Zhang Cai woke up to a knock on his door. In a few seconds he was up, prim and proper, and answered to Shu Ligui who alerted him to get ready soon. ‘’We will have breakfast on the platforms together with the core disciples and elders.’’ she said right after. ‘’I will explain some things we need to be careful of on the way.’’

He nodded and went back inside. He checked his pouch, wore his gifted black robes from Li Bo and observed himself for any discernible fault. Apart from his hair being a little too wild, he found none, so he left. Elder Li was nowhere to be seen, as well as the Li Noble Clan children, so the two left with a few unknown people.

‘’An elder will take us all towards the arena around the third peak.’’ The guest house was only a few minutes away from there, so they had time to speak. ‘’You don’t need to worry too much about the tournament. It is a custom for two senior disciples to do a short duel before the main event begins. It is more aimed to show off than teach, but it is a good thing nevertheless to understand the upcoming talents’ potential. There will be two group battles to choose four people each session, then the rest will battle in duels.’’

‘’This is a recruitment trial, right? Will they only pick the champion, or those left for the duels?’’

‘’The elders will be watching the general performance. At least a quarter will get in, but those that advance will gain benefits from the Sect such as pills and artifacts. It is a very basic way to induce competition.’’

‘’Okay.’’ he nodded. ‘’Are you ready for your own duels?’’

She gave a curt, confident nod. ‘’I just hope Senior Zhao Yan is not too unreasonable in his power.’’

‘’Is Gou Ri not worth your time?’’ He jabbed.

‘’Earth has ears, heavens have eyes. Please do not make jokes like that.’’

Zhang Cai didn’t add anything, though he noticed how she didn’t refute his words. ‘’What should we be careful of? Is there some kind of danger?’’

‘’The most important point is the heavy favour Master Jin has over us.’’ She explained, but Zhang Cai paid more attention to the word us. Was it not just him who owed favour? ‘’It is the most basic as well. Considering what we are capable, he might ask for three or four things, but you should not accept more than two.’’

‘’It is well within your means to accept just one as well, considering your master, but Old Master Jin is one of the few with Spirit-Realm potential. It is a good thing to gain his favour.’’

‘’If he asks something I am not comfortable with, am I allowed to disagree?’’

‘’Not the first one...but he is a virtuous man. I doubt he will put you in a difficult position.’’

‘’Got it.’’ he nodded. ‘’What are the other things?’’

‘’Some disciples might be disrespecting you considering the commotion caused. Be careful to not get tangled up by them if any dare to offend you.’’

Zhang Cai simply nodded. They walked on a bridge to cross to the other hill and walked up to another slope rounding the mountain. From the position of the Sun and the light touch of blue in the sky, he concluded that it must be seven or eight in the morning.

‘’A few elders probably will request for you to stay further, or do some kind of joint exercise with their disciples. I will leave those to your judgment, but be aware that any such agreement always lasts more than three months. It will give great financial aid, however.’’

‘’Why is that? I don’t think I show the quality of a master or teacher. I am also not great at cultivation.’’

‘’You have experience.’’ She said, ‘’That is more valuable than both here.’’

While he pondered on those words, knowing well he would flat out refuse those offers, they came to the peak. Whirlwinds lashed at the sky there, blowing their hair and sleeves to the north. A middle-aged stout man welcomed them and took them to the sky. His Qi was gentle as it enveloped their waists.

Flying over the mountain, they flew down and down until on the eastern side of the mountain they saw a scar going into the landmark. It seemed like the tip of a blade had thrust through the rock, forming a clean square rounded by cliffs. There were flags hovering around, lamps and gates leading down, and at the very centre a circular arena surrounded by rising seats. The further they descended, the stronger the wind whipped.

The elder let them off on a platform outside the arena. The cliffs now remained above them, blocking half the sky like the fangs of a beast. Astonished at the incredulous sight, Zhang Cai looked forward. The arena stood like a tongue leaping out the mouth, reflecting the rising golden light on the horizon with its thousands of seats. There were railings separating the first three layers of seats, and the rest were all connected. Already people swarmed the upper seats, raising chatter. A few attendants came and led them away from the forming crowd.

