Chapter 29 – Rumors and Draws
Flux remained seated in the arena until the final match of the round concluded. This time, the sun was still high in the sky, casting golden light across the polished tiles of the stage. The cheers of the crowd slowly faded as the last victor bowed and stepped off the platform.
Then, the elder stepped forward once more, his robes fluttering in the breeze, voice steady and resonant.
"There are seven of you left," he announced. "As before, you will each draw a token from the box. Those who receive a black token will skip this round and pass directly to the semifinals. White means you will battle."
A few participants sighed or muttered under their breath. The tension was palpable now—every remaining cultivator was just one match away from the final showdown.
The attendant entered, carrying the familiar lacquered box. It hovered slightly in his hands, glowing faintly with the same intricate formation as before. The runes shimmered softly, a visible reminder that the draw could not be tampered with.
One by one, the participants stepped forward to test their fate.
Flux moved calmly and drew his token.
White.
Again.
He glanced sideways, already suspecting the result.
Xavier Reu held his token up calmly for the elder to see.
Black.
Again.
The air grew colder. Several participants turned toward Xavier, eyebrows twitching.
"…Wait. Again?"
"That's three draws, and he's skipped all of them?"
"You've got to be joking. That's not luck. That's divine intervention."
Someone muttered darkly, "Or he's cheating."
Even the elder looked perplexed now. With a flick of his sleeve, he summoned a projection of the sealing formation used on the box. A net of glowing blue and silver runes materialized midair, humming gently with flawless energy flow.
"The formation is intact," he said clearly. "It prevents tampering, even from Core Formation realm cultivators. Unless one of you would like to accuse this sect of dishonesty, I suggest you focus on your matches."
The murmurs faded, though several glares lingered in Xavier's direction. Xavier, as always, stood unbothered—expression calm, arms behind his back, eyes closed as if this all bored him.
With the matter settled, the elder waved his hand. A shimmering board lit up with the next set of matchups.
Flux found his name quickly.
Flux vs. Mona Dentaras – Top Disciple of the Night Lotus Pavilion.
He exhaled softly. The competition was finally reaching its peak.
The elder nodded once. "Rest well. Matches resume tomorrow morning."
—
Later, in a quiet courtyard shaded by trees, Ryo lounged lazily on a stone bench. He tossed roasted seeds into his mouth from a crinkled pouch, chewing loudly and without shame.
Flux approached, still composed, his long steps measured as always.
Ryo grinned like a devil who'd just found a bag of spirit stones. "Well, well, if it isn't the man of the hour. Our very own mysterious heartthrob."
Flux stopped. "What's gotten into you this time?"
Ryo nearly choked on a seed as he laughed. "You should've seen their faces when they realized who you were. It was like watching statues being carved in real-time. Especially Lucas—looked like he swallowed his own teeth."
Flux gave him a flat look.
Ryo wiped a tear from his eye. "And the rumors! Hoo boy, the rumors!"
Flux raised an eyebrow.
Ryo leaned in. "You're a runaway young master from a fallen clan, a rogue disciple of a hidden sect, a reincarnated ancient cultivator, a demon beast in disguise—and my favorite—an exile from Celestial Peak for being too handsome."
Flux blinked. "That last one definitely sounds like something you started."
Ryo put a hand over his heart. "I am wounded by your lack of trust. Besides, it's only slander if it's false."
Flux exhaled. "You're getting worse."
"Hehehe, I call it charm," Ryo said, grinning as he flipped another seed into his mouth.
"Oh yeah, one more thing." Ryo pointed a greasy finger toward the arena. "So, who's your next opponent?"
Flux looked over. "Mona Dentaras. Top disciple of Night Lotus Pavilion."
Ryo's eyes lit up. "Ohhh? Maybe you can charm her into surrendering without a fight. Mysterious Flux, striking again?"
Flux squinted at him. "Did Selina Vale hit you so hard your brain's still rattling? I swear I can still smell smoke coming from your head."
"Hey!" Ryo scowled. "You said you'd never bring that up again."
Flux smirked slightly. "You brought it up just by existing."
Ryo threw a seed at him and changed the subject. "So what about Xavier? Who's he fighting?"
"He drew a black token. Again."
Ryo froze. "…Again? That's the third time."
"Yep."
Ryo lowered his voice. "You think he's cheating?"
Flux shrugged. "The elder checked. The formation's untouched. No sign of interference."
Ryo grew more thoughtful, lips pressing together. "Then either that guy's got heaven-defying luck… or something weird is going on."
Flux didn't respond, but his fingers tapped rhythmically against his side, as if thinking deeply.
Then he gave Ryo a sideways look. "And don't think you're off the hook, smoke-head."
Ryo sighed. "Ah, come on, man…"
Flux smiled faintly. "Anyway, I need to go buy new clothes. I can't walk into the semifinals looking like I just crawled out of a beast's den."
Ryo glanced him over. "Tsk. You didn't look like you crawled out of a den. You looked like a den rejected you."
—
They wandered into the marketplace together.
After a brief search, Flux picked out a set of black robes—sleek, practical, and clean—and a new wide-brimmed hat.
Ryo stared at him like he'd lost his mind. "Seriously? Again with the hat? And black robes? You do know you're in a public tournament, right? Not a midnight assassination?"
"I told you," Flux replied calmly. "I'm comfortable in this."
Ryo groaned. "You say you don't want to look shady, but you're dressing like a wandering ghost with debt collectors after him!"
Flux adjusted his collar. "I like simple things."
"You look like a spirit hunter who got rejected by his own shadow."
Flux raised an eyebrow. "Better than looking like someone who lost to a girl in front of thousands people."
Ryo froze mid-step.
"…You promised not to bring that up again."
Flux chuckled softly and walked ahead, his new robes fluttering behind him.
Ryo chased after him, seeds still in hand. "At least let me get new boots before the next match! You can't out-shine me forever!"
Flux didn't look back.
Ryo grumbled louder. "Damn mysterious main characters and their aesthetic…"