Fenghuang Yu’s shoulders slumped at that announcement. The words, “It’s her!” in many different forms filled the colosseum. A few said, “No wonder she felt free to harm a Bao.” Another staff slam slowly silenced the building. Yu didn’t take her eyes off Elder Guang.

“In addition to the 10,000 points for winning and risk of losing your first 1,000 points for losing, Outer Sect Elder Bao will also grant an additional 1,000 points to the winner with an additional 1,000 points if the winner wins in a similar method to which disciple Yu defeated disciple Bao.”

All of a sudden tens and then hundreds of people stood and called out challenges. Yu looked around and then back at the man on the stage and said, “With all due respect, elder, I was ready to go get my new room set up. This is your mess.”

A small smile formed on his scarred face and said, “Fair.” He once again slammed his staff down and a vibrating bang echoed through the arena. Everyone less than a core disciple covered their ears, including Yu. The elder’s voice echoed throughout the arena. “That will do, disciples. Sit down.”

Yu decided to also sit on the stage in lotus and cycle to regain as much energy as she could while he worked it out. She said, “To get the bonuses of fighting five in a row, I’ll fight four more. You choose. But only new disciples.”

Someone called out, “Why only new people? Are you scared?”

Yu called out, “Let’s come back to that after battling a few of the new folks.” They found that statement interesting. Could she really be willing? Was she that arrogant?

Elder Guang said, “The sect leader’s disciple has agreed to four more battles, how are we to decide who it will be?”

There was some muttering and whispering when someone yelled, “I’ll wager my next 1,100 points instead of just 1,000.” And that started it. . . a bidding war. When it began to die down, the elder turned to Yu and asked, “Disciple?”

Yu opened her eyes and called loudly, “Nothing above 3,000. Remember that there are only two months to earn 1,000 dragon points or you will be expelled. Please think this through. Many of you could add quite a bit to the sect and your family and clans if you stay and train here.”

That was a harsh reminder causing an overwhelming majority of people to sit down. In the back of their minds, many found that statement unexpected. Some wondered if they would turn down thousands of more points for the betterment of the strangers. Others found it absurd not to gather what she could when she could and to the hells with anyone else. Nearly all wondered about the provenance of the nine-year-old who just defeated a boy many years older with seeming ease. Yu overrode her fear and turned her head to the seats of those who she hoped were still her friends and found them all looking at her with wide eyes. At least none of the three looked angry. Yet.

Turning away, Yu observed that, despite the risk, many more than four disciples were still standing. Another elder climbed onto the stage, whispered in elder Guang’s ear, and then left. The one-eyed man called loudly, “One moment please.” The place quieted to whispers again and the elder continued, “I think you should understand what you risk besides your dragon points. The disciple, Bao Qing, who was just defeated has a crushed trachea that can only be partially healed immediately. He will fully recover but it will require many weeks or even months. Many weeks or months in which he cannot train, gather points, or grow stronger. While we allow disciples to stay and defer their monthly contribution while injured at the sect, when he returns. . . if he returns, he will be spending his first points making up for the lost time.” Yu’s shoulders slumped at that. She didn’t mean to hit him that hard. In fact, she was quite confident she hadn’t; he was just physically weak. The boy was probably brought up protected and spoiled and never challenged for real, told he was amazing all his life. Yu did not miss the striking similarity to her entirely average twin brothers. A smashing sound echoed from inside the elder box, but Elder Bao stayed inside this time. Yu sighed and shook her head.

That was the first permanent or nearly fatal injury most of the disciples had seen in this sort of setting so it came as an additional emotional shock. The elder spoke firmly and loudly as he lectured the group of young cultivators. “I have told you. Your elders have told you. Cultivation is not a game. The contribution points you risk are not points in a game. They are to grow and strengthen yourselves so you do not suffer a similar fate. His injury was his own fault for being weak and stupid and prideful and because he thought that entering this circle was a fun game to show off his prowess.” Another smashing sound inside the box followed that statement. Ignoring it he continued, “Cultivation Is. Not. A. Game. Think about that before you wager your future battling someone like this disciple. Or anyone in the years to come. Cultivation is blood and pain and death. Accept that or go home.” Yu recalled similar words when her father described her journey in front of their clan.

Thankfully more challengers sat. Many more in fact. But yet, some still stood. Only some, but more than four. She didn’t understand those people. How could a single fight possibly be so important? Were points that hard to come by that they would risk their futures? If Yu thought she could get away with it, she would simply leave, head back to get her things, and move in with her friends. Unfortunately, her master set this whole thing up and probably would make her suffer for leaving. Or worse, the girls. She looked at them and then back at the elder and shrugged.