They passed through an underground entrance, climbed circular stairs rising up, then came out to the second layer of seats reserved for the core disciples. It seemed that the first and second layer was for the core disciples, people who would be the future administrator and leaders of the sect, while the third right above them was for the current elders. A large throne seated at the third layer’s centre remained empty, assumingly for the Sect Leader.

They took their seats and waited as more people flooded in. Disciples on their layer nodded or greeted them, few remaining oblivious to their existence, while a few elders began to arrive. They saw Elder Li come down the sky with Old Master Jin, Yu Yin, and quite a large entourage of old or middle-aged cultivators. They took their seats as the chatter died down. Zhang Cai saw Yu Yin wink at them both from the first layer, so he waved back.

Old Master Jin took the seat right beside Sect Leader’s empty throne and surveyed the arena. Everyone stood up to greet them, giving a bow, then went back to their seats. Already there was a noise rising, an exciting ring in the air. Flapping of the Blue Lotus flags echoed with the whipping wind.

‘’Where is that brat Zhao Yan?’’

‘’Most likely asleep...’’ one elder answered. Her lips twitched like she expected.

Old Master Jin let out a harsh snort. '‘Forget it...Gou Ri.’’

Zhang Cai saw a young man rise from the first layer. He had short blond hair and blue eyes, and stood two heads taller than him. The teen gave a straight bow and shouted ‘’Yes, master!’’

‘’Since your senior brother is unavailable, I hope you can take his place for the opening.’’

‘’As you wish, master!’’

Zhang Cai felt his sore muscles shake for a moment, then noticed Old Master Jin look at him.

‘’What do you think, brat? Would you like to compare yourself to our disciples?’’

Zhang Cai cast Shu Ligui a very dismayed look that read ‘You called him virtuous!?’

She seemed surprised as well, though hid it faster than most people could manage. She just nodded her head. But he noticed a faint worry on her part. Was this Gou Ri fellow strong?

‘’Why is he using a favor so soon?’’ Zhang Cai thought. ‘’Why does he want me to do the opening when I am not a disciple?’’ While the question was posed like he could decide, Zhang Cai had enough sense to know that refusing the old master would incur embarrassment for both of them. He was put in a bit of a difficult situation.

His short hesitation was obvious to everyone on the platforms. Zhang Cai felt a little stifled in the silence, disappointed, when he saw Yu Yin raise his thumb towards him. Then his voice echoed in his head. ‘’Don’t worry, brother Zhang. Master Jin would not shame you in any way.’’

Zhang Cai wondered how the man could speak like his master, but he chalked it down to some random technique. Instead, he cast a look down to Gou Ri and saw a fire growing in his eyes. It might have looked like Zhang Cai was assessing, or even looking down, on his opponent within that silence.

‘’Will I get beaten up in front of a crowd?’’ He didn’t want that. But a favour was a favour. He owed old master Jin his life, and since Zhang Cai wouldn’t see most of the people here anyway he thought it would be alright even if he got pummelled.

He stood up, his mind made, and gave a short bow to the upper seats. ‘’I would be honoured.’’

Old Master Jin nodded and waved his sleeve. A soft force picked them up and carried them over to the centre of the arena. The entire stage was hundreds of meters wide. Slates of white stone covered the ground and a few pillars disturbed the sight of the audience. They came down at the same time and their pupils met. He heard Old Master Jin’s voice echo in his head.

‘’My disciple needs a reminder to rid himself of his pride. I will consider your favors used.’’

Zhang Cai glanced at the old man stroking his goatee. There was a familiar glint in his eye that he recognized—he gave another nod, unaware of Gou Ri’s displeased face. Now he realized Old Master Jin’s purpose.

From the upper seats, a voice rose to encompass the entire arena.

‘’It is time for our annual Blue Lotus Recruitment Tournament! For this year’s opening show, we have our well-known young genius from the Core Sect! Nineteen years old, already a Rocksmote! He was a dragonbane with his Glassmade cultivation, but it remains to be seen if he can accomplish the same within this new step! Gou Ri of Scarlet Trees!’’

Zhang Cai heard noises rise from the crowd, cheering and shouting at the mention of the word dragonbane. The reception lively, and the pressure suffocating to an extent, beads of sweat formed in his palms. Suddenly, he cast a look towards the northern seats. He heard a disturbing word. The color drained from his face for a moment.

