[A/N: A big thanks to Wulfus and kanderson2084 for the Golden Tickets to the book. Thou shall be remembered.]
The sky above the Yu Clan had dimmed to a deep indigo.
The two moons — one gold, one silver — slowly rose over the horizon, casting a sacred glow across the mountainside. The air was crisp, tinged with excitement and spirit energy.
Even though night had arrived, no one rested.
The semifinals of the grand youth tournament had finally begun.
While the arena remained exclusive and quiet, the rest of the clan was anything but.
Floating screens glowed across open pavilions, courtyards, and gathering halls.
Disciples crowded around them in small clusters, shouting, whispering, and cheering.
Some mourned their spiritual stone losses.
Others clutched winning tickets like treasures handed down by the heavens.
In one courtyard, someone had even set up grilled beast skewers and was selling spicy broth.
Up on the tournament platform, Disciple Lu reappeared with his usual enthusiasm, standing in front of the hovering name board.
"And now!" he declared. "We move into the semifinals!"
From the floating board, golden names shimmered to life.
Lin Fan vs. Yu Xueqing
Murmurs broke out instantly.
"Two of the strongest so far..."
"No matter what happens, this match will be incredible."
The two stepped forward without hesitation.
Lin Fan, calm and quiet, gripped his short sword lightly.
His clothes were modest, but his posture was firm and unshaken. Every step he took was measured.
Yu Xueqing wore silver-trimmed robes and carried her twin blades at her waist.
Her expression was unreadable — like a frozen lake, still and deep. She moved without a sound, as though her feet barely touched the platform.
Even the wind seemed to hesitate around her.
Lu cleared his throat. "Are both participants ready?"
They nodded in unison.
A sudden flare of light surged from the boundary formation.
And like an arrow loosed from the bow—
Yu Xueqing struck first.
Her twin blades gleamed in the moonlight as they cut through the air in sharp arcs, one slicing for Lin Fan’s shoulder, the other aimed low for his thigh.
But Lin Fan was already in motion.
With a pivot and lean, he dodged backward, narrowly avoiding both cuts.
He didn’t strike back immediately.
Yu Xueqing pressed forward again, graceful as a dancer, deadly as a falling star.
Her blades moved in perfect coordination — fast, elegant, precise.
Not a single step wasted. Each strike aimed to end the match quickly.
Lin Fan blocked the third attack. Then the fourth.
His sword flashed, deflecting the blows without breaking form.
But Xueqing was relentless.
Her style was like a flowing stream — adapting, shifting angles, never attacking the same way twice. Her momentum built with every swing.
For most disciples her age, this would’ve been overwhelming.
But Lin Fan wasn’t most disciples.
He was a protagonist. A hard working one at that.
He kept his distance, footwork light and minimal.
Every time she advanced, he gave just enough ground to avoid danger. Every time she reset, he applied subtle pressure with quick thrusts and short, sharp counters.
And slowly... the tide began to shift.
Lin Fan didn’t need to overpower her.
He just needed to control the pace.
Yu Xueqing lunged with a powerful cross-slash. Lin Fan sidestepped — not back, but in. Too close for twin blades to move freely.
He jabbed at her side.
She twisted just in time to deflect it, but her balance faltered for a heartbeat.
Lin Fan saw it. He saw the opening.
His sword struck again — this time with aggression.
A clean cut aimed at her shoulder. Yu Xueqing blocked, but her wrist trembled.
Their blades locked for a moment.
They broke apart, she was breathing heavier now.
Yu Xueqing’s braid fluttered as she adjusted her stance.
Lin Fan’s shirt clung with sweat.
The crowd watching across the clan was speechless.
The group chat was going wild.
[MoonPeach]: THIS IS TOO CLOSE!!
[FurnaceBoy444]: That twin blade spin just now!! Did you SEE that?!
[MoKi000]: I Mo Ki, would beat them both.
[TournamentElder]: Mo Ki, sweep the elder’s courtyard. Now.
Back on the platform, both fighters were slowing.
Not from exhaustion — but from focus.
Now it was a test of patience. One wrong move would mean loss.
Yu Xueqing narrowed her eyes.
She dashed in again — feint high, slash low.
Lin Fan didn’t flinch.
He waited—then lunged.
His sword met hers in a flash of steel and sparks.
This time, he didn’t retreat.
He pressed in, crowding her range again.
Yu Xueqing twisted to escape, but Lin Fan pivoted with her, turning his body like water, guiding her movement.
He stepped on her rhythm.
His sword tip hovered an inch from her throat.
Time seemed to pause.
Even the spectators went silent.
She exhaled slowly... then stepped back and sheathed her blades.
"You Win" she said softly.
Lu, blinking in awe, raised his hand.
"Winner of the first semifinal match — Lin Fan!"
The cheers erupted like thunder.
Lin Fan bowed to his opponent.
Yu Xueqing returned it with the same calm grace.
As they descended the platform, the lights shifted.
The board shimmered once again. Just for show.
The second and final semifinal was about to begin.
Two names appeared in radiant light:
Yu Xuan vs. Ming Tianmei
The youngest son of the Patriarch... and the mysterious girl who had breezed through two rounds with luck and elegance.
Everyone held their breath.
This was going to be interesting.