Several people from the Longshou Peak lineage immediately rushed onto the stage, helping Fang Chao up. Seeing the immortal sword broken into two pieces on the ground, every one of them was filled with rage, glaring at Lu Xueqi as if they wished to devour this beautiful woman alive.
Below the stage, Daoist Cangsong clenched his fist and said coldly, "Junior Sister Shuiyue, your disciple is truly ruthless. Clearly winning was not enough—she insisted on relying on her artifact to deliberately destroy another's immortal sword. What is the meaning of this?"
Master Shuiyue had an indifferent expression and replied coldly, "Xueqi's cultivation is too shallow, her power insufficient to control a divine object like 'Tianya.' It is hardly a serious matter."
Daoist Cangsong's anger surged, and he was about to explode when suddenly a hand fell upon his shoulder—it was True Person Daoxuan, who had somehow walked over and patted his shoulder. Daoist Cangsong looked at him and finally forced his anger down, snorted heavily through his nose, and strode away.
True Person Daoxuan watched Daoist Cangsong's tall departing figure, shook his head, smiled bitterly, and turned back. He was about to speak when he saw that Master Shuiyue had actually also walked away.
By now Lu Xueqi had already walked down from the stage and arrived before Shuiyue. Shuiyue looked at her, a faint smile appearing on her face, and nodded. Lu Xueqi didn't speak either. She performed a slight bow and then stood behind Shuiyue, following her as they departed leisurely.
Zhang Xiaofan stood at the side, only now coming back to his senses from that breathtaking battle just now. Watching this pair of master and disciple, Shuiyue and Lu Xueqi, gradually walking further away, he suddenly realized how similar these two were—equally cold as frost, as if carved from the same mold.
He was staring raptly when suddenly he heard Zeng Shushu sigh beside him, saying, "Who would have thought that a divine object like Tianya would appear in the world!"
Zhang Xiaofan was baffled and said, "What is this Tianya thing?"
At this time, the Qingyun Sect disciples who had been watching gradually dispersed. Zeng Shushu greeted a fellow disciple from Fenghui Peak and walked away with Zhang Xiaofan, saying, "Tianya is that immortal sword you just saw Lu Xueqi use. I once read records of it in the 'Ten Treatises on Rare Treasures.' Tianya first appeared a thousand years ago in the hands of a rogue immortal, the Kuxin. Legend says this artifact was made from otherworldly iron that fell from the Ninth Heaven into the mortal realm, which Immortal Kuxin chanced upon in the Arctic ice fields and refined into this form. Back then during the decisive battle between the righteous and demonic paths, the righteous path was naturally led by the patriarch of our Qingyun Sect, Patriarch Qingye, but this Immortal Kuxin was also greatly renowned. Especially when he used this Tianya divine sword to fiercely battle the fiend of the Demonic Sect, Elder Heixin, for three days and three nights, finally inflicting heavy wounds upon Elder Heixin and removing a mortal threat for our righteous path. It is said that at the time, only this Tianya divine sword could restrain the demonic sect's most vicious object, the Blood-Devouring Bead. From then on, the name 'Tianya' shook the world, becoming a divine artifact that all cultivators dreamed of acquiring. However, it was said that after Immortal Kuxin passed away, Tianya disappeared without a trace. Who would have thought it would actually end up in the hands of Little Bamboo Peak."
Speaking to this point, Zeng Shushu shook his head and said, "Junior Brother Xiaofan, with Lu Xueqi possessing such a divine object, I'm afraid we have no hope in this grand competition."
Zhang Xiaofan, however, felt no disappointment. In any case, he had never thought he could accomplish anything. He just found it strange seeing Zeng Shushu looking rather disappointed and asked, "Eh, Senior Brother Zeng, didn't you tell me you weren't very interested in this grand competition either? Why do you look so disappointed?"
Zeng Shushu's face reddened, and he said, "But if one could really stand on the stage to the very end, that would be very impressive, don't you think?"
Zhang Xiaofan couldn't help bursting into laughter.
Zeng Shushu saw his strange expression and felt somewhat embarrassed himself. He punched him lightly and laughed, "What are you laughing at?" Before he finished speaking, he started laughing himself.
The two walked smiling toward another stage, watching another match.
On this day, apart from Zhang Xiaofan, of the seven disciples from Great Bamboo Peak who fought, four won and three lost. Song Daren, Tian Ling'er, He Dazhi, and Du Bishu all entered the next round. Adding the lucky Zhang Xiaofan, of Great Bamboo Peak's eight disciples, five had advanced—a rare good result in several hundred years. Tian Buyi was so delighted he couldn't close his mouth.