‘’No, no, I must have heard it wrong.’’

Wiping his forehead, Zhang Cai saw Gou Ri wave and take a step forward towards him. But he heard the phrase being repeated. Across the audience, a few female disciples got into a scuffle. One of the elders flew from the third-layer and intervened as the announcer continued.

‘’Our other participant is a special guest from the outside world! Some of you had the chance to become acquainted with him a week ago, but still we need to introduce him. Seventeen years old, also Rocksmote at a monstrous age, and listen! Listen carefully...a Rocksmote Dragonbane, Wahlidian Zhang Cai!’’

There was a moment of silence where the crowd went dim.

‘’Where is my applause?’’

Zhang Cai waited a little more, but he only heard quiet chatter and nothing more. He was truly disappointed. In hope he cast a few obvious glances and met several eyes. He waved, even, but no one responded to him.

‘’Unfortunately, sir Zhang is still injured so this bout might be lacking compared to the last few years'. Still—’’ the announcing disciple stretched the word. ‘’I believe we will see a pleasant enough show!’’

‘’You may begin at your leisure!’’

Zhang Cai felt the air turn tense. He had not kept his attention away from Gou Ri all this time—the man himself seemed concerned with the silence of the crowd around them.

‘’Zhang Cai,’’ Zhang Cai introduced himself still and gave a courteous bow. ‘’Please instruct me.’’

‘’Gou Ri, of the Scarlet Trees province’’ The man bowed as well. ‘’Please instruct me.’’

As their word ended, Gou Ri took out a hefty black glaive longer than him, standing two meters high upright. Zhang Cai considered for a moment: he knew he had very basic usage of the blade. The reason he used it was mostly because of appearance’s sake, but also because it could grant him range against Xian or other large beasts. Getting too close to enemies who had physical mass and strength over him was not just too elementary, but also a fatal mistake. After all, even if he could produce the same strength the beasts would have several tonnes of weight to accompany the blow. But in the face of targets much skilled in armaments he would only embarrass himself. Using the sword would only hinder him.

So he thought: should he take out his blade, or go bare fists? He was not afraid of Gou Ri’s glaive—it seemed sharp enough, and it had great range as well. The thing was that Zhang Cai’s blade had already been chipped enough, even considering other things said. He thought it would be a little too shameless now to ask for a weapon. Most importantly, the young man seemed too open to him. He had to be a very mighty fellow if he could deceive Zhang Cai’s senses like that. A fierce glint flashed in Gou Ri’s blue eyes as he kept observing.

Of course, since this was a friendly duel aimed to show new recruits a slightly lower peak for them to aim, they wouldn’t regard each other with enmity. Having elders fight would not have the same effect, since a fight of their level couldn’t be traced with the untrained eye.

So Zhang Cai decided to go with his fists. His sect techniques involved the body as well, so he was not at a loss.

‘’Ready?’’ He asked.

‘’Whenever you move.’’ Gou Ri replied.

Both kept their eyes on the other. Air was tense, and Qi bubbled around them. Zhang Cai took a breath, then in an instant sent a wave of water down his feet to cover the arena.

The low waves rushed out dozens of meters. Gou Ri did not mind it, but simply charged right at him and cleaved the wave before his figure. The black glaive shone with a splendid green and split the water apart.

The ground shook and cracked. Zhang Cai leaped out of the way and was lost from Gou Ri’s sight. Even then water continued flooding the arena. Gou Ri turned his sight left and right, yet could not spot his figure. He only heard a whoosh, and with great instinct swung his glaive to his left. The water under his foot slowed him down. Zhang Cai popped behind a pillar, right under the glaive, his figure flashing.

Zhang Cai’s mind stopped for that instant. He saw no Qi on the glaive—the swing itself was a physical reaction and told him that Gou Ri was not at the stage to infuse Qi to his body instinctively. So he considered the strike at least halved in ferocity. The water he let out obstructed the turning motion, so he cut a quarter more from the lack of momentum. Then his eyes inspected the gleaming blade.

‘’It won’t cut.’’

His body told him that it could take that strike without staggering.

