16 Internal Tournament

As the day of the tournament arrived, the atmosphere within the Coven charged with excitement. Disciples and elders gathered at the central training ground, where a spacious area was for the matches. Towering trees encompassed the place, and their leaves dappled shadows on the earth.

Seraphina stood confidently at the edge of the training ground, her black hair shining under the sunlight and her amethyst-colored eyes focused. She can feel the eyes of fellow accepted disciples on her, but she remains calm, reminding herself that this tournament is an opportunity for her to grow.

Elder Nyra stands at the center of the arena, her commanding presence silencing the chatter.

"Welcome, fellow disciples, to this internal tournament!"

"Today, you will have the chance to prove yourself and qualify for the Grand Sect Tournament!"

"The top five performers of each section will represent our Coven. Each of them will receive a cultivation resource for the good performance!"

"Accepted disciples will receive a Nebula Fruit, core disciples a Rising Star Elixir, and heirs will receive a Phoenix Flame Cleansing Elixir!"

People started murmuring after hearing what the prizes were going to be.

"I can't believe they're giving out Nebula Fruits to the accepted disciples! That's a precious cultivation resource!"

"And the core disciples get Rising Star Elixirs! Those are said to accelerate cultivation progress by four times!"

"But the heirs get Phoenix Flame Cleansing Elixirs! I've heard those can clean your body of remaining impurities!"

Whispers of admiration and envy filled the space as the disciples discussed the rewards. Everyone understood it could significantly boost their cultivation progress.

"I've been training day and night for this! If I can make it to the top five, I might finally get the boost needed to become a core disciple!"

"Look at Seraphina over there. She's been making great strides lately. I wouldn't be surprised if she snags one of those top spots."

"I heard Elder Lysandra has been helping her with gravity seals. She's been unstoppable in training!"

The discussions centered around Seraphina and her recent progress, which had caught the attention of many. As the rumors spread, more disciples cast curious glances at the determined young woman, wondering if she would be among the top performers.

One of the other disciples, a young woman named Mia, spoke up, "I overheard some of the senior disciples talking about how Seraphina's beauty matches her extraordinary talent in cultivation. They say she's like a rising star."

The group nodded in agreement, their admiration evident in their expressions.

"I noticed that too," Emma added. "She has this air of elegance and grace, but you can tell she's not to be messed with. It's quite alluring."

Elara giggled. "I heard some of the disciples whispering about her as well. They can't seem to stop staring whenever she's around."

Lyra playfully rolled her eyes. "I can't blame them. Seraphina has that mysterious allure that draws people in. She'll capture their attention, even if they are female!"

As the group continued to discuss Seraphina's unique charm and beauty, their voices filled with admiration and respect, Seraphina herself was unaware of the praises being sung in her honor.

Elder Nyra, standing on a raised platform, addressed the gathered disciples, her voice firm and resonant. "Everyone will now split into three sections. Accepted disciples, core disciples, and heirs. After that, you will draw lots to see who you will face. The tournament will consist of one-on-one matches, where you compete against fellow disciples from your respective sections. Each match will be overseen by a panel of judges."

As the matches began, the training grounds filled with energy and anticipation. Each disciple stepped into the arena, ready to showcase their skills and determination. The battles were fierce, with bursts of elemental Qi lighting up the surroundings as they clashed. Most used paper seals to fight, but some used swords or other weaponry plastered with special seals. It was good for Seraphina to have studied many strategies and how to counter all sorts of fighting styles since she will mostly be short-ranged due to her abilities.

Seraphina's heart raced with anticipation as she stepped into the arena for her first match of the internal tournament. Her opponent was a fellow disciple from the Essence Attainment section, a young woman named Kaia. She was known for wind-based elemental techniques and has been an accepted disciple for three years. Currently, she is around Essence Attainment Stage 9.

The crowd had gathered to watch the tournament hushed in anticipation. The air crackled with energy, and the onlookers could sense the intensity of the upcoming battle.

Kaia's eyes locked onto Seraphina's, and a confident smirk formed on her lips. "Prepare yourself, Seraphina. I won't go easy on you just because you're a new disciple," she taunted.

Seraphina remained composed, her amethyst-colored eyes focused and determined. "Likewise, Kaia. I'll give it my all," she replied with calm confidence.

As the gong sounded, signaling the start of the match, Kaia wasted no time in unleashing a powerful gust of wind towards Seraphina. She gracefully dodged the attack, her movements swift and precise. She knew that engaging in long-range combat would be disadvantageous.

With a burst of speed, Seraphina closed the distance between them, her footsteps barely making a sound. She weaved through Kaia's wind attacks with ease, using paper seals to create barriers that redirected the wind currents away from her.

Unfazed by her swift maneuvers, Kaia made a hand seal and conjured a tornado of wind, aiming to trap Seraphina within its powerful pull. However, she remained agile, her instincts honed through rigorous training, and she managed to evade the vortex.

Seraphina saw an opportunity and seized it. She made hand seals for using Emotion Weave to confuse Kaia. The attack landed since it was invisible and almost untraceable, and Kaia stumbled backward, momentarily disoriented by the sudden surge of emotions she felt. Sensing her advantage, Seraphina moved swiftly, her movements flowing like water as she launched a series of calculated strikes enhanced by seals around her arms and legs.

The crowd watched in awe as Seraphina's combat prowess and sealing arts seamlessly intertwined. She was a force to be reckoned with, and it became evident that her training with Elder Nyra had paid off.

As the match reached its climax, Seraphina drew upon the emotional boost, infusing her attacks with even more power. Her movements became almost ethereal, and the air crackled with energy as her Qi surged.

In a final, swift motion, Seraphina launched Ethereal Chains that bound Kaia's movements, leaving her vulnerable to her decisive strike. With a controlled but powerful blow, she sent her tumbling to the ground, the impact resounding through the arena.

The gong sounded again, signaling the end of the match. Seraphina stood victorious, her breaths steady and her eyes still ablaze with confidence. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, impressed by her display of skill and combat finesse.