mastery of the Water Serpent Technique, Liang Zhu moved with a fluidity that made him hard to predict.

But Makoto wasn't entirely focused on his opponent. Instead, his mind drifted inward, reaching toward the Heart of Lumina that had merged with his body. The radiant energy of the artifact pulsed faintly within him, like a beacon of untapped potential. He sought to comprehend its mysteries, even as Liang Zhu advanced.

"You seem distracted," Liang Zhu said, his tone icy. "That'll cost you."

The gong rang, and Liang Zhu struck. Streams of water-like qi surged forward, forming a coiling serpent that lunged at Makoto with fangs bared. The attack was fast, precise, and dangerous.

Makoto sidestepped with minimal effort, his expression calm. He raised a hand, dispersing the serpent with a sharp burst of qi. "Your technique is refined," he said absently, his eyes unfocused as if seeing something beyond the present. "But it lacks depth."

Liang Zhu's eyes narrowed. "Arrogance will be your downfall."

He unleashed a torrent of serpentine attacks, each one faster and more vicious than the last. But Makoto moved like a shadow, avoiding the strikes with ease. His movements seemed instinctive, as though his body acted independently of his thoughts.

Within his mind, Makoto delved deeper into the Heart of Lumina's secrets. A vision formed-a brilliant lattice of light that seemed to shift and pulse with unimaginable power. He began to understand that it wasn't just a source of energy; it was a guide, a key to unlocking techniques beyond the comprehension of most cultivators.

In the stands, Kazu leaned forward, his sharp eyes flicking between the two fights. "Yuna's incredible," he said, grinning. "But Makoto... what's he doing? He's not even trying."

Hiru crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "Makoto's not distracted-he's testing something. Look at his movements. They're precise, even though his attention is split."

Kazu chuckled. "That's one way to fight, I suppose. Let's see how long he can keep it up."

Back on Platform Five, Yuna made her move. Zhang Wei's hammer came crashing down again, but this time, Yuna didn't dodge. Instead, she stepped forward, her sword glowing with a sharp, icy light.

"Frost Edge Strike!" she called, her blade slicing through the air. The temperature around her dropped as a wave of icy energy surged forward, freezing Zhang Wei's hammer mid-swing. Before he could react, Yuna struck again, her blade cutting a shallow line across his chest.

Zhang Wei staggered, his weapon slipping from his frozen hands. "I... concede," he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Yuna sheathed her sword and stepped off the platform with her head held high.

On Platform Seven, Makoto's fight reached its apex as Liang Zhu unleashed his strongest attack-a massive serpent of water qi that coiled around the entire platform, hissing with an oppressive aura. The crowd collectively held their breath as the serpent lunged forward, aiming to devour Makoto whole.

Makoto's eyes, glowing faintly with golden radiance, opened fully. His connection to the Heart of Lumina deepened, the artifact's energy coursing through him like a second heartbeat. In his mind, the lattice of light he had seen earlier now crystallized into a clearer form. Lines of radiant energy wove together, forming a sigil that pulsed with immense power.

"A technique... no, a path," Makoto murmured to himself, the realization dawning on him. "This isn't just a fragment of power; it's a legacy waiting to be unlocked."

As the water serpent closed in, Makoto's body moved instinctively. His right hand extended, his fingers forming an arc. Golden light spiraled from his palm, condensing into a radiant, blade-like construct made entirely of concentrated energy.

The crowd gasped as the radiant construct hummed with power, the sheer intensity of it forcing even seasoned elders to sit upright.

"What is that technique?" one of the onlookers whispered, their voice trembling with awe.

Makoto's voice cut through the noise, calm yet commanding. "Solaris Edge."

He swung the golden construct in a wide arc, the light trailing behind like the tail of a comet. The serpent of water qi disintegrated upon contact, evaporating into harmless mist. The radiant slash didn't stop there-it cut across the entire platform, leaving a faint golden mark that shimmered before fading.

Liang Zhu stood frozen, his face pale. "Impossible..." he stammered, the fear evident in his trembling voice.

Makoto took a single step forward, appearing in front of his opponent in the blink of an eye. With his glowing hand, he struck Liang Zhu's chest-not with force, but with precision. The impact sent Liang Zhu flying backward, his body landing outside the platform boundary with a thud.

The entire arena fell into a stunned silence as the spectators processed what they had just witnessed.

Makoto stood in the center of the platform, his radiant energy dissipating slowly. He gazed at his hand, a small smile playing on his lips. "The first step," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Elder Jiang's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "Solaris Edge... could it be derived from the Heart of Lumina? If so, this boy's understanding is beyond extraordinary."

In the royal box, the young prince Han Yi leaned forward, his interest piqued. "A unique technique born in the middle of a fight? This outer disciple is no ordinary talent."

The royal envoy nodded, his expression grim. "That radiant energy is no simple qi manipulation. It's akin to ancient divine techniques. We must monitor him closely.

Makoto stepped off the platform, his expression calm. Yuna approached him, a faint smile on her lips. "That was... impressive."

He glanced at her, his usual smirk returning. "You weren't bad yourself."

That was insane," Kazu said, clapping Makoto on the shoulder. "Solaris Edge, huh? You just made that up?"

Makoto shrugged, the faint glow in his eyes fading. "Not exactly. It's something I... rediscovered."

Yuna's gaze softened as she studied him. "You weren't just fighting. You were searching for something, weren't you?"

Hiru joined them, his expression a mix of admiration and amusement. "You two sure know how to steal the show," hiru said, clapping Makoto on the shoulder. "What's next, glowing wings?"

Makoto chuckled softly but didn't answer. His gaze drifted back to the platforms, where the next matches were already being announced.