Disciple Rankings 2

The whispers had barely begun to fade when Si Ming stood again, his posture steady, unbothered by the crowd's murmurs of astonishment. He had dismantled Xu Fang, showcasing abilities that stood starkly apart from the rest of the Outer Sect disciples.

Taking a deep breath, he turned his gaze toward the ninth-ranked disciple. A tall woman with piercing, hawk-like eyes and an aura that screamed danger stood from the stands. Clad in flowing robes laced with golden embroidery, her name carried weight within the Outer Sect: Liu Yan, the "Formation Specialist." Her expertise in using formation techniques had earned her the ninth rank, and her reputation for neutralizing even the most aggressive fighters made her a daunting foe.

"I'll challenge Liu Yan next," Si Ming said, his voice steady. The crowd erupted in excitement once more, whispers buzzing in disbelief at his confidence.

Liu Yan tilted her head, regarding him with a mixture of amusement and caution. Her lips curled into a small smirk as she stepped into the arena. "You're ambitious," she said coolly, her hands already forming intricate seals in the air. "But ambition without power is meaningless."

The referee motioned for them to begin, and immediately Liu Yan acted. Her hands wove together with practiced precision, Qi emanating from her fingertips as she summoned her signature technique: Ethereal Barrier Formation. A complex array of shimmering barriers materialized around her, each one vibrating with defensive energy while pulsing faintly with offensive capabilities. She stood within the center of a fortress of light, her confidence evident.

Si Ming observed her formation with a calm, analytical gaze. The layers of barriers shimmered and shifted, their patterns designed to confuse attackers while punishing those who dared approach. The crowd cheered, already placing bets against Si Ming. After all, Liu Yan's formation techniques were legendary within the Outer Sect—she had never been defeated in one-on-one combat.

"Let's see how long you last," Liu Yan taunted, her voice echoing through the arena.

Si Ming smirked, unimpressed by her bravado. He tightened his grip on his sword, its gleaming edge reflecting the dancing lights of Liu Yan's barriers. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, moving with speed that left an afterimage in his wake.

The first barrier pulsed ominously, emitting a sharp arc of energy toward him as he closed the distance. But Si Ming sidestepped effortlessly, weaving through the attack with the precision of a dancer. As he neared the second barrier, he activated his Formation Mastery technique, his Qi surged, analyzing the barrier's structure in an instant. With a well-timed strike, he drove his sword into a critical node, causing the second barrier to shatter into fragments of light.

Liu Yan's eyes narrowed as she realized what was happening. "He's dismantling my formation…" she muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief. "How does he know the weak points?"

Si Ming didn't stop. With each step, he dismantled another layer of her defense, his movements a combination of graceful agility and precise strikes. When he finally reached the innermost barrier, the crowd held its collective breath. Liu Yan bit her lip, summoning her Qi to reinforce the final barrier. It shimmered with an intense light, its energy almost blinding.

But Si Ming's smirk remained. "Interesting technique," he said casually. "But it won't hold."

Drawing upon his Thousand Winds Barrage, Si Ming channeled a concentrated burst of slicing Qi into his sword. The wind scythes spiraled around the blade as he slashed downward with a resounding roar. The final barrier shattered under the force, its fragments dissolving into the air like fading starlight.

Liu Yan stumbled back, her confidence shaken. "This… this isn't possible…" she stammered, her voice barely audible.

Si Ming stepped forward, leveling his sword at her. "Do you yield?" he asked, his tone devoid of arrogance but brimming with certainty.

Liu Yan hesitated, glancing at the dissipating remnants of her once-unbreakable formation. Finally, she lowered her hands, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I yield," she said softly.

The crowd erupted, a mix of cheers and disbelief echoing through the arena. "Winner: Si Ming!" the referee announced, his voice carrying over the noise.

As Si Ming sheathed his sword and left the stage, he could feel the stares of the other ranked disciples boring into him. Each one regarded him with a mix of wariness and intrigue. He had climbed another step, but the climb was far from over.

Back in the Saintess's pavilion, Mei-Mei watched with a mix of relief and awe. "He did it again…" she murmured under her breath.

Fenyue tilted her head slightly, her nine tails flicking with curiosity. "Your senior brother is full of surprises," she said, her golden eyes focused intently on Si Ming's retreating figure. "But tell me, Qingmei… where did he learn such techniques?"

Mei-Mei shook her head, her expression thoughtful. "I don't know, Saintess. He's always been… different. But this is something else entirely."

Fenyue's lips curved into a faint smile. "It seems the stable boy has a few secrets," she said softly.

Si Ming leaned against the stone wall of the arena's outer corridor, taking a moment to collect himself. His victories so far had drawn attention—both from the crowd and from the sect elders. He could feel the weight of their scrutiny, but he welcomed it.

Also, if you enjoy my writing and want to support me, consider subscribing to my Patreon: [patreon.com/Writing_when_bored].