Kong Shi cracked his knuckles and stretched his joints. He watched the throng of people run up the stage, lively and all smiles, only to come crashing down with a dozen teeth missing and a few limbs sprained at best.

He wrily shook his head, thinking of these parading clowns as nothing but, and holding a common stone talisman in his hand, caressing it gently with his fingers.

The small stone totem was engraved with archaic drawings of stars and moons, there was an almost uncanny gray pearl comfortably slotted in its center, and the celestial bodies seemingly orbited around it, drawn into the inconspicuous orb.

He shook his head once more, only he knew the mysteries of this artifact, the ineffable truth it harbored, and the power that lied dormant within.

If it hadn't been for Murong's keen senses he would have never found this treasure at the lakeshore, between swept stones and other resurfaced detritus. How beautiful she had smiled when she forced it into his hands, as keepsake of sorts; he promised to never forget her kindness.

Kong Shi craned his limbs one last time and made up his mind. He would earn eternal glory, and pay his little step-sister back a hundred-fold. And this tournament would be his first stepping stone.

But all that didn't matter right now, he aimed much higher of course, what did matter though, was the debt Ling Bo would have to pay. He would beat the snobby bastard to a pulp, he would show him, his lackeys, and the clan that he is not to be trifled with, that crossing him is a mistake. With Ling Bo as his first victim, he would stamp a place of his own into the martial world.

He would leave the clan and seek adventure and treasure in the farthest reaches of the world, he would brave dangers and face countless tribulations, but he would succumb to none; he was ready and prepared.

And although he didn't know what game Ling Bo was playing by falsely crippling himself, Kong Shi would smash apart all lies and subterfuge, like the smoke and mirrors it was. He would let the spectators bear witness to Ling Bo's truly wretched self. Layer by layer he would expose the pompous fool for what he truly is, until none will see Zho Ling Bo, proud son of Zhu Xiao and to-be sect master, but just a pitiable, destitute joke.

Deep in his heart a tiny part of Kong Shi admired the sect master. For he was stern and bitterly callous. He might not have stopped Ling Bo from tormenting him from early childhood on, or any other kid for that matter, but neither did he get involved when the tables were turned, if rarely and by the elders and senior disciples only.

For that alone Kong Shi would spare Ling Bo's life and stay his hand at crippling him, but by the Gods, he would trash him thoroughly.

And so he moved up on stage. Murong squeezed his hand a last time with a wink and smile and bid him good luck; though he needn't no luck, he appreciated her kind, wifey gesture - truly a wonderful woman: she would be his betrothed one day.

His opponent, Mi Kairuo, a stocky, short fella, dove through the crowd and stomped on stage. He was the better of Mi Shushan, one of Ling's sycophants, but contrary to his younger sibling he possed actual martial skill.

The sand coloured robe fluttered gently, the red shawl around his waist and feather in his hair doing likewise. With each step his wood sandals clacked on the tiled ground and the earth thrummed; a cocky grin stretched from ear to ear. Kairuo thumped his chest twice with balled fist and hollered wildly, much to the amusement of the crowd.

"Junior Brother Kong Shi -", it sounded from his stern face. "let's exchange notes, what do you say?"

There was a certain amount of ridicule and maliciousness in his words but Kong Shi couldn't be bothered by such a show-off, no, Ling Bo was supposedly much stronger than most juniors attending here. Though he was sheltered and coddled, none dared say he wasn't talented, his talents were simply wasted.

"Aye, that's what we are here for, no, Brother Kairuo?", Kong Shi asked and smirked.

"That we are.", giving a terse nod Kairuo beckoned with one hand. "As your senior, I shall let you strike first."

Shrugging Kong Shi lowered himself into a crouching stance. Feet spread shoulder-wide and knees slightly bent he began tipping forward. Like an arrow let loose from its string he charged.

Kairuo grinned, his hands formed into claws and ebbing with yellow light. "What an idiot.", he muttered under his breath and drove the pale yellow energy from his hands into his feet.

All of a sudden the earth sprang to life, forming a protective rampart of jagged rocks that flowed forward like a bone-crushing wave.

Kong Shi jumped, twisting through the spikes that began branching away from the main body. With a few light taps of foot and hand he manoeuvered himself through the narrow cracks and crevices without a scratch. Kairuo frowned but remained silent.

Directing the course of his bouldering tidal wave back with his body he let it circle Kong Shi and assaulted him from behind. He licked his lips and re-directed part of his elemental power into his upper-body, were the earth spirit reinforced his flesh, bones and skin. Now Kong Shi was stuck between a rock and a hard place, almost literally.

But Kairuo saw no panic in his eyes. What he saw was a cold, calculating gaze, unflinching and calm like lake waters. He wondered briefly if Kong Shi had a method to deal with this self-made pincer attack, but he doubted it, this was their first time fighting after all.

He only creased his eyebrows before assuming a defensive posture, his legs in the horse-stance and arms stretched forward, ready to intercept. Waiting for the right time he watched Kong Shi approaching, and just as he slipped into his defense his arms sprang to life, and like a vice they snapped shut. He would bind him in a bear-hug and let the crushing tide do the rest.

Would.

A hair's-breadth away Kong Shi glowed in a strange, cosmic blue. His feet touched the ground and then: he vanished.

The last thing Kairuo remembered was Kong Shi's heel approaching from the side, and then darkness.

*****

Ling Bo stared gobsmacked at the duel, but there was no one to fault him, after all, every discussion on the plaza came to a grinding stop and every spectators' eyes were glued to the battlegrounds.

Kong Shi stood triumphantly above his downed opponent, not even sweat gracing his brow after this display of dominating strength. He simply rolled his eyes at the goggling crowd before he glowered right at Ling Bo.

'Fuck's sake!!!!!', Ling Bo swore. He was ready to ditch this competition and call in sick or something, but of course, lovely Lan Xi had other plans in store.

"Humph -" Her chin skyward. "Big Bro Ling-Ling can do way better, I bet!", and amidst the silence, her voice echoed like a peal of thunder.

The crowd turned and even Qingya couldn't help but marvel a bit. "Really?", she gasped incredulously for only the three of them to hear.

"Of course!" Little Xi nodded. "Big Brother Ling is the best!", and her toothy, innocent smile made all the anger and exasperation in Ling Bo's heart melt away.

'Well, then. Looks like I have no choice. Can't let my waifu down!'

Dusting off his robes Ling Bo stood up; ready to rumble.