Chapter 44: The Ranking Trial [1]

Morning in Azure Snow arrived cold and sharp, and the mountain air carried the clean bite of frost as disciples gathered around the western arena carved into the slope.

Lin Tian stood at the edge of the ice field and watched the movement below, boots planted steady while he studied the terrain and the crowd.

A provisional disciple beside him shifted and spoke under his breath.

“You’re Lin Tian, right, the one tied to Senior Sister Bai, they called your name early so they can see if you’re worth the trouble or just noise.”

“They can decide after the fights, I came to prove myself, not argue about rumors.”

“Most newcomers try to show off early, they swing too wide or burn qi too fast, then someone patient knocks them down and the crowd laughs, so if you want advice, don’t rush just to impress them.”

“I didn’t plan to rush, steady wins more fights than noise.”

The disciple nodded once and stepped back as the arena chime rang.

Elder Qiao’s voice rolled across the ice.

“Outer disciples and provisional candidates, the ranking trial begins now, regulated combat only, no lethal intent, no crippling methods, no restricted inner techniques, victory comes from control and skill, not reckless force.”

A ripple of murmurs ran through the terraces.

Another disciple leaned toward Lin Tian.

“Ranking matters here more than face, higher position means better resources, better training slots, and fewer people daring to block your path, so if you want to stay here long, climb fast.”

“I know what ranking means, and I know what losing costs, that’s enough motivation.”

Names flashed on the crystal slab.

Two fighters stepped forward.

Lin Tian watched them closely.

The same disciple muttered again.

“You watch like you’re memorizing every step.”

“I am, their footing on ice matters more than their blade speed, and the one who controls distance wins.”

“You’re calm for someone about to fight in front of the whole outer ring.”

“I waited too long for a chance to stand here, nerves won’t help me now.”

The first match ended clean.

Another followed.

Then Elder Qiao’s voice cut through the arena.

“Provisional Candidate Lin Tian.”

A stir moved through the crowd.

The disciple beside him gave a low whistle.

“That’s quick, they really want to test you early, looks like they picked Gao Ren, he’s steady, not flashy, so don’t expect mistakes from him.”

“I won’t count on mistakes.”

Lin Tian stepped onto the ice.

Cold pressed through his boots as he walked to the center.

Gao Ren bowed lightly, grip firm on his sword.

“I won’t hold back just because you’re new here, this arena decides rank, not reputation, and I worked too long to give away my position.”

“I wouldn’t respect you if you did hold back, fight normally, and I’ll do the same.”

Elder Qiao’s hand dropped.

Gao Ren moved first, blade thrusting straight toward Lin Tian’s shoulder.

Lin Tian turned and deflected, steel ringing sharp across the ice.

Gao Ren pressed again.

“You move calmly, but calm doesn’t win if your strength can’t match mine.”

“Strength matters, but control decides who stays standing.”

Gao Ren cut low, then high, testing rhythm.

Lin Tian stepped inside the pattern, redirecting instead of forcing.

“You’re reading my tempo, not bad for someone new to Azure Snow, but this floor punishes hesitation.”

“I noticed, every step needs purpose or the ice takes it away.”

Gao Ren burst forward with frost qi boosting his speed.

Lin Tian slipped sideways and struck with a short palm toward Gao Ren’s ribs.

The impact pushed Gao Ren back a half step.

Murmurs rose.

Gao Ren tightened his grip.

“You’re not weak, that’s clear, but one good exchange doesn’t win the fight.”

“True, which is why I won’t stop at one.”

Lin Tian pressed forward, blade tight, movement compact.

Steel met steel again.

Gao Ren’s heel slid slightly on the ice.

Lin Tian seized the opening and knocked the sword aside, palm stopping just short of Gao Ren’s throat.

The formation beneath them glowed.

Elder Qiao’s voice rang out.

“Winner, Lin Tian.”

Lin Tian stepped back and lowered his hand.

Gao Ren exhaled and gave a short nod.

“You didn’t rush, didn’t panic, and you used the terrain well, that’s more than most newcomers manage, I’ll remember this.”

“And I respect how cleanly you fought, no tricks, just skill, that makes the win worth something.”

They bowed.

Lin Tian stepped off the ice.

The slab flickered.

#39.

A low murmur rolled across the seating.

The same provisional disciple leaned close again.

“Starting at thirty-nine isn’t bad, most newcomers land lower, but don’t relax, the higher you climb, the sharper the opponents get.”

