The monkey Xiaohui saw the man in front of him staring straight at him, his gaze exceedingly strange. Furious, he flipped up a monkey paw with a whoosh and clawed at him. The man was caught off guard; his face was nearly scratched open. Fortunately, his reaction was quick enough, and he forced his head back, dodging at the last possible instant.
Zhang Xiaofan was startled and hurriedly shouted for Xiaohui to stop. Turning to look at the man, he saw that the fellow had clearly been badly frightened, one hand pressed to his face as he kept saying, “That was close, that was close.”
Feeling somewhat apologetic, Zhang Xiaofan said, “Senior Brother, I’m sorry!”
Unexpectedly, the man did not mind. He smiled faintly, waved a hand, and said, “It’s all right. I was careless for a moment and forgot that the ‘Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey’ (Note One) has a violent temper and easily hurts people.”
Zhang Xiaofan was stunned. “Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey?”
The man was startled. “What? You don’t know this monkey is a Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey?”
Zhang Xiaofan was completely baffled. “What is a Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey?”
The man’s eyes widened. He looked Zhang Xiaofan up and down, then said, “You don’t even know what a Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey is, so how did you come to raise one?”
Zhang Xiaofan said, “I met it when I was chopping bamboo in the bamboo forest. It hit me with pinecones a few times, and then it followed me back.”
The young Qingyun disciple opposite him looked as if his jaw were about to drop. He murmured, “Hit you with a few pinecones and it followed you back, hit you with a few pinecones and it followed you back…”
Seeing him acting so oddly, Zhang Xiaofan shook his head and turned to leave. Unexpectedly, after only a few steps, the man actually followed after him, piling a smile across his face as he said in a low voice, “This Junior Brother—oh, no, Senior Brother, you…”
This was the first time in Zhang Xiaofan’s life that anyone had called him Senior Brother, and seeing that the man was at least over twenty, he hurriedly said, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare. If there’s something you need, just say it.”
The man paused, still all smiles. “Heh heh, Junior Brother truly is easy to get along with. Ah, how about this? Let me introduce myself first. My humble surname is Zeng, courtesy name Shushu. I am a disciple of Fenghui Peak. May I ask Junior Brother’s name…”
Zhang Xiaofan said, “I am Zhang Xiaofan, a disciple of Dazhu Peak. Senior Brother Zeng Shushu, you… uh, ‘Uncle’?”
The man froze, then his face reddened slightly, and he laughed somewhat awkwardly. “Ah, I’m not trying to take advantage of you on purpose. My Shushu is the ‘shu’ of books, not the ‘shu’ of father’s younger brother. This is all my father’s fault. Back then, my mother originally named me Yingxiong. Think how imposing ‘Zeng Yingxiong’ would have sounded! But my father saw that I loved reading from a young age, and on a whim gave me the name Shushu, making me a laughingstock for life. Really.”
Zhang Xiaofan could not help laughing. He thought to himself that this man’s name somehow had the same kind of peculiar charm as Sixth Senior Brother’s. The sorrow and bitterness in his heart had been interrupted by this man and diluted considerably, and he felt a few more traces of closeness toward him. He said, “Ah, Senior Brother Zeng, you really love reading?”
Zeng Shushu smiled and said, “Of course. On this point, I need not be modest. In all of Fenghui Peak, no one has read more books than I have. But most of what I read are strange tales and anecdotes, searches into gods and monsters and curiosities, which often makes my father so angry he’s half dead. Ah, speaking of which, you truly don’t know this monkey is a ‘Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey’?”
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head. “I don’t. I just thought it was an ordinary monkey.”
At this moment, as if it understood his words, the monkey Xiaohui, crouched on his shoulder, suddenly squeaked shrilly and yanked hard on Zhang Xiaofan’s hair. It hurt so much that Zhang Xiaofan cried out, “Ow, damned monkey!”
Zeng Shushu’s eyes, however, were full of envy. “Ah, it really is clever.”
Enduring the pain, Zhang Xiaofan said, “This damned monkey only loves hitting people, and you still say it’s clever?”
Zeng Shushu said, “Do not judge it by its unremarkable appearance. Just by virtue of this spirituality, it is already a rare spirit creature. Look between its eyes, on its forehead. Is there a small vertical mark?”
