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Chapter 270: Are you crazy?

As Elder Xue observed the unfolding battle between Lucavion and Lira, her expression remained impassive, but inwardly, a storm brewed. Every move he made, every word he uttered, unraveled secrets the sect had spent decades burying. She sat rigid in her seat, her hands gripping the armrests tightly as Lucavion taunted Lira, his words piercing through the veil of the sect's carefully cultivated image.

When he spoke of their poisons, of their methods, the crowd's murmurs grew louder. Accusatory whispers rippled like wildfire, and for the first time, Elder Xue felt the weight of those words crashing against the sect's reputation.

"How does he know this much?" she thought, her mind racing. "Who is he?"

Her gaze darkened as Lucavion dismantled Lira's composure with every pointed remark. It wasn't just the loss of the fight that mattered now—it was the erosion of their prestige, the questions he was forcing into the open. The Cloud Heavens Sect had long relied on their aura of invincibility, their mystique, to maintain their dominance. But Lucavion wasn't just challenging their fighters; he was tearing apart their foundation, brick by brick.

As the fight continued, and as Lucavion's accusations cut deeper, Elder Xue's breathing grew shallow. Her years of discipline and control fought against the growing rage bubbling within her.

'He knows,' she realized with icy clarity. 'And not just surface rumors. He knows the depths of it.'

For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into her thoughts. Had they been careless? Had someone betrayed them? But no, that was impossible. The secrets Lucavion had revealed were too closely guarded, too deeply intertwined with their sect's most clandestine operations.

Elder Xue sat frozen, her normally calm and composed demeanor shattered beneath the weight of Lucavion's deliberate onslaught. His words weren't just jabs or provocations—they were revelations. Each accusation he threw cut through the illusion of perfection the Cloud Heavens Sect had painstakingly maintained for decades.

The murmurs in the crowd had grown louder, spreading like wildfire, and she could already see the storm brewing. Faces in the stands were no longer merely spectators—they were inquisitors. Some whispered among themselves, speculating on the veracity of Lucavion's claims. Others watched her with narrowed eyes, their doubts aimed directly at the sect she represented.

"He planned this," Xue realized, her thoughts seething with fury. "Every move, every word—he knew exactly what to say to undermine us."

Her nails dug into the fine wood of the armrest, leaving deep grooves. The implications of his accusations were too dire to ignore. Even if he were bluffing, even if there were no real evidence to support his words, the mere suggestion was enough to plant seeds of doubt. And doubt could grow into something far worse.

She could already feel the walls closing in. People would investigate. They would question. If Lucavion's taunts had even a shred of truth, the sect's carefully woven web of influence could unravel.

Elder Xue's thoughts raced. This cannot be allowed. The damage is already spreading. We must act quickly to contain this, to bury it before it consumes us. Her jaw tightened as she made her decision.

Reaching into her robes with steady hands, she retrieved a small, intricately carved bone whistle. Blowing into it silently, she released a faint pulse of mana, and within moments, a sleek, white pigeon with silver-tipped feathers descended to her shoulder. It cooed softly, waiting for her command.

She scribbled a short, urgent message on a strip of paper, her strokes sharp and deliberate:

To the Matriarch—

The situation has escalated beyond expectation. Immediate action is required to suppress potential damage. Eliminate all trails leading to the incidents in question. Full details to follow.

—Xue

Rolling the strip tightly, she secured it to the pigeon's leg and released it, watching as it vanished into the horizon with an urgency that mirrored her own rising panic.

Elder Xue stood abruptly, her sharp glare fixed on Lucavion as he finished his fight with an effortless calm that only fueled her anger. His victory was decisive, but it wasn't the defeat of their strongest disciple that burned her—it was the damage he'd inflicted on their reputation.

She turned to leave, her robe swishing as she moved toward the exit. But before she could take another step, Marquis Ventor's voice, smooth and deliberate, cut through the tension like a blade.

"What a remarkable fight," Ventor mused aloud, his tone carrying just enough intrigue to imply more. "But one wonders… if there's truth to what was said?"

Elder Kael, seated nearby, leaned forward with a smug grin. "Indeed. Such specific accusations, delivered with such confidence… it makes one curious. Could it all be true?"

Elder Xue froze mid-step, her fury bubbling dangerously close to the surface. She turned slowly, her gaze cold and cutting as it swept between the two men. "How dare you?" she said, her voice low but laced with venom. "How can you even entertain the words of a ruffian like him over the honor of the Cloud Heavens Sect? Have we not proven ourselves time and again through our deeds, our contributions, and our reputation?"

