Chapter 53: The Tournament of Shadows

“I simply overheard their plan and took advantage of it,” Sikong Lang said, staring at Mr. Yujing on the screen with his usual impassive expression, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking. “But deliberately throwing a match is even more stressful than I imagined. Still, was it really all right to let that woman go? She’s an important commodity that the guy on the wall is trafficking through your channels.”

Hearing Sikong Lang’s question, Yujing exhaled a cloud of smoke. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Compared to the grand performance that’s about to be held, Tears of Crystal is nothing more than a pebble by the river…”

“I’m relieved to hear you say that,” Sikong Lang continued, looking at Mr. Yujing on the screen. “There’s something I want to ask of you as the true client. In the upcoming martial arts tournament, I want to fight those two again. This time, I want a real fight!”

“Heh, that was my intention from the start. After all, those two are key fighters in this tournament!”

“…You’re really something… Slowly taking down Li Gang and then letting me fight those two—that’s your real goal this time, isn’t it?”

“You’re quite perceptive,” Yujing said, exhaling smoke again. “Tell me, what’s your impression of those two?”

“…The one called Qin Xiaochuan, the one who can fire spirit rounds… He grows stronger the longer he fights…”

“I see… To avoid leaving any evidence, the tournament will be held in two months… Oh, and do me a favor—take care of that disgusting guy upstairs as well.” With that, Yujing’s screen flickered into snow, signaling that the conversation was truly over.

“Yes!”

Fixing his gaze on Li Gang, who was leaning against the glass of the viewing platform, Sikong Lang leaped up and shattered the bulletproof glass—a barrier even sniper rifles couldn’t penetrate. His kick crushed Li Gang’s skull, ending the scoundrel’s evil life once and for all.

Time flew by. Three days later, back at school, Qin Xiaochuan and Zhang Yang, after rescuing the Snow Maiden, returned to their classes. After class, seeing Zhang Yang’s dejected figure, Qin Xiaochuan couldn’t help but feel gloomy himself. According to Xia Dan, the Snow Maiden had been returned to her clan by people from the Spirit Realm, and due to certain special circumstances, Zhang Yang might never see her again. Poor guy—his first love ended before it could even begin.

As for Feiyan, he didn’t say much about his little sister, the Snow Maiden. Upon her return, he merely remarked, “Don’t run off again.” Then he vanished. After going through so much to find his sister, he just left like that—truly in character for him. Thinking of this, Qin Xiaochuan lost interest in his lessons, slipped quietly out of the campus, and headed for the arcade not far from school.

As he reached the school gate and was about to turn the corner, a familiar figure suddenly blocked his path. “Hey… thanks for your help the other day.”

“You—what are you doing here?!” Qin Xiaochuan was stunned to see Sikong Lang appear before him. “Weren’t you already—?!” At that moment, Qin Xiaochuan felt his body start to tremble. What’s going on? Why is my body… Looking at his shaking hands, Qin Xiaochuan found it hard to believe.

“Come with me. I have something to discuss with you.”

With that, Sikong Lang led Qin Xiaochuan to an abandoned building. The developer had gone bankrupt, and the place had been deserted for a long time. On the ground floor, Sikong Lang turned to Qin Xiaochuan. “What happened at the villa was just an act, played for Li Gang’s benefit. As for the reason, there’s no need for you to know…”

Staring at Sikong Lang, Qin Xiaochuan forced himself to suppress his fear and feigned nonchalance. “…Cut the nonsense. Get to the point!”

“Heh, you seem pretty nervous,” Sikong Lang said, noting Qin Xiaochuan’s trembling body. “Let’s call this a confidential conversation between men. Tell me honestly, are you afraid of me?”

“Wh—what a joke!”

“Don’t pretend. Your instincts are afraid of me.” As Qin Xiaochuan refused to admit it, Sikong Lang began to remove his shirt, revealing his lean, sinewy torso. “Knowing the terror of your enemy is one way to become stronger. You’re strong, and you could become even stronger. That’s why I brought you here. Ha! Let me show you my true strength!” With a roar, Sikong Lang flexed, and his muscles seemed to come alive, rippling beneath his skin. “My power is muscle manipulation. I only used about twenty percent of my strength when we fought before. Now I’m using sixty percent. Want me to flatten this whole building in three minutes to show you?”