Zhang Xiaofan turned his head and looked carefully. Sure enough, beneath the gray fur, there was a faint vertical mark; if one did not look closely, it would never be noticed. He could not help feeling admiration for Zeng Shushu. “You can even see something that small. Impressive, impressive!”
Zeng Shushu said solemnly, “Do not look down on it. I once read in the ‘Spirit Beasts’ chapter of Records of Gods and Demons (Note Two) that the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey is a miraculous beast with innate spirituality. In its youth, its appearance is no different from an ordinary monkey’s, but after it reaches adulthood, the third spiritual eye on its forehead opens, and its spirituality expands greatly. Not only can it comprehend the immortal arts of the Five Elements, it can also see things a thousand li away. It is said that the ancient term ‘Thousand-Li Eye’ refers precisely to this Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey.”
Zhang Xiaofan lifted the monkey Xiaohui down and held it in front of his eyes for a careful look. For a moment, he could not believe that the monkey that had lived with him for two years actually had such an extraordinary background. But no matter how he looked, it was still an utterly ordinary and rather plump monkey, and when held in his hands, it was quite heavy. It seemed that after only one night on Tongtian Peak, it had gained several more jin.
The monkey Xiaohui found it strange in its heart. Why was everyone staring at it endlessly today? It immediately squeaked without stop, greatly annoyed. Zhang Xiaofan made a face at it, then casually tossed it onto Dahuang’s back. Dahuang was startled and jumped aside, only relaxing once he saw clearly that it was Xiaohui. Xiaohui waved its arms and legs at Zhang Xiaofan as though demonstrating its might, squeaking several times before giving up. It leaned against Dahuang, and after a short while its attention was once again drawn to the fleas in Dahuang’s fur.
Zeng Shushu looked at Xiaohui with envy, then turned back to Zhang Xiaofan and said, “Junior Brother Zhang, have you also come to Tongtian Peak to take part in the Seven Peaks Martial Contest?”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded. “Senior Brother Zeng, what about you?”
Zeng Shushu smiled. “Me too. In yesterday’s drawing of lots, I drew number thirty-three. I wonder what number you are. It wouldn’t be so coincidental that we are opponents today, would it?”
Zhang Xiaofan also smiled. “I’m number one.”
Zeng Shushu was startled. “So you’re that Dazhu Peak disciple from yesterday?”
Zhang Xiaofan’s face reddened, and he nodded.
Zeng Shushu smiled. “Your luck is really good.” As he spoke, he calculated inwardly, then said, “We would only meet in the final match. Looks like that would be quite difficult.”
Zhang Xiaofan laughed. “With my little cultivation, I’ll be eliminated at once in the first—heh heh, the second round. How would I dare to dream of anything else?”
Zeng Shushu stuck out his tongue. “Then I’m afraid I might not even get past the first round.”
The two exchanged a glance and both burst into laughter. They talked for a while longer, until Song Daren’s voice came from afar: “Xiaofan, time to eat.”
Zhang Xiaofan answered from a distance. After saying a few more words to Zeng Shushu, he ran over, and Dahuang, carrying Xiaohui on his back, followed. When he reached Song Daren, the two walked forward. Song Daren said, “Who were you talking to over there just now?”
Zhang Xiaofan said, “Oh, I just met a Senior Brother from Fenghui Peak. He said his name was Zeng Shushu.”
Song Daren seemed startled. “Zeng Shushu?”
Zhang Xiaofan asked in surprise, “What is it, Eldest Senior Brother?”
Song Daren turned and looked back in the direction they had come from. “That man is the only son of Martial Uncle Zeng Shuchang, the head of Fenghui Peak. I’ve heard that his talent is extraordinary, that he is widely learned and has a remarkable memory, and that his cultivation is extremely profound. He is one of the favorites in this competition.”
Zhang Xiaofan was stunned and could not speak for a moment.
※※※
After breakfast, all the disciples of Qingyun Sect came to the Sea of Clouds Square. At a glance, there was a vast sea of people, shoulders brushing, heels touching, the crowd’s vitality flourishing—proof enough of Qingyun Sect’s prosperity.