Kael tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. "Ah, but you know what they say—where there's smoke, there's fire. And from what I've seen, your sect has been trying very hard to control the flames lately."

Xue's eyes narrowed dangerously, her hands trembling with restrained rage. "You dare accuse us of impropriety based on the baseless words of a wandering swordsman?"

Ventor, ever the diplomat, raised a hand to pacify the escalating tension. "Peace, Elder Xue. No one is making accusations," he said smoothly. "But the crowd, the whispers—they have ears and eyes. And once such rumors begin, they are very hard to silence." His piercing gaze met hers. "Perhaps your sect should consider how best to address these… speculations."

Xue's lips thinned into a hard line, her pride and fury warring with the reality of the situation. Without another word, she turned sharply and swept out of the lounge, her robes billowing behind her. She could not afford to waste any more time arguing. Damage control was paramount.

As she disappeared down the corridor, Kael leaned back in his seat with a satisfied chuckle. "She's rattled," he said, his amusement clear.

Ventor watched her departure, his expression inscrutable. "This young man…."

Who would have thought that he would do such a thing? Considering all the possible implications, one needed to wonder.

'But….this can also be a good opportunity.'

An unexpected gain. Things like these would be the ones to change everything.

"Then, respectable Marquis. May I take my leave?"

Marquis Ventor inclined his head toward Elder Kael, his smile faint but knowing. "Of course, Elder Kael. It would be remiss of me to keep you when I suspect you have matters to attend to."

Kael chuckled softly, rising to his feet with a casual grace. "You're perceptive, Marquis, as always."

The Marquis's smile didn't falter, but his sharp eyes followed Kael as he made his exit. Ventor's mind churned. Let him go. Kael's next move will no doubt align with his sect's interests—and I have no doubt what he's planning. But for now, let him act. It will provide clarity.

As Kael disappeared down the hall, Ventor leaned back in his chair, swirling the wine in his goblet thoughtfully. "Interesting," he murmured to himself, his tone both amused and contemplative. "This young man is stirring the pot far more than I expected."

********

Kael moved through the corridors of the arena complex with purpose, his expression as calm and composed as ever. Yet, beneath his steady exterior, his mind raced. Lucavion's actions had shaken not just the Cloud Heavens Sect but also the tournament itself. This is no mere swordsman. He knows too much, plays his hand too carefully.

As he approached the area reserved for the contestants, the faint hum of voices grew louder. By the time Kael turned the final corner, the noise had escalated into a full-blown commotion.

The contestants' lounge was in chaos.

But then Kael's calm facade cracked as he entered the contestant's lounge and took in the scene before him. Elder Xue was already there, standing rigid amidst the chaos, her piercing gaze locked on one figure: Lucavion. Her presence alone was enough to suffocate the room, her aura coiling tightly around her like a storm ready to break.

But what froze Kael's breath mid-step wasn't her presence—it was the blade in her hand.

The weapon glinted ominously in the flickering light of the mana lamps, its edge impossibly sharp, emanating a faint but unmistakable pressure of refined killing intent. The air around her seemed heavier, and even the other contestants—those who had been shouting moments ago—were silent, their eyes wide as they looked between Xue and her target.

Lucavion stood a short distance away, his stance relaxed but his eyes sharp as he regarded Xue. His expression carried a faint trace of amusement, but there was something deadly in the calmness of his posture, as though he were standing in the eye of a hurricane. He held his estoc loosely in one hand, its tip resting against the floor, but the tension in the room suggested he was ready to act at a moment's notice.

But what could he even do?

As a 4-star warrior at most, what could he do against a 6-star Elder, especially against an elder like Elder Xue?

"Die."

SWOOSH!

That was why, as Elder Xue's blade flashed, his eyes widened.

"XUE! ARE YOU CRAZY!"

After all, in front of his eyes, Xue was about to kill this young man.

Chapter 271: You are crazy

Kael's mind raced, his composed exterior cracking as the pieces fell into place with startling clarity. Elder Xue's blade was moving with lethal intent, its sharp edge cutting through the air toward Lucavion. The lounge, normally bustling with guards and attendants, was conspicuously empty.

'Where are the guards?' Kael thought, his eyes darting to the corners of the room as he closed the distance with rapid strides. 'The Marquis explicitly stated that the contestants would be protected. So why is she here—alone, unopposed?'