With that, Sikong Lang darted around Qin Xiaochuan, moving so quickly that the thick concrete pillars—which could withstand rifle fire—were shattered by his fists. In moments, every load-bearing pillar on the ground floor sported a clean, round hole where his fist had punched straight through. Then, in a blur, Sikong Lang suddenly appeared behind Qin Xiaochuan, moving far faster than he had in the arena. Clearly, Sikong Lang had not lied—everything in the arena had been an act.

Qin Xiaochuan was stunned by Sikong Lang’s sudden movement. Seeing the destroyed concrete pillars, he realized that he couldn’t withstand a single one of those blows. Terror gripped him so completely that he lost the courage to run, standing petrified and speechless.

“In two months, on a remote island deep in the Pacific, there will be a martial arts tournament,” Sikong Lang said, laying a hand on Qin Xiaochuan’s shoulder. “It’s called the Grand Dark Tournament, the most illustrious event in the dark world. Masters from around the world and monsters hiding among humans will all compete. The reason is simple: the immense prize money and the bloody nature of the competition are the biggest incentives.”

Glancing at Qin Xiaochuan’s profile, Sikong Lang saw sweat dripping from his face like rain, pooling on the floor. It was a wonder he could still stand. Without another word, Sikong Lang continued explaining the rules of the Dark Martial Arts Tournament. “It’s a team competition—five members per team. The winners advance to the next round, until only one team remains. You and your partner Zhang Yang have been designated as participants. If you try to run, I’ll kill you.” He patted Qin Xiaochuan’s shoulder. “If you want to survive, you’ll have to become stronger. I look forward to meeting a different you at the tournament!” With that, Sikong Lang picked up his shirt, slipped it on, and walked leisurely out of the building.

Only after Sikong Lang’s figure disappeared did Qin Xiaochuan’s trembling legs give out. He fell to his knees, hands braced on the ground. Just standing had taken all the strength he had left. Now, with the pressure gone, he collapsed, cold sweat dripping steadily to the floor, gradually forming a small puddle. All that filled his mind was a scathing reproach for his own weakness and a desperate desire to grow stronger. He was simply too weak—so weak he’d lost even the courage to fight. Damn it, damn it all…

As Sikong Lang left the abandoned building, he ran into two of Qin Xiaochuan’s acquaintances: White Shadow and Feiyan, who seemed to be looking for Qin Xiaochuan. Seeing these two monsters who remained among humans, Sikong Lang didn’t stop. “You two are also assigned to Qin Xiaochuan’s team for the tournament. As for the last member, you’ll have to find someone strong yourselves.” As he brushed past them, Sikong Lang turned to glance at White Shadow and Feiyan. “Once you choose to stand with the humans, you won’t be able to escape the fate that awaits.” With that, he strode away, his figure slowly fading from sight.

Watching Sikong Lang’s receding back, White Shadow asked Feiyan, “…Do we stand a chance?”

“Who knows!”

That night, Master Jinghai was drinking tea and watching television when he heard a noise outside the door. “Now that’s a rare guest. What brings you here?”

“I want to become stronger—truly stronger.” Qin Xiaochuan entered, knelt before Master Jinghai, and said earnestly, “I want to become stronger in these two months, Master.”

Hearing this, Master Jinghai took a sip of tea, his eyes turning stern. “This time, I won’t go easy on you!”

The venue for the Dark Martial Arts Tournament was an isolated island in the Pacific called Death’s Fairy Isle. This lonely island had long ago been purchased by the dark organization as a battleground for the tournament, which was held every five years. Masters of martial arts, spirit wielders, and monsters hidden among humans from all over the world would form teams of five to compete in this unprecedented tournament.

As for the reason, Sikong Lang had already told them. For human competitors, in addition to astronomical prize money, the champion would be granted a wish—any wish, which the dark organization would use its power to fulfill. For monsters, the tournament was brutal and bloody, fulfilling desires they could never indulge among humans—not to mention the chance to devour their opponents on the field. It was a win-win proposition.

Once designated as participants, Qin Xiaochuan, Zhang Yang, White Shadow, and Feiyan could not withdraw. If they tried, the dark organization would use its global reach to erase them and everyone they cared about from the world. For the sake of their loved ones, they could not give up. To survive, they had to win after entering the tournament! This was the destiny that awaited them.