On the enormous square, in just the time it had taken everyone to eat, eight great platforms had already been erected. They were built from massive logs as thick as a man’s waist, each separated from the others by more than ten zhang, arranged according to the positions of the Eight Trigrams. At this moment, the area beneath the platforms was already packed with people. Beneath the largest central platform, in the “Qian” position, stood a tall red board several men high, on which the lot numbers and names of the disciples participating in the contest were written in gilded characters as large as bowls. Zhang Xiaofan’s name was glaringly placed in the first position, while the column for his opponent was completely blank.
Zhang Xiaofan blushed and secretly glanced at the senior brothers beside him. The others were all smiling, only Sixth Senior Brother Du Bishu was still grumbling, “Unfair, unfair, un—”
“Silence!” A light shout came from the side. Everyone was startled and turned to look. It was Tian Buyi and Su Ru, with Tian Linger, walking over. The Dazhu Peak disciples immediately paid their respects. “Master, Mistress!”
Tian Buyi nodded and said nothing, while Su Ru said, “The competition will begin soon. You must all do your best. Understand?”
“Yes,” everyone answered in unison.
Su Ru turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan, but Zhang Xiaofan caught sight at once of Tian Linger standing beside his mistress. She seemed even more beautiful than usual today, radiant and spirited, her bright eyes filled with smiling delight. One look was enough to know that she was in an excellent mood.
Zhang Xiaofan felt as if a needle had stabbed his heart, and he could not help lowering his head.
“Xiaofan.” Seeing that her youngest disciple’s expression was somewhat strange, Su Ru walked over and called to him.
Zhang Xiaofan hurriedly raised his head and replied, “Yes, Mistress.”
Su Ru looked at him. “Are you all right?”
Zhang Xiaofan quickly shook his head. “I’m fine, Mistress.”
Su Ru glanced at him again and said, “Xiaofan, your luck is quite good. You have a bye today, but you must still pay attention and watch your senior brothers and sisters compete. Such an opportunity is extremely rare and will be very beneficial to you. Understand?”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded. “Yes, Mistress.”
Su Ru looked toward Tian Buyi. Tian Buyi nodded, then turned and walked toward the platform. Everyone followed behind him, gradually merging into the crowd.
Dang—a clear sound of bell and cauldron rang out, echoing through the misty white clouds of the Sea of Clouds, making everyone’s spirits lift. In an instant, the originally noisy square fell silent.
On the enormous platform at the center, the figures of Reverend Daoxuan and Daoist Cangsong appeared. Reverend Daoxuan stepped forward, looked around at the countless disciples below, and said in a clear voice, “The competition begins.”
As he spoke, he swept his sleeve. At once, the sound of bell and cauldron rang out again, dang dang dang dang, resounding to the heavens. As Zhang Xiaofan heard it, he suddenly felt his blood surge. He stole a glance at Tian Linger beside him and saw that Tian Linger’s face was full of smiles as well, her expression eager to try.
With that one look, he could no longer move his eyes away. Thus he did not hear clearly what Reverend Daoxuan said on the platform. Afterward, Daoist Cangsong came out and said a few more words. Finally, another clear and pleasant toll of bell and cauldron rang out, startling him awake from his daze, and only then did he realize the competition had already begun.
Sixty-three people competing, eight arenas—naturally, they had to be divided into four groups. Among the first group of sixteen, the only Dazhu Peak disciple to enter the arena was Tian Linger. Her match was on the western “Li” position platform, so the people of Dazhu Peak naturally swarmed over.
Tian Linger’s opponent was a disciple of Chaoyang Peak, surnamed Shen and named Tiandou. He had already leapt onto the platform, his posture quite elegant, drawing a chorus of cheers from below. Zhang Xiaofan looked around and saw that beneath the “Li” platform, there were fully over a hundred people gathered, most of them disciples of the Chaoyang Peak lineage. Even Shang Zhengliang, the head of Chaoyang Peak, was watching from below, a faint smile on his face. He clearly valued this Shen Tiandou highly.
