The next morning, I had barely stepped out of my workshop when an inner disciple intercepted me.
"Lu Tian," he said with a smug grin. "Luo Wen has issued a formal challenge."
I raised an eyebrow. A challenge?
I wasn't a martial artist, and Luo Wen wasn't some elite fighter either.
But the way this disciple spoke....it wasn't a duel. It was something else.
"What kind of challenge?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.
The disciple chuckled. "A design battle."
I blinked. "A what?"
He smirked. "The challenge is simple. You and Luo Wen each design a robe for a chosen inner disciple. The one with the better design judged by the elders wins."
Ah. Clever.
Luo Wen had realized his sabotage failed, so now he was taking a different route.
Instead of trying to ruin me in the shadows, he was bringing the fight into the public eye.
A direct competition.
A chance to crush me in front of the entire Inner Court.
He's feeling threatened. Good.
....
The Rules
Later that day, Luo Wen and I stood face-to-face in the Inner Court plaza, where a crowd had already gathered.
An elder, Elder Shen, stepped forward, holding a jade slip in his hands.
"The challenge will be judged by myself and two other elders," he announced.
"The rules are as follows: Both participants will design and create a martial robe for a chosen disciple. The robe must be completed within three days, using only the materials provided. No outside help. No pre-made designs."
I nodded slowly. Three days. Limited resources. Direct competition.
Luo Wen smirked. "I hope you're ready, outer disciple. The Inner Court has standards."
I smirked back. "Don't worry. I'll make sure they remember this."
.....
The Selection
The chosen disciples were picked at random, and mine was a young man named Bai Yuze.
He was an Inner Court disciple specializing in spear techniques, with a fierce, aggressive style that relied on speed and power.
Perfect.
A strong fighter needed a robe that wouldn't restrict movement, but still had enough presence to make an impact.
Meanwhile, Luo Wen got a disciple named Xu Liang, a swordsman with a more elegant, refined style.
A spear vs. sword contrast.
Even better.
Now, I just had to win.
.....
Strategic Design
Back in my workshop, I studied Bai Yuze carefully.
"What do you want in a robe?" I asked him.
He folded his arms. "Something that doesn't hold me back. Light, but durable. And I want it to feel… intimidating."
I nodded. Intimidation. A presence that demands attention.
I pulled out a brush and began sketching.
Concept: A storm-black martial robe with crimson streaks along the edges, resembling the trail of a spear cutting through the air.
Material: Windsteel silk, a lightweight fabric that moved effortlessly but had a subtle reinforced weave for durability.
Emblem: A fading crimson spearhead across the back, giving the impression of relentless forward momentum.
Bai Yuze watched as I worked. "That's… better than I expected."
I grinned. "I don't make ordinary robes."
.....
Luo Wen's Strategy
Meanwhile, Luo Wen was working two stalls down, but I could already tell his approach was different.
His design for Xu Liang was sleek, elegant, and refined.
A midnight-blue robe with silver threading, tailored for a graceful yet deadly swordsman.
Visually, it was stunning.... I wouldn't deny that. Luo Wen knew how to create something that looked high class.
But there was a problem.
He was designing for aesthetics first, function second.
And that would be his downfall.
...
Execution & Mind Games
On the second day, Luo Wen made his next move.
He sent one of his lackeys over to "check on my progress."
The guy peered into my stall, then ran back to report.
Moments later, I heard Luo Wen chuckle. "Ah, so he's going for the aggressive look? Predictable."
I smirked. That's right. Keep underestimating me.
Because what he didn't know was that I had added a hidden layer.
A small modification to Bai Yuze's robe that would make all the difference.
.....
Final Day: The Reveal
On the third day, the Inner Court plaza was packed.
Elder Shen and the two other elders sat at a raised platform, observing as Luo Wen and I presented our robes.
Luo Wen went first.
Xu Liang stepped forward, wearing the midnight-blue robe.
It fit him perfectly. The embroidery was flawless, the fabric smooth, and the design elegant.
The crowd murmured in approval.
"Amazing craftsmanship."
"Luo Wen really is the best designer in the Inner Court."
Luo Wen crossed his arms, smirking at me. "Your turn."
I stepped forward, motioning for Bai Yuze to put on his robe.
As he slipped into it, a small shift happened.
The fabric settled into place, hugging his frame naturally, the crimson streaks catching the light just right.
Then, Bai Yuze took a single step forward.....
And the wind moved with him.
A subtle but undeniable effect.
The robe wasn't just visually intimidating, it enhanced the illusion of speed, making Bai Yuze appear even faster and more relentless than he was.
The crowd's murmurs shifted.
"Wait… what is that?"
"That movement… It looks like he's about to charge at any moment."
Even the elders leaned forward slightly.
Luo Wen's smirk faltered. Just a little.
Because he realized his mistake.
His robe was beautiful, but it was just a robe.
Mine?
It was a weapon.
...
Judgment
Elder Shen took a long moment before speaking.
"Both designs show exceptional craftsmanship," he said. "Luo Wen's work demonstrates elegance and precision, while Lu Tian's work incorporates functionality and psychological advantage."
He glanced at the other two elders.
A pause.
Then...
"The winner of this challenge… is Lu Tian."
The crowd exploded in whispers.
Luo Wen's face went completely stiff.
I gave him a polite smile. Not so confident now, are you?
Elder Shen nodded at me. "Well done, outer disciple."
With that, my reputation in the Inner Court was solidified.
But as the crowd dispersed, I noticed something.
Luo Wen wasn't angry.
He was calculating.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.