10. The Consequences of Defeat
A Broken Pride
Ling Tao lay on the arena floor, motionless.
Blood dripped from his lips. His body trembled as pain wracked his limbs. His once-proud face was now filled with humiliation and disbelief.
He had lost.
Not just lost—he had been utterly crushed.
Two moves.
That was all it took for Ling Tian to destroy him.
The once-respected genius of the Ling Clan was now reduced to nothing.
The audience still hadn't recovered. The elders, the disciples—everyone was speechless.
Then, a voice broke the silence.
"Take him away."
The Great Elder's words carried no sympathy.
Ling Tao had disgraced himself.
Two servants rushed forward and dragged his battered body out of the arena.
But before he left, Ling Tao lifted his head.
His eyes, filled with hatred, locked onto Ling Tian.
"You… I will never forgive you."
Ling Tian smirked.
"You should focus on recovering first."
That single sentence stabbed deeper than any wound.
---
The Elders' Dilemma
Ling Tian turned his gaze toward the elders, standing calmly in the center of the arena.
His victory was undeniable.
His strength was unmatched.
Yet, instead of praise, the elders looked at him with unease.
The Great Elder cleared his throat.
"Ling Tian… your victory is acknowledged."
His words were measured.
Careful.
Ling Tian smiled, but his eyes gleamed with amusement.
'They fear me now.'
He could see it in their expressions.
Before, he was just a cripple. A disgrace.
But now?
Now, he was a threat.
And threats needed to be controlled.
---
Ling Tian's Reward
"As per clan tradition," the Great Elder continued, "the winner of an official duel is entitled to a reward."
Ling Tian nodded.
"Good. Then I want the Flame Serpent Pill."
The elders froze.
"What?!"
That pill was a precious treasure. It was reserved for the most talented young warriors of the Ling Clan.
Ling Tao was supposed to receive it.
And now, Ling Tian wanted it instead?
An elder coughed.
"That's… an extreme request. Perhaps something else—"
"You said the winner gets a reward," Ling Tian interrupted, his voice casual. "I won. So give it to me."
The Great Elder's jaw tightened.
They couldn't deny him.
Not without losing face.
"Very well," he finally said. "The Flame Serpent Pill is yours."
---
Ling Tian's Departure
With that, the duel was officially over.
Ling Tian walked away from the arena, hands behind his back.
As he left, the disciples whispered.
"Did you see that?"
"He's stronger than Ling Tao now… maybe stronger than any of us."
"Where did he get this power?"
"He's not the same Ling Tian from before…"
Some whispered in awe.
Others whispered in fear.
But Ling Tian didn't care.
As he exited the training grounds, a voice suddenly called out.
"Ling Tian."
He turned.
A woman stood before him, dressed in flowing violet robes.
Her face was flawless, her eyes sharp and intelligent.
It was Ling Ruoyan, the eldest daughter of the Ling Clan.
She was known as a genius. A future pillar of the clan.
And for some reason, she was looking at Ling Tian with interest.
---
A Mysterious Proposal
"You've changed," Ling Ruoyan said, stepping closer.
Ling Tian chuckled.
"That seems to be the popular opinion today."
She studied him for a moment.
"Come with me," she said suddenly.
Ling Tian raised an eyebrow.
"And why would I do that?"
Ling Ruoyan smiled.
"Because I have a proposal for you. One you won't want to refuse."
Ling Tian's curiosity was piqued.
A proposal, huh?
This day just kept getting more interesting.
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