Spirit's Awakening: The Path of Lightning and Water-Chapter 386: The Lightning Steele’s Challenge

Tessa soared toward the Sect Master’s platform, her Spirit Ascension cultivation carrying her effortlessly. The moment her feet touched the stone, Elder Gwen was already stepping forward, arms open.

Before Tessa could say a word, Gwen pulled her into a tight, warm embrace, laughter in her voice. "You did amazing, my dear!" Gwen said, squeezing her. "Absolutely flawless!"

Tessa, caught off guard by the immediate hug, let out a small laugh before returning it. "Thank you, Master."

Gwen pulled back just enough to grasp Tessa’s shoulders, beaming a proud smile . "A perfect potion and the overall championship? I knew you had it in you, but seeing you pull it off—I’m beyond happy."

Tessa’s violet and green lightning-tinted eyes shone with quiet joy at the praise. "I just did what you taught me."

Gwen smirked. "And that’s exactly why you’re the best disciple I could ask for!"

The genuine pride in her voice was unmistakable. She then turned toward Volten, her posture straight, but her mood positively radiant.

"Sect Master," Gwen said, "I believe I’ll be looking forward to my promotion and additional resource allocations this year."

Volten let out a deep chuckle. "That, you will. Well-earned, Elder Gwen. Just remember that you’re to use this to further increase your teaching of students as well. I will personally look forward to seeing your next disciple at the following Elder Summit."

Tessa straightened, offering Volten a respectful bow. "Sect Master."

He nodded in return, his golden-orange lightning eyes gleaming with approval. "Tell me, young Myren—what’s next for you now that you’ve secured the top spot? Celebrating? Taking the rest of the week to bask in the glory before you received your God’s Trial reward token?"

Tessa grinned. "Thank you, but I’d rather celebrate by refining my next batch, Sect Master."

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Volten hummed. "A good mindset."

Then, his gaze shifted slightly, flicking toward the competition stage below. "And what of our underdog? Where is that Hermit of a master of his… I see, not even bothering to celebrate his Disciple’s win."

All eyes turned toward Aurelian Kain, still standing near his station, where his pills had been collected. Unlike the other competitors who had already left, he remained frozen in place, seemingly unsure what to do next as his master hadn’t shown up and the attendants also didn’t want to immediately kick the winner off the stage when the crowd was still cheering.

Tessa followed Volten’s gaze, her expression softening slightly as she watched him. Aurelian stood there, looking overwhelmed, his hands fidgeting slightly at his sides.

"…Would it be rude to invite him up?" Tessa asked, glancing at her master.

Gwen’s brow lifted slightly, but she smiled. "Go ahead."

Volten, also entertained, added, "By all means."

Tessa didn’t hesitate. She took a single step forward—then shot back into the air, descending swiftly toward the competition platform once more.

The coliseum buzzed with interest as the champion of the competition flew back down toward the quiet pill refiner who had nearly beaten her.

Aurelian’s head jerked up as he sensed someone approaching, his violet eyes widening slightly as Tessa landed lightly beside him.

Tessa tilted her head slightly. "You’re not leaving yet?"

Aurelian hesitated. "I, uh… wasn’t sure if we were supposed to wait for dismissal or…"

Tessa chuckled. "It’s over, you know."

"…I know," he said, voice quiet.

A brief pause.

Then, without hesitation, Tessa grabbed his wrist. Aurelian visibly stiffened, his entire posture locking up. Tessa ignored his reaction as she lifted into the air once more, pulling him up with her.

The coliseum watched in stunned silence as she brought him straight to the Sect Master’s platform with her.

Aurelian landed somewhat awkwardly, his stance unsteady as his boots touched down on the stone beside Tessa. He was Spirit Ascension stage like Tessa, but only level 1 where she was level 6.

Unfortunately, standing next to her, he looked even more out of place than before—clearly unsure why he was suddenly standing before the Sect Master and the gathered Elders.

Volten, amused, watched the entire thing unfold. Elder Gwen, standing proudly beside her disciple, let out an amused chuckle.

