Chapter 83: The Grand Tournament

Chapter 83: The Grand Tournament

Below, the five peaks laid out before them. With his enhanced third-stage eyes, Hui could make out ribbons and banners strung along the road. Lanterns bobbled around the paths, dancing in the wind. Cultivators in their cleanest, purest-white robes darted to and fro, cleaning, setting up decorations, or otherwise busy.

The sect is preparing for the Intersect Tournament. Once every hundred years, we hold a tournament, and this is our turn to host. The three sects we have alliances with, Silken Heart Sect, Azure Fang Sect, and Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect, will transport their disciples to our sect for the tournament.

A a tournament? Hui asked. His heart stuttered. This small disciple isnt a fighter! I cant possibly enter the tournament. Master, I

Unfortunately, I was cultivating during my first iteration of this tournament, and am now too powerful. However, as Peak Lord of Unrivaled Under Heavens Peak, I am entitled to enter my disciples into the tournament. You will enter.

This small disciple

If I enter you officially into the tournament before the Sect Master realizes youre back, he cant throw you into forced seclusion without Starbound Sect losing face in front of our three allies.

Hui paused. I dont want to go back in the cave for the next ninety-seven years. But on the other hand, I might die in the tournament! One duel was already too much for this small disciple, okay? I almost died for real! A whole tournament?

A whole tourna wait.

Master, this tournament is it to the death? Hui probed.

Weiheng Wu narrowed his eyes at Hui. Hui caught his breath. Shit. Its a stupid question, isnt it? Its obvious. In a cultivation world, of course a tournament is to the death, its

Naturally not. Our sects have good relations with each other, and want to remain that way. If we murder each others best disciples, how will that help our relations? The tournament is a fight until defeat, not death.

Oh, Hui said, blinking.

You might get hurt, yes, and occasionally deaths happen, but they are not intentional, Weiheng Wu continued.

Enroll me in the tournament, Master, Hui said boldly. It isnt to the death, so who cares? I dont like pain, but I dont like getting stuck in a dark cave for almost a hundred years even more. Ill take a bit of momentary pain over forced seclusion! Im confident enough in my own ability to fake death that I shouldnt come close to dying in a tournament, not when they arent actively trying to kill me.

Actually, come to think of it isnt this a good chance to prove my might to my fellows in my generation without having to face death in a real fight? This is ideal! If I impress upon everyone around me how powerful I am, then no one will dare pick a fight with me! Then I dont have to risk death or play dead at all!

Now the question is, how to best rend everyones hearts so no one dares fight me in the future?

Especially since Im not actually very strong in a direct fight

Weiheng Wu nodded, pleased with his disciple. The other sects should be arriving any moment now. Well blend with them and get you registered for a fight on the very first day, so its too late for the Sect Master to put you into forced seclusion once he realizes.

Eh, today? Hui asked, startled. My plan to rend everyones hearts

Today, or forced seclusion, Weiheng Wu reminded him.

Its fine! Ill start my heart-rending plan from my second battle. An ordinary victory is good enough for the first one, or even an average defeat. I can rend everyones hearts after that. This disciple obeys, Master.

Mmm. Stick near me for now. I can mask your aura from the Sect Master as long as youre close enough.

Hui scooted closer to Weiheng Wu, even on the sword.

Suddenly, a streak raced past them. Hui blinked and stared, and barely made out a sword-mounted cultivator in blue. Chasing after the first cultivator, dozens of other blue-robed cultivators swooped down, each one carrying a disciple on their sword, though some rode giant, mystical beasts instead of swords. A pretty young woman about his age with short, wavy hair rode a large navy blue wolf with three silver horns. A man stood atop a huge swan, its white feathers traced with gold. A pair of siblings, the boy older than the girl, rode a flying stallion together, its long tail streaked with feathers.

Azure Fang, Hui guessed. He searched the faces as they passed, seeking out the five cultivators whod been at the Bai clans banquet, but they flashed by too quickly for him to make out.

It is time, Weiheng Wu declared, and descended toward Starbound Peak.

As they descended, the two other sects appeared. Dressed in flashy silks, usually with a streak of gold somewhere around the belt of their robes, a gaudy group of cultivators descended toward the peak on an enormous, bejeweled flying ship, its sides gilded, its mast carved of jade. Silk sails billowed atop the ship, doing nothing to propel it onward.

Silk Heart, Hui decided. His brows furrowed. I did kind of assume it from the name, but is it seriously a full sect of silkpants cultivators? How does it even survive? I guess some people must be both rich and talented, but

Er, Master, Hui started.

Weiheng Wu raised his hand. I would like to register my disciple.

Registration for internal disciples ended a weeWeiheng Wu? Youve descended? Waityour disciple is he should be The attendant squinted past Weiheng Wu at Hui, who gave her a small bow.

Is there a problem? Weiheng Wu asked.

The attendant glanced at Hui, then over her shoulder, up at the peaks summit. The Sect Master hasnt descended I suppose its fine?

Weiheng Wu gave a short nod.

He only hasnt descended because Master is masking my aura ah, elder sister, please dont let that small detail bother you, Hui whispered in his heart.

Then, let me register Weiheng Hui. Please step forward and offer your hand, the attendant requested.

Hui did as she requested.

She put her finger on the back of his hand and fed a drop of qi inside. It burned for a moment, then turned into a silvery circle. For the duration of the tournament, this qi marker will spell your opponents name, once you are properly matched. As the tournament progresses, the marker will automatically update your opponents name. If it vanishes, you have been eliminated.

Understood, Hui replied, nodding.

Please do not attempt to kill your fellow disciples. Improper behavior in the ring will be interpreted as a forfeit, and elder cultivators will not hesitate to step in. Represent your sect with dignity and uprightness, as a righteous cultivator ought to. The attendant cupped her hands at them.

Hui cupped his back, while his master swept off, mindless. Hui scurried to catch up with him, afraid of getting too far away. Glancing back at the Azure Fang cultivators, he asked, Are the barriers down for the tournament?

They have been recalibrated. The external barrier allows cultivators from the sects which are participating in the tournament in, but once inside, they are restricted to Starbound Peak, and should not be able to leave this peak, Weiheng Wu replied.

Hui nodded. Makes sense.

Weiheng Wu glanced at Huis hand. Has your opponent been decided?

Hui looked at his hand as well. A silvery circle stared back at him, not a name at all. Not yet.

Mmm. You must display your training and skills in the tournament. Remember, your performance reflects upon me.

Reflects upon you how, Master? What have you taught me? Externally, Hui smiled and cupped his hands. This disciple understands.

Additionally, a good performance may convince the Sect Master to release you from your seclusion.

Hui nodded. Now thats worth fighting for.

Weiheng Wu started to walk away. Hui followed at his heels, worried hed get too far. This is the most critical juncture. I cant afford to have the Sect Master sense me now.

What are you doing? Weiheng Wu asked.

Sticking close, as Master ordered, Hui replied.

Weiheng Wu waved his hand dismissively. Within this plaza is close enough. Go socialize with the Azure Fang disciples. This tournament is as much to strengthen our alliances as to test each others strength.

And you, Master? Hui queried.

I have some errands to attend to. When I finish them, Ill return to the peak with you. With that, Weiheng Wu strode away, black hair flying.

Master isnt socializing? Is he aware of his own weaknesses, or is this simply a symptom of his genius-disease? Hui put a hand on his chin, thoughtful.