Through the preparation chamber's window, Tae-Won watched the other semi-final match unfold. Su Yifan, who should have been this year's champion according to his past life's memories, faced an opponent that made his cultivation senses tingle with unease – Chen Feng of the Ancient Sword Sect.
Elder Ming stepped into the preparation chamber, his ancient eyes fixed on the match below. "Strange," he muttered. "The Ancient Sword Sect has always focused purely on cultivation and martial arts. They've never involved themselves in sect politics... and yet..."
Tae-Won understood the elder's confusion. In his past life, he had investigated every major sect thoroughly. The Ancient Sword Sect had produced strong cultivators, certainly, but never exceptional talents that drew attention. They were known for their steady, orthodox approach to cultivation – nothing more.
"Young Lord Su has reached mid Body Refinement Realm," murmured a nearby disciple. "They say he achieved Steel Bone stage just last week."
The match began, and Su Yifan immediately showed why he was destined to be champion. His Rushing River Sword technique filled the arena with flowing sword qi, each strike carrying the momentum of a mountain stream. The sword qi painted azure trails through the air, forming patterns that seemed to follow the ancient laws of water itself.
But Chen Feng moved like he was reading a script written in the future. Each dodge was minimal, each parry precise. His movements held an ancient quality that seemed impossible for someone allegedly at the same realm as Su Yifan. The pressure he exerted... it felt like facing a Warrior Realm cultivator.
"Where did the Ancient Sword Sect find such a disciple?" Elder Ming's brow furrowed. "The way he moves... this boy is a prodigy beyond measure."
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But Tae-Won barely heard the elder's words. There was something else, something that made his skin crawl. A familiar qi that seemed to seep through the cracks of Chen Feng's perfect control. How could no one else sense it? That subtle, oppressive aura that spoke of darker arts...
[System Notice: Combat Analysis
- Warning: Opponent's strength exceeds stated cultivation level
- Caution: Unknown energy signature detected]
When Chen Feng finally countered, the shift was subtle but devastating. His sword qi didn't clash with Su Yifan's water-attribute energy – it sliced through it like a butcher's knife through silk. For just a moment, Tae-Won caught it – a flash of something sinister beneath the orthodox sword techniques. Something demonic.
Su Yifan's famous technique began to fragment. Not all at once, but piece by piece, like a puzzle being methodically dismantled. The platform shook with the force of their exchange, spirit stones in the barrier array cracking under the pressure.
When Su Yifan unleashed his ultimate movement – the Thousand Rivers Convergence – Chen Feng's response was a single strike that cut through the technique with terrifying precision. The sword movement was familiar to Tae-Won, hauntingly so.
The platform fell silent as Su Yifan's sword clattered to the ground, its owner unconscious but having proved worthy of his reputation. Medical disciples rushed forward as Chen Feng calmly sheathed his blade, his expression unchanging.
Perhaps it was the System enhancing his senses, Tae-Won thought, that allowed him to feel what others couldn't. That distinctive energy signature that spoke of forbidden techniques and blood-soaked ceremonies. He had felt it once before, in another life, in a place where screams echoed through dark halls...
Ten minutes later, Tae-Won stood on the arena platform. As Chen Feng approached, that carefully hidden demonic qi grew stronger. Their eyes met, and in that moment, all pretense fell away. Tae-Won saw past the perfect disguise, past the facade of the orthodox sect disciple, to the truth beneath.
[System Notice: Critical Pattern Recognition
- Demonic Cultivation Base detected
- Warning: Identity confirmed
- Caution: 4th Young Lord of the Heavenly Demonic Cult present]
"Cheon Ma-Ryong..."