705 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"Here is your number ticket." I accepted the wooden token handed to me by a martial artist of the Alliance. Once I presented what I already had, they stamped a seal onto it. The number seventeen was clearly engraved on the token. Hmm. It seems they're assigning numbers to each participant. How many participants are there in total? About two hundred, I’d guess. Given that the preliminary rounds spanned over three days, that number seems about right. Gathering two hundred martial artists of at least the pinnacle level... it's truly an astounding number. Even at the pinnacle, these are individuals who are not easily found, yet they've gathered hundreds. Such a number feels reminiscent of the time we seized control of Sichuan in a previous life. If not then, perhaps it was the first time warriors gathered to hunt the Celestial Demon. That era feels about right. It was when warriors from all factions assembled, only for many to be swept away by the hands of the Celestial Demon. But here I am, standing amidst a gathering of warriors with such recollections. “Sir, what number did you get?” a voice interrupted my thoughts. “Number seventeen. How about you?” I replied. "I'm sixty-eight!" "And I'm ninety-one!" Each held a different number. It’s not entirely in sequence, so perhaps they have a specific system for distribution. Or could it just be random? If there’s a method to this, what's the reasoning behind it? Various thoughts flickered through my mind. I clicked my tongue in frustration. Why am I suddenly suspicious, thinking there might be something behind these numbers? It's ludicrous. Have I become overly paranoid? I needed to be cautious, so I glanced around to clear my thoughts. The area was noisy as expected. “We need to find a way.” “Damn it. I can't return home after being eliminated…” With numbers assigned alongside their matchups, the surrounding chatter grew louder. Most were filled with anxiety. Those confident in their matchups didn't show much apprehension, while others displayed their stress in various ways. “Damn it! Fighting against Six Joint Fists is like... they’re almost at the transcendence level. How am I supposed to win?” “...Doesn't match seem unfavorable against Changsu. Isn't there any countermeasures...?” “If I lose and return like this… my clan will...” It was chaos. ‘These are all hopeless cases.’ They seem to be resigned to defeat before the fight has even begun. More than half of them have already accepted loss as their fate. ‘Young people these days...’ I couldn't understand why they would consider defeat without even trying. Why participate if they intend to surrender while supposedly being at the pinnacle level? Watching them spiral into gloom, I sighed. ‘...Not that I can't understand.’ The preliminaries are over, leading to the main event. Although the number of participants is vast for a main event, what it truly signifies is that: ‘People will witness the martial arts competition.’ Unlike the preliminaries, which were conducted privately, spectators would be allowed from the main event onward. The Martial Alliance renovated their grounds, preparing an expansive arena for the occasion. With over ten merchant sponsors, they invested in recovering the shaken standing of the Alliance by resurrecting the once historic elite guard, the Divine Dragon Corps, and offering grand prizes. This implied that the value of this martial arts competition was unprecedentedly high. Being eliminated at the very beginning of such an event would be daunting, especially when among the spectators are not only countless onlookers but the heads of the largest merchant groups in the central plains, along with the executives of the Alliance. That sheer level of pressure would indeed be immense for them. ‘Hrm.’ While I understood their fears, I wasn’t particularly concerned about the eyes of others or the prospect of defeat. After all, I have no intention of losing. Shifting my gaze to the surroundings, I focused on those who appeared to have steadied themselves amidst the despondent crowd. ‘Hmm….’ Many martial artists were at the pinnacle level, with some nearing transcendence. Surprisingly, there were even those who had surpassed that level. What's intriguing is that: ‘They’re concealing their presence.’ Some were hiding their true prowess. ‘They seem elder-like?’ Elders from renowned sects or families—those in such positions could be found among us. The world truly is vast, with so many hidden experts. While curiously observing my surroundings... Hmm? I sensed gazes from somewhere. It wasn’t just one person. Multiple eyes seemed to be sweeping over me. ‘What is this?’ Why are so many eyes focused on me? I feigned ignorance while expanding my senses slightly. And just like that, the gazes dispersed instantly. ‘Interesting.’ They likely noticed me extending my senses and withdrew their gazes instinctively rather than consciously. ‘Hmm.’ Checking out others isn't unusual, but being simultaneously scrutinized this way felt peculiar. What could this sudden interest be about? After pondering a moment, the reason dawned on me. ‘Is it because of the preliminary round?’ I might have shown off a bit excessively during the preliminaries. That could explain the attention. However, the issue was: ‘Weren’t they supposed to keep the details under a restriction?’ According to the rules, only those in the same preliminary group as me would know what I did. ‘Hmm.’ Who could it be, then? Identifying them in this vast crowd was no easy task. For now, I should merely be aware that someone is observing me. ‘I wonder how long the main event will take.’ With the large number of participants, and though it won’t compare to the preliminaries, the event will proceed over two days. I am uncertain about the exact duration of the competition, but considering the state of the martial artists, they wouldn't have us fight more than once a day. ‘This means it will end in ten days at most.’ It seems lengthy, but for me, the timeframe was perfect. I’ve heard the preparations on the Tianluo side are almost complete. ‘I need to look out for the right moment.’ Given the intricate nature of my plans, it was crucial to find the perfect opportunity. While organizing my thoughts: “Participants with numbers one to fifty, please prepare!” A voice echoed from the exit. Was everything ready already? Hearing this, I got up. “I’ll be off.” “Yes! Please be careful.” "Off you go!" The two waved me off with spirited energy. Amused, a smile crept onto my lips as I began to walk. Including myself, a group of fifty began moving together. Most bore expressions of despair, as if being led to the slaughterhouse, or faces taut with tension. ‘Goodness.’ I had to stifle a laugh when I saw their expressions. 'I mean, really, the real competitors haven’t even appeared yet, and they're already looking like this on the first day.' Not even the martial artists from the Nine Great Schools had shown up. Most known figures from prestigious families had not appeared on the first day, likely segregated by the Alliance. They must have selected just a few notable individuals to whet the audience's appetite. By strategically revealing a few at a time, excitement would build among the spectators. However, they likely haven’t accounted for those hiding their true abilities within the ranks. As we advanced further, distant echoes reached my ears. It appeared that someone was using an amplified voice mixed with a hint of bravado for the crowd. -...yet the tremors pervading the central plains... The Murim Alliance aims to stabilize... Upon listening carefully, I discerned it as the voice of the Sword Master. They seemed to be addressing the masses gathered outside. -As such, we kindly request a grand welcome for those who have graced this event. The volume escalated as we neared the entrance. In synchrony with the Sword Master’s speech, an Alliance martial artist pulled open the grand gates. -Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the future pillars of the righteous faction! As the gates swung open, an overwhelming cheer erupted. -Waaaaahhh—!!! Thunderous applause and cheers reverberated through the packed stands, all enraptured and echoing with enthusiasm. The electrifying roar seemed to brush against my skin, prickling it. It had been so long since I’d heard such applause. ‘I was skeptical about the first day being lackluster.’ I had dismissed it as a mere show, but realizing that such fervor might only be experienced on this first day made me rethink. Although, a question did linger. ‘Why not gather everyone and execute it at once if this was the plan?’ Had they wanted, they could have assembled everyone to witness this. With merely fifty summoned first, it felt somewhat dissatisfying. Additionally, I realized... ‘It seems I still haven’t matured.’ Gently rubbing my arm, I allowed a slight downturn of my lips. The roaring cheers. Unintentionally, my blood surged with excitement. Despite believing I wouldn’t fall for such things, hearing something so unfamiliar to me shook my resolve for a moment. ‘Don’t be deceived.’ Those cheers are not meant for me. Nor do I walk this path for such applause. I had to repeatedly tell myself. Breathing deeply, I repressed my emotions. ‘As if I deserve any of this.’ Life must have become excessively comfortable, letting me get swept up in such enthusiasm. This isn’t what I should be succumbed to. ‘Remember what you need to do.’ I couldn’t allow myself to forget. I resolved and resolved again. While I was calming my senses, words echoed from the front. "We will now commence the Divine Dragon Martial Tournament." With the Sword Master's pronouncement, another wave of cheers erupted. Waaaaahhhh—!! And thus, the damn martial arts tournament began.