Chapter Thirty-Two: Promotion Tournament

"I've brought you the spiritual weapon you wanted. You completed your task excellently, and the Association agreed to assign it to you," Liu Shiyu said, handing over the spirit blade that emitted a faint silvery glow.

Cheng Feng accepted it with both hands, carefully examining the weapon that would henceforth accompany him through life and death.

Neither too heavy nor too light.

It was a little over a meter long, with lightning patterns engraved along the blade, winding from hilt to tip. The entire blade shimmered with a subtle silvery light, awe-inspiring as if it were forged in legend. Even just holding it, a faint sensation of boundless thunder and lightning seemed to pulse within.

Damn, the design of this blade is pretty cool.

After admiring it in his hands for a minute or two, Cheng Feng looked up and asked, "What's the name of this blade?"

"Spirit Blade 'Thunder Sever.' S-class spiritual weapon with destructive lightning attributes. It belongs to you now," Liu Shiyu explained thoroughly, "Since the founding of the Disaster Association, no one has awakened thunder-type superpowers. So there has never been a compatible superpower user to wield 'Thunder Sever.' Countless wielders have tried, but none could master it. This spirit blade has never recognized an owner before."

If a spirit blade does not recognize its master, the wielder cannot use its powers—it becomes just an ordinary blade.

"Huh? Never had a master, and you still chose this blade from the Association for me?" Cheng Feng was puzzled. "I haven't awakened any thunder powers either. I can't use it, can I?"

Liu Shiyu replied with deep meaning, "No, you can. In fact, you are the only one in the entire Association who can control 'Thunder Sever.'"

Cheng Feng was perplexed. "Why do you say that?"

"The Association decided to give you 'Thunder Sever' at the president's instruction. He specifically told me this is your spiritual weapon and must be delivered to you, because only you can use it. No one else."

"Oh, it's that enigmatic president again?" Cheng Feng was even more confused. He had never met the president of the Supernatural Disaster Association; last time, the president had simply invited him to join, and now entrusted Liu Shiyu to deliver a spiritual weapon, claiming only he could wield it. With so many powerful people in the Association, why was he singled out? The president's reasoning was impossible to fathom.

When Cheng Feng first transmigrated to this world, barely two days had passed before the president called and instructed Liu Shiyu to recruit Cheng Feng into the Association. The whole situation seemed odd, and Cheng Feng was deeply curious about the president's true intentions.

He pondered for a moment, then asked, "When can I meet the president?"

That enigmatic president had repeatedly done him favors; Cheng Feng felt it necessary to meet and ask directly, or he'd lose sleep tonight.

"You want to meet the president?" Liu Shiyu hadn’t expected this request.

"Is that a problem?"

"Not at all," Liu Shiyu shook her head. "The main thing is, you’re just an intern member right now, so you don’t qualify to meet him. The president is busy every day and usually only meets elite members or higher."

"Seriously?" Cheng Feng felt the challenge. "So how do I advance to elite hunter status?"

"If you want to rise from intern to elite, you have to participate in monster battles regularly, kill enough enemies, and earn merit to apply for promotion."

"Is there no other way?" Cheng Feng frowned.

"Other ways..." Liu Shiyu mused, hand on her chin, then suddenly brightened, "Right! The Association is holding a promotion tournament soon. You can sign up. If you win the championship, you’ll be promoted to elite regardless of merit."

"A tournament?" Cheng Feng was pondering when Yan Ruying’s lively voice sounded behind him.

"Huh? Did I hear that right? You think you’re entering the promotion tournament?" She had wandered onto the training ground, overhearing their conversation, and chuckled, "I’m not trying to dampen your spirits, but while your strength is rising fast, with your current level, you probably won’t even win a consolation prize in that tournament."

"Sounds like the competition is fierce," Cheng Feng wasn’t discouraged at all and looked at Yan Ruying with renewed determination. "Do you know when registration opens?"

"Wow, you really want to join," Yan Ruying stopped mocking him, a touch of admiration for his youthful fearlessness in her tone, "The tournament starts in seven days, held at the Central City Sports Plaza. If you’re serious, go ahead and sign up. Just don’t get your hopes up too high."

Cheng Feng raised his brow, "You think I’m too weak?"

"Not exactly—you’re not weak, but the opponents are far too strong," Yan Ruying said frankly. "The promotion tournament is held once every three years, and it draws the best hunters. You haven’t even mastered 'Spirit Power Release,' so you probably won’t make it to the semifinals, let alone win."

Spirit Power Release?

Cheng Feng remembered this enhancement ability. After killing that vampire last time, the system had unlocked it for him, but it required a spirit blade to activate. Now, armed with 'Thunder Sever,' this exclusive hunter skill was finally unlocked.

"Cheng Feng, the teacher is right—the competition is tough. After all, there’s only one champion spot, plus an extra prize of two hundred thousand," Liu Shiyu encouraged him. "If you want to participate, I support you."

"Wait a second," Cheng Feng paused, "Did you say two hundred thousand?"

"Yes," Liu Shiyu cocked her head, "Besides a direct promotion to elite, the champion gets a bonus of two hundred thousand."

"Then I’ll trouble you to help me sign up," Cheng Feng declared without hesitation.

Two hundred thousand! If he could win, it would mean true financial freedom in the future.

He was determined to compete—and to win.

"You’re blinded by money," Yan Ruying laughed aloud at his reaction. "Fine, since you want to participate, let Liu Shiyu spar with you. Let’s see what your strength is like now that you have a spirit blade—whether you’re qualified to compete at all."

"You want me to fight Liu Shiyu now?" Cheng Feng frowned.

"What, afraid you’ll lose?" Yan Ruying teased, "And you want to win the championship? There might be even stronger opponents than her at the tournament."

"Afraid? Not a chance," Cheng Feng snorted. "Let’s fight. I need to see if I can truly master this blade."

He looked to Liu Shiyu, who nodded in response, "Let’s begin."

The two stepped onto the training ring, facing each other.

A glint of icy light flashed in Liu Shiyu’s right hand as she summoned her spirit blade, 'Frost Moon.'