Despite the building’s run down exterior, when Xinxin was ushered inside of it, she found that it was actually fairly well furnished. Luxurious crimson carpet lay across polished white tiles. Violet tapestries and golden etchings lined the halls.

“Here you are, Madam. Your private waiting lounge.” The white masked man bowed to her and gestured towards a door.

“Hm.” Xinxin nodded and swept the area with her spiritual sense.

“Cautious, I see.” The masked man tilted his head. “Though one as beautiful as you would certainly not have attained such strength without it. Regardless, this is where we part.” The masked man bowed his head and said, “An attendant will lead you to the arena when it is your time to fight. Until then, enjoy yourself.”

With that, the man left, leaving Xinxin alone.

Oddly hospitable, yet also eerie. The masked man… despite her powers, she couldn’t see past his mask. While she wasn’t afraid of him, especially considering where she was, it also made her cautious.

Perhaps this ‘Dark Tournament’ was more than it seemed…

She shook her head and then entered her room.

Like the rest of the building, her private room was well furnished. A glass table in the middle of the room held a basket filled with colorful berries and fruits. Orange persimmons, white pears, and a few other foreign fruits were arranged within it.

The walls were white, but draped with blue tapestries, muting the bright color.

A plush black leather lounge was placed before the table, to the left of the door, while a bed was pushed to the wall on the right.

But perhaps the most striking feature of the room was the balcony directly in front of the entrance. Beyond it, Xinxin could see the arena that masked man had mentioned.

Vast. That was the first impression she had of it, and in turn, of the building she was in. Dozens of rows of seats lined the walls of the circular arena, with other balconies like her own dotting the top row.

At the bottom, there was a square white tiled arena, a hundred tiles across. It was raised above the ground by a few meters, with fearsome demon face engravings lining the perimeter.

With that, she realized it.

“An altar… so the fight is an offering then.”

The arena and the seats… the stands were polished and well maintained. Yet, in stark dichotomy to it, the ground was but dust and dirt.

“Blood sport… how revolting.”

She recalled the rules that the masked man had explained to her about the tournament.

First of all, the arena was special. Enchantments were placed upon it so that neither side could leave until a victor was determined, as evident by the demon face engravings. The moment the fight began, a barrier would emerge, preventing escape.

The enchantments also served a secondary purpose as a binding oath. Upon stepping atop the arena, both parties agreed to relinquish everything they possessed to the winner of the fight. Life, body, material goods… everything was at risk. Consequently, everything could be gained. At the same time, outside interference was strictly forbidden.

Second of all, surrender counted as a loss. As did inability to fight or unconsciousness. When that occurred, the enchantments would occur automatically and bind the losing party.

Third… each fighter was given the choice to continue or exit the tournament after every fight. That, the masked man explained, was due to the fact that a fighter was satisfied with what they earned so far and not care about the rest. Also, as all the ones participating and arranging the Dark Tournament were a similar sort, it was an unspoken rule to leave a way out. The next opponent would be given after each fight, and a fighter was free to decline the bout and exit the tournament then.

Three rules. A simple tournament with everything on the line and everything to gain. Slaves, skills, money, enchanted items… not only that, but with the rule about no outside interference, any and everything could happen on the arena… or as it truly was, the stage.

A revolting play designed to entertain those with revolting desires.

And, considering her own appearance, she knew all too well what awaited her if she lost. One with her beauty… there were many cruel fates lying in wait if they lost in such a place.

But regarding that, her Sifu’s words came to mind.

“Your appearance will be your greatest weapon. Most will not expect a dainty girl like you to be powerful and even the most vile of demons will hesitate to harm you. In that gap, you can immediately cut them down.”

Xinxin stared out at the arena and nodded. Her Sifu… he had never led her astray. If he said so, then it must be true. So…

“I suppose I should use ‘that’ form.”

At the moment, she had used Myriad Heavens to take on the appearance of an ordinary swordswoman, the visage she’d used to roam the Xia Dynasty unaccosted. But in the tournament, every advantage she could have was another margin of safety.