Aurelian, for his part, clearly wanted to be anywhere else. "…Was this necessary?" he muttered under his breath toward Tessa.

Tessa smirked. "Yes."

To which, Aurelian sighed.

Volten finally broke the silence. "Well, boy?" His golden-orange eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Got anything to say now that you’re standing here?"

Aurelian stood stiff for a moment, then quickly dipped into a deep bow. "Sect Master. Elders. I… I am thankful to be allowed in your presence and receive your recognition."

Volten laughed. "Well, aren’t you just peachy. Like master, like disciple. Though, you must know you’ve matched several of my Sect Elders with that performance, putting them to shame. You weren’t exactly expected to refine a six-cloud pill. Do you like proving people are worse than you?" He teased, clearly messing with the awkward youth.

Aurelian’s face turned a bit red. "I-I don’t… I just wanted to do my best."

Tessa grinned, nudging him slightly. "And you did."

Aurelian, still flustered, glanced at her briefly before quickly looking away again.

Volten finally waved a hand. "Go on. Enjoy your moment, both of you. I’ll find that hermit later and drag him out of his room if I have to for the awards ceremony at the end of the week. Regardless, we’ve got another competition to begin."

Tessa nodded, then gestured for Aurelian to follow her to stand off to the side of the Elders by themselves, but still looking down at the arena below.

The lingering excitement from the Alchemy Competition had not yet fully faded, but the coliseum was already shifting once more now that all of the competitors and stations were cleared off the arena. The very landscape of the arena adjusting in preparation for the next event.

Lassim leaned slightly forward, arms crossed as his eyes scanned the shifting arena.

The floating platforms that had joined together into one large stage as the Alchemy Division’s testing grounds were now retreating, shortening, and rearranging themselves into a singular, circular stage with a square, raised platform in the center.

At its center—after the circular shape completed—a structure began to emerge from the middle of the square shape as it opened up with triangular flaps that folded backwards to reveal something rising from beneath the stage.

From the depths of the Lightning Sect’s underground vaults, an enormous monolith rose into view in a flashy display, slowly ascending from beneath the coliseum floor as arcs of lightning spiraled around its surface. Nothing could prepare the recently joined disciples for what appeared as it was not a mere stone tablet.

It was ancient, massive, and completely covered in strange, layered inscriptions—its entire surface etched with unfamiliar runes, swirling storm-like patterns, and depictions of martial movements frozen in time.

As soon as it was fully revealed, a thick pulse of Lightning Mana rippled outward, the sheer density of its energy pressing down on the entire coliseum. The entire perpetual Lightning storm that hovered over the sect headquarters blossomed and ballooned in size. The clouds and lightning going berserk in the obelisk’s presence.

For a brief moment, Lassim felt something odd—not just the Steele’s wave of releases mana, but a presence, a lingering intent woven into the inscriptions, as if many generations of Lightning cultivators had somehow engraved bits and pieces of themselves into the stone. Like they left behind a fragment of their will, or intent, as they felt so familiar to his Lightning sprite fish.

And then—

A loud crack of lightning struck the monolith’s surface from the erratically overcharged clouds. The electricity danced between the carved runes as the circular arena for several minutes before it fully settled.

Niko, still standing atop the announcer’s platform, spread his arms wide, his voice carrying effortlessly over the gathered audience.

"Disciples of the Lightning Sect! Honored Elders! And esteemed guests! The time has come for the next test of our Personal Disciples—the Martial Comprehension and Technique Creation Trial!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, but this time, the energy was different. It wasn’t just the general excitement for another competition. For those in the know, it was anticipation. This was a challenge of the mind with results that could benefit the entire sect. Well, as long as someone was a genius and incredibly lucky…

Niko gestured toward the towering monolith, its surface still shimmering with the lingering arcs of lightning from its activation.

"Fret not for those that believe an Alchemy Master like myself is unqualified for this event. I should remind you all that I came first place in this very event 200 years ago to the day when I first came under Elder Orlea’s mentorship as a Personal Disciple. BEHOLD! At the center of the arena, we see before us the Ancient Lightning Steele—one of the oldest artifacts in our sect’s history!"