※※※
The second day.
The morning sunlight lazily sprinkled upon the sea of clouds. Qingyun Sect disciples arrived at the square just like the previous day, continuing to watch this once-in-sixty-years Seven Peaks Martial Meeting of Qingyun Sect.
The group from Great Bamboo Peak stood beneath the red list from yesterday. They saw that half the names on the red list had been erased. Beside Zhang Xiaofan's name was written his opponent for today—Chu Yuhong.
From the time he woke up in the morning, Zhang Xiaofan's heart had inexplicably begun to grow nervous. Although he knew he was mostly here to broaden his horizons, he couldn't help but feel nervous, his heartbeat accelerating, his mouth dry and tongue parched. He only ate two bites of breakfast before losing his appetite.
At this moment, he quietly asked Song Daren, the Eldest Martial Brother standing beside him, "Eldest Brother, who is this Chu Yuhong? Is he formidable?"
Song Daren frowned and shook his head. "I'm not sure either. I've never heard of him before. Looking at the list, it says he's a disciple of the Chaoyang Peak lineage, but as for his cultivation level, I don't know." Speaking to this point, Song Daren glanced at Zhang Xiaofan and, seeing his very nervous appearance, smiled and said, "Little Junior Brother, don't be nervous. It's no big deal. When I first participated in the grand competition, I was also terribly nervous. Once you get on the stage, you'll be fine."
Zhang Xiaofan mumbled, "Yes."
At this time Du Bishu, who had been standing nearby, walked over with a mischievous grin and said, "Hey, senior brothers, why don't we make a bet on whether Little Junior Brother will win or lose this time?"
"Sure, sure! I bet Little Junior Brother loses!"
"Me too!"
"Me too. Right, I'll bet double!"
"Count me in."
Song Daren flew into a rage, pointing at everyone and saying, "What are you all doing? Little Junior Brother's match is imminent, and you're still hitting his morale?"
Zhang Xiaofan was extremely grateful and called out, "Eldest Brother—"
Song Daren: "Sixth Brother."
Du Bishu stuck out his tongue. "Eldest Brother, I was just joking. You mustn't tell Master."
Song Daren: "No matter. Since you've already hit his morale, I'll bet five shares on the bet you just proposed!"
Du Bishu and Zhang Xiaofan: ". . ."
At this moment Tian Buyi and Su Ru walked over. All the Great Bamboo Peak disciples went forward to greet them. Tian Buyi looked at everyone and said, "Your performance yesterday was not bad, but today you enter the second round. Those remaining are basically the elite disciples of each lineage. You must be careful."
Everyone said in unison, "Yes."
Su Ru glanced at Zhang Xiaofan, walked over, and said, "Xiaofan, today is your first match. Be careful in everything, understood?"
A wave of warmth passed through Zhang Xiaofan's heart. He said in a low voice, "Yes, Shiniang."
Su Ru nodded. She still wanted to say something when suddenly the sound of bells and chimes rang out together—the matches had officially begun.
Tian Buyi and Su Ru exchanged a glance and nodded. Tian Buyi said, "You all know where your matches are, right? It was clearly written on that red list just now. In a while, after the matches begin, your Shiniang and I will also watch from below the stage. Don't make us lose face."
Everyone answered together. Tian Buyi nodded, spoke in low tones with Su Ru, and walked away.
Tian Ling'er, who had come along with them, looked around and walked toward Zhang Xiaofan. Zhang Xiaofan's heart suddenly began to beat rapidly.
Walking up to him, Tian Ling'er looked straight at Zhang Xiaofan, then suddenly burst out laughing with a "pfft." She turned back to everyone and laughed, "Look how nervous Xiaofan is—he's sweating on his forehead."
Everyone laughed. Song Daren also laughed and said, "I was just comforting Little Junior Brother, but it looks like it was useless. We still need our Little Junior Sister to step in."
Tian Ling'er spat lightly and turned to Zhang Xiaofan, saying, "Xiaofan, I also have a match in a while, so I can't go cheer you on. You must do your best yourself. Also, be careful in everything!"
Zhang Xiaofan looked at her beautiful face so close at hand, her breath fragrant as orchids. He seemed to smell a faint, delicate fragrance and couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement in his heart. He nodded heavily, but somehow couldn't speak a single word.
Tian Ling'er obviously wasn't thinking too much. She smiled at Zhang Xiaofan, then walked over and exchanged a few words with her martial brothers. After a moment, everyone split up in twos and threes. Obviously, those competing went to the stages, and those not competing went to cheer for their fellow disciples. Only, no one thought to go with Zhang Xiaofan. Perhaps everyone believed this was a person with no hope at all.
