NOVEL NEXT Chapter 99: First match of final round
The morning sky shimmered with pale light, but Li Ming barely noticed. His focus was on the Sky Arena ahead, where the final rounds of the Grand Sect Tournament would begin.
Bai Guo landed on his shoulder, feathers bristling. "Descendant, are you ready? Remember, this isn't practice. This is where the sect earns its reputation."
Li Ming's hand tightened around his sword. The Core Formation in his dantian pulsed steadily. First level — it wasn't much yet, but every strike now carried real weight, real energy. Years of Foundation Building had led to this.
Lan Yue arrived beside him, her blade gleaming in the sunlight. "Stay focused, Li Ming. Even in a team, one misstep can cost the match — or worse."
Li Ming smirked. "Don't worry. I've learned a thing or two about missteps… mostly how to avoid exploding myself."
Bai Guo snorted. "Mostly? That's generous."
---
Wu Jian appeared next, fire barely flickering around his arms. "Li Ming," he said coldly. "Try not to overshadow me."
Li Ming raised an eyebrow. "You're still at fourth level of Foundation Building. Try keeping up first."
Wu Jian scowled but didn't reply, only flexing his fingers. Rivalry tempered by duty — they both knew that for the sect's honor, they must fight together.
Xue Yan bounced over, her energy flickering like sparks. "Let's make this fun! And by fun, I mean I'm going to embarrass everyone with my amazing skills!"
Li Ming groaned. "One of these days, your experiments are going to explode before the battle even starts."
She winked. "Maybe, but it'll be a beautiful explosion."
---
The disciples of Azure Sky Sect formed neat rows. Elders floated above, their auras glowing like protective shields.
The Sect Master's voice rang out.
"The final rounds of the Grand Sect Tournament will begin shortly. Azure Sky Sect's team: Li Ming, Lan Yue, Wu Jian, Bai Guo, and Xue Yan."
Li Ming felt his pulse quicken. This wasn't just another trial — it was the culmination of every fight, every breakthrough, every chaotic moment.
Bai Guo flapped his wings dramatically. "You get to show what Core Formation can do. Try not to fry yourself—or everyone else."
Li Ming grinned faintly, letting his dantian pulse with golden energy. "I'll try."
---
The path to the Sky Arena was lined with cheering spectators. Qi rippled like heat waves, every disciple radiating tension and excitement.
Lan Yue walked beside Li Ming. "Coordination matters more than raw power. Don't get careless."
Li Ming nodded. First level of Core Formation meant he could now push his energy into attacks, not just shield himself. Control mattered more than display.
Wu Jian's gaze swept over the crowd. "I don't care about coordination. I care about winning."
Li Ming snorted. "Figures. You've always been a bit single-minded."
Wu Jian smirked faintly. "And you've always been flashy. Let's see if Core Formation makes a difference."
---
They arrived at the arena. The roar of thousands of disciples hit them like a storm. The final round was about to begin — 180 sects, five fighters each.
Li Ming flexed his hands, energy coursing like molten lightning through his veins. Eight levels of Foundation Building had set the foundation, but Core Formation — even the first level — allowed him to unleash concentrated power.
Bai Guo perched on his shoulder. "Descendant… show them what Core Formation looks like. Don't get squashed."
Li Ming's lips curved into a faint grin. "I've got this."
Lan Yue's voice echoed beside him. "Let's move, team. The arena awaits."
With a nod, the Azure Sky Sect team stepped into the arena.
It was finally time.
---
The arena trembled as the first opponents from another sect appeared, five cultivators radiating Qi like molten metal. The crowd's cheers rose to a deafening roar.
Li Ming felt his Core Formation pulse, golden energy swirling around him. Eight levels of Foundation Building had prepared him, but now he could focus that energy into precision strikes.
"Stay close, team," Lan Yue called, sword flashing in silver light.
Wu Jian's fists flared with fire. "Don't get in my way, lightning brat."
Li Ming rolled his eyes but focused. The battle had begun.
---
The enemy rushed forward, a blur of blades and spears. Li Ming dashed forward, golden Qi crackling around his hands. Each strike was sharp, controlled, cutting through the air with a satisfying snap.
Then Bai Guo jumped into action. In human form, he spun through the air with acrobatic grace, summoning bursts of feathered energy that struck multiple enemies at once.
"Descendant… watch and learn!" Bai Guo shouted, wings flaring like storm clouds.
Li Ming blinked as Bai Guo unleashed a torrent of slashes, flipping over one enemy and sending another tumbling across the arena. His golden aura mixed with Bai Guo's feathered strikes, creating dazzling arcs of light.
Even Wu Jian raised an eyebrow. "Not bad for a chicken."
"Hey!" Bai Guo flapped indignantly. "Human form counts as upgraded!"
---
Xue Yan, laughing, leapt beside Li Ming, her Qi forming small spirals that disrupted the enemy's formation. "Don't mind me, just making everything more fun!" She kicked a cultivator into the air, spinning gracefully to dodge a fireball.
Li Ming focused his Core Formation. He drew his sword, letting golden energy pour along the blade. With a shout, he struck the ground — and a wave of concentrated Qi shot forward like lightning, sending enemies sprawling.
"Impressive!" Bai Guo called. "But now, let me steal the spotlight!"
With a dramatic leap, Bai Guo expanded his wings fully. Feathers glowed with a golden-blue hue, each one sharp as a blade. He charged through the remaining enemy, cutting through their Qi barriers effortlessly.
Even the spectators gasped. "That… that's Bai Guo?!"
Li Ming grinned. "Looks like the chicken's finally showing off."
Bai Guo landed elegantly on the arena floor, arms crossed. "Took me long enough. You humans get all the glory, but I've been holding back!"
---
The enemy leader, seeing his team dismantled, shouted in fury and charged. Bai Guo didn't hesitate — he flapped into the air, intercepting the leader mid-flight.
Golden energy feathers spun around him, creating a barrier of light that pushed the enemy back. With a flick of his wrist, Bai Guo sent the leader tumbling, landing in a perfect spin.
Li Ming dashed forward, sword gleaming. With Core Formation fully focused, he added a concentrated strike that knocked the leader to the ground, Qi flaring violently around him.
The crowd erupted in applause. "Azure Sky Sect dominates!"
Lan Yue and Xue Yan moved swiftly, finishing off the remaining opponents with synchronized precision. The battlefield cleared, leaving only the Azure Sky team standing tall.
Bai Guo puffed out his chest. "And that, my descendant, is how you shine!"
Li Ming laughed, feeling the Core Formation energy solid in his chest. "I think… we all shined a little."
Wu Jian smirked reluctantly. "Hmph. Not bad. Even you, chicken."
Bai Guo flapped his wings proudly. "Human form counts twice!"
---
As the team regrouped, Li Ming felt a surge of satisfaction. Eight levels of Foundation Building, now strengthened with Core Formation… he had truly stepped into a new stage of cultivation.
But just as the crowd's cheers echoed, the Sect Master's voice rang across the arena.
"This was only the first round of the finals. The next round… will test your limits even further. Prepare yourselves!"
Li Ming clenched his sword, golden energy rippling. Beside him, Bai Guo ruffled his wings and smirked. "Descendant… next round? Let's really make them remember Azure Sky Sect."
The sun glinted off his blade, Qi crackling around his arms. This was only the beginning, and Li Ming knew: the Grand Sect Tournament was far from over.
To be continued...