Heaven - Sundered Path

Scene 1 — Opening Ceremony: Arena of Thorns

The Arena of Thorns was an ancient structure carved into the side of Crimson Lotus Peak, shaped like a celestial lotus in bloom. Floating stone platforms hovered above a glowing formation array, casting warm light across the crowd.

Over two thousand disciples had gathered. From inner sect seniors to outer observers, anticipation rippled like wind through tall grass.

Banners fluttered.

Elder Hai Chen stepped into the air, robes flaring with spiritual might.

"By decree of the Cloudveil Sect Master, the Grand Inner Sect Tournament begins today."

"Let Dao determine fate!"

Tournament Format

64 disciples, selected by merit and challenge tokens.

Single-elimination matches on floating platforms.

Cultivation is restricted to Foundation Establishment stage and below using seal suppressions (to even odds).

Victory by ring-out, surrender, or unconsciousness.

Scene 2 — Arrival of the Outsider

As the first matches were announced, a hush swept the spectators.

A new participant was stepping onto the platform.

She wore ashen robes, a long white ribbon trailing from her waist. Her sword was sealed in a bone-white scabbard. A crimson blindfold wrapped across her eyes, and a crescent-shaped jade badge glittered on her chest.

"Who is that?"

"She's not from the Inner Sect…"

"I've never seen her before."

Name: Yan Qiruo

Background: Claimed affiliation with a distant sect called Crimson Mist Valley, but her entry was allowed via an ancient token issued by the Sect Master himself.

She walked to Platform Fourteen and waited in silence.

"She doesn't even see. Is this a joke?"

Until her opponent stepped forward.

Five seconds later, he lay face-first in stone dust.

She hadn't even unsheathed her blade.

"...Not blind," whispered one elder. "She sees too much."

Scene 3 — Lin Xun's First Match

Platform Eleven.

Lin Xun stepped into the light, face calm, robes simple, sword strapped diagonally across his back.

His opponent: Wei Lian, a wind-root sword cultivator. Mid-Foundation Establishment. Elegant footwork, a favorite among female disciples.

"You should surrender," Wei Lian said. "You look unwell."

"I am unwell," Lin Xun replied. "But not unarmed."

The duel began.

Wei Lian blurred forward, drawing Seven Mist Steps — leaving afterimages behind him. His sword shimmered like wind made solid.

But Lin Xun didn't move. Not until the very last moment.

Boom!

He vanished — and reappeared five feet to the left.

Void Step.

Wei Lian's blade struck empty air. The wind cracked, and Lin Xun's palm met his chest like thunder.

A ripple of fire exploded outward.

Crimson Bone Pulse — First Gate: Heartstrike.

Wei Lian flew backward across the arena, crashing into the barrier. He dropped his sword, breathless.

Silence.

"Winner — Lin Xun!"

🌪️ Scene 4 — Reactions

The stands were abuzz:

"What was that movement?"

"Was that... Void energy? That's forbidden territory!"

In the judges' pavilion, Elder Hai Chen sipped his tea, unbothered.

But the Sect Master, hidden behind a screen of spirit mist, said softly:

"Xu Tianheng's shadow grows longer."

Scene 5 — After the Match

Lin Xun returned to the waiting platform. Disciples gave him a wide berth now. Even those who had mocked him were silent.

Then he felt it — a presence. Subtle, quiet, like moonlight in a storm.

He turned.

Yan Qiruo stood beside him, head tilted slightly.

"Your movements distort the seam between worlds," she said softly. "Do you remember who you were?"

"Do you?" he replied.

She smiled faintly. "Not yet. But the heavens do."

And just like that, she was gone.

Scene 6 — Night Visions

That night, Lin Xun sat cross-legged in the caverns of Silent Peak, breathing slowly.

Qi spiraled around him, glowing faintly crimson-gold.

His meridians were pulsing in tune with the pendant.

His core was half-formed, molten like magma, dancing in rhythm with his breath.

Suddenly, the pendant flared.

Vision.

He stood on a battlefield strewn with corpses. Thousands of celestial soldiers marched in silence. And on a throne of shattered jade sat…

Himself.

Or rather, Xu Tianheng, in his prime.

"The day will come when even immortals kneel," the vision whispered.

Lin Xun opened his eyes. Sweat dripped down his back.

He grinned.

"But first… round two."