***

Elder Guang, the caretaker of the outer sect arena and member of the sect for the last 451 years looked up at the elder box and mentally shook his head. Everything had proceeded relatively normally at first, although there were more fights this year because the sect leader said none could decline. Generally, everything was smooth and moving towards a close. Then that idiot boy decided to use up all his Qi on an obviously useless water attack and left nothing for himself to fight with. Did these children even ever fight for real before coming here? Who raised them? Sadly, he knew the answer in that boy’s case.

Of course, the sect leader’s disciple baited him into fighting to slap his face in front of half the outer sect with those resigned fights before. Guang wondered if the girl was aware of how close to killing him she came. What a weak boy. It was a soft strike - barely a tickle compared to combat in his youth. Children these days. . . This entire spoiled generation was soft and continued getting softer. It was a miracle the demonic beasts hadn’t destroyed all of humanity by now. Looking at the girl calmly sitting and looking up at him, he thought perhaps there was hope for humanity. Maybe. He doubted she knew of the trouble that episode would cause her. Or perhaps she did. She did seem clever.

Either way, he wasn’t responsible for this absurdity. Sighing, Elder Guang called to the crowd, “There are nine of you and four matches. Who will withdraw?”

***

This whole episode was absurd in Yu’s opinion but she sighed and said, “Let’s just do one at a time. I may withdraw before four anyway if I don’t believe I can win.” She looked at a boy with red hair that looked around 13 or 14, pointed at him and said, “Him first for having red hair.”

Everyone muttered and wondered what red hair had to do with anything. Of course, all the red-heads were then questioning whether they should have sat down. Grinning widely he leaped down and took his place in the circle. Elder Guang said, “Technically, disciple Yu was challenged so she gets to determine the conditions.”

Yu looked at the boy, shrugged and asked, “What’s your name?”

He looked surprised and said, “Huitou Deng.”

Looking him up and down, she asked, “Disciple Huitou, are you a Fire Warrior?” He blinked and nodded.

Looking at Elder Guang she said, “Melee weapons and Fire Aura Qi skills only.”

Many muttered at that. They wondered why she would use such odd phrasing. Why would she specify Aura skills only? If she was a Mage that limited her, and if she was a Warrior she wouldn’t have had to say it. That she specified Fire meant she was likely a dual affinity Earth and Fire as she used Earthen Armor in her last match. A number of the watching elders and older disciples wondered if she would become a blacksmith as was common with that combination of affinities. Perhaps they could entice her to join their groups. Having the sect leader’s disciple as theirs would certainly raise their group’s standing. And having been the one to recruit her would have increased their individual face and authority within their groups.

Elder Guang asked them to tap badges and present their weapons for blunting and they did. As always, her hook swords caused a bit of a stir in both the crowd and her opponent but she ignored them all. Disciple Huitou wielded a single very slightly curved single-edged longsword called a miaodao. That done, Yu bowed to her opponent in exactly the most polite manner for an equal and he did the same. When the elder dropped his hand and called for the match to begin, both disciples charged each other.

As she suspected, her opponent flared with Flame Thorns and his sword was also alight with Fire Sword. To that point she has not used any skills. When they reached melee range, he swiped downward from her left to right and she swept her swords behind and with it while sliding back a half-step. His sword caught against the hilts of hers and she twisted her wrists in a standard trap which caught his sword between her crescent blades and the primary sword blade. As suspected he was very strong when he pushed and thus she increased the push back to match it. His eyes opened wide at the unexpected resistance from the tiny girl in front of him. Grinning, she quickly snapped her wrists down causing the blade to twist in his hands. He was forced to loosen his grip or risk injury to his hands and wrists; so he did and she swept the longsword away and off the ring, its fire sputtering out. She then placed her swords in her ring and her arms and legs lit into silver flame. She struck forward with her left fist against his chest quickly and he raised his arms barely in time to take the blow on his forearms. He called out in surprised pain as the silver flame overwhelmed his red and it burned him. She took the distraction and slid to her right while striking his stomach with a flaming left knee. He exhaled his air with an “oof,” and bent over. She continued her slide and sliced the back of his neck with the side of her hand causing him to collapse unconscious on the stone floor with a thump. From beginning to end the entire combat took maybe ten breaths.

The silver fire on her body instantly vanished and she called, “Healers! He’ll have some minor burns I believe but should be alright otherwise.”

