Chapter 11: The First Official Ranking Tournament Begins
The day of the Sect Ranking Tournament had finally arrived. The vast martial arena, built from reinforced spirit stones, hummed with energy as disciples gathered in excitement. This was not just a test of skill—it was a battleground where reputations were made and crushed.
Jiang Chen stood at the edge of the platform, gazing at the grand stage where countless battles had been fought before. Around him, disciples whispered in anticipation.
"Do you think Jiang Chen will even make it past the first round?"
"He's a dark horse, but there are monsters in this tournament. The top ten disciples won't let him climb so easily."
Ignoring the murmurs, Jiang Chen remained calm. His recent breakthroughs had strengthened him, but he knew this was only the beginning. This tournament would determine the true geniuses of the sect—and he had every intention of proving himself.
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The Rules of the Tournament
An elder floated onto the stage, his presence alone silencing the crowd. Elder Mo, a respected yet strict figure in the sect, glanced over the gathered disciples before speaking.
"The Ranking Tournament consists of three phases:
1. Preliminary Duels – One-on-one battles to test your qualifications.
2. Knockout Rounds – Only the top thirty-two will advance.
3. Final Ranking Battles – Where the strongest claim their rightful place."
He paused, eyes narrowing. "Victory is not just about strength but strategy, endurance, and willpower. If you are weak, leave now."
No one moved. The determination in the air was palpable.
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The First Round: Jiang Chen's Opponent
As the matchups were announced, Jiang Chen's name finally echoed across the arena.
"Jiang Chen vs. Wei Long!"
Wei Long stepped onto the stage, a well-known disciple with a solid reputation. He smirked, cracking his knuckles. "You've made quite a name for yourself, but don't think you can surpass me so easily."
Jiang Chen simply nodded. "We'll see."
The elder raised his hand. "Begin!"
Wei Long exploded forward, his Iron Fist technique gleaming with spiritual energy. He aimed a devastating punch straight at Jiang Chen's chest.
Jiang Chen side-stepped effortlessly, his movements refined and precise. Wei Long's attack whistled through the air, hitting nothing but empty space.
"What—?!" Wei Long barely had time to react before Jiang Chen countered.
With a single step forward, Jiang Chen's palm struck like lightning, slamming into Wei Long's abdomen. Boom! Wei Long staggered back, coughing blood, his face twisted in pain.
The crowd gasped.
"He countered so effortlessly!"
"Is he really just a new disciple?"
Wei Long gritted his teeth, his spirit energy flaring. "You won't get lucky again!" He unleashed a barrage of punches, each carrying immense power.
Jiang Chen's eyes sharpened. It was time to end this.
As Wei Long's fist approached, Jiang Chen shifted his weight slightly, dodging at the last second. His hand shot out like a spear, striking Wei Long's wrist mid-attack.
Crack!
A sharp pain shot through Wei Long's arm, and his stance crumbled. In that instant, Jiang Chen delivered a devastating spinning kick to his chest.
Boom!
Wei Long was sent flying out of the ring, crashing onto the ground outside.
The elder glanced at him, then raised his hand. "Jiang Chen wins!"
Silence. Then, an explosion of cheers and shocked murmurs erupted.
"He won with just a few moves?! Is he really that strong?"
Jiang Chen stepped down from the platform, his expression unreadable. This was only the beginning.
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Stronger Opponents Await
As the first round continued, Jiang Chen watched other battles with keen interest. His true enemies were not Wei Long, but the ones who remained undefeated.
Mo Tian stood in the distance, his arms crossed. When he noticed Jiang Chen's gaze, he smirked. "Let's see how far you can climb before I crush you."
Jiang Chen met his eyes without fear. This tournament would determine the rising stars of the sect—but more importantly, it would bring him one step closer to Mo Tian.
The real battle had yet to begin.
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