Tian Buyi and the others arrived below the platform, and the Dazhu Peak group was immediately submerged among the Chaoyang Peak disciples. In front, behind, left, and right were all disciples wearing Chaoyang Peak attire. Tian Buyi did not mind. He glanced at Shang Zhengliang standing in the distance; at the same time, Shang Zhengliang also looked over. Their gazes met, as though faint sparks flashed between them, but both merely smiled faintly, as if nothing had happened.
By then, disciples had already brought chairs over for the two peak heads and elders such as Su Ru. Tian Buyi and Su Ru sat down. Tian Linger walked forward and said, “Father, Mother, I’m going up.”
Tian Buyi looked at his daughter. “Go.”
A loving expression appeared on Su Ru’s face. “Be careful in all things.”
Tian Linger glanced up at the platform and smiled brightly, without the slightest trace of nervousness. “Just wait for my good news.”
As she spoke, she turned, her smile still present. With her left hand, she formed a spell gesture and called, “Rise!”
As soon as her words fell, rosy light flashed. The Amber Vermilion Ribbon at her waist had already been summoned, moving beneath her feet and lifting Tian Linger’s slender body. Amid the rosy glow, she flew toward the platform like a fairy.
This display was naturally far superior to Shen Tiandou leaping onto the platform like a monkey. Moreover, Tian Linger was as beautiful as a flower, and among the disciples below—including those of Chaoyang Peak—most were male. At once, thunderous applause erupted, and even many people beneath the distant platforms turned their heads to look.
Zhang Xiaofan and the other Dazhu Peak disciples stood gathered behind Tian Buyi and Su Ru. They heard Su Ru smile and say to Tian Buyi, “It seems Linger’s cultivation has advanced again.”
Tian Buyi smiled faintly. Though he did not speak, his expression was also quite pleased.
By then, Tian Linger had flown onto the platform and was standing about a zhang away from Shen Tiandou. She cupped her hands and said, “Senior Brother Shen, please instruct me.”
When Shen Tiandou saw Tian Linger ride her treasure onto the platform, and saw that the magical treasure shone with waves of rosy light and immortal air, he guessed it was most likely the famous magical treasure “Amber Vermilion Ribbon” belonging to Su Ru, elder of Dazhu Peak, which his master had long warned him to be careful of. At once, he did not dare be negligent. Cupping his hands in return, he said, “Junior Sister Tian, please show mercy.”
As he spoke, he took a step back. With his right hand, he formed a sword gesture, and a three-foot immortal sword radiating gray-brown light was summoned, hovering horizontally before him.
Below the platform, Su Ru frowned and said quietly to Tian Buyi, “That sword, like Linger’s Amber Vermilion Ribbon, is an earth-element magical treasure among the Five Elements. Now it will depend on whose cultivation is deeper.”
Tian Buyi smiled faintly. “Among Qingyun Sect’s earth-element magical treasures, what can compare to your Amber Vermilion Ribbon? As I see it, that immortal sword is ten thousand and eight thousand li inferior to your Amber Vermilion Ribbon.”
Su Ru gave a quiet scoff. “You only know how to talk nonsense.”
At that moment, a toll of bell and cauldron rang out from the platform. Tian Linger and Shen Tiandou’s match officially began.
Tian Linger was clearly young and vigorous. As soon as the bell faded, she immediately pointed forward. In an instant, rosy light flashed, swift as lightning. The Amber Vermilion Ribbon raised a great wind, stinging faces as it rushed toward Shen Tiandou.
Shen Tiandou had not expected Tian Linger to attack the moment she said she would. Seeing the Amber Vermilion Ribbon rush over in the blink of an eye, he hurriedly retreated two steps. With a shake of both hands, the immortal sword before him immediately blazed with light and went to meet it.
Rosy light and gray-brown radiance collided at the center of the platform. With a bang, both Tian Linger and Shen Tiandou trembled, but immediately steadied themselves again, while the two magical treasures remained locked in midair.
Below the platform, Tian Buyi frowned. Su Ru also said in surprise, “Eh, this Shen Tiandou’s cultivation is not weak.” At the same time, the Chaoyang Peak disciples below all shouted together, “Good!”
The cries of these hundred-odd people were indeed extraordinary. They immediately drowned out the Dazhu Peak disciples, who had also been cheering. Sixth Brother Du Bishu snorted and said, “So they rely on loud voices? It’s not a contest of throats.”
