Chapter 90: Match Day
Dawn broke over Oakwood City like a blade unsheathed—slow, deliberate, inevitable.
The first rays of sunlight crept across tiled rooftops and cobbled streets, painting the world in shades of gold and amber. But today, that golden light felt different—sharper, brighter, as if even the heavens knew what was about to unfold.
Today was the day.
Throughout the city, people stirred earlier than usual. Shopkeepers opened their doors to find customers already waiting. Cultivators who normally trained in solitude found themselves drawn toward the city center as if pulled by invisible strings. Even children seemed to sense the tension crackling through the air, their usual morning chatter replaced by wide-eyed curiosity and hushed whispers.
The match between Su Tianhao and Su Jian—the duel that had consumed every conversation, every tavern debate, every whispered speculation for the past three days—was finally about to begin.
Deep within the Ye family estate, a hooded figure sat alone in a darkened room, fingers drumming a steady rhythm against the armrest of his chair. 'Soon,' Ye Wenjie thought, a cruel smile hidden beneath his hood. 'Very soon.'
And in the heart of the Su family estate, two young men opened their eyes at the exact same moment—one beneath a massive peach tree surrounded by scattered blossoms, the other beneath an ancient oak that had stood sentinel for decades.
Both had broken through last night.
Both were ready.
The stage was set.
---
Su Jian stood before a full-length mirror, adjusting his pristine white robes with meticulous care—the formal attire of the Su family's rightful heir, embroidered with silver thread that caught the morning light. Chin raised, shoulders squared. Every movement spoke of practiced perfection.
Xie Ling stood behind him in elegant green robes, expression unreadable. Her hands were folded before her, posture perfect—but her eyes carried depths he never bothered to notice.
"Let's go," Su Jian said after a final adjustment to his collar, a warm smile spreading across his features as he glanced at Xie Ling's reflection. She knew better than to fall for it. She'd learned to read the calculation behind that smile.
"Yes, Young Master."
With that, they set off toward the arena.
As they walked through the disciples' quarters, their appearance stirred excitement like a stone dropped into still water.
"Look, it's Young Master Su Jian!"
Disciples turned in their direction like a school of fish moving in unison, faces filled with admiration as they watched him pass—each stride deliberate, commanding attention without effort. Whispers broke out immediately.
"The Young Master looks confident. Do you think he'll win?"
"If he wins, Su Tianhao will have no choice but to honor his bet and leave the Su family!"
"That's the way to the arena! Quick, let's find a good spot!"
They followed like a swarm of bees after honey, excitement and chatter filling the morning air. Su Jian and Xie Ling led the procession—their figures growing distant as the crowd trailed behind them like a comet's tail.
Xie Ling walked three steps behind, eyes fixed on his back, expression unchanged.
Her thoughts remained entirely her own.
---
Meanwhile, Su Tianhao emerged from his residence having washed away the black impurities expelled from his body after breaking through to the 4th level Martial Disciple Realm the previous night.
He wore his signature azure robes, hair tied in a long ponytail flowing down his back like dark silk. Sword-like brows framed golden eyes that seemed to pierce through illusions. Shadowfang hung sheathed at his waist, its surface catching the morning sunlight.
"Let's just get this over with," he said nonchalantly.
Not arrogance. Perspective.
After reaching the 4th level Martial Disciple Realm, his base strength had soared to ten thousand pounds—equivalent to a 9th level Martial Disciple. Even without the Raging Dragon Fist or the Shadow-Splitting Flash, he was already this strong. With both techniques at his disposal, he was effectively invincible below the Martial Adept Realm.
He walked toward the arena with hands clasped behind his back, golden eyes completely indifferent to his surroundings—not like someone heading to a match that could decide his fate, but like someone taking a leisurely stroll through a garden.
Unhurried. Unworried. Untouchable.
As he passed through the disciples' quarters, something felt amiss.
"Where is everyone?"
His voice echoed across the unusual silence. Empty courtyards. Abandoned training dummies. Not a single soul.
"They've already left for the arena," Su Tianhao said with raised eyebrows, a wry smile crossing his features. "...Looks like I'm going to be late."
He wasn't in any hurry.
The so-called arena was the family's main training platform—the same sacred ground where every young disciple had awakened their talents during the talent testing ceremony one year ago.
This very platform had borne witness to Su Tianhao's fall from grace. His zero talent reading. The moment genius became trash in a single heartbeat.
Now it would witness his inevitable rise.
---
The arena was already full.