The absence of any intervention was alarming, but Kael didn't have the luxury of pondering it further. His instincts screamed at him to act, and the consequences of inaction loomed too large. If Xue kills him here, it won't just stain the tournament—it'll bury every potential secret he holds. And that… that would be a loss to the Silver Flame Sect.

"XUE! ARE YOU CRAZY?" Kael bellowed, his voice resonating with authority as he surged forward.

Lucavion, to his credit, didn't flinch as the blade descended. His calm was unnerving, his eyes sharp and calculating even in the face of a superior foe. It was almost as if he had anticipated this moment. What is this boy thinking? Kael wondered, frustration boiling beneath his focus. Does he think he can survive this?

SWOOSH!

The blade was mere inches from Lucavion's neck, the glint of its edge promising a swift and merciless end.

Kael's legs burned with the surge of mana he poured into them, his body moving instinctively, his mind a storm of doubt and desperation. Too late. I'm too late, he thought, his analytical mind racing even as his instincts screamed for him to intervene.

Xue's blade is already in motion. At this distance, there's no way I can intercept it.

The flash of steel glinted ominously in the flickering light of the lounge.

I can't lose him now!

Kael's heart sank, his thoughts spiraling into frustration. He's going to die, and all that he knows—everything we could use against them—will vanish.

SWOOSH!

The sound of the blade slicing through the air was deafening in Kael's mind. His feet moved, but he already knew it was futile. I can't—

CLANG!

Kael froze mid-step, the sharp metallic sound cutting through his thoughts like a knife. His body moved instinctively into a defensive posture, but his mind lagged, reeling from the impossibility of what he had just heard.

Clang?

His gaze snapped to the scene before him, his eyes widening in disbelief. What?

Elder Xue's blade was halted mid-swing, its edge deflected by another—a blade glowing with mana, trembling under the force of the clash but holding firm. The source of the parry was none other than Lucavion himself.

Kael's sharp eyes took in the sight, his mind working frantically to piece together what he was seeing. Lucavion stood with his estoc raised, its blade shimmering with a dense, pulsing aura of mana. The force of the clash had sent ripples of energy through the air, cracking the floor beneath their feet. But the boy—no, this young man—stood unyielding, his expression calm, even as his body betrayed the cost of his defiance.

Lucavion's arm trembled violently, his fingers gripping the hilt of his weapon with white-knuckled determination. Blood dripped steadily from his elbow, staining the floor beneath him. Kael's trained eyes immediately caught the unnatural angle of his arm—the joint dislocated, the bones in his forearm visibly warped from the sheer impact.

His mind reeled. He parried her? A 4-star fighter against a 6-star elder? No, this isn't possible—

Lucavion's lips curled into a faint smirk, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. "You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?"

Elder Xue's eyes burned with fury as she stared at the young man before her, her blade still locked against his. She shoved her weapon forward, forcing Lucavion back a step, his injured arm shaking as he strained to maintain his grip.

Elder Xue's eyes burned with fury as she stared at the young man before her, her blade still locked against his. She shoved her weapon forward, forcing Lucavion back a step, his injured arm shaking as he strained to maintain his grip.

Kael's body finally caught up with his mind, and he closed the remaining distance in an instant, stepping between Xue and Lucavion with his blade drawn. His presence sent a wave of tension through the room as he raised his mana in a protective barrier, his voice sharp and commanding.

"That's enough, Xue!" he barked, his gaze darting between the elder and Lucavion. "Have you lost all sense?"

Xue didn't lower her blade, her voice seething with barely contained rage. "You're protecting him? Stand aside, Kael. This is not Silver Flame Sect's concern."

Kael's smirk widened as he stepped fully between Elder Xue and Lucavion, his blade held steady, the faint glow of his mana barrier shimmering like a veil of molten silver. "Overstepping, you say?" His tone was calm but edged with mocking amusement. "Come now, Xue, isn't it our duty as elders to guide and protect the younger generation? Surely you wouldn't advocate snuffing out such a promising talent over mere accusations."

Xue's expression twisted in fury, her hand gripping her sword tighter. "He is no ordinary young man," she hissed. "He's a threat—his lies have already taken root, tarnishing the name of the Cloud Heavens Sect. You, of all people, should understand the gravity of this. Stand aside!"

Kael let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Lies, you say? How can you be so certain they're lies, Xue? After all, isn't it only fair to investigate before making such a judgment? Or does the Cloud Heavens Sect no longer value evidence in their pursuit of truth?"

