Zhu Rhee sat on one of the seats that lined the outskirts of the Eight Oaths Resolve School’s Central Training Arena. Located in the northern chamber of the school, the Central Training Arena was constructed during the school’s founding over two hundred years ago.

  The tiled, circular platform used for combat was wide enough to hold over a hundred combatants. The clear sky loomed overhead—there was no roof by design. Rows of chairs were organized neatly along the arena’s walls, enough to seat the entire school’s population. But currently, only the school’s masters and the tournament team were present.

  Hou Lei sat to Rhee’s right and Wan Bo to her left. They were positioned on the northern side of the combat platform, granting them the best view of the soon-to-begin selection process. Somewhere nearby, Rhee knew her parents were watching too. The only faculty member not seated was her grandfather and the grand master of the martial school, Zhu Yusheng, who stood beside the elevated platform. It would be up to him to determine when this contest of martial prowess began.

  Rhee scanned the throng of disciples assembled on the platform, searching for Ro Ishin. She hadn’t seen him since their hunting expedition into the Howling Scape Forest, and she hoped he’d used the last two weeks to prepare.

  “He’s here, right?” she whispered to Hou Lei.

  Her friend flashed a wide, toothy grin. “He’s definitely here!” Rhee wished Hou Lei were capable of whispering.

  “We walked over together.”

  “You’re inquiring about Disciple Ro Ishin?” Wan Bo asked. Of the three team members, he was the only one who had yet to interact with the school’s newest disciple. He had the lean, muscular build of a fighter and stood a few inches shorter than Hou Lei. Black, coarse hair hung down to his shoulders. Most notably, his hands were the same size as Hou Lei’s, despite their height difference. Mocked for them in his youth, Wan Bo had long since learned to use his large hands to augment his unique fighting style.

  “She is,” Hou Lei confirmed enthusiastically.

  Wan Bo lifted an inquisitive brow in Rhee’s direction.

  Rhee ignored the unspoken question. “Good. Did he manage to reach the third layer?”

  Much to her disappointment, Hou Lei shook his head. “No, he did not.”

  “That’s unfortunate.” But then she noticed Hou Lei still wearing that eager expression. “You’re not telling me something, are you?”

  “He didn’t reach the third layer... but he came very close.”

  This time, Wan Bo asked, “How close?”

  Hou Lei’s grin somehow grew wider. “Close enough that if he had another week, he would’ve broken through!”

  Rhee blinked in surprise. She remembered seeing his cultivation back in the Howling Scape Forest—Ro Ishin’s second layer had appeared thin, a clear sign that it had just formed. How did he manage to gather so much qi in just two weeks?

  The answer came to her quickly. Alchemic pills!

  “You seem confident in him,” Wan Bo remarked.

  Crossing his arms, Hou Lei laughed. “Because I think he’ll win.”

  “Unlikely. If I recall, Disciple Ro Ishin only knows one technique, and it’s been restricted for this process.”

  That’s not true anymore.

  Rhee had followed up with Master Guoqiang last week after her grandfather had finally granted her a reprieve. She’d confirmed that the master had upheld his end of the agreement made in the Howling Scape Forest. In that same conversation, Master Guoqiang had also told her about how he’d helped Ro Ishin sell the thunder horned wolf carcass.

  He must have used the proceeds to purchase cultivation resources. And now that he has a technique he can actually use... he might stand a chance.

  Hou Lei just grinned, keeping Ro Ishin’s new technique a secret.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Wan Bo considered Hou Lei’s confidence. “Shall we make a wager then?”

  Hou Lei’s eyes widened with excitement. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”

  Wan Bo withdrew a pair of silver taels from inside his robe. “I wager two silver taels that either Disciples Nie Hai or Ouyang Xue will win.” He tossed the coins up and caught them. Rhee could hear the sound of the metal clinking together.

  “Two silver taels?” Hou Lei pulled out his coin pouch and retrieved three silver taels. “I raise you one!”

  Wan Bo’s eyes twitched. “You really want to gamble three silver on this?”

  Hou Lei’s grin was manic. “Are you afraid?”

  “I’m not reckless.”

  “Three silver,” Rhee interjected calmly. “Take it or leave it, Bo.”