Even more crowded than the talent testing ceremony. Adjacent to the main platform stood a massive viewing gallery—at least twice the size prepared for that day—yet every seat, every standing space, every vantage point was already packed.
Teenagers jostled for better views. Youths discussed betting odds in hushed voices. Merchants calculated potential opportunities. Even elderly cultivators who rarely left their homes had emerged for this.
On the highest viewing platform, the Su family's upper echelons had assembled. Except for the mysterious Grand Elder Su Guangye, every elder was present—a rare gathering that spoke volumes.
Beside them, the young prodigies had gathered as well—the talented few who had earned their place as candidates for the upcoming Qingyun Sect examination.
Independent cultivators, merchants, and common citizens filled every remaining space. The air buzzed with barely-contained excitement.
---
Su Tianhao stood at the entrance, golden eyes moving across the sea of people gathered like iron filings drawn to a magnet. The dull roar of countless voices—excited, anxious, expectant—blended into a single thunderous hum.
'What the hell?' he thought, genuine surprise flickering through his usually composed mind.
He had expected an audience.
Not this.
What should have been a family matter had become a public spectacle that had drawn what looked like half of Oakwood City. Cultivators from rival clans sizing each other up. Merchants hoping to curry favor with whichever side emerged victorious. Wandering cultivators seeking entertainment and perhaps inspiration. Common citizens who simply wanted to witness history.
All of them here for one reason.
To see which dragon would rise—and which would fall.
Su Tianhao's lips curved into a faint smile as he took in the massive gathering—thousands of eyes, palpable tension saturating the air.
"Let them watch," he murmured, his voice carrying quiet confidence that needed no audience to validate it.
----
In one of the frontal seats of the viewing platform—designated specifically for the Su family's most outstanding disciples—a young woman sat in complete silence, her expression indifferent and detached from everything around her.
Strikingly beautiful, dressed in elegant pale blue robes that matched her piercing blue eyes. But despite her beauty, no one sat beside or even near her. Her cold aura created its own invisible barrier—a space no one dared breach.
Su Ruxue. Fourth Elder Su Yuntian's only daughter.
Although no one approached her, there were a few who would dare.
"Ruxue!"
A voice cut through the ambient noise like a blade.
Su Ruxue turned, her blue eyes narrowing as she spotted the figure approaching with a small smile on his lips.
Su Lei. Silver hair catching the morning light, sword strapped at his waist. His entire presence was sharp and refined—the unmistakable aura of a swordsman who had found his path.
"You broke through?" Surprise flickered in her usually indifferent gaze. From his aura alone, she immediately sensed he was now a 5th level Martial Disciple.
'How did he break through so fast?' she cried inwardly.
She had spent the entire past month in intensive cultivation, fed with precious resources in preparation for the Qingyun Sect examination—and had only managed to climb from the 2nd level to the 4th.
Su Lei smiled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "You reached the 4th level. If you can break through, why can't I?"
"It's not that," Su Ruxue shook her head with a slight frown. "The further one advances, the harder breakthroughs become. I was just..."
"Surprised?" Su Lei interrupted with a knowing grin.
She nodded. "How did you do it?"
"Tsk tsk." He clicked his tongue, feigning annoyance. "We haven't seen each other in months, yet you didn't even greet me before asking about cultivation?"
"You speak as if we're friends."
Su Lei smiled wryly—then sat right beside her without invitation.
"Who do you think will win today?" he asked, eyes gleaming.
"Useless to speculate. Only time will tell," Su Ruxue said flatly, not sparing him a glance.
"I think Su Jian doesn't stand a chance," Su Lei declared with complete confidence—as if that were the only conceivable result.
The Su family disciples in the surrounding area caught every word. What they heard shocked them.
"Su Lei thinks Su Tianhao will win? How is he so confident?"
"As Su Ruxue said—only time will tell."
"To think Su Lei's strength is already comparable to Young Master Su Jian... truly unbelievable." From this disciple's words, it was clear the crowd had yet to discover Su Jian's most recent breakthrough.
---
Elsewhere on the platform—another section reserved for outstanding disciples—two young men sat side by side with bittersweet smiles.
One had flowing black hair falling down his back like a waterfall, handsome features carrying a natural aura of nobility. Beside him sat a tall young man with an ordinary appearance that belied his capabilities.
Su Ji and Su Gang. Famously close friends within the clan, sharing similar strengths, talents, and ambitions—and the uncomfortable awareness that they were being left behind.