All of that happened under a single moment, an instantaneous observation gained through multiple clashes with death, and Zhang Cai punched up towards the glaive. His Qi formed the Current Fist and unleashed a visible ripple on the air. Bubbling Qi exploded in a ring of blue, striking thrice. A boom echoed, and the glaive bounced back. Gou Ri seemed horrified at the impact as his shoulders swayed with the weapon, but Zhang Cai kept pressure.

‘’Don’t stop, be overbearing.’’

He stepped forward, lowered his waist, and shot forward. From his left hand a wave of Qi flowed and raised the water around them to slap at Gou Ri. This being his domain, Zhang Cai had no trouble running over the water. Gou Ri seemed unable to understand his purpose, however, as he attempted to deliver another cleave down. This time he slid left, striking his elbow at the middle of the glaive. It bounced back again and Gou Ri took three more steps.

‘’Don’t let go of the advantage. Push further.’’

The fellow turned clever and let out a unfiltered wave of Qi out of his body. The verdant wood Qi spread in a circle and pushed the water away. Zhang Cai punched again, unbothered, and took two steps forward. Gou Ri’s eyes reflected some fear as he retreated, swinging the glaive at him.

They clashed in the same manner, Zhang Cai parrying the body of the glaive, evading the blade, until dozens of craters were left behind them. A loud ring echoed at each clash, numbing the ears.

‘’Push further.’’

Gou Ri did not give up. This time he made use of the clash and turned a hundred and eighty degrees, cleaving the wind with his strike. A verdant Qi spread out of the tip of the glaive, shooting roots at Zhang Cai.

Zhang Cai propelled himself forward and used Current Fist. The fist shattered the roots, then the transferred force traveled through the glaive to Gou Ri’s arms. He let out a shout of pain.

Zhang Cai charged another Current Fist, slid under immobilized Gou Ri’s right shoulder, then sent a thunderous fist into his chest. His eyes glinted.

‘’This is a duel, not the chest.’’

At the last moment he twisted his arm and buried the strike into Gou Ri’s stomach. He felt a churn, a crack, and the boy flew like an arrow shot towards the heavens. Rings of wind gave way with air pressure and Gou Ri crashed onto a pillar, shattering half of its surface, coughing blood. Zhang Cai stopped where he stood and saw him struggle to rise amid the shaking rubble, then fall.

‘’...was he that weak?’’

He had only used one third of his available Qi, and did not even attempt the third move he had been practicing in the Guest Room. Then he noticed the lack of sound. There was only a faint breeze tickling his ears as his gaze left Gou Ri.

Zhang Cai cast a look around and saw the audience mute. His blinking eyes went over to the elders and he saw them mute too. Most of them seemed confused, intrigued, while Old Master Jin had a wry smile. The hand holding his goatee seemed to tremble. Elder Li had a face like she saw a ghost, with her fan down at her feet, and Yu Yin kept coughing. Down the seats, core disciples cast very angry and impressed looks at him. Shu Ligui kept shaking her lowered head, wiping her nose with a finger.

‘’Uh...’’ Since no one came forward, he flashed the dozen meters distance and came before Gou Ri. He pushed away the pieces of the pillar on his face ‘’You okay brother?’’

‘’...’’ Gou Ri looked dazed as he stared at the sky. At his words, he woke up, and he turned to look at Zhang Cai. ‘’Who the fuck is your brother! I have no brother like you!’’

‘’...’’ Zhang Cai nodded at the man and helped him up. The audience still seemed mute, so he just kept the man on his feet and looked back at the elders.

‘’...why is no one saying anything?’’ Zhang Cai kept looking around, by now not minding how rude it might seem, then turned to Gou Ri. The man might know something—it very well might be a custom?

‘’Brother...’’

‘’I am not your brother! I will never have a brother like you! You psycho!’’

His words sounded more like a childish jab with his state, so Zhang Cai had no care for it. ‘’Why is no one saying anything? Are we supposed to do something?’’

Gou Ri’s face went pale and he retreated a few meters back, covering his chest like a maiden under the lecherous gaze of a pervert. ‘’You dare to do something else?’’

‘’...’’

After a while the announcer’s voice sounded again.

‘’Uh...that was a formidable display...from both disciples. Yes, uh...well done! Now, please applause?’’