Xue's eyes flashed dangerously, her aura flaring slightly in response. "There is no need to investigate baseless claims from a snake like him. He's sowing discord, nothing more!"

"Baseless?" Kael raised an eyebrow, his smirk fading into a more serious expression. "Do you truly believe that? Or is it easier to silence him than to face the possibility that there might be truth in his words?" His gaze sharpened as he stepped closer, his voice lowering into a cutting tone. "Tell me, Xue—does this remind you of anything?"

Her posture stiffened, a flicker of unease flashing across her face. "What are you insinuating?"

Kael's smirk returned, this time colder, more deliberate. "Oh, just a little incident from the past. You remember, don't you? About fifteen years ago, a young man—a promising swordsman—was accused of assaulting one of your sect's precious disciples. The evidence was circumstantial at best, but the Cloud Heavens Sect acted swiftly, didn't they? Executed him without a second thought."

Xue's lips thinned, her expression darkening. "That situation was resolved long ago. It has no bearing here."

"Resolved?" Kael laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. "Yes, I suppose you could call it that. Until the truth came to light a year later, when that same disciple confessed she fabricated the entire story out of spite. All because the young man rejected her advances."

Xue's grip on her blade faltered for a moment, though her glare remained. "That… was an isolated incident. It has nothing to do with this."

Kael's voice dropped, the mocking edge replaced by quiet, biting steel. "Does it? Or is it a reminder of what happens when you act rashly, when pride and fear cloud your judgment? If you kill this boy now, without proof, you'll only give weight to his accusations. And if he's telling the truth…" He let the implication hang in the air, his smirk returning. "Well, I'm sure the world would love to hear about that."

Xue's breathing grew heavier, her rage warring with the cold logic of Kael's words. She glanced at Lucavion, who stood silently, his dark eyes gleaming with quiet confidence despite the pain evident in his trembling, injured arm. The young man met her gaze with a calm, knowing smirk, as if daring her to continue.

Kael stepped closer, his sharp gaze piercing through Elder Xue's mask of fury. His tone shifted, no longer mocking but cold and calculated, every word a blade aimed to unbalance her. "Think carefully, Xue. If this boy is lying, then let the truth speak for itself. Truth has a way of silencing liars, doesn't it?"

Xue's jaw tightened, her hand still gripping her blade, though she didn't raise it again. Her fury simmered just beneath the surface, her aura crackling faintly around her.

Kael tilted his head, watching her closely. "Unless… the truth isn't so clean, is it? Is that why you're so desperate to kill him?" His smirk returned, icy and deliberate. "From where I stand, it looks like the Cloud Heavens Sect has something to hide. Otherwise, why react so violently? Why not simply prove him wrong?"

"That's enough!" Xue snapped, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and unease. Her aura flared briefly, but Kael didn't flinch, holding his ground with an air of composed defiance.

"Is it?" Kael pressed, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Because to me, this doesn't look like the reaction of someone with nothing to hide. It looks like fear, Xue. Fear that his words have hit closer to the mark than you care to admit."

Her glare burned into him, her fury evident, but Kael didn't relent. He took another step forward, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "If you kill him now, you'll only confirm what everyone already suspects. You'll make his words truth, even if they aren't. Is that what you want?"

Chapter 272: You are crazy (2)

Elder Xue's expression shifted slightly, her fury tempered by a forced calm as she tried to mask her unease. She took a deep breath, lowering her blade but not her aura. "This isn't about fear, Kael. This is about principle. The Cloud Heavens Sect will not stand idly by while its name is dragged through the mud by a liar seeking to sow chaos. If we allow such accusations to spread unchecked, how can we call ourselves a sect worthy of respect? How can we hold our heads high with such disgrace hanging over us?"

Kael's lips curved into a faint smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, principles. Honor. Respect. All admirable things, Xue." He paused, his smirk growing sharper. "But those principles only hold water as long as the accusations are, in fact, lies."

Xue's eyes narrowed, her posture stiffening. "And they are lies," she snapped, her voice low and sharp. "This boy's accusations are baseless. His words are poison, designed to manipulate the weak-minded and spread discord."

Kael nodded slowly, feigning agreement, though the mocking edge never left his tone. "Of course, as long as they are lies, you're absolutely right. But you see, Xue, there's one thing that doesn't add up." He stepped closer, his voice dropping into a near-whisper, the weight of his words pressing down on her. "If you're so confident these are lies, why the pigeon?"