Xinxin focused. The appearance that she held in the future before returning to the past. The form she had after being reborn through flames fighting those foreigners…

The strange natural energy-

Mana.

-in the air gathered around her, molding to her will. When it settled, Xinxin walked over to look at her reflection within the glass table.

It was familiar. Just like her current youthful form, but older. A true, captivating beauty that would not lose out to that accursed Goddess that stole away her Sifu.

A knock at the door.

Xinxin turned around and waved her hand, opening it.

A young woman with silver hair stood there, wearing a lacy black and white outfit. Fairly attractive, but far from Xinxin’s level. She bowed and said, “This servant will be your attendant during your time in the Dark Tournament, Miss.”

“I see.”

That made sense. It was only natural to have servants around to organize everything. Though, judging from the appearance of the one attending her, it seemed that they were to also ‘entertain’ the guests as best as they could… Hmph. Truly, Xinxin wondered if Wang Tian was ignorant of this or if he was responsible for its existence. That guy had always been a bit deviant before his change…

The young woman raised her head and said, “It is almost time for your first fight. Before then, the Master asked that you register under a name so that we may announce your fight.”

A name?

Xinxin pondered for a bit and then nodded. “Faith. That is the name I shall use.”

The young woman nodded. “Understood, Miss. Then… your opponent is one that calls himself Lighting Fist Breaker.”

Xinxin scoffed. “I see that he has no shame.” With a name like that, he was probably some two-bit thug with a delusion of power.

The young woman’s mouth twitched a bit, but she remained neutral and said, “Shall I guide you?”

Xinxin gazed back at the arena and then said, “Let us go. I am curious to see just how strong these enchantments are…”

Boisterous chatter, raucous laughter. Despite being an underworld tournament, it seemed that the crowd was treating it like an ordinary affair.

As Xinxin walked towards the steps leading up to the arena, she saw men and women alike drinking and making bets on the winner.

She also saw quite a few men leer at her, causing her to wrinkle her nose.

Xinxin shook her head and then stared straight ahead, ignoring the crowd and walked up the steps.

The moment she did, she felt a ripple pass through her. A brand of power, trying to engrave itself upon her very soul.

Her eyes widened. That… was more than she expected from a place like this.

Sudden and unexpected. For a brief moment, Xinxin worried that she had made a poor decision, been too naïve and overestimated herself.

Yet, the moment that brand attempted to touch her soul, something reared up. From the infinitely dense dark core within her cultivation base, an invisible ripple spread and stopped the brand in its place.

When she felt that, Xinxin let out a sigh of relief.

It also raised her caution.

This world was truly different. To so easily slip past her senses… no, to do so quick enough for her to be unable to respond…

Somehow, she had the sense that her Sifu would have scolded her a great deal for that.

“Hoh?”

When Xinxin made it the rest of the way onto the arena, a low male voice rumbled.

“It seems that it’s my lucky day.”

Xinxin stared at the speaker.

It was a man, obviously. The ‘Lightning Fist Breaker’ that Xinxin’s attendant had mentioned.

An ugly, scarred face with beady black eyes and a grin missing a great deal of teeth. Coupled with that, his body was grotesquely muscular, veins almost bursting upon his flesh. That body was only barely concealed by a tattered gray shirt and black pants.

Xinxin wrinkled her nose. That… no, she should have expected as such. The only ones attending a tournament like this would be men like the one before her.

The Lightning Fist Breaker leered and said, “I’ll take my time enjoying you… and don’t worry. I’ll make sure not to scar that face of yours too much.” He licked his lips and said, “It’d ruin the fun of seeing it twist in pain and pleasure.”

Xinxin didn’t bother responding. Instead, she focused.

Like her Sifu said, it seemed that the man was underestimating her. No, he was too caught up in his lust to care. Already, this was a won battle in his mind.

Foolish.

“Well! It seems that one side is enthusiastic about the fight!” A voice echoed across the arena.

Glancing towards it, Xinxin saw the masked man’s face projected in the air above the arena.

“The Lightning Fist Breaker is already claiming his prize! Yet the beautiful Faith is unperturbed. Is it an act, or confidence, I wonder?”

