67 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

The entourage from the Chu Qin Sect arrived at the Black River Market in grand style, finding the place thronged with people and buzzing with activity. The Baishan wanderers were the most active group within, some selling information on various cultivators, others running gambling dens, some came to support their acquaintances, and there were even those hawking snacks and trinkets. Many were simply there to enjoy the spectacle. Zhan Yuan was awestruck, marveling, “Who knew business could be conducted like this!” “Hmph, all just petty tricks, nothing respectable!” Zhang Shishi sneered at the bustling masses. “Not entirely,” Zhan Yuan retorted leisurely. “Commerce means spirit stones; spirit stones mean power. These small acts sustain their cultivation and even support their families.” “Indeed, indeed, when I was younger...” Yu Denuo chimed in with his stories of solo ventures, which only soured Zhang Shishi’s expression further. Gu Ji suddenly appeared, waving a small booklet with no cover, exclaiming excitedly, “Look everyone, what do we have here?!” The pamphlet listed a long string of names, cultivation levels, and sects, evidently some list of rankings for the tournament. It was unclear who had compiled it. Qi Xiu skimmed through the booklet, seeing only Yu Denuo listed at the very end. Among innumerable names not ranked, He Yu's name was marked with a question mark. Only these two from the Chu Qin Sect were mentioned in the booklet. “Ridiculous,” Qi Xiu scoffed, tossing the booklet back to Gu Ji. Still early, he decided to return to their inn for a rest. Chai Youguang performed some strange punishment on Bai Xiaosheng in the street, attracting a crowd. The old man changed his torment methods daily. Bai Xiaosheng was unrecognizable, encrusted in filth, disheveled, and reeking, his state unclear as he lay motionless under Chai’s manipulations. The Chu Qin members had just arrived as Chai Youguang was feeding Bai Xiaosheng something unspeakable, causing them to abandon thoughts of returning to their inn and retrace their steps. “That old Chai is truly vicious!” Yu Jing muttered, unable to bear the sight. “Indeed, not only that, he's taken over the territory previously under Chai Youmin, reveling in his power! Who knows what role he played in the conflict between Chai Youmin and Guanghui Pavilion!” Zhan Yuan’s face was equally disgruntled. Qi Xiu sighed, “Ah, from bad to worse, as the saying goes.” The disciples nodded in agreement, sharing a collective understanding. On their way, they encountered Wang Guan and his companions, merging into one group to stand in the area reserved for competing sects. Wang Guan, this time, brought only three juniors, all at the late Qi Refining stage. They seemed anxious, their expressions stern and unsmiling. When the time came, the Nascent Soul cultivator from the Southern Chu Sect who captured Bai Xiaosheng ascended the stage, delivering the formal opening words, then drew lots for the matchups. An official from Guanghui Pavilion then announced the names. When a cultivator was called, they leaped onto the stage, officially beginning the tournament. The first match was between a cultivator from a medium-sized merchant family in Qi Nan and another from a minor sect in Baishan. Neither was well-known, and lacking familiarity, both set up defensive spells before tentatively exchanging blows—fireballs and ice arrows—resulting in a tedious deadlock. The audience, packed with at least a thousand spectators, grew restless and began booing. “To secure a spot in the new territories, one must rank within the top fifty, meaning at least two victories,” Wang Guan observed with a frown, surveying the arena. By this point, Qi Xiu had to admit his sect’s slim prospects and found himself surprisingly indifferent, turning instead to another matter. “Zhao Liangde didn’t come today, only dispatching ten people. Why does the Beast Taming Sect have more than ten participants?” Wang Guan smiled enigmatically, raising two fingers. Qi Xiu understood it was related to an internal conflict within the Beast Taming Sect and asked no more. The Baishan cultivator was slightly outmatched but displayed superior combat experience, luring his opponent into a trap and releasing a fire spell that blasted them off the stage. The audience, mostly Baishan cultivators, erupted in cheers, chanting the victor's name as if sharing in the triumph. After several more rounds, the official from Guanghui Pavilion announced, “Chu Qin Sect, Zhan Yuan! Versus, Lianshui Alliance, Wu Changci!” To everyone's surprise, Zhan Yuan got to fight first. Qi Xiu gave him an encouraging nod as Zhan Yuan ascended the platform. Zhan Yuan had been in the marketplace for a long time, well-known among the Baishan cultivators. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, those who recognized him erupted in laughter. “Isn’t that Manager Zhan?!” a cultivator feigned surprise. “Manager Zhan, are you here to cause a scene? What’s a Qi Refining Stage Two cultivator doing in a ring like this?!” “Boss Zhan, go back to doing business. We’re still friends!” “Xiao Zhan, give up the match! Go fetch me a pot of spirit flower tea and a single-sided fried magic pork fish steak, no double sides please.” “…” One after another, jeers rose from the crowd. Despite Zhan Yuan having cultivated patience, his face turned bright red. Even the three juniors Wang Guan brought couldn't hold their laughter, and Qi Xiu trembled with anger, though unable to show displeasure to Wang's people, only glaring at Zhang Shishi, who joined in the laughter. Regardless, the match had to be fought to the end. Zhan Yuan gathered his focus, deploying an [Earth Element Shield] for defense, then brandished several attack talismans, preparing to unleash them. Having accumulated some savings over his years in business, he had prepared thoroughly, hoping to make an impression and at least surpass Zhang Shishi. While he stood on high alert, his opponent remained calm, watching him with a nonchalant smile. “Hmph! Pretentious!” Zhan Yuan fumed inwardly, ready to release his talismans. As he raised his hand, his vision blurred. His opponent suddenly closed in, delivering a hand strike that somehow penetrated the defense, striking the elbow holding the talismans. “Ouch!” A sharp pain shot through him as his arm went limp, numbing him. The talismans slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground. His opponent stood back in place, unperturbed, as if never having moved. “Hahaha!” The audience erupted in laughter again. Zhan Yuan felt simultaneous shame and anger. His defeat was too swift, too inexplicable. Staying on the stage was too embarrassing, so he conceded and descended, leaving the fallen talismans behind. “That Lianshui Alliance cultivator is at the late Qi Refining stage. His hand strike had a hint of true intent and, with superior skills, broke your defense. A metal-based shield might have held better, but with such a cultivation gap, victory was unlikely. You can't feel bad for losing.” Wang Guan, a Foundation Establishment cultivator with keen eyesight, comforted the humiliated yet crying Zhan Yuan. Liu Denuo stepped up to treat his dislocated arm. “Master, I've embarrassed myself!” Zhan Yuan reported dejectedly, cradling his arm. “It’s alright, it’s alright, as long as you did your best…” Qi Xiu’s heart ached, trying desperately to console him. “No one is guarding the sect. I’ll return now.” Zhan Yuan’s injuries were mild, but unwilling to linger, he summoned his spirit boat alone, glumly heading back to Black River Peak. Watching his desolate figure fade away, Qi Xiu sighed deeply. If these matches continued like this, demoralizing the sect’s disciples, how could they ever fight for their lives? “Did I make the wrong decision?”