At this time on the platform, the two treasures remained deadlocked for a moment longer, neither side gaining the upper hand, before both were withdrawn. Shen Tiandou stepped according to the Seven Stars, his face solemn, chanting under his breath. Then he shouted, “Go!”
His gray-brown immortal sword suddenly shot into the sky from midair. A moment later, swift as lightning, it struck down from directly above Tian Linger’s head. Before the sword even reached the ground, Tian Linger’s dress was already flying wildly, fierce winds howling around her.
Tian Linger, however, did not panic, nor did she have any intention of retreating. Her left hand grabbed the Amber Vermilion Ribbon that had flown back before her and pulled it over her head. At once, rosy light spread like gauze, and the Amber Vermilion Ribbon widened several times in an instant, weaving a barrier of rosy light above her head. In the time it takes to tell, Shen Tiandou’s face grew grave, and that immortal sword struck the rosy light again with a clear clang. The red rosy glow shook violently, yet remained unharmed.
Only then did Su Ru let out a breath of relief. She said quietly to Tian Buyi, “That child Linger is being far too overconfident.”
Tian Buyi snorted and shook his head.
Shen Tiandou’s gray-brown immortal sword failed to achieve anything with its strike and bent upward. Tian Linger, however, did not pause in the slightest. Where the Amber Vermilion Ribbon flashed with rosy light, it immediately lengthened tenfold. Tian Linger let out a clear cry, and the Amber Vermilion Ribbon changed from its originally soft appearance, unexpectedly becoming like a long giant staff, straight across the air, one end held in Tian Linger’s hand.
The spectators below burst into an uproar, exclamations of amazement rising without end.
Tian Linger hesitated no longer. With a sweep of her right hand, the giant staff transformed from the Amber Vermilion Ribbon cut through the air with a whoosh, smashing heavily down toward Shen Tiandou’s head.
Shen Tiandou’s brows were tightly knitted, his expression solemn. In that brief instant, his immortal sword had already flown back into his hand. He clenched his teeth, his right hand gripping the immortal sword tightly, his left hand bending and stretching. Seeing the giant staff about to strike his head, everyone below held their breath. Suddenly, a tremendous sound rang out. On the platform before him, the originally flat wooden floor split open in an instant, and five or six huge rocks suddenly burst through, blocking in front of him.
Below the platform, Tian Buyi and Su Ru’s expressions changed slightly. In contrast, Shang Zhengliang, the head of Chaoyang Peak, nodded repeatedly.
With a thunderous rumble, the giant staff flashing with rosy light crashed heavily into the rocks. In an instant, dust flew up, filling the entire platform. Tian Linger only felt her body shake violently. The opponent’s “Rock-Control Technique” was actually indestructible, and the entire Amber Vermilion Ribbon rebounded back.
Before the dust had settled, Shen Tiandou’s face had grown slightly pale, but he still did not pause in the slightest. With a roar from his throat, his body drifted onto the massive rocks. Gripping the sword hilt with both hands, he made the gray-brown immortal sword blaze with light, then thrust it into the extremely hard rock as easily as splitting bamboo.
Crack, crack, crack! Several dull, hoarse, grinding sounds rang out. Tian Linger’s expression changed as she felt the ground beneath her feet shake violently. Suddenly, several more loud sounds erupted. The wooden boards where Tian Linger stood all shattered, and amid rumbling, countless huge, sharp rocks shot out from the ground, stabbing the place where Tian Linger had stood until it was riddled beyond recognition.
“Ah!” Zhang Xiaofan cried out involuntarily below the platform, but immediately shut his mouth. He saw that Tian Buyi and his wife’s expressions had also grown serious, and Su Ru even looked somewhat tense. By contrast, the Chaoyang Peak disciples cheered loudly, their applause thunderous.
“Senior Brother Shen, well done!”
“So powerful!”
“Certain victory!”…
The shouts rose and fell one after another. At the same time, dust filled the platform, making it almost impossible to see. But Shen Tiandou, standing high atop the massive rock, did not relax in the slightest. His eyes were wide as he carefully searched the surroundings. Sure enough, a moment later, within the dense dust above the giant rocks ahead, rosy light suddenly flashed. In an instant, the light flared brightly, and Tian Linger flew out abruptly like a red phoenix. The Amber Vermilion Ribbon’s rosy light flowed and revolved rapidly, spinning beside her without stop.