The color drained from Xue's face for the briefest of moments, but she recovered quickly, her expression hardening. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her voice cold and firm.

Kael chuckled softly, shaking his head as if he were amused by her denial. "Come now, Xue. I saw it myself—the moment Lucavion's words began to spread, you sent that pigeon off in quite the hurry. And don't think for a second I didn't recognize it. That was no ordinary messenger. That was a Sect Keeper's pigeon, wasn't it? Straight to your Matriarch."

Xue's aura flared again, but Kael's smirk only widened as he studied Elder Xue's trembling frame. Though she tried to maintain her composure, he could see the cracks in her carefully constructed facade. Her aura wavered as if she were teetering on the edge of lashing out again. He didn't press further, knowing his words had already struck the chord he wanted.

"Careful, Xue," he said, his tone almost playful. "You wouldn't want to give the crowd out there more reason to talk, would you?"

Xue glared at him, her fury barely contained. But she knew she was cornered. The risk of further escalation in front of someone like Kael, who thrived on exploiting such moments, was too high. She couldn't afford another mistake, not when so much was already spiraling out of her control.

Without another word, Xue spun on her heel, her robes snapping sharply as she stormed out of the room. Her retreat was swift, leaving an almost eerie silence in her wake. The tension hung heavy in the air, but Kael remained calm, his eyes shifting to the figure standing a few paces away.

Lucavion stood still, his injured arm hanging limply at his side, blood trickling down his fingers. Despite the obvious pain, his posture remained confident, his smirk faint but unwavering. He tilted his head slightly, meeting Kael's gaze with a glimmer of amusement.

Kael crossed his arms, leaning slightly against the doorframe as he regarded the young man. "You're insane," he said bluntly, his voice carrying a mix of bemusement and exasperation. "Deliberately provoking someone like Xue, with no backup plan? Do you have a death wish, or do you just not value your life?"

Lucavion chuckled softly, his smirk widening. "Oh, I value my life quite a bit, Elder Kael."

Kael arched an eyebrow, his tone sharpening. "Then why? Do you think you can stand against someone like Xue in your current state? She would've cut you down without hesitation if I hadn't intervened."

Lucavion's eyes gleamed with quiet confidence, his voice steady as he replied, "I knew you would come, Elder Kael."

Kael blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "You knew I'd come?"

"Of course," Lucavion said, his smirk turning into a grin. "After all, I've done so much to help you, haven't I? Spreading secrets about your greatest enemy, planting seeds of doubt in the crowd… there's no way someone like you would just let me die. Not before you've had the chance to use me to your advantage."

Kael's expression tightened, his gaze narrowing. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he muttered, his voice low. "But don't mistake my intervention for altruism. You're useful, that's all. Don't let it go to your head."

Lucavion tilted his head, his smirk unchanging. "I never assumed otherwise. But admit it, Elder Kael—you're curious about me. Just as curious as Xue is furious."

Kael sighed, shaking his head. "Curiosity, sure. But I'm also wondering if your recklessness will end up being more trouble than it's worth."

Lucavion chuckled again, his voice light despite the blood staining his clothes. "Well, that's a gamble you'll have to take, isn't it? After all, Elder Kael… isn't it more exciting when the stakes are high?"

Kael didn't reply immediately, his sharp gaze lingering on Lucavion. This boy was a puzzle—one that promised both great reward and immense risk. And for now, Kael couldn't help but wonder which would come first.

Then his eyes flicked to Lucavion's arm, noting the unnatural angle of his shoulder and the dark red streaks trailing down his hand. The young man's posture betrayed little of the pain he must have been feeling, but Kael's trained eye didn't miss the slight tremor in his fingers or the occasional twitch of his muscles.

"You should treat that arm first," Kael said, his tone flat but firm. He reached into his robe and pulled out a small glass vial filled with a shimmering golden liquid. Without waiting for Lucavion's response, he tossed it toward him.

Lucavion caught the vial deftly with his uninjured hand, examining it with a faint smirk. "A high-grade healing potion? Generous, Elder Kael."

Kael crossed his arms, his expression unimpressed. "Call it practicality. You can't keep pulling off stunts like that if you're falling apart. Take it."

Lucavion chuckled, shaking his head as he set the vial aside. "It's just a bone fracture and a shoulder dislocation," he said nonchalantly. "Nothing too severe. Should be healed by tomorrow."