Zhang Xiaofan stood in place, watching his martial brothers walk far away. A sudden, indescribable discomfort rose in his heart. He slowly walked to that red list and carefully looked at it again.
He and that Chaoyang Peak disciple Chu Yuhong had been arranged to compete at the farthest stage, the "Zhen" position platform.
Zhang Xiaofan smiled bitterly and walked forward.
Along the way, countless Qingyun Sect disciples passed back and forth, chatting and laughing. Zhang Xiaofan listened from the side—most were discussing yesterday's match results. In yesterday's matches, several popular figures acknowledged by all had easily won. Among them, quite a few people mentioned that apart from Qi Hao, the Longshou Peak lineage seemed to have produced another young expert. Hearing their descriptions, Zhang Xiaofan guessed that this was most likely Lin Jingyu. But even more people were talking about Lu Xueqi of Little Bamboo Peak. This beautiful woman who possessed the divine sword "Tianya"—her deep cultivation was surprising enough, but yesterday under the watchful eyes of all, she had forcibly shattered her opponent's immortal sword. This seemed to dissatisfy many people, but it also made even more people want to watch her matches. Her popularity had instead risen rather than fallen. Furthermore, the long-lost "Tianya" attracted even more attention. Who knew how many people wanted to see this divine artifact from the righteous-demonic great war a thousand years ago? Not even some Qingyun Sect elders were exceptions.
Zhang Xiaofan listened as he walked, his heart inevitably recalling the appearance of that frost-like beauty Lu Xueqi from yesterday. He shook his head. Just at this moment, a shout suddenly came from ahead: "Xiaofan!"
This voice sounded extremely familiar. Zhang Xiaofan looked up and immediately broke into a smile. He saw Lin Jingyu striding over. Zhang Xiaofan went forward to meet him and laughed, "I was wondering why I couldn't find you anywhere. So you ran over here!"
Lin Jingyu pointed behind himself and said, "I still have a match today, at the 'Kan' position stage, so of course I came early to prepare." Speaking, he sized Zhang Xiaofan up from head to toe and laughed, "Today is your turn too, right? Which stage?"
Zhang Xiaofan said, "I'm at the 'Zhen' stage. It's about to start, so I can't go cheer for you. Be careful yourself."
Lin Jingyu laughed, "You too. Eh, why haven't your fellow martial brothers or elders come to see you off?"
Zhang Xiaofan was startled for a moment and forced a smile. "You know my lineage has few people, and there are many competing today. Master and Shiniang went to watch Eldest Brother and Senior Sister's matches."
Lin Jingyu looked at him, sighed, and patted his shoulder.
Zhang Xiaofan rallied his spirits and smiled, "It's nothing. In any case, I'm just here to broaden my horizons. It's no big deal. Rather, you must do your best. Don't let others say that people from our Caomiao Village are useless."
Lin Jingyu nodded heavily. He was about to say something when suddenly the sound of a bell and chime rang out from behind him. He looked back and said, "My match is about to start. I won't talk with you anymore. If there's time later, I'll come watch you immediately."
Zhang Xiaofan nodded. "Hurry and go."
Lin Jingyu turned and left. Zhang Xiaofan watched his departing figure and thought in his heart, "If you hurry over and I can still hold out on the stage, that would be the strange thing."
Mocking himself thus in his heart, he slowly walked to the side of the "Zhen" position stage. This was the easternmost edge of the Sea of Clouds plaza. Looking over, there were actually only a dozen or so Qingyun disciples, most of whom were also disciples under Chaoyang Peak. Compared to the "Qian" stage where Lu Xueqi was in the center, it was truly the difference between heaven and earth.
Below the stage, only one chair was placed. A white-bearded old man sat there. Zhang Xiaofan glanced at him, feeling he looked somewhat familiar. After thinking for a moment, he remembered that this was the elder who yesterday morning before Lu Xueqi's match had been outside the crowd scolding disciples for being lecherous and complaining that they shouldn't have accepted female disciples. He just didn't know which lineage of Qingyun Sect this elder belonged to.
During the Seven Peaks Martial Meeting, there were a total of eight stages. Under normal circumstances, Qingyun Sect would arrange for at least one elder to oversee each stage. Otherwise, with young disciples being hot-blooded in their youth, if they got too into the fight, it would be hard to control.