A very half-hearted cheer came from the sidelines, but bit by bit rose in intensity as the scene was comprehended. After a few seconds a thunderous boom rose all around and Zhang Cai felt his heart warm up. He couldn’t help but puff up his chest as he felt a force attempting to lift him up. He did not resist and floated over the arena to the core disciple’s seating. As he was at the peak of his happiness, taking in the sight of people cheering for his martial prowess, he heard the same words spoken to Gou Ri a few minutes back.

‘’Dragonbane! Dragonbane!’’

‘’Mighty Zhang! Mighty Zhang!’’

‘’Wahlidian? Why don’t you become a Northerner!?’’

‘’Lord Zhang, give me your babies!’’

‘’What if he doesn’t swing that way!?’’

‘’Bitch are you still seducing men instead of cultivating?’’

‘’What’s that got with a faggot like you? I like my men strong!’’

His scalp went numb, his face paled. He descended next to Shu Ligui, quickly sat down and covered his red face, not daring to look at the disciples shouting at him around the platforms.

‘’Oh my,’’ A core disciple saw his embarrassment and poked at him. ‘’Are you weak against praise, mighty brother Zhang?’’

‘’Don’t make fun of him, he might just be bad with crowds.’’ Another added from the first layer.

Zhang Cai answered with a trembling voice. ‘’Why are your juniors so horny!? What is wrong with them!?’’

There was another bout of silence.

‘’HEHEHEHEA’’ a horrific, squealing laughter came from Old Master Jin. Few elders joined him, though most kept their heads down with evident embarrassment. Beside him, Shu Ligui let out a snort and took out her heirloom out of nowhere. She furiously caressed the sheath.

The core disciple beside him leaned back and turned her head away.

It took Zhang Cai a while to calm down, shaking off the slimy feeling on his spine, and as his attention turned back to the arena there already was a group of disciples assembled. The water and the shattered pillar seemed to be gone, and there only remained a clean circular stage visible to all sides. He saw grass and earth sprout under an Elder’s Qi.

‘’Have you calmed down?’’ Shu Ligui asked.

‘’...I need a little more time.’’

She cast him a suspicious look, but said no more. Zhang Cai noticed that her ears were red as well.

‘’Is that a normal thing?’’ He asked out loud.

‘’Yes.’’

‘’Why?’’

‘’Why should I know who thinks what?’’ Shu Ligui rebuked.

Yu Yin leaped to their side from the first layer since there were still preparations going. He kindly asked for the seat to Zhang Cai’s right and cupped his hands at him.

‘’Senior brother Yu.’’ He got on his feet to greet the man. Shu Ligui had already greeted him, though followed the same motion. The latter forced them to sit.

‘’Don’t think too badly of our juniors, junior brother.’’ He said right after resting to his right. ‘’It might be seen unbecoming of them to see such attitude, especially in a formal event, but it showcases their close relationship more than anything.’’

Zhang Cai watched a group of three boys brawling at the edge of the outer seats, encouraged by the audience. A smaller ring formed around them, and he saw a sneaky fellow distributing tickets and receiving silver.

‘’Close indeed...’’ Zhang Cai squinted his eyes at the gambling ring.‘’But why are they horny?’’

Yu Yin choked on his words, then cast him a grieved glance. ‘’Junior brother...’’

‘’It is mere tomfoolery.’’ A middle aged elder voiced behind them, seemingly displeased by the continuation of the discussion. ‘’And if not, it is a happy occasion if one can find their match in such a way. It does wonders to have someone by your side on this lonely path.’’

‘’Cut the bullshit literature. Our children should not be distracted by meaningless things on the path of cultivation.’’ One of the women elders said.

‘’Eternal bachelors have no right to speak on that matter.’’

‘’What did fooling around with girls get you? I can beat you with my toes, fool.’’

‘’My middle finger is enough for you, madwoman!’’

Old Master Jin snorted, causing both to fall silent, then cast the three of them on the second layer an amused glance.

‘’You see how being alone causes brain damage. Take care to find someone early along and beware to not become like these fellows.’’

The awkward air made Zhang Cai swallow whatever else he was about to say. They just kept their sights on the arena for a while.

Once Zhang Cai regained his bearings, he commented on the elder shaping the stage. ‘’That must take a lot of Qi to transform, right?’’