“I don’t plan to relax, this was only the first step.”

A faint warmth pulsed through the Link.

He didn’t look up, but he felt it.

Steady approval.

He breathed out once.

Another series of matches passed.

Then the murmurs changed tone.

A disciple whispered nearby.

“Lu Cang’s name just lit up, looks like he’s fighting soon, that one enjoys pushing newcomers down, he’s near the upper outer ranks.”

Another voice added.

“He’s stronger than Gao Ren by a full level or more, and he likes controlling fights slowly, so don’t expect mercy if you face him.”

Lin Tian kept watching.

Elder Qiao called the next names.

Then—

“Outer Disciple Lu Cang.”

A hush spread.

Lu Cang descended from the upper terrace with relaxed confidence.

The same disciple beside Lin Tian muttered.

“If he calls you out next, stay sharp, he likes talking during fights to shake people, don’t answer if it distracts you.”

“I’ll answer if it helps me control the pace.”

Lu Cang stepped onto the ice and turned, gaze settling directly on Lin Tian even before the slab flashed.

A moment later, the crystal lit.

Lin Tian’s name appeared beside Lu Cang’s.

The murmur surged.

“Well, that answers that,” the disciple whispered, stepping back, “good luck, you’ll need it.”

Lin Tian walked onto the arena again.

Lu Cang smiled thinly as they faced each other.

“So the miracle from Cloudcrest, I expected someone louder, someone eager to prove himself, but you look almost relaxed.”

“I didn’t come here to look impressive, I came here to climb steadily, and that starts with fighting whoever stands in front of me.”

“You speak calmly, but calm won’t save you if your strength falls short, I’m not Gao Ren, I don’t leave openings just to test reactions.”

“I don’t need you to leave openings, I just need you to fight honestly.”

Lu Cang rolled his wrist, frost qi flickering faintly.

“You realize if I win cleanly, the crowd decides your first victory was luck, and if I lose, they’ll say I underestimated you, so either way, this fight matters more to you than to me.”

“It matters to me because every fight here matters, not because of what the crowd thinks, but because ranking decides whether I stay stuck at the bottom or move forward.”

Lu Cang tilted his head slightly.

“You talk like someone who plans to stay here a long time.”

“I plan to climb until the sect stops seeing me as provisional.”

“That’s ambitious for someone who just arrived.”

“I waited eighteen years just to stand here, I don’t plan to waste the chance.”

Lu Cang’s smile thinned.

“Good, I prefer opponents with resolve, it makes the win feel earned.”

“Then fight seriously, and we’ll both know where we stand.”

Elder Qiao’s hand lifted.

The arena fell silent.

Lu Cang’s eyes sharpened.

“You should know something before we start, I don’t rush, I control space first, then I close it slowly, so if you plan to surprise me, do it early.”

“I don’t plan to surprise you, I plan to adapt.”

Elder Qiao’s hand dropped.

“Begin.”

Lu Cang stepped forward, blade angled low, frost qi whispering across the ice.

Lin Tian shifted his stance, breath steady.

Lu Cang spoke as he circled.

“Your first fight showed control, but control against Gao Ren isn’t the same as control against me, I don’t panic when pressure builds.”

“I’m not trying to make you panic, I’m trying to make you move.”

Lu Cang lunged, blade cutting in a tight arc.

Lin Tian met it, steel clashing, the impact heavier than Gao Ren’s had been.

Lu Cang pressed immediately.

“Feel that difference, this is the level you need to handle if you want to climb.”

“I feel it, and that just tells me how much sharper I need to be.”

They traded strikes across the slick ice, footsteps precise, blades flashing in short controlled bursts.

Lu Cang’s voice cut through the clash.

“You’re still calm, most newcomers tense by now, you either hide nerves well or you really believe you belong here.”

“I don’t need to belong yet, I just need to keep improving every step.”

Lu Cang pressed harder, forcing Lin Tian back a half step.

“Improvement takes time, and this arena doesn’t give much of it.”

“Then I’ll use what I have right now.”

Their blades locked briefly.

Lu Cang leaned closer, eyes sharp.

“Show me, Lin Tian, let’s see if your calm holds when the pressure rises.”

Lin Tian tightened his grip and shifted his weight, preparing for the next exchange.

The crowd leaned forward.

The ice beneath them glowed faintly with formation lines.

The fight had only just begun.

End of Chapter 44

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep