The morning wind carried a sharpness, but the skies above the Verdant Moon Sect remained clear and deceptively calm.
Yet beneath the stillness, storms brewed.
Seven figures stood separated across the staging platform, their robes swaying lightly, their presence oppressive in its own way. Each of them held a weight. Some called it destiny. Others called it madness.
Shadow stood apart from the others, leaning against the base of a pillar at the edge of the dueling ground. His blade rested quietly in its sheath, but his aura was a silent warning.
Around him, the final six stared not just at the platform, but at each other.
**Liang Chen**, Rank 1, Heaven's Trial.
He didn't even open his eyes. He didn't need to. His breath was so stable, even the wind dared not brush against him.
**Xun Tai**, Rank 2, Void Fist.
Standing like a sculpture, face unreadable, fists wrapped in cloth so dense it seemed to swallow the surrounding light. His gaze met no one's, but his presence demanded respect.
**Mei Rong**, Rank 3, Blade Dance Fairy.
Her hair flowed like silk, and her eyes shone with faint amusement. She stepped lightly in slow circles, as if rehearsing choreography. But her presence? It was like a wire drawn tight.
**Yun Xue**, Rank 5, Frost Step.
Cold, unblinking, and silent. Her spiritual energy lingered on the stone ground in the shape of frosted lotus petals. Every breath she took left behind a chill in the air.
**Lu Qiang**, Rank 8, Iron Wall.
He sat cross-legged with his massive arms folded, bare chest exposed to the morning sun. A statue of steel and muscle. When he looked up at the others, it was with a sneer that barely concealed his disdain.
**Jinhai**, The Dark Horse, Black Flame.
He didn't move. He didn't breathe loud enough to notice. Only the faint wisp of black smoke curling from his right palm gave evidence that he was alive.
And finally—
**Shadow.**
He remained unreadable.
No wind gathered at his feet. No flame. No ice. No mist.
Only a quiet thunder.
---
From above, the Sect Master sat with his fingers clasped.
Core elders flanked him, but none spoke.
Elder Mo finally broke the silence. "Seven blades remain, but only one can cut through to the heart."
Another elder stroked his beard. "Do you think the boy will last another match? He has already fought more than anyone else."
The Sect Master didn't answer at first.
His gaze lingered on Shadow.
"He's not fighting them," he said quietly. "He's fighting something else. Something deeper."
Elder Yu asked, "Shall we begin the pairings?"
The Sect Master finally rose.
He walked to the edge of the platform and raised his hand.
Below, all seven disciples turned their attention upward.
"You have stood above the sea of thousands," he said. "Now you stand atop the storm."
"This next stage will be fought in single duels. The order will be decided by Heaven's draw."
With a wave of his sleeve, seven stones floated into the air. They spun in formation and hovered above each finalist.
One by one, the stones glowed.
The first match appeared, etched in light across the sky.
> **Shadow vs. Lu Qiang**
The arena buzzed.
Whispers raced through the crowd.
"The Thunder against the Wall?"
"That Lu guy hasn't taken a single hit this entire tournament."
"But Shadow doesn't *need* to break his defense. He just needs to find the weakness."
Lu Qiang rose, cracking his knuckles.
"Finally," he muttered. "I was getting bored."
He leapt onto the platform, the ground vibrating under his landing.
Shadow followed, silent.
The moment his feet touched stone, the wind changed.
No words were exchanged.
But the weight of this clash was already felt.
---
On the side, the remaining five watched with narrowed eyes.
Mei Rong smiled faintly. "That one, Lu Qiang... he underestimates him."
Yun Xue didn't reply. Her eyes were fixed on Shadow's stance.
Xun Tai simply nodded once.
Liang Chen, with eyes still closed, exhaled. "This will be quick."
Even Jinhai's smoke began to coil faster.
---
The judge raised his hand.
"Begin!"
And the battle to test thunder against iron was about to begin.
---