---
Morning light spills into the Grand Hall as sect disciples gather around a raised platform. Elder Wei stands at the center, jade scroll in hand.
Elder Wei:
"For the third round of the Windfire Tournament… Jiang Chen of the Outer Courtyard will face Chen Jiannan, former core disciple and recognized master of the Twin Flowing Sabers."
A hushed murmur spreads across the disciples. Chen Jiannan is infamous for only ever drawing his sabers after his opponent has made three moves. No one has ever survived past the third.
From the crowd, Chen Jiannan steps forward. Calm. Graceful. His sabers remain bound in white cloth behind his back.
Chen Jiannan (nodding to Jiang Chen):
"I look forward to learning from you."
Jiang Chen (coolly):
"Then let's both be ready to lose something."
---
Later, Jiang Chen visits Instructor Mei at the inner courtyard dojo, where she meditates surrounded by rustling spirit trees.
Instructor Mei:
"Chen Jiannan's greatest weapon is patience. But even patience casts a shadow."
She tosses Jiang Chen a wooden disc engraved with intricate markings.
Instructor Mei:
"This is a Qi-Dissonance Compass. It reveals the tempo of your opponent's internal energy. Learn to read it. Don't attack his body. Attack his rhythm."
Jiang Chen:
"He'll try to wait for three strikes. What if I only give him one?"
Instructor Mei (smiling faintly):
"Then you might become the kind of disciple they can't ignore."
---
That evening, Jiang Chen returns to the Whispering Sword Pavilion, a sealed chamber beneath the sect library rumored to hold echoes of ancient sword intents.
With the Silent Sheath resting across his lap, he kneels before an old stone tablet carved in forgotten calligraphy. He places his palm on it.
Suddenly—
> A vision. Wind slicing through falling snow. A cloaked figure wielding a curved blade made of glass, cutting not with power but absence—each strike drawing silence instead of sound.
A line of text etches itself into the tablet.
> "To cut without motion. To echo without sound. This is the Fourth Whisper."
Jiang Chen (in awe):
"…There's more. More than the sect ever knew."
He opens his eyes. On the floor before him, a new sword form sketches itself in qi.
> Whispering Form IV – "When Silence Strikes Twice"
Allows a second strike to echo from the first moments later, hidden in spatial distortion.
Can mislead opponents into blocking too late—or too soon.
---
As Jiang Chen leaves the chamber, he's intercepted by a figure wrapped in long green robes: Elder Xun, a quiet but influential inner sect master. Known for training elite spies.
Elder Xun (smiling):
"You're making quite the impression. But talent unguarded becomes threat. What if I offered you a place… under me?"
Jiang Chen (measured):
"Why me?"
Elder Xun:
"Because I don't want to waste time dealing with you later. Join me, and I'll ensure you never fall behind again. Refuse, and…"
He lets the sentence hang.
Jiang Chen (coldly):
"Some swords don't bend. They only wait."
He turns and leaves.
Elder Xun watches him go, expression unreadable.
---
The next morning. The Grand Arena. Wind howls above the platform, banners snapping. The crowd watches in hushed anticipation.
Chen Jiannan steps forward, sabers still sheathed.
Chen Jiannan:
"Make your three moves."
Jiang Chen:
"I'll make just one."
The arena grows still.
Jiang Chen draws his sword—only halfway. The air bends. A soft shimmer splits the wind.
> "When Silence Strikes Twice."
He steps forward and slashes—but stops inches from Chen Jiannan.
Nothing seems to happen.
Then—a second ripple flows through the air behind the first. A delayed arc of force lashes through Chen Jiannan's defenses and cuts his robes apart across the chest.
Blood beads. Just a line. Shallow. But it's enough.
Chen Jiannan (blinking):
"…How…?"
Jiang Chen (resheathing):
"You blocked the first one."
He walks past.
Jiang Chen (without turning):
"The second was the real strike."
---
The audience erupts. Whispers fill the air. An outer disciple just defeated a core-trained inner master with a single move. Elders exchange dark glances.
In the upper viewing stands, Lin Shaoyu leans back in his seat.
Lin Shaoyu (to himself):
"You've earned it, Jiang Chen. Now… welcome to the chessboard."
A disciple rushes to his side.
Disciple (whispering):
"The Heavenfall Array is ready. The trap will be set during the exhibition round."
Lin Shaoyu:
"Perfect."
---
Back in his quarters, Jiang Chen meditates. He senses something shift within the Silent Sheath—it vibrates faintly, as if something within has stirred.
> You are not the first to walk this path.
But you may be the last.
He opens his eyes.
Jiang Chen (softly):
"If I am… then let the silence I leave behind shake the heavens."
---
End of Chapter 10