Zhang Xiaofan walked over and arrived before the white-bearded old man. He bent at the waist and performed a bow, saying, "Martial Uncle, I am Great Bamboo Peak disciple Zhang Xiaofan. Today I am competing at the 'Zhen' position stage."
The white-bearded old man turned his head, glanced at Zhang Xiaofan, and said carelessly, "Oh, you've come. It's about to start. Get on the stage."
Zhang Xiaofan assented and glanced at the stage. Seeing it was completely empty, it looked like that Chaoyang Peak disciple named Chu Yuhong hadn't arrived yet. He hesitated for a moment but finally obeyed the white-bearded old man's words and walked up the steps onto the stage. At the same time, behind him among the crowd of Chaoyang Peak disciples below the stage, whispers immediately broke out. Clearly they were discussing him.
By now, the morning sun had already risen. The first rays of sunlight on Tongtian Peak quietly fell upon his body, carrying a slight warmth.
Zhang Xiaofan stood on the stage and looked toward the eastern horizon. There, a newly risen morning sun was slowly ascending, red and round, its light gentle and not dazzling, dyeing the distant clouds at the horizon red.
A sudden surge of emotion rose in Zhang Xiaofan's heart. Five years ago, he was still a village child who knew nothing of the world. He had never dreamed of standing on Tongtian Peak watching the sunrise one day. No, it wasn't that he had never dreamed of it—rather, he simply hadn't known that such a beautiful sunrise existed in this world.
In the blink of an eye, life was as vast and remote as white clouds.
The state of mind of this sixteen-year-old youth was at this moment unexpectedly like the sorrow of a sixty-year-old man.
He stretched out his hand, reaching into his bosom, and touched that cold fire poker.
A month ago, under circumstances where no one knew or would pay attention, Zhang Xiaofan had been shocked to discover that he could actually barely control this black fire poker. At that moment, he could scarcely believe his own eyes. However, after he had repeated it countless times in the deep quiet of night, driven by his focused intention, this fire poker truly did move.
"Object Manipulation"—this was a term as loud as thunder in the cultivation dao methods of Qingyun Sect. It was the manifestation of training the Taiji Xuanqing Dao to the fourth layer of the Jade Pure Realm. It was even more so something that every new disciple repeated in the depths of their hearts, longed for, and strived toward through countless years of cultivation. Zhang Xiaofan didn't even dare to dream of reaching this realm, to be able to win some face before his master, to make his master smile.
But was this possible?
Zhang Xiaofan had desperately suppressed himself and hadn't told anyone about this matter. Meanwhile, when he tried using focused intention to drive other objects, such as the pots and bowls in the kitchen, there was no movement at all. This also dealt a blow to his self-confidence. He couldn't figure it out despite thinking a hundred times—how could such a strange situation occur?
When he woke from dreams in the deep of night, he would climb up and stare at this strange fire poker that seemed fated to be entangled with him, always able to feel that trace of icy energy slowly wandering within his body.
"Dang!" A clear sound of bells and chimes rang out, startling Zhang Xiaofan and waking him up. Turning to look, he saw that below the stage it was still those dozen or so Chaoyang Peak disciples. The white-bearded old man was still sitting there in a drowsy state. But on the opposite side of the stage, a man had somehow appeared, looking about thirty years old and smiling as he looked at him.
Zhang Xiaofan's face reddened. He hurriedly performed a bow and said, "Great Bamboo Peak disciple Zhang Xiaofan requests guidance from Senior Brother Chu."
Chu Yuhong smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Each generation produces its own talented individuals. Though Junior Brother Zhang is young, facing the grand competition you still stand on the stage with a calm expression, showing no anxiety and even less fear. You're much stronger than I was back then. Admiration, admiration."
Zhang Xiaofan was stunned for a moment and mumbled, "To be honest, Senior Brother, I was actually in a daze just now."
"Whoa—" The area below the stage erupted in an uproar. Those dozen or so Chaoyang Peak disciples all laughed so hard they nearly fell over. Chu Yuhong was also stunned for a moment and finally couldn't help but laugh out loud. Immediately feeling it was inappropriate, he forcibly restrained himself and said, "Junior Brother Zhang jokes. Ah, the time has come. I shall now seek instruction from Junior Brother."
Zhang Xiaofan's heart leaped, a wave of nervousness hitting him. He slowly said, "Please be lenient, Senior Brother Chu."
Chu Yuhong smiled without answering. Looking at his expression, he seemed to have everything under control. He saw his right hand shake. With a "clang," an immortal sword emitting a faint yellow light was summoned.
"This sword is named 'Shaoyang.' Junior Brother Zhang, please."
