Sovereign of Stolen Fate

As the evening started to pass by. The tournament grounds were still growing with excitement, each match surpassing the last. 

Villagers whispered eagerly, their voices blending into a low hum of speculation as they debated who would emerge victorious. Wei Rong and Jin Ye were the clear center of attention, but for vastly different reasons.

A older mercant scoffed "There's no question—Wei Rong will crush him. He's at the 5th Stage of Qi Refinement, and his father has given him resources Jin Ye could only dream of."

Another villager chuckled quietly "You all saw what happened last time. Wei Rong's arrogance cost him before and thats with his lackeys backing him up. Who's to say it won't happen again?"

A younger villager skeptically said "Jin Ye is talented, but talent alone doesn't bridge the gap between the 3rd and 5th Stage. Wei Rong came prepared this time."

A young woman watching Jin Ye closely "He's so calm, though… It doesn't feel like he's afraid of Wei Rong at all. Maybe he can pull a miracle."

The stage was set, and the villagers knew—this tournament would be remembered for years to come.

Wei Rong strode onto the stage with the same air of dominance he always carried. His Qi pulsed with confidence, and his gaze locked onto his next opponent—Liu Feng, a cultivator known for his steady nature.

Unlike the others Wei Rong had faced today, Liu Feng showed no fear, no hesitation. He stepped forward with the quiet confidence of a man who understood his own strength. At the Fourth Stage of Qi Refinement, he believed he had the strength to win it all.

"Begin!" Elder Ming's voice rang out, signaling the start.

Wei Rong wasted no time. His foot slammed into the platform, his body launching forward like a beast. His Qi flared violently, muscles coiled with explosive power as he executed Crimson Fang Strike—a technique that delivered a concussive force capable of breaking bones on impact.

Liu Feng remained composed.

At the last second, his body twisted like flowing water, his feet gliding in a perfect execution of Willow Step, a movement technique designed to redirect incoming force rather than resist it. Wei Rong's attack brushed past his ribs, missing by a hair's length, the force behind it cracking the air where he had just been.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Liu Feng countered instantly, his palm laced with condensed Qi, striking out with Iron Thread Palm, a technique that delivered piercing force through controlled bursts of energy. His attack landed squarely on Wei Rong's shoulder.

THUD!

Wei Rong staggered slightly, his Qi wavering, but his expression remained cold. He rolled his shoulder, adjusting, analyzing.

"He's not weak," Wei Rong thought, irritation flickering in his eyes.

Wei Rong's attacked faster. His movements became sharper, his strikes heavier, shifting from raw aggression to pure destruction. He drove Liu Feng back step by step, forcing him to continuously evade or block.

Liu Feng held his ground, responding with quick counterattacks. He wasn't trying to overwhelm Wei Rong—he knew that was a fools errand. He was testing him, adjusting, searching for weaknesses that he could exploit.

Wei Rong's irritation grew.

"You're tougher than the others," he admitted grudgingly, his Qi flaring aggressively, muscles tensing as he raised his power even further. "But you're still no match for me."

Liu Feng didn't waste breath responding. His body spoke for him.

Steady breathing. Balanced footwork. A perfect blend of defense but his endurance had its limits.

Wei Rong's superior cultivation and brute strength began to take their toll. Liu Feng's breaths became slightly heavier, his dodges just a fraction slower. A single moment of delay—a hesitation no longer than the blink of an eye—was all Wei Rong needed.

Seizing his chance, Wei Rong planted his foot firmly, drawing Qi into his core.

His fists surged with burning energy, the sheer force distorting the air around them as he executed Crimson Fang Breaker, a refined version of his earlier attack, designed to smash through defenses like glass.

Liu Feng hurriedly crossed his arms.

BOOM!

The impact exploded like a thunderclap, a shockwave rippling outward from the sheer force of the strike. Liu Feng skidded backward violently, his knees nearly buckling under the power of the blow. His arms trembled, his Qi circulation disrupted from absorbing the full brunt of Wei Rong's attack.

He dropped to one knee, panting.

Silence spread through the crowd.

Liu Feng lifted his head, eyes clear despite his exhaustion. His body was beaten, but his will remained intact. He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

Liu Feng tried to stand up, but fell back to one knee. He looked at Wei Rong "I surrender." Liu Feng said finally, voice calm despite his defeat.

Applause rippled through the crowd, though the outcome had not been unexpected. Wei Rong had won, but for the first time today, he hadn't done so effortlessly.

As he stepped down from the stage, his head remained high, his smirk present—but something had changed. The slight sheen of sweat on his forehead was noticeable. The match had taken longer than it should have.

And even in victory, a small shadow of uncertainty lurked behind his eyes.

Villagers began murmuring among themselves:

"Liu Feng did well, but Wei Rong is just too powerful right now."

"Yes, but it wasn't an easy win. Wei Rong might struggle if he faces a stronger opponent."

Across the square, Jin Ye watched silently, mentally noting Wei Rong's strengths and weaknesses. He knew clearly now that Wei Rong had indeed advanced significantly in cultivation, likely aided by rare pills given by Mayor Wei Tian. Still, Jin Ye felt no fear, only quiet determination and curiosity about how his own growing strength would match up.