  Wan Bo’s lips twisted in contemplation. “Fine. Three it is.”

  Hou Lei clenched his fist in victory while Rhee heard Wan Bo mutter something about being overconfident. Reflecting on the bet herself, Rhee wasn’t sure if she would’ve risked two silver taels—let alone three—on Ro Ishin’s victory. Disciples Nie Hai and Ouyang Xue were widely considered the strongest candidates for a reason. Even with a new technique, Rhee didn’t know if Ishin could overcome them.

  *                    *               *

  There sure are a lot of disciples, Ro Ishin thought, studying the forty-three others gathered on the combat platform. Not knowing anyone, and lacking notable cultivation, he stood alone on the southern side of the platform, his spear resting against his shoulder. Like every other weapon brought for the selection, his spear had been blunted to reduce the chance of fatal injuries. Ishin was surprised to find this practice extended beyond the Daihu Tribe’s Martial Hall. Maybe this precaution was shared between regions long ago.

  Most of these people are at the second layer. Thanks to continued practice with his third eye, Ishin had become adept at assessing the strength of others. Even in such a crowded space, the myriad colors no longer overwhelmed his spiritual senses. Now, it was like glancing into the sun—unpleasant, but manageable.

  Those two though... they could be a problem.

  Standing toward the western edge of the platform were two disciples that the others seemed to avoid. One was a girl with twin pigtails, appearing about Ishin’s age. The other was a tall, slender man with waist-length hair tied in a ponytail, a heavy iron hammer at his side. Their expressions were calm and unconcerned—confidence likely earned by reaching the third layer.

  “That’s Disciples Nie Hai and Ouyang Xue!” one disciple exclaimed.

  “They’re so powerful. I bet they’re close to reaching the fourth layer like Disciples Zhu Rhee and Wan Bo.”

  “We can’t possibly win if they’re here.”

  “Yes we can! We just need to attack them first! They can’t beat all of us if we attack at once!”

  “What about Disciple Long Coi?”

  At the mention of that name, Ishin followed the speaker’s gaze and spotted a bald disciple who looked nearly twenty. He’s also at the third layer.

  Physician Hui had told him that a dozen of the participants would be at the third layer, so Ishin had kept watch. Including Disciple Long Coi, he’d only counted three.

  It’s possible there are more I haven’t seen… but still. Shouldn’t there be more?

  Ultimately, it didn’t matter. Whether three or a dozen, Ishin would defeat them all.

  A growl of approval rumbled from within. For once, Ishin didn’t try to suppress it.

  “Attention, disciples!” came a loud, commanding voice from the northern side of the platform. Conversations immediately ceased as every head turned toward the speaker.

  Ishin barely caught sight of him—an elderly man who appeared to be in his fifties, with a finely trimmed grey beard and long silver hair cascading down his back. From what Hou Lei had told him, this was Zhu Yusheng, Grand Master of the Eight Oaths Resolve School—and Zhu Rhee’s grandfather.

  “I applaud your ambition for seeking to represent our school in this year’s Exhibition Tournament,” the Grand Master said at a normal volume, yet his voice carried across the entire arena. “All true cultivators must prove themselves as they walk their Immortal Path. By standing here today, you have taken an important first step.”

  A knowing smile touched the Grand Master’s lips. “That said, there is only one position available. Only one of you will have the honor of joining this year’s team. To that end,” he extended his hand toward the row of seated observers, “this year’s Team Captain will explain how you can earn that coveted position.”

  There was a short silence before a familiar voice rang out—Zhu Rhee’s.

  “If you wish to join our team, you must prove your martial talent! Defeat all other competitors, and the position is yours!” A pause followed. “Those who become incapacitated or are knocked off the platform will be eliminated. Killing or crippling your fellow disciples is forbidden. If this happens, the offender will be disqualified and severely punished, as per school regulations. Physician Hui is present to provide any necessary aid.”

  At least this won’t be a bloodbath. Still, Ishin knew how easily accidents could happen once the fighting began. He glanced at the eager, inexperienced faces surrounding him. I wonder how many of them have ever experienced a real fight outside of training?

  “With that said,” Zhu Rhee announced, “begin!”

  What?