Kael's eyebrows rose, his gaze hardening. "Just a bone fracture and a shoulder dislocation?" he repeated, his tone tinged with disbelief. "Boy… if that's your definition of 'nothing too severe,' I'd hate to see what you consider serious."

Lucavion shrugged—at least as much as his injured shoulder allowed—and grinned. "I've had worse. Besides, this isn't the first time someone's tried to kill me, Elder Kael."

Kael let out a long sigh, running a hand down his face. "You're either the bravest fool I've ever met, or the most reckless. Likely both."

Lucavion's grin widened, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Reckless, maybe. But it worked, didn't it?"

Kael's gaze darkened as he leaned closer, his voice lowering. "Barely. And it shouldn't have come to this. Xue bribed the guards—guards under the Marquis' employ. I wasn't expecting her to stoop that low, not here, of all places."

Lucavion's expression shifted slightly, the humor fading from his eyes. "The Marquis will be furious when he finds out."

Kael nodded sharply. "He should be. Xue's actions aren't just a personal affront—they undermine the entire tournament's integrity. And the Marquis doesn't take kindly to being made a fool."

Lucavion hummed thoughtfully, tilting his head as he regarded the potion in his hand. "Still… it's just a bone fracture and a shoulder dislocation," he repeated, almost teasingly, as he set the vial down again.

Kael stared at him for a long moment, his thoughts a mixture of exasperation and grudging admiration. This boy… if this is 'nothing serious' to him, then what kind of hell has he been through? He thought it but didn't voice it, choosing instead to shake his head and turn away.

"Fine. Be stubborn," Kael said, his voice tinged with annoyance. "But don't come crying to me if your arm falls off."

Lucavion laughed softly, his grin returning. "Noted, Elder Kael. But I think I'll manage."

Kael lingered for a moment, his gaze steady as he studied Lucavion's calm, composed demeanor. Despite the blood staining his clothes and the tension that still hung heavy in the room, the young man seemed almost unaffected, as though he were already planning his next move.

Finally, Kael straightened and turned toward the door. "You should keep your guard up," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "The disciples of the Cloud Heavens Sect—or even Elder Xue herself—might come for you again. You've stirred up a hornet's nest, and they won't let it go easily."

Lucavion smirked faintly, rolling his good shoulder with an air of nonchalance. "I'll manage," he said lightly, his tone laced with quiet confidence. "Besides, they can't afford to act rashly. Not now."

Kael glanced back at him, his expression curious. "And why's that, boy? What makes you so sure?"

Lucavion's smirk widened, his dark eyes gleaming with a knowing light. "Because you'll report this to the Marquis, won't you? He won't let them act out of line—not after they've already tried to bribe his guards and jeopardize the tournament's integrity. The Cloud Heavens Sect knows this. If they try something now, they'll risk far more than they can handle."

Kael's lips twitched into a faint smirk of his own. "You're sharp. I'll give you that."

Lucavion inclined his head slightly, his smirk unwavering. "Just pragmatic, Elder Kael. The Cloud Heavens Sect is dangerous, but they're not foolish. They won't risk open conflict with the Marquis over me. Not now, at least."

Kael nodded slowly, his respect for the young man growing despite himself. "Pragmatic, indeed," he said, his tone laced with grudging approval. "But don't let that make you careless. They're still dangerous, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that desperation makes people unpredictable."

Lucavion's smirk didn't falter. "Noted, Elder Kael. But I think I'll be fine."

Kael regarded him for a final moment, then sighed, shaking his head. "You're either a genius or a fool. Time will tell which." Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode out of the room, his robes swishing softly behind him.

Chapter 273: A liar ?

For the whole semifinal time, Valeria watched from the stands, her heart steady, her mind calm. She had already fought her own battle in the semifinals, and though she had lost to Varen, she found herself surprisingly at peace. It wasn't a bitter defeat—it was a duel where she had given her all, every ounce of strength and discipline honed over years. Her loss wasn't due to arrogance or miscalculation but because her opponent was simply stronger. It was a reminder of how far she still had to go, a humbling yet invigorating experience.

Now, her focus was entirely on Lucavion. He stood opposite Lira in the arena, his posture relaxed, his blade held almost carelessly. It was infuriating, that smirk he wore—so dismissive, so confident. And yet, Valeria couldn't look away.

