the bloodwind arena

The blood-red banners fluttered in the scorching wind as Li Tian stepped through the massive gates of the Bloodwind Arena. He'd seen many battlefields in both his past and current life, but this one stirred something ancient in his bones.

The coliseum stood like a beast carved from redstone, its curved walls cracked with age and stained with the dried blood of a thousand defeated cultivators. The stench of iron hung in the air, thick and metallic, seeping into the skin. Cheers and curses echoed across the tiered seats that surrounded the combat grounds. This place wasn't just a battleground—it was a crucible.

And Li Tian was ready to burn.

"You're really going in there?" Xue Yi asked, her arms crossed over her chest as she stood behind him, barely masking her concern.

"I need to make my name known. And fast," Li Tian replied, not taking his eyes off the arena. "The Bloodwind Arena is the fastest way to gain recognition in this city. Fame brings power, and power brings information. I'll need both if I'm to find the traitors."

He clenched his fists, sparks of violet lightning flickering beneath his skin. The system pulsed faintly in his mind.

[System Notification]

Bloodwind Arena Challenge Activated

Defeat all ranked opponents in the Bronze Tier

Rewards: Reputation Boost + Stat Boost + Hidden Reward

Progress: 0/10 opponents defeated

He grinned. Perfect.

They guided him through the inner passageways beneath the arena, where torches lined the walls, casting flickering shadows across grimy stone. Other fighters passed him—scarred veterans, arrogant newcomers, even beastkin and demi-humans. Some sneered. Some ignored him. One man, a hulking brute with tusks and a blood-red mohawk, spat at his feet and laughed.

Li Tian didn't flinch. Instead, he memorized his gait, his aura, his confidence. He would crush him soon enough.

A handler approached with a set of black leather armor and a long spear. "First time in the Bloodwind?" the man asked, sizing him up. "Don't expect to come out pretty. Or alive."

"I don't expect to come out anything less than victorious," Li Tian replied calmly, strapping on the armor.

Moments later, he stood beneath the sunlight again. The crowd roared as the announcer's voice boomed across the arena.

"NEWCOMER! Bronze Tier challenger! A nobody from the Outer Rings! Will he rise… or will he feed the sand?"

The crowd jeered. Li Tian walked forward slowly, deliberately, soaking in every insult.

Then the gate on the other side of the arena opened.

Out walked his opponent—a bald man with twin sabers strapped to his back, his torso covered in crude tattoos that glowed faintly with spiritual energy. A bounty hunter. Late Stage Foundation Realm, according to Li Tian's system scan.

[Enemy Identified: Bai Kun]

Realm: Foundation Realm (Late)

Class: Saber Warrior

Threat Level: B+

Estimated Victory Chance: 67%

Battle Strategy Suggestion: Engage with speed, disable mobility

The announcer's voice called again. "BEGIN!"

Bai Kun charged with a roar, his twin sabers gleaming in the sun. He moved fast—much faster than Li Tian expected for someone his size.

But not faster than me.

Li Tian activated [Thunder Step].

In a flash of violet lightning, he vanished, reappearing behind the charging warrior. A palm strike, coated in raw energy, slammed into Bai Kun's back.

The man tumbled forward, rolling across the sand. The crowd gasped.

But Bai Kun recovered with a growl. "Sneaky little bastard!"

He slashed with one saber—Li Tian blocked it with his bracer—and spun with the other, aiming for Li Tian's throat.

Li Tian ducked, then answered with a flurry of rapid strikes to Bai Kun's ribs. One blow cracked bone.

[Combo Activated: Lightning Fang]

+15% Critical Chance

+20% Movement Speed (3 seconds)

Bai Kun stumbled back, blood dribbling from his mouth. But he wasn't done.

"DIE!"

He unleashed his saber technique—[Falling Stars Cut]—a horizontal slash that sent an arc of saber qi flying toward Li Tian.

Li Tian raised a single hand. "[Heavenly Guard: First Wall]."

A barrier of crackling thunder appeared in front of him. The saber qi shattered against it, exploding into harmless fragments of light.

Then Li Tian moved.

With a spinning kick, he shattered Bai Kun's defense, and with a final palm coated in purple lightning, he struck Bai Kun in the chest.

The man fell.

Unmoving.

Silence.

Then, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

"The challenger WINS!" the announcer bellowed. "He has earned one point and moves up the Bronze Ladder!"

A golden circle appeared beneath Li Tian's feet—an arena enchantment that marked him as a victor. His system buzzed.

[Opponent Defeated: Bai Kun]

+500 EXP

+1 Reputation Point

+2 Stat Points

Hidden Reward: [Saber Qi Core Fragment] acquired

He left the arena with his head high, blood dripping from his fists and a cold determination in his eyes.

Xue Yi was waiting.

"That was insane," she said. "You humiliated him."

Li Tian didn't smile. "One down. Nine to go."

"But now your name is out there. You've started something."

"I know," he said. "That's the plan."

That night, back at the small inn they rented in the East District, Li Tian sat in meditation. The [Saber Qi Core Fragment] hovered in his palm.

He examined it closely. It pulsed with violent energy. Not just battle qi—rage, hatred, something unnatural.

[System Analysis Complete]

Item: Saber Qi Core Fragment

Grade: Uncommon

Contains residual energy of a cursed blood art

Warning: Use may influence mental state

He considered destroying it—but chose instead to store it. Everything had a purpose, especially dark things.

His system chimed again.

[System Upgrade Progress: 52% to Phase 2]

Phase 2 Unlocked upon Arena Completion

Warning: Enemies will become significantly stronger

Li Tian opened his eyes. "Good," he whispered. "Let them come."

The next day, word had spread across the city. The new challenger with thunder in his fists. The one who took down Bai Kun in minutes. People began whispering about him.

The next fight was scheduled that same evening. His opponent: a half-spirit beast woman named Sha Ren, known for her brutal claw techniques and use of illusion smoke.

[Enemy Identified: Sha Ren]

Realm: Peak Foundation Realm

Threat Level: A

Estimated Victory Chance: 54%

Li Tian cracked his knuckles. "Now this… will be a fight."

Xue Yi frowned. "Be careful. She's killed people before."

"I'll be fine," he said, stepping back into the arena.

The crowd was bigger this time. They were beginning to remember his name.

And soon, they would never forget it.