Chapter Ten: The Arena

“Silence in the arena!”

Hush!

At some point, a man had stepped onto the martial stage, his voice radiating an uncanny soundwave that gradually spread outward. The clamor of the crowd ceased instantly, every gaze converging upon the platform.

“Now, please welcome Lin Ruoxi, eldest daughter of the Lin family, to the stage!”

After announcing this, the middle-aged man immediately turned his eyes to the right, focusing on the bewildered Lin Ruoxi.

Ruoxi had felt nervous upon arriving, seeing so many gathered to watch her duel. Now, with countless eyes fixed upon her, her cheeks flushed crimson.

She glanced toward her father and saw Lin Feng nod encouragingly. A subtle determination welled up in her heart.

Her own father believed in her, gathering so many to witness her fight. She must press forward, unafraid, and live up to his expectations.

With a gaze like burning torchlight, she strode onto the stage.

“The eldest daughter of the Lin family, Lin Ruoxi, is only thirteen years old, yet she has already reached the peak of the Hidden Force. She is but one step away from opening the vital meridian, becoming innate—a talent gifted by the heavens! Her future is limitless.”

Someone beside the stage, evidently briefed on the Lin family and Ruoxi, spoke with authority.

“At just thirteen, the eldest daughter of the Lin family has reached the peak of the Hidden Force. My own boy hasn’t even developed internal energy yet! Truly remarkable.”

“No wonder she’s the Lin family’s eldest daughter. Some spend their entire lives unable to develop internal energy, and she’s just a step away from the innate realm.”

“Ruoxi, you can do it!”

Encouraged by the host’s words and the crowd’s praise, Lin Ruoxi felt her confidence swell. She waved her little hand, greeting those around her.

Slowly, she stood in the center of the martial arena, absorbing the excitement of the crowd, her heart pounding with exhilaration.

Suddenly, a voice drew her attention.

“Mo Qian, direct heir of the Mo family, has arrived!”

“Mo Qian! Is he the one I’m to duel?”

Ruoxi wondered, following the crowd’s gaze. He entered from the same direction she had arrived.

One man, one sword—his presence seemed to command the space, and those around him quickly stepped aside.

He wore pale blue robes, radiant under the sunlight. His hair was simply styled, and at his right side hung a sword: its hilt gold-tipped, grip a deep reddish-brown.

That sword? Where have I seen it before? And such presence!

From a distance, Ruoxi could sense the aura. She studied his features.

Bronzed skin, expressionless, as though no one here could capture his attention.

“Mo Qian, direct heir of the Mo family—rumor has it he reached the peak of Hidden Force at ten years old, the most gifted in his clan.

Unfortunately, he vanished during training a few years ago. It’s said he was found recently by someone with a keen eye. Now, three years have passed—who knows if he’s broken through to the innate realm!

Today marks his first battle upon returning to the Mo family.

Let us await this duel with anticipation! Lin Ruoxi of the Lin family versus Mo Qian of the Mo family!”

The middle-aged man’s voice rang out, explaining to all that these two were evenly matched, easily igniting the crowd’s excitement.

“The Mo and Lin families are both illustrious clans. This duel will surely be worth watching!”

A middle-aged man seated to the right of the arena looked at Ruoxi and commented.

“Yes! The Lin family has always produced remarkable heirs, every generation strong. Though Ruoxi is a girl, her cultivation stands out—she is no weakling.

The Mo family, too, is a great clan in Cubic City, with abundant resources. Mo Qian, so young, has reached the peak of Hidden Force. Who knows, after three years, whether he’s broken through to the innate realm? If he has, he’ll be the youngest innate expert.

As long as he survives, he’s destined for renown!”

His companion shared his thoughts, occasionally glancing at Lin Feng seated at the head.

Lin Feng’s face was cold and stern. At such close range, experts of their caliber—even if their attention was on the arena—couldn’t help but hear the words spoken, whether intentional or not.

“I am a bit concerned for the Lin family’s eldest daughter. Thirteen and at the peak of Hidden Force is exceptional talent in most eyes, but compared to Mo Qian, the difference is vast. Perhaps, if Lin’s Soul-Stirring Sword reaches mastery, miracles could happen!”

He lifted his teacup and spoke his mind, being a member of Little Lin Town himself—naturally, his worries leaned toward those close to him rather than the distant Mo family of Cubic City.

“Mo Qian! Why does he remind me so much of Lin Shan? The hair, the clothes, the sword—all the same.

Three years ago, he was at the peak of Hidden Force. Now…?”

Ruoxi was full of confusion, then suddenly a thought sparked: could it be that Lin Shan regained his memory and his family found him?

She was only at the peak of Bright Force, unable to hear the quiet discussions outside the arena amid the noise.

“Are you Lin Shan?”

Watching Mo Qian approach, she asked in uncertainty.

“Could he be the boy Ruoxi brought home a few days ago? Found by someone with sharp eyes?”

Aunt Xiumei in the crowd overheard Ruoxi’s question and echoed in confusion.

Her gaze turned to the Mo family members seated to Lin Feng’s left.

Seeing the crowd part, Mo Qian’s lips curled into a smile. His attendants stopped at the edge of the arena, while he himself stepped onto the stage.

“No.”

Mo Qian replied coolly to Lin Ruoxi’s question, as if he had never heard that name.

“How can that be? I went to wake you this morning! You were wearing those very clothes!”

Ruoxi felt indignant at his denial, as if she’d raised a thankless fox—she’d saved him, yet he wouldn’t acknowledge her.

“That must have been someone who looks like me. Did you call him? Did he come? Let me see who resembles me so closely!”

Mo Qian spoke earnestly, scanning the crowd with genuine interest.

“Enough! Everyone’s watching!”

Lin Feng witnessed this scene and smiled wryly.

“Hmph!”

Ruoxi shot her father a glance, stomping the air in frustration.

After venting, she drew her Soul-Stirring Sword.

“Buzz! Buzz!”

Immediately, sword cries echoed through the arena, making those with lesser strength shudder, while others on the opposite side sighed,

“Lin Ruoxi’s strength is indeed extraordinary!”

With thunder roaring from her sword and lightning encircling the blade, it was the sign of initial mastery of the Soul-Stirring Sword.

The commentator, seeming well-acquainted with the technique, sipped his tea and remarked.

“Now, let’s see Mo Qian’s skill! Will this duel be a spectacle?”

Others, hearing the thunder, straightened up and commented,

“I wonder how Mo Qian has progressed with the Sword Severing Technique these days!

That technique counters the Soul-Stirring Sword—if mastered, even an ordinary person without internal energy could defeat someone lacking mastery and battle experience with the Soul-Stirring Sword.”

Lin Feng cast a glance at the man to his right, thinking silently to himself.