‘’On normal occasions, indeed.’’ Yu Yin nodded. ‘’It requires great control to infuse one’s Qi to create and move nature—as you did in your duel, junior brother—but to change its aspect requires more than control and Qi. You also need to have knowledge and experience. For terraforming purposes, there is a formation engraved under the arena that gathers ambient Qi and filters them.’’

Formations were rune engraved arrays, or complex mechanical constructs that used materials and supply of Qi to achieve various effects. Miniature sized ones could be engraved on all kinds of appliances, most of the time weapons and armor, while the bigger ones could cover dozens of kilometers. City barriers were a result of formations as well. The most used kind was Qi-Efficiency runes, and almost all cultivators knew its formula except free ones like Zhang Cai.

‘’How does it filter?’’ Zhang Cai asked, intrigued.

‘’Unfortunately, I am not accomplished in arrays. So I have no idea.’’

Since no one around answered in Yu Yin’s stead, Zhang Cai assumed it was some sort of sect secret. But he kept pondering on the idea. Maybe it could help him awaken his secondary affinity earlier if he could understand the workings of that formation.

Soon the middle-aged elder came back from the stage and took his seat, looking winded.

‘’Good job.’’ Old Master Jin said and waved his arm in the air. The announcer raised his booming voice, going over the rules—no fatal wounding nor killing, no restorative pills of any kind, even sixth-grade, and no weapons above fifth-grade. The blade Li Bo had gifted Zhang Cai was a Fifth-grade one, used by Early-Rocksmote and fourth-step Glassmades.

After that a loud ring washed down the mountain and a pandemonium broke out. Over two hundred youngsters started fighting each other. Most seemed to be awakened mortals, able to sense Qi, and only few were first-step Glassmade. As such it looked like a brawl more than a cultivator’s fight. Once in a while a light would flash, a fire would burn, or earth would rise, and three or four people would be wounded at the same time. Two core disciples flying on swords carried the injured ones away.

Among them stood out a single boy, third-step Glassmade, and knocked out everyone in his way with a kick to the chin. He seemed unstoppable. At one point he just sat at the centre of the arena and everyone avoided him.

He had to be a genius, just a step down Li Huan’s level considering his age.

Thirty minutes later only four were left, and their names were announced to the crowd. After a twenty minute break, they continued in the same manner.

Afternoon came, and the eight of them were chosen to fight. Zhang Cai watched with disinterest—though two seemed impressive for their age he found it quite boring. He seemed to notice too many flaws while watching their weapon arts, especially swords, and couldn’t bear to watch so many winning opportunities pass by the unassuming participants. Had he gained some insight, or were they just too inexperienced?

His displeasure might have been too evident as Shu Ligui called to him. ‘’Are they not to your liking, sir Zhang?’’

‘’They are good for their age, one better than me even.’’ He said. ‘’But...Miss Li, you see his swing?’’

Zhang Cai pointed at a short, black haired boy with white robes. His shortsword flashed in the air, whistling at each swing and pushed his opponent back.

‘’I don’t know if I’m expecting too much but he could just...if he swings left here, he will win. But he chooses the right shoulder? He doesn’t carry the weight of his sword as good as he believes himself to be doing.’’

Zhang Cai thought that he saw two different images, one who imitated his words and the other current reality. Former cut through the opponent’s left lung down to stomach, and the latter found his strike parried again.

Then two visions became one, and he saw the black haired boy pushed back right after the parry.

‘’...I see.’’ Shu Ligui nodded. ‘’They are children, after all. Who knows if they had anyone tell them how to turn a blade, even. But I have to ask, how did you arrive at the conclusion he would win?’’

‘’I just saw it.’’ He said. ‘’Not like seeing exactly but...well, it doesn’t matter.’’

In a few moments the match ended. There were three more matches to go, the semi finals and

the finals.

‘’You have good observation, junior brother.’’ Yu Yin said a little later. ‘’If you know about the swords this well, why did you not use it against Gou Ri?’’

‘’I am only an amateur. I used it for at most a year.’’ Zhang Cai shook his head. ‘’I didn’t want to embarrass myself.’’

‘’...’’ Yu Yin ‘’Enough jesting, I suppose. The meals will arrive right after the tournament ends, so do bear a little.’’

‘’Hunger is my nemesis, I don’t think I can hold on for much longer.’’

No one appreciated his dry joke so Zhang Cai moved on.