Tian Linger’s face was solemn, and chilling light shot from her almond eyes. Both hands formed spell gestures, then she swept them heavily downward. The Amber Vermilion Ribbon suddenly stopped, then, like a venomous snake, pierced straight into the ground, forcibly drilling into those hard rocks.
Shen Tiandou’s expression changed drastically. Without thinking, he immediately drifted backward. Sure enough, just as he left the spot where he had been standing, the Amber Vermilion Ribbon that had looked like a venomous snake now burst wildly from underground like a red giant dragon. The place where Shen Tiandou had stood was instantly filled with flying sand and tumbling stones, leaving a large hole behind. Its momentum was so fierce that it chilled the heart.
At this moment, Tian Linger was in midair, both hands forming orchid-like spell gestures crossed before her chest. She cried out, “Binding the Gods!”
The Amber Vermilion Ribbon paused in the air. With a crisp sound, its rosy light instantly swelled greatly, and it grew with the wind. In just a short while, no one knew how many times larger it had become. Like something blotting out the sky and covering the sun, it moved swiftly, sometimes circling in midair, sometimes plunging into the ground and breaking out from the other side. With Shen Tiandou as the center, countless red ribbons surrounded him tightly in a circle.
The people of Dazhu Peak could not help exchanging glances. Two years ago, during Tian Linger’s spell duel with Lin Jingyu, she had used this marvelous “Binding the Gods” technique. Judging by today, the power of “Binding the Gods” was even greater, surrounding both heaven and earth. They did not know how this Shen Tiandou compared to the Lin Jingyu of back then.
As Tian Linger’s incantation sounded again and again, the entire Amber Vermilion Ribbon transformed into a huge red sphere and continuously pressed inward. Through the gaps, beneath the rosy light, gray-brown radiance could still be faintly seen. It was clear that Shen Tiandou was still resisting stubbornly, but although the red ribbons were slowed by his resistance, they continued pressing inward unstoppably.
Below the platform, all was silent. The Chaoyang Peak disciples had all shut their mouths, nervously watching the enormous red sphere on the platform. Everyone knew what the consequences would be if one could no longer withstand the crushing pressure of an immortal treasure.
The red ribbon had now contracted to a size of six chi. Rosy light flickered, completely suppressing the gray-brown radiance. From time to time came creaking sounds of pressure. By now, everyone could no longer see Shen Tiandou’s figure at all, while Tian Linger remained suspended in midair, her face faintly flushed, the orchid gestures held by her hands trembling slightly.
After a short while, the Amber Vermilion Ribbon slowly pressed inward another chi. Everyone was so tense they could hardly breathe. At that moment, there came a strange cry of “Ya!” Shen Tiandou burst out like a fierce tiger, holding his sword and breaking through the ribbon, though his face was now completely deathly pale.
The Chaoyang Peak disciples below burst into thunderous cheers, but Peak Head Shang Zhengliang closed his eyes and sighed. On the other side, Tian Buyi and his wife exchanged a smile.
Sure enough, this was already Shen Tiandou’s final desperate struggle. Tian Linger changed direction in midair. With a point of her right hand, the Amber Vermilion Ribbon followed closely like a bone-piercing awl, striking toward Shen Tiandou’s back. At this moment, Shen Tiandou seemed to find even turning around extremely difficult. He moved slightly but failed to dodge, and the Amber Vermilion Ribbon struck him lightly on the back. At once, his entire body flew forward and fell beneath the platform with a bang.
The Chaoyang Peak disciples below had been halfway through their cheers when they suddenly became as if mute, falling silent. Shang Zhengliang stood up, shook his head, and shouted to the disciples beside him, “Why aren’t you hurrying to help Senior Brother Shen up?”
Only then did the Chaoyang Peak disciples come back to their senses. They rushed over one after another and helped Shen Tiandou up. At this time, Tian Linger put away her magical treasure and landed below the platform. Smiling sweetly, she said to Shen Tiandou, “Many thanks to Senior Brother Shen for showing mercy.”