What started as excited yelling had ended in a silent arena. It was broken when Elder Guang called, “Disciple Yu is victorious. She receives 100 points for the fight, 100 for the victory, 3,000 for defeating the challenger, and 2,000 from Elder Bao for both the win and the defeat in a similar way to her original victory.”

Nodding, she looked at the healers helping the recovering disciple Deng to his feet, restored but a little unsteady. Yu walked up to him and said loudly, “I admire your courage. Well fought. You will add to this sect and bring honor to your clan. I return to you half of your 3,000 wagered points.” A lot of talking and noise came from that pronouncement. Some with praise and some criticism. Lower she said, “You really did fight well, but you should spend some time on your martial skills as well as your Qi skills. Congratulations on a good match.” Blinking, he bowed his head to Yu and she returned it.

While he was being helped off the fighting circle, Elder Guang asked, “Who’s next?” Almost everyone sat down then, except a few redheads and two of the original others.

Chuckling she asked, “Anyone with something other than fire?”

One of the two girls raised her hand and said, “I have lightning but I’m a Mage.” Yu looked her up and down and saw her skin has a slightly purple tinge to it.

Yu smiled widely at her. “That’s perfect. Let’s give it a go.”

Smiling shyly the girl came down and asked, “Would it be ok if I just did the standard 1,000?”

Yu nodded and said, “Sure. I certainly don’t want to be responsible for anyone getting expelled if they are smart and talented enough to be and stay here.” Yu looked up at the box and said loudly, “No matter their lineage.” Muttering filled the seats at that obvious challenge. She ignored it and turned to her opponent, “What’s your name?”

“I’m Heng Hu.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Fenghuang Yu.”

She giggled and said, “I know.”

Elder Guang snapped, “This is the Arena, not a social center!”

Both Yu and Hu jerked and stood up straight. Yu winked at her though. She grinned back and Yu said, “Elder, I chose this fight to be limited to any non-thrown or shot weapons and Lightning Qi only.”

He blinked at her and said, “Are you sure? While you can call for specifics Qi it cannot be any the challenger does not have. You will be at a disadvantage.”

In an exasperated tone she said, “My master set this whole thing up for a reason. I figure I would be an unfilial direct disciple if I didn’t play along.” Now everyone was wondering if she had a third affinity. In most of their minds, she has been impressive but not truly worthy of someone like their mighty sect leader. The three Aura affinities of Fire, Earth, and Lightning plus her talent might push her over the edge to being just good enough. More importantly, it would make her a terror in combat.

Shaking his head he said, “Fine. Tap your badges and present your weapons.” They did and each called out their weapons. Yu’s opponent had a pair of short spears. Something new? Yu grinned with excitement. To everyone’s surprise, hook swords did not appear in Yu’s hands. Instead, a coiled red leather whip was presented to the elder who looked at it with his single visible eyebrow raised.

Once protected, they returned to their circles and Yu stood ready, the whip still coiled in her hand but back and available to be used. When the match began Yu watched the girl’s hands begin sparkling with tiny purple bolts. While running towards her, Yu pointed at the girl and in front of her face appeared a bright purple flash and loud cracking sound. The girl shrieked and covered her eyes with one hand and an ear with the other. Flashing Burst was a skill her mother gave her but she rarely used because it was too indiscriminate. In other words, it blinded and deafened everyone close, including the wielder and any allies. Fortunately for the sect master’s disciple and unlike her opponent, Yu knew it was coming and had closed her eyes and opened her mouth. She learned from her mother that opening the mouth helped with the ear damage. Yu still heard some ringing but it didn’t stop her from charging. She pointed again and a purple streak of lightning struck Hu in the center of her chest and she jerked from the shock. Yu swung the whip and it wrapped around the girl’s ankles. With a pull, Yu yanked the girl from her feet causing her to fall on her back, hitting her head on the stone floor. Yu leaped forward, landing astride the prone girl’s stomach. As she landed, Yu’s fist, crackling with purple bolts, struck Heng Hu’s chest where the prior bolt stuck and then punched again at her face but stopped just short, the sparks popping across her fingers and just in front of Hu’s nose. Standing up and leaping back Yu called, “Healers. She may have a concussion from the blow to her head.”

Then she turned to Elder Guang who was staring at her with a furious expression. Yu tilted her head and wondered why he was so mad. She asked curiously, “Elder?” Then she looked around and figured it out. Oh right. Yu was oblivious to it during the fight, but the arena was absolutely a mess with screaming and declaring how what they witnessed was impossible and she just used both Qi types. Many were saying she cheated.

Elder Guang asked through gritted teeth, “What did you use?”