"I honestly thought I was doing well expecting to reach the 3rd level by next week," Su Ji said with a bitter smile. "But this—"
"Su Ruxue awakened the same four-star talent as both of us, yet she's already at the 4th level!" Su Gang said with obvious displeasure.
"And Su Lei's the bigger surprise. I haven't seen him for some time, and now..." Su Ji trailed off, frustration evident in his tone.
He had fought Su Lei once—and lost. He had sworn to defeat him one day. But Su Lei was becoming more and more like an unconquerable mountain growing taller with each passing moment.
"I wonder how strong Su Tianhao actually is now," Su Ji said quietly. "Who would have thought the dismissed trash would one day grow into someone the entire city talks about?"
"No one," Su Gang said with a heavy sigh. "He was a diamond in the rough the entire time, waiting to show his glory to the world."
---
On the highest platform, Su Huiqing sat upon a throne-like seat, brown eyes gazing down on the crowd like an emperor surveying his domain.
"Third Elder, you've done well fostering your disciple," said Su Qingfeng—First Elder of the Su family, his hand trailing down his long white beard.
"Don't flatter me. Su Lei achieved this through his own talent and determination," Su Minghe said with a small smile. Despite the humble words, his chest swelled noticeably with pride.
"Hahaha, no need to be too humble." Su Qingfeng turned to the elegantly dressed woman seated nearby. "Fourth Elder, your daughter is equally impressive."
Su Yuntian smiled faintly—breaking her usual coldness just for a moment. "You really are full of praises, First Elder."
Su Qingfeng turned to Su Huiqing. "Patriarch, who do you think will win?"
"I wouldn't want to speculate on who will win in a fair match between both of my sons," Su Huiqing said firmly.
Su Qingfeng nodded, then turned his gaze to Su Yuan—seated calmly in white robes that fluttered around him like clouds, his scholarly presence radiating the quiet wisdom of decades.
"What do you think, Fifth Elder?"
Su Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, expression serene. "The victor will be determined by more than strength or talent. Strategy, mental fortitude, and adaptability all play crucial roles. Both have their strengths—impossible to predict without seeing them clash."
Hmph.
A sharp snort cut through the pleasant atmosphere like a knife. Su Liang—Second Elder of the Su family and Su Jian's biological uncle—regarded Su Yuan with barely concealed disdain.
"Why can't you just give a straight answer? You obviously favor Su Tianhao. Don't pretend to be neutral."
"Enough!" Su Huiqing snapped, his crimson robes flaring as spiritual pressure briefly leaked from his form. "Both Su Jian and Su Tianhao are sons of the Su family. Don't speak as if this is some family crisis!"
The rebuke hung in the air like a thunderclap.
---
Just then, a figure leaped onto the main arena—landing with a small shockwave that rippled across the platform.
A muscular middle-aged man with short brown hair and piercing blue eyes. His aura raged like a roaring furnace—powerful yet controlled.
Master Huan. The high-grade Mortal rank craftsman who had gifted Su Tianhao Shadowfang—the most outstanding weapon craftsman in the Su family and one of the best in the entire city.
The crowd brightened immediately with recognition.
"My name is Su Huan—I believe no further introduction is necessary. I will be today's referee," Master Huan announced, his voice carrying to every corner of the viewing galleries.
"Master Huan is the referee?!"
"Truly unbelievable!"
The crowd erupted. Master Huan raised a hand with a smile, letting the noise settle.
"I personally requested this role and have received authority from the Patriarch. Without further ado—please observe silence as I call the combatants to the stage."
The platform fell into a profound hush—broken only by the soft rustle of fabric and the creaking of wooden seats as people leaned forward.
"First, I call upon the scion of the Su family—Young Master Su Jian!"
Silence stretched for a tense moment. Then Su Jian stepped from a secluded preparation area, pristine white robes fluttering as he walked forward with large, imposing strides—expression filled with unmasked arrogance.
"It's Young Master Su Jian!"
The silence shattered. A wave of cheers and thunderous applause erupted as he marched forward.
Su Jian's arrogance grew visibly with every step. He slowed deliberately, savoring the crowd's reaction, a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Master Huan raised an eyebrow—then, without even waiting for Su Jian to fully arrive on stage, called the second combatant. A subtle displeasure made evident.
"And now—the one who has shown potential against all odds and aroused all of our interest..."
He let the silence stretch, voice carrying practiced anticipation.
"Su Tianhao!"
The crowd held its breath, eyes scanning the arena.
Just outside the entrance, Su Tianhao's lips curled into a faint smile. His golden eyes gleamed as he gazed toward the distant platform.
"Looks like it's about time..."