Chapter 22 – The Thunder before Storm
The Storm Horizon Sect's grand tournament was reaching its climax. With each round, the battles grew more intense, and the list of contenders thinned. The semi-finals were about to begin, and the air crackled with anticipation.
Tianming stood at the edge of the arena, his golden eyes scanning the crowd. The cheers and shouts of thousands filled the sky, but his focus was elsewhere. He could feel it—an unseen presence watching him from the shadows.
Jiang Chen walked up beside him, rubbing his neck. "Lei Xueyan's a monster," he muttered. "I barely had time to react before she ended the fight."
Tianming smirked. "So, you admit she was stronger?"
Jiang Chen scowled. "Not stronger—just faster. Next time, I won't fall for the same trick."
Their conversation was interrupted by Lei Xueyan, who strode toward them with her usual confident gait. Her navy-blue hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her amber eyes glowed with excitement.
"You two really know how to cause a stir," she said, crossing her arms. "Everyone's talking about you."
Tianming raised an eyebrow. "Is that a good thing?"
She grinned. "Depends. Some people want to recruit you. Others want to eliminate you."
Jiang Chen snorted. "Typical."
Tianming was about to reply when a deep voice rang out across the arena.
"The semi-finals will now commence!"
---
The Semi-Final Matchups
Match One: Li Tianming vs. Feng Yuan
Match Two: Lei Xueyan vs. Guo Ren
Feng Yuan. Tianming recognized the name. A top disciple of Storm Horizon Sect's inner circle, known for his mastery of wind and lightning techniques. Unlike Luo Yan, who relied on sheer explosive power, Feng Yuan was a strategist—a warrior who specialized in overwhelming his opponents with speed and precision.
Lei Xueyan's expression turned serious. "Be careful, Tianming. Feng Yuan isn't like the others. He doesn't just fight to win—he fights to break his opponents."
Tianming nodded. He had no intention of underestimating anyone.
Jiang Chen clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Just don't get yourself killed."
Tianming chuckled. "You don't need to about me."
---
Li Tianming vs. Feng Yuan
The crowd erupted in cheers as the two combatants stepped into the ring.
Feng Yuan was a lean, sharp-featured man with piercing silver eyes. His robes bore the emblem of the Storm Horizon Sect's inner disciples, signifying his elite status. He studied Tianming with a smirk.
"I've been watching you," he said, his voice calm. "You're strong, but you rely too much on brute force."
Tianming tilted his head. "Is that so?"
Feng Yuan's smirk widened. "Let's see how you handle this."
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Feng Yuan vanished.
A blur of wind and lightning shot toward Tianming, faster than anything he had encountered before. Sparks crackled in the air as Feng Yuan's palm struck forward, aiming for Tianming's chest.
Boom!
Tianming barely twisted in time, the shockwave blasting past him. But before he could counter, Feng Yuan was already behind him.
"Thunder Fang Strike!"
A jagged bolt of lightning arced toward Tianming's back.
Tianming reacted instantly. He activated his Celestial Steps, his form flickering out of range just as the attack exploded against the stone.
The crowd gasped.
Feng Yuan's eyes gleamed. "Not bad."
Tianming landed a few feet away, his expression calm. "You talk too much."
With a single step, he closed the gap, his Primordial Jade sword flashing forward in a golden arc.
Feng Yuan's smirk didn't falter. He twisted, using the wind to redirect his movement. His palm met Tianming's blade, coated in a layer of lightning.
Clang!
The impact sent shockwaves through the arena.
For a brief moment, they were locked in a clash of pure energy—golden light against crackling lightning.
Then—
Feng Yuan's lightning surged, and Tianming felt his muscles stiffen. It was a paralyzing technique!
Feng Yuan didn't waste the opportunity. He spun, his knee driving toward Tianming's ribs.
But—
Tianming grinned.
Celestial Jade Art – Golden Rebirth!
His body flickered, the paralysis dissipating in an instant. Before Feng Yuan's attack could land, Tianming countered with a devastating palm strike.
Boom!
Feng Yuan was sent skidding backward, his eyes wide in shock. "What—?"
Tianming didn't let him recover. He stepped forward, his sword shimmering with celestial energy.
"Heaven's Wrath—Second Form!"
A blinding arc of golden light descended upon Feng Yuan. He barely had time to summon a barrier before—
Crash!
The force sent him crashing into the arena floor, shattering stone beneath him.
Dust settled.
Feng Yuan lay motionless, his robes torn and blood dripping from his lips.
The referee hesitated before raising his hand.
"…Winner, Li Tianming!"
The crowd exploded into cheers.
Tianming exhaled slowly, sheathing his sword.
As he turned to leave the arena, his gaze flickered toward the stands.
The hidden presence was still there, watching.
He wasn't sure who they were.
But he had a feeling this tournament was just the beginning.
---
Meanwhile, in the Shadows…
Two figures stood in the highest pavilion, cloaked in darkness.
One of them—a man with piercing golden eyes—smiled. "He's interesting."
The other figure, their features obscured, nodded. "Too strong to be ignored. Should we make a move?"
The Red-eyed man chuckled. "Not yet. But soon."
---
What Comes Next in Chapter 23:
The final battle: Tianming vs. Lei Xueyan.
A mysterious expert takes the stage.
Mu Qingfeng's spies make their move.
A shocking revelation about the tournament's true purpose.
---
Tianming was not just a runaway
He was the sovereign of celestial ascent