Yu said, “Lightning Qi and a whip, Elder. Just as the conditions stated.” The arena was even more upset now, absolutely convinced she cheated.

The man still seems livid. “I mean what tool or talisman did you use?”

Yu responded with deliberate slowness, “I used nothing but what I was granted by the gods, Elder.”

The elder was still furious when he asked, “Are you telling me that you not only have three affinities, you can use two types of Qi? We do not abide cheating this building!” He snapped that last sentence.

Yu nodded and said. “I also abhor cheating, Elder.”

His teeth were grinding and he demanded in a slow growl, “Prove. It.”

Yu tilted her head at him again and stomped her foot once. A spike of Earth shots up from the ground five paces from her and right in front of him. Then she called a flaming silver sword in her hand and vanished it. That took away too much Qi to waste showing off.

The elder looked her up and down and said in an odd tone, “I see. Any other tricks?”

Yu nodded, glowed blue, and sweat from her began beading and forming into a small ball floating in front of her. She released it and the water splashed down on the ground. Then Yu withdrew a knife from her ring and sliced her palm which she was holding out for all to see. The place was totally confused then, wondering if she was as nuts as her master. That was until she glowed forest green and the cut closed in front of everyone’s eyes with tiny green vines holding it together until they dissipated into the air. The shock from the audience was nearly palpable.

Clearing her throat she asked, “Elder, with all due respect, did you think that someone like the sect leader picked me because of my good looks?” Then Yu thought for a moment and said, “Well, knowing him he might have but he hates silver so that probably wasn’t it. It can be hard to tell with him though.”

Throwing caution to the wind, Yu clapped her hands in the silent arena and asked over the noise, “So who’s next? I have another two fights before I get the five in a row bonuses. Assuming I win of course.”

Seeing nobody respond she said, “Alright then, I am willing to battle one of the older outer sect disciples as long as I get to set the challenge rules.”

There was no point in hiding now. Just about everyone would know her and would react in their own ways and with their own motivations. It was going to happen eventually anyway when she challenged to get above rank 20,000 and then again for the top 1,000 and 100. This whole ridiculous public episode had just pushed things up in her timeline. Which, in retrospect, was probably what her master intended. Why not make a spectacle enhancing his ability to protect Yu by removing the “I didn’t know she was your disciple” routine?

Anyway, it was time to move this along. Looking around Yu asked, “Anyone? If not, I want to spend some time with my new suitemates and get settled.”

Yu heard a laugh and turned to see Jao Lu covering her mouth with her hand and blushing as everyone stared at her. Yu waved and she waved back with her other hand.

Remembering the moment, Yu looked directly at a specific location in the stands and called, “Who was the disciple who wondered if a nine-year-old was too afraid to fight an older disciple who opened however many meridians?” Clearly that was a jibe and the young man and he had to respond or he would lose face. Especially since Yu was staring directly at him. He had shoulder-length yellow hair and looked like an average boy with a short blond mustache. Yu guessed he was 19 or 20 which meant he was running out of time to rise in cultivation sufficiently to get promoted to inner sect disciple.

He slowly stood and asked, “Are you challenging me?”

Yu smiled and said, “Nope. You were the one who wondered if I would accept challenges. Wasn’t that what you were asking when you spoke earlier, hidden from most eyes? I believe you asked of me, ‘Why only new people? Are you scared?’” She spoke his words in a lower voice in a poor imitation of him. Everyone was looking at the young man now. Some in anticipation, but most in derision. He just lost quite a bit of face and hadn’t even done anything but speak. Yu continued, “So I ask, are you scared to challenge me now? Will you take the risk you derided me for declining?” The place was really muttering then. Everyone knew Yu put him in an impossible position. He had to challenge her or do terrible damage to his reputation. Of course, if he challenged Yu and lost he would lose so many points he would likely fail to make the monthly fee.

The young man looked around to see the expectant expressions of most staring at him. He shook his head and sat back down. “I won’t risk my future on you,” was his response. The sneers of the rest of the audience were obvious but Yu was impressed. It was the right choice and the same one Yu would have made. Who cared what others thought? Of course, he was also put in his place and Yu’s prestige was raised by forcing an older and stronger boy to back off from a tiny nine-year-old girl.

Yu turned in a circle, “I will accept a challenge from any outer sect disciple under the conditions previously stated.”

One person stood. He had wavy white hair to his shoulders and was quite a large young man. Not as large as Neng Po but still had broad shoulders and was a good three heads taller than Yu. Several people muttered, but Yu was focused on him when he said, “I’ll challenge for the honor of the outer sect.”