His voice rose in intensity, commanding the full attention of the thousands present.

"This Steele is no ordinary relic—it is a sacred text carved not into pages, but into stone itself! Passed down since the founding of our sect, it carries within it the very origins of our Lightning Sect’s first recorded techniques—techniques that have served as the foundation of every martial art we practice today!"

Niko continued, "For thousands of years, countless Lightning Sect disciples and personal disciples alike have stood before this Steele, attempting to decipher its mysteries. It does not reveal its secrets easily and what is revealed may or may not be the same as what’s been comprehended before. It has tested generations of our Lightning Sect cultivators, demanding both insight and innovation. Many have spent years studying its inscriptions—some grasping only fragments, while others uncover techniques lost to time."

A hush settled over the audience as his tone was serious and overly dramatic to increase the tension that filled the air. Even those who had seen this competition before were captivated all over again.

"The rules of this competition are simple!" Niko declared abruptly.

A ripple of energy spread through the arena as he motioned toward the 52 Personal Disciples now entering and floating or walking onto the circular stage before standing at the base of the Steele.

"These 52 competitors have proven themselves in both martial comprehension and technique creation over the past five years! On recommendations from their masters, they claim to not just be spirit warriors—they are instead scholars of the Lightning Dao, innovators of techniques, and seekers of the unknown!"

A murmur spread through the stands.

Unlike the Alchemy competitors, these disciples weren’t particularly famous or well known for their physical battles, but rather for their intellect, insight, and ability to push the boundaries of martial technique theory. Often seen helping or correcting students on the many training grounds, or being genuine geniuses at strategy lectures within the Lightning Sect’s resources divisions.

Niko’s voice lowered slightly, building tension before the final announcement.

"Unlike the fast sprint of the previous competition, this is a marathon! For the next 24 hours, these disciples will sit before the Ancient Lightning Steele, meditating on its inscriptions, comprehending its wisdom, and searching for enlightenment."

The competitors remained still, their gazes locked onto the massive Steele, their expressions a mix of determination and focus.

"They will not be fighting. They will not be testing their strength against one another. Instead—they will battle with their minds."

Lassim felt his interest grow. This was different from any competition he had witnessed before. Another new kind of experience that was more like a test of perception instead of power.

Niko continued, his voice rising once more.

"The goal is simple: Each disciple must attempt to interpret and recreate a technique from the Steele’s inscriptions. Most will grasp fragments of techniques—portions of movements, half-formed martial arts, or adaptations of our sect’s traditional skills. However—"

Niko paused, a grin spreading across his face, letting the tension build before delivering the final, most important rule.

"In extremely rare cases… A disciple may uncover a completely new technique—one never before seen in our sect’s history. That is why there will be two winners! The one who displays the most comprehended and complete martial technique from the Steele’s wisdom, and a second in the event that a brand new technique is created from your musings on the Steele."

The crowd stirred at those words.

This was the true rarity of the event. For most, this would be a test of comprehension, a chance to prove their ability to interpret and apply the wisdom of their predecessors. But for the most exceptional of geniuses… This was an opportunity to create something entirely new that would affect the future of the sect’s martial techniques.

Lassim exhaled slowly, his gaze locked onto the Steele. This… was far more fascinating than he had expected.

Volten, seated beside him, let out a low chuckle. "You look interested."

Lassim didn’t take his eyes off the arena. "It’s brand new. I wonder what kind of new technique could be created? It might inspire me too!"

The Sect Master smirked. "This event is less flashy than the others, but in some ways, it’s the most important to the sect’s legacy. It’s what allows our sect to continue evolving. Our library is filled with techniques that were first understood here and then adapted and changed as many more minds came across them and understood something new."

Lassim nodded, understanding the weight of that statement.

Below, the 52 Personal Disciples had now all taken their positions in front of the Steele, settling into meditation.

Niko lifted his hand into the air.

"Competitors! Your 24 hours starts now! BEGIN!"

A crack of Lightning erupted from the Steele’s surface, sending a pulse of power rippling outward. The disciples remained motionless, their focus entirely locked onto the inscriptions before them.

A silent war had begun.