From the first exchange of blows, it became clear that this wasn't just a battle of swords. It was a clash of ideologies, of personalities. Lira, fierce and desperate, fought with the overwhelming might of her sect's techniques. Her strikes were powerful, her movements calculated, but there was something hollow about them. Valeria recognized it immediately—Lira was fighting to prove something, not to herself, but to the world. Every slash of her blade was steeped in frustration, her techniques trying to shout louder than Lucavion's words.

Lucavion, on the other hand, was silent, his movements deliberate. He didn't fight to prove his strength; he fought to unearth truths. His every action seemed designed to strip away Lira's composure, exposing not just the flaws in her technique but the fractures in her pride.

Valeria's fingers twitched as she watched Lucavion deflect a particularly brutal technique—one she recognized as the Cloud Heavens Sect's signature move, Cyclone Rend. He sidestepped it with maddening ease, his estoc flicking out to disrupt the technique's flow. It was like watching an artist dismantle a poorly constructed painting, stroke by stroke.

And as the fight raged on, Valeria couldn't help but compare herself to both fighters. She had stood in that arena just hours ago, against an opponent whose strength eclipsed hers. But she hadn't lost her composure, hadn't succumbed to desperation. Her loss had been clean, and she had walked away with her head high. Lira, however, was crumbling before her eyes, her pride unraveling with every taunt, every failed strike.

And then there was Lucavion. Valeria's lips pressed into a thin line as she watched him toy with Lira—not physically, but mentally. He wielded words as skillfully as he did his blade, each one finding its mark, digging into Lira's insecurities. It was a kind of fight Valeria wasn't used to, one that relied on understanding your opponent's mind as much as their techniques.

'He's not just fighting her,' Valeria knew. 'He's exposing her.'

It wasn't just Lira he was exposing. His words cut deeper, reaching into the very foundation of the Cloud Heavens Sect. The crowd murmured, their whispers growing louder with every revelation he uttered. Valeria glanced around, noting the unease on the faces of the spectators. He was doing what no one dared to—challenging not just a fighter, but an institution.

A part of Valeria admired him for it. She had always followed the rules, respected the structures of power, and upheld the principles instilled in her as a knight. But Lucavion… he didn't care about rules. He fought with a purpose beyond personal victory, tearing down facades and forcing people to confront uncomfortable truths.

But another part of her bristled at his methods. He was too reckless, too smug. Watching him, Valeria felt a strange mix of respect and exasperation. His confidence bordered on arrogance, and yet… he was effective. Every strike, every word, served a purpose, and by the time the fight drew to a close, Lira was a shadow of the fighter she had been at the start.

When Lucavion finally landed the decisive blow, the arena fell silent. Lira knelt on the ground, her blade slipping from her grasp, her aura flickering like a dying flame. The fight was over, but the echoes of it would linger far longer. The whispers in the crowd had turned into an uproar, and even from her seat, Valeria could feel the shift in the air.

Lucavion turned, his smirk firmly in place, but there was something in his eyes that gave Valeria pause. Was it satisfaction? No… it was something deeper. A quiet, burning determination that went beyond the fight, beyond the tournament.

Then as she sat in the stands, her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the arena even as Lucavion disappeared from view. The roar of the crowd seemed distant, muffled by the tumult of thoughts swirling in her mind. She replayed his words, dissecting them, trying to separate hyperbole from truth.

"Living furnaces."

The phrase had struck a nerve, its weight pressing heavily against her chest. She had grown up in a world of discipline and honor, one where strength was earned through effort and sacrifice. The idea that the Cloud Heavens Sect, revered and feared across the land, could engage in something so vile—made her stomach twist.

Her fingers tightened against her arms. Was it true? Could they truly be capable of such horrors? Using children, orphans, the forgotten—turning them into tools to fuel their cultivation?

The more she thought about it, the harder it became to dismiss.

Valeria's mind wandered back to the sect disciples she had encountered during the tournament. She thought of Lira—proud, powerful, but hollow. There had always been something about her aura that felt off, a faint imbalance that Valeria couldn't place. Was that the result of the sect's methods? Could it be that Lira's strength wasn't her own, but stolen, torn from the lives of innocents?

And Elder Xue… Valeria had seen her fury during the fight, the way her composure had cracked under Lucavion's taunts. That wasn't just anger. It was fear. Lucavion's accusations had hit a nerve, and Xue's desperation to silence him only added weight to his claims.

"He planned this," Valeria murmured under her breath, recalling the precision with which Lucavion had delivered his words. He hadn't spoken out of anger or recklessness. Every sentence had been a blade, carefully aimed to cut through the sect's carefully constructed facade.

