Convergence of power

The aftermath of the first wave of battles left the arena charged with tension. The crowd's excitement only grew as the matches became more intense, the strength of the participants increasing with each round. The elders and influential figures in the stands whispered among themselves, analyzing the potential future stars of the sect.

Makoto sat cross-legged at the edge of the preparation area, his breathing steady as he meditated. His recent comprehension of the Solaris Edge technique had left his body slightly strained, but his mind was clear. In the depths of his consciousness, he replayed the feeling of light coursing through him, each motion etched into his memory.

"It's not complete yet," he murmured to himself. "The Heart of Lumina holds more secrets."

Nearby, Kazu and Hiru watched the next fights unfold, their eyes scanning the platforms. Kazu, his sword resting against his shoulder, grinned as he saw one of the competitors overwhelmed by a powerful qi blast.

"Not bad," Kazu said. "But I could've taken him out in half the time."

Hiru chuckled. "Big words for someone who nearly lost their balance in their last fight."

"Hey! That was strategy!" Kazu retorted, though his grin remained.

Makoto opened one eye, smirking at their banter. "Save your energy. The next round is going to be tougher."

Yuna, who had been silently observing, glanced at Makoto. Her gaze lingered on him longer than she intended. She had won her match earlier, her precise movements and tactical mind earning her a decisive victory. Despite her composed demeanor, she couldn't shake the image of Makoto wielding the Solaris Edge.

"What's on your mind, Yuna?" Makoto asked, sensing her gaze.

"Nothing," she replied quickly, averting her eyes.

Before Makoto could press further, the booming voice of Elder Jiang echoed across the arena.

"The second phase continues! Competitors, take your positions!"

Makoto and Yuna both stood, their names among those announced for the next round. The crowd erupted into cheers as they stepped onto separate platforms.

Yuna found herself facing off against Mei Rong, an inner disciple known for her mastery of the Blossoming Petal Dance, a technique that combined beauty and lethality. Mei Rong's weapon of choice was a pair of short blades, each one gleaming under the sunlight.

"An outer disciple like you shouldn't have made it this far," Mei Rong said, her tone dripping with arrogance.

Yuna didn't respond. Her eyes narrowed as she adjusted her stance, her grip tightening around her weapon.

The gong rang, and Mei Rong moved instantly, her figure blurring as she closed the distance. Her blades struck like a storm, each slash swift and precise. Yuna parried and dodged, her movements fluid as she avoided the lethal edges.

"You're quick," Mei Rong said, a smirk forming on her lips. "Let's see how long you can keep that up."

Yuna countered with a series of thrusts, her weapon glowing faintly with her qi. Each strike was aimed at Mei Rong's openings, forcing the inner disciple to retreat momentarily.

The crowd watched in awe as the battle escalated. Mei Rong's Blossoming Petal Dance created a flurry of blade projections, each one aiming to overwhelm Yuna. But Yuna's focus never wavered. She shifted her stance, her movements growing sharper as she adapted to Mei Rong's rhythm.

With a sudden burst of speed, Yuna closed the gap, her weapon clashing against Mei Rong's blades. The force of the impact sent shockwaves across the platform. In a moment of brilliance, Yuna disarmed Mei Rong with a precise strike, her blade pointing at the inner disciple's neck.

"I... concede," Mei Rong said reluctantly, her pride visibly wounded.

Yuna lowered her weapon and stepped back, her expression unreadable. The crowd erupted into cheers, acknowledging her skill and composure.

On Platform Eight, Makoto faced a towering opponent named Feng Wei, a core formation expert who had dominated his previous matches with brute strength and devastating techniques.

"You've been getting a lot of attention," Feng Wei said, his voice like a rumble of thunder. "But it ends here."

Makoto tilted his head, his expression calm. "We'll see."

The gong rang, and Feng Wei charged forward, his massive frame moving with surprising speed. His fists, glowing with qi, crashed down like hammers aimed to pulverize Makoto.

Makoto sidestepped the first strike, his movements graceful as he evaded each subsequent blow. Feng Wei's attacks left craters in the platform, but none of them came close to hitting their mark.

"You're fast," Feng Wei admitted, his tone tinged with frustration.

Makoto didn't respond. His focus was split, his mind working to analyze Feng Wei's technique while also deepening his connection to the Heart of Lumina. The radiant energy within him stirred, responding to his thoughts.

Feng Wei roared, gathering a massive amount of qi into his fists. "Try dodging this!" he bellowed, unleashing a devastating punch that sent a shockwave hurtling toward Makoto.

Makoto raised his hand, his qi forming a barrier of golden light. The shockwave collided with the barrier, dispersing harmlessly.

"You're strong," Makoto said, his tone neutral. "But strength alone isn't enough."

Closing his eyes briefly, Makoto let the radiant energy guide him. A new technique began to take shape, the energy condensing around him. He opened his eyes, the golden glow more intense than before.

"Radiant Pulse."

Makoto unleashed a wave of golden energy that expanded outward, engulfing Feng Wei. The inner disciple staggered, his defenses crumbling under the overwhelming force.

When the light faded, Feng Wei was on his knees, gasping for breath. "I... I concede," he said, his voice weak.

Makoto lowered his hand, the golden glow fading. The crowd erupted into cheers, their admiration for him reaching new heights.

As Makoto and Yuna returned to the preparation area, they were met with nods of approval from Kazu and Hiru.

"You two really know how to steal the spotlight," Kazu said, grinning.

Makoto shrugged. "Just doing what's necessary."

Yuna glanced at him, her expression softer. "You've improved."

Makoto smirked but didn't reply, his thoughts already drifting back to the Heart of Lumina.

In the stands, the young prince Han Yi leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Makoto. "That boy... he's hiding something," he said to the royal envoy.

The envoy nodded, his expression grim. "Keep watching. The real battles are yet to come."