Shen Tiandou looked at her, smiled bitterly, and said, “Junior Sister Tian is a genius favored by heaven. I admire you, I admire you.” As he spoke, he allowed the people beside him to support him away.
Shang Zhengliang walked over and looked at Tian Linger a few more times before saying to Tian Buyi and his wife as they approached, “Senior Brother Tian, though your daughter is young, she possesses such talent and aptitude in the path of cultivation. It truly makes one envious.”
Tian Buyi’s face showed pride, though he said with a smile, “You flatter us, you flatter us.”
Su Ru also smiled. “Senior Brother Shang’s disciples are as numerous as clouds. I am sure there are even more powerful experts yet to appear.”
Shang Zhengliang brushed it off with a smile. Tian Buyi did not ask further and turned back. At this time, Tian Linger returned to where the Dazhu Peak group stood and was immediately surrounded by everyone. Each disciple was beaming with joy, wishing they could drown Tian Linger in every word of praise there was. Tian Linger listened until her face blossomed with smiles, and Zhang Xiaofan was even happier. Tian Buyi and his wife returned. Tian Linger immediately threw herself to Su Ru’s side, took her arm, and smiled. “Well, Mother, I was amazing, wasn’t I?”
Su Ru rolled her eyes at her, but in the end still laughed. “Amazing, amazing.”
Tian Buyi was also smiling broadly. After all, his own daughter had won the opening match, giving him great face. Before their fellow disciples, he felt especially proud and elated. He also reached out and patted his daughter’s head, his meaning full of praise. But then he turned to the other disciples and said, “Next it will be your turns. With Linger setting the example before you, you can also see that the disciples of the other lineages are not necessarily beyond reach. In a while, you must also work hard.”
Everyone answered in unison, “Yes!”
Zhang Xiaofan shouted along with everyone else, and he shouted especially loudly. Seeing that the others had each gone to make preparations—the next eight matches had three Dazhu Peak disciples entering the arena—Tian Buyi and Su Ru split up to watch them. Before leaving, Su Ru saw Zhang Xiaofan still standing where he was and reminded him a few times to “go watch carefully by yourself,” then left. Zhang Xiaofan thought for a moment, intending to find Tian Linger and go with her to cheer for one of their senior brothers at an arena. He raised his eyes and looked around, when suddenly, in the crowd ahead, he saw Tian Linger walking quickly forward. In front of her, the elegant and handsome Qi Hao stood there, smiling as he looked at her.
Zhang Xiaofan’s heart immediately sank.
Tian Linger walked up to Qi Hao, smiling as she spoke with him for a few sentences. Qi Hao then smiled broadly and kept talking beside Tian Linger’s ear, while Tian Linger also kept laughing. Both of them looked extremely happy. After chatting and laughing for a while, the two left together, seemingly choosing an arena to watch a match.
Zhang Xiaofan stood where he was, staring blankly. In a daze, he only felt a vast wave of sorrow and disappointment surge into his heart. All the hot blood that had been boiling within him cooled, cold all the way to the depths of his heart.
Note One: Records of Gods and Demons · Spirit Beasts, Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey: Originates from Mount Sumeru in the west. Intelligent and mischievous. After living more than a thousand years, it opens its spiritual eye, can see a thousand li, and can command plants, trees, earth, and stone. It serves as a protector beneath the seat of the ancient Buddha Randeng.
Note Two: Records of Gods and Demons: An ancient wondrous book recording strange phenomena of heaven and earth, rare treasures, exotic birds and beasts, demons, monsters, gods, and spirits. It is said to have been written by the ancient extraordinary man Xiao Ding. The original book had ten chapters; most are now lost, with only four surviving in the world.
Additional note: Xiao Ding is not recorded in official histories. In the unofficial-history notes Record of Mountains and Rivers by Jiufeng Shanren, it is said: There was a man of old surnamed Xiao, whose birth and death are unknown. From childhood he was intelligent, never forgetting what he saw. He once traveled the world and visited all famous mountains and ancient marshes, then wrote the ten chapters of Records of Gods and Demons. Fantastical and magnificent, it was the foremost wondrous book beneath heaven. Much of it has been lost—what a pity!