Suddenly, Elder Ming's voice rang out, calling the next competitors. "Next match: Zhang Lei against Jin Ye!"

Excitement rippled through the crowd instantly. Zhang Lei was well-known for his disciplined fighting style and his solid foundation at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement. Villagers respected him greatly, seeing him as one of the few who might truly test Jin Ye's sudden rise.

 Zhang Lei stepped onto the stage with a composed demeanor, his gaze meeting Jin Ye's with respect.

"I've been looking forward to this match, Jin Ye," Zhang Lei said honestly, bowing politely. "Your growth has been impressive."

"Thank you," Jin Ye replied, bowing slightly in return. "I've also heard much about your strength. Let's have a good match."

Elder Ming raised his hand. "Begin!"

Unlike previous opponents who rushed in recklessly, Zhang Lei stood firm, his stance balanced and unwavering. His Qi circulated calmly, reinforcing his muscles as he settled into Iron Wave Stance, a defensive technique that absorbed impact like an unshakable stone.

Jin Ye mirrored this patience, slipping into Moonlit Phantom Steps, allowing his body to remain light and responsive. He watched Zhang Lei closely, observing every movement, searching for any patterns or weaknesses.

The first attack came from Zhang Lei.

His palm flashed with a gentle golden hue, executing Mountain-Crushing Palm, a technique that delivered forceful, weighty blows capable of wearing down an opponent over time. Jin Ye shifted swiftly, evading with a sharp pivot, his feet gliding smoothly across the stage.

The two began exchanging precise strikes—Jin Ye's Rising Fang Strike against Zhang Lei's Steady Flow Palm, each move carefully executed to test the other's defense without overcommitting.

Around them, villagers whispered eagerly:

"Look how evenly matched they are!"

"Zhang Lei isn't making mistakes like the others did. Jin Ye might finally have a real challenge."

The crowd leaned forward, realizing this was no one-sided match. Both fighters moved with intent, their techniques clashing with equal skill.

Jin Ye felt a thrill of excitement. This was the challenge he had been waiting for.

He studied Zhang Lei's movements carefully, noting the slight shift in his weight before every attack, the subtle openings in his stance when he transitioned between techniques.

"His balance is good, but not perfect. If I force him to adjust too quickly, I can break his rhythm."

Minutes passed as they continued exchanging attacks, both moving with precision rather than brute strength.

Jin Ye gradually increased the speed of his counterattacks, testing Zhang Lei's ability to adapt. His movements became more fluid, his Scorching Palm leaving faint heat trails in the air as he forced Zhang Lei to reposition.

Then, he saw it—a slight delay in Zhang Lei's footwork, an almost imperceptible hesitation when resetting his stance.

Jin Ye acted instantly.

As Zhang Lei launched another Mountain-Crushing Palm, Jin Ye stepped in at the last possible second, redirecting the force with Flowing River Deflection, a technique that dispersed impact rather than absorbing it.

Zhang Lei's attack missed its mark, his balance thrown slightly off.

Jin Ye struck.

His hand surged with controlled Qi, executing Scorching Palm—but instead of aiming for brute damage, he precisely targeted Zhang Lei's ribs, where his Qi circulation was weakest. The heat from the strike spread through Zhang Lei's meridians, disrupting his internal energy for a instant.

Zhang Lei staggered back, eyes widening slightly at the unexpected technique. His breathing faltered for a second before he quickly steadied himself—but the fight had already been decided.

He raised his hand, nodding with respect.

"I surrender. You've earned this victory, Jin Ye."

As Jin Ye stepped down from the stage, he felt that mysterious warmth surge through him again—clearer, stronger.

His Qi flow sharpened, his techniques felt more refined, and his reactions seemed just a bit faster than before.

"Each battle strengthens me. This isn't just training—it's evolution."

Jin Ye clenched his fist, feeling his power subtly but undeniably growing.

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, impressed by both fighters' skills.

"Did you see that? Jin Ye defeated Zhang Lei!" one villager exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes! He really is stronger than we ever thought possible!" another agreed enthusiastically.

Stepping down from the stage, Jin Ye felt proud. He knew clearly he'd grown stronger—not just because of cultivation. The strange energy inside him had grown again, helping him cultivate faster. It wasn't overwhelming, but Jin Ye clearly felt the difference.

From across the arena, Wei Rong watched silently, his earlier arrogance now mixed with concern. For the first time, doubt flickered more visibly in his eyes. Jin Ye's victory against Zhang Lei was clear proof of his rising strength, something Wei Rong could no longer ignore.

As the tournament moved forward, villagers eagerly anticipated the upcoming clash between Jin Ye and Wei Rong. Each victory had increased Jin Ye's confidence and strength, showing everyone clearly that he was no longer someone to overlook. The tension in the village grew, excitement building as everyone sensed the approaching confrontation.

Standing quietly at the arena's edge, Jin Ye knew clearly that his real challenge was just ahead. But he felt ready, calm, and confident. He had trained tirelessly, grown stronger through careful strategy and determination, and discovered a power uniquely his own.

Looking toward the future, Jin Ye smiled quietly. He had come far, and he was only just beginning.