But were his words true? Or was he simply a master manipulator, weaving lies to sow chaos?

Valeria's thoughts were a maelstrom of conflict as she sat in the stands, the crowd's uproar fading into the background. She tried to dissect the storm of emotions stirring within her, but the pieces didn't quite fit. Lucavion's words, his actions—they were calculated, deliberate. But was he truly a liar? Could someone with such a sharp mind and unyielding confidence fabricate lies this precise, this devastating?

Her gaze remained fixed on the now-empty arena. The name "Lucavion" lingered in her mind, carrying with it a myriad of impressions—frustration, curiosity, respect, and something she couldn't quite name. He was arrogant, reckless, even infuriating at times. Yet, there was a strange sincerity beneath it all, a conviction that made her hesitate to dismiss him entirely.

A liar? The question lingered, heavy and unresolved.

Valeria clenched her fists against her arms, her heart tightening with an unfamiliar weight as she thought of him. He was always so sure of himself, so maddeningly calm. If he were truly a manipulator, then why did his actions feel less like deceit and more like a relentless pursuit of truth? She hated doubting her instincts, yet here she was, tangled in contradictions.

"Why does it feel like this?" she murmured under her breath, her voice almost lost amidst the cacophony of the crowd. It wasn't just his words that unsettled her—it was the gnawing ache in her chest, the strange pull she felt whenever her mind strayed to him. It was infuriating, confusing, and impossible to ignore.

With a deep breath, Valeria rose from her seat. She couldn't let this uncertainty fester any longer. She needed answers, needed to confront him, to piece together the truth from the fragments of her scattered thoughts. Talking to Lucavion—about her fight, about his—felt inevitable. Perhaps seeing him would bring clarity to the storm raging within her.

Her steps were steady but brisk as she descended from the stands, her mind fixated on finding him. The corridors beneath the arena buzzed with activity—attendants rushing about, voices echoing in hushed whispers—but Valeria paid them no mind. Her focus was singular, her resolve unshaken.

As she approached the contestants' quarters, a figure caught her eye. Elder Xue stormed past her, her robes billowing with the force of her movement. Valeria instinctively stepped to the side, her breath catching as she saw the elder's face—a mask of barely contained fury. Xue's hands trembled at her sides, her aura crackling faintly as if struggling to contain the storm within.

Valeria paused, her gaze lingering on the elder's retreating form. The scene only deepened her unease. Lucavion's fight had clearly struck a nerve, his words cutting through not just Lira but the foundation of the Cloud Heavens Sect itself. And now, Xue's anger seemed less like righteous indignation and more like the desperation of someone cornered.

'But at the same time….. what was Elder Xue doing here? It couldn't be right?!

Valeria's mind raced as she stared at Elder Xue's retreating form. The elder's movements were erratic, her aura flickering with wild intensity. It wasn't just anger—it was something deeper, something darker. Desperation, perhaps. Fear.

'What did you do, Lucavion?' she thought, her chest tightening.

Her imagination spiraled, unearthing worst-case scenarios. She pictured Lucavion lying on the ground, blood pooling beneath him, that maddening smirk wiped from his face. She saw Elder Xue standing over him, her blade dripping crimson, her aura suffocating the air around them.

'No. No, no, no!' The images burned in her mind, each one worse than the last.

Before she realized it, her feet were moving, carrying her toward the contestants' quarters at a near run. The corridors blurred around her, the buzz of voices and the shuffle of footsteps fading into the background. All that mattered was getting there—getting to him.

As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with Elder Kael. The elder's sharp eyes flicked to her, his expression a mix of curiosity and suspicion. But she didn't stop. She barely registered his presence, her focus unshakable.

Kael's brows furrowed, but he didn't pursue her. She was already gone, her form disappearing down the corridor.

The air grew heavier as she approached the contestants' quarters, a chill settling over her as if the tension in the building had taken on a life of its own. Her heart pounded, each beat a reminder of the urgency driving her forward.

When she finally reached the door to the lounge, she hesitated for the briefest of moments. Her hand hovered over the handle, her breath catching in her throat. She didn't want to open it—not if her imagination had been right. But she had to.

Steeling herself, she pushed the door open.

The scene inside made her heart lurch. Lucavion stood near the center of the room, his posture relaxed but his clothes stained with blood. His arm hung at an unnatural angle, his estoc resting lightly in his grip.

But at least he looked alive.

"Haaah…."

And that was fine for her for now.