The roar of the crowd echoed around them.

Xinxin’s nose wrinkled. What revolting people… though she chose to participate in such a tournament, so she couldn’t say much.

“As you all know,” the masked man said, “The Lightning Fist Breaker is a regular participant here! A favored winner, with a hundred victories to his belt… all woman, of course. And I’m sure that you all recall the show he put on.”

Whistles filled the air.

Xinxin mentally counted down in her head.

“On the other side, we have the enchanting Faith! Is it a name chosen due to her skills, or a faint hope at victory? It’s time to find out!”

Energy crackled in the air and a barrier formed over the arena.

The Lightning Fist Breaker grinned and took up a combat stance. “Don’t worry, beauty. You won’t remember much after this… but I’ll definitely enjoy it.”

…Xinxin decided. If Wang Tian knew this was happening, she was going to castrate him. Castrate him and feed him his own chicken. Sincere or not, the fact that something like this was allowed…

“Begin on three. One… two… three!”

Lightning crackled and Xinxin’s opponent surged across the stage, cloaked in electricity.

Xinxin didn’t move.

“Blame your bad luck, beauty!” The Lightning Fist Breaker reached out to grab Xinxin’s neck.

The moment he did-

“…Slow.”

Xinxin grabbed her opponent’s wrist, stopping him in his tracks.

“Well, well!” The masked man said. “It seems that Faith is more than just a pretty face!”

The Lightning Fist Breaker strained, trying to break free. “You… hmph!” Realizing it was pointless, he stopped and instead gathered lightning. “You’re stronger than you look, but no one’s escaped my- GAH!”

Xinxin sighed and lowered her hand, drenched in blood from pulverizing the man’s wrist. “How weak.”

The Lightning Fist Breaker… no, the pathetic man’s eyes widened and he started crawling backwards against the arena. “H-Hehe. Y-You’re pretty good!”

He was buying time. The man’s eyes were scanning the arena, perhaps looking for a chance to surprise Xinxin. No, perhaps he was preparing something.

She wouldn’t allow that.

“Kneel.”

The natural energy in the air crashed down on the man, just like what Xinxin did to the burly man that barred her way before.

“Kuh!” The Lightning Fist Breaker collapsed on the ground. “N-No…! T-This…” He tried to pull himself across the arena.

Xinxin walked towards him.

Did he realize it was useless? After a few moments, he stopped and turned to face Xinxin. “P-Please. Have mercy!”

Xinxin didn’t respond. Instead, she walked forward until she was standing next to him.

“P-Please!” The man’s eyes were watery and snot was running down his nose.

Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. Her Sifu… even when facing absolute death, he had the composure to confront it head on instead of begging.

Xinxin stared at the waste of air lying below her. Then she smiled. “You said you would take your time enjoying me, didn’t you?”

A bewitching expression.

The man’s eyes were dazed, entranced by Xinxin’s beauty.

She knelt down and placed her right hand over his chest, lightly caressing it. “…Then I hope you don’t mind if I do the same.”

Xinxin clenched her right hand. With that act, darkness surged, rippling through her veins and into the man.

His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to scream. But he couldn’t.

Xinxin’s cultivation base revolved, the dark core greedily draining everything from the man below her.

The brand that tried to latch onto her soul shifted, moving to the man instead. When it did, Xinxin felt another power surge, a current flowing straight into her core. A new type of energy.

And then it was over.

Xinxin stood up and brushed off her black dress. Afterwards, she lifted up her right hand. Seeing the lightning flickering around it like it had for that pathetic man, she smiled.

“Thank you for the gift. I’ll use it well.” With those words said, she spun around and walked back the way she entered.

Behind her, a shriveled up corpse turned into a pile of ash. And then, even that ash vanished, slowly dissolving into nothingness.

HappyVainGlory

Still getting into the flow of things. Also, like teacher like student, huh? Xinxin's really not holding back... but I wonder how her dear Sifu would think if he found out. Hm...

Thanks again for sticking with me and reading this far, as well as everyone who left a comment.

I hope the chapter was enjoyable, and I'll see you... sometime tomorrow. Still trying to find a good time.