Zhang Xiaofan glanced at that Shaoyang Immortal Sword. He saw that the yellow light on the sword was pure and gentle. From afar, he felt his spirit refreshed. It seemed this was no ordinary item. He secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Unconsciously his face felt somewhat hot, but finally he still reached into his bosom, grasped that fire poker, and took it out.
Everyone present—Chu Yuhong and the dozen or so Chaoyang Peak disciples below the stage—their gazes all fell upon this black fire poker.
For a moment, there was no sound.
"Hahahahaha..." Who knew who was the first to laugh out loud, breaking the silence. In any case, after a moment the area below the stage rang with laughter, mixed with someone saying with strange effort, "Wh-what is that?"
"I said long ago, Great Bamboo Peak people are all weird. Don't you mention it—yesterday that skinny guy using dice as an artifact became a laughingstock. I didn't expect that today, today there would actually be someone using a fire poker. R-really laughing me to death! Hahaha..."
Even Chu Yuhong on the stage couldn't endure it at this moment. He laughed a few times before painfully holding back and said, "Junior Brother Zhang, this is, haha, your, haha, pardon me, I can't control it. Ah, is this your artifact?"
Zhang Xiaofan listened to the people around him laughing as one. His face was bright red, unable to say a single word. He had originally known that using this fire poker was too unsightly and would inevitably attract mockery. But it just so happened that other items couldn't be driven by him, and in the depths of his heart there was also a faint, tiny, subtle hope that this could truly prove himself. So in the end, he had still brought out this fire poker.
But in the end, what this fire poker brought him was still others' contempt and ridicule.
The people around him laughed loudly. Zhang Xiaofan lowered his head. As far as his eyes could see, this world only had that black, ugly fire poker in his hand.
They laughed, laughed loudly—just like his fellow martial brothers who had laughed loudly before he departed, and even the Ling'er Senior Sister he held so dear had laughed the same way.
He lowered his head and closed his eyes.
A cold sensation seemed to call out faintly from the depths of his body, slowly wandering within him.
When does a person feel the most lonely?
Is it when facing the indifference of the entire world alone, or when facing all mockery alone?
Is a person's blood cold or boiling?
He suddenly raised his head and looked forward.
At this time, the sunlight was shining directly on his face. No one could clearly see his expression.
The Shaoyang Immortal Sword in Chu Yuhong's hand erupted with radiance almost comparable to the newly risen sun at this moment—brilliant, glorious, and filled with awe-inspiring righteousness—amidst the laughter and cheers below the stage. As he guided it with his incantation technique, with a loud shout, the Shaoyang Sword pressed down like brilliant sunlight, open and aboveboard.
A wave of heat assaulted his face, but Zhang Xiaofan's heart was as cold as ice. For some unknown reason, looking at the mass of light surging toward him, in that instant he suddenly recalled that morning long ago: he and Lin Jingyu had spent a frightening night in the wilderness. When they returned to Caomiao Village, they saw a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. It was on that morning that he lost all his happiness. He even felt that he had been buried in that sea of blood, struggling desperately, vainly trying to find his family but ultimately unable to do anything, the pain piercing his heart.
The heat seemed about to scorch his skin, yet before his eyes floated up that quiet night, by the jade-water pond, where that beautiful woman stood by the water, tightly embracing her beloved.
"Ah!" This sixteen-year-old youth let out a low groan. The inexplicable agony was actually so intense that he completely forgot about the light surging toward him and bit through his lip. Bright red fresh blood gently dripped down.
It fell upon that black fire poker, the dark cyan skewed with blood-red threads.
In the next moment, he was swallowed by that sun-like, brilliant light.
Below the stage was a burst of cheers. The Chaoyang Peak disciples all showed joy on their faces. Only a startled cry mixed among their laughter sounded so jarring.
Zeng Shushu, who had suddenly appeared, ignored the dozen or so hostile gazes beside him and let out a loud sigh, feeling incomparable regret for this newly made friend. Unfortunately, according to the grand competition rules, he couldn't help. Otherwise, looking at his righteous indignation, he probably would have rushed onto the stage. Even the white-bearded old man sitting at the side seemed startled by Zeng Shushu and glanced over.
On the stage, the brilliant golden light intersected with the morning sun rising at the horizon, splendid and dazzling. A surge of satisfaction rose in Chu Yuhong's heart. At this moment, even he himself felt that his cultivation had reached a peak never before attained. And after defeating this opponent who was neither good-looking nor good at fighting, he would surely advance triumphantly—even taking the final crown was not impossible! After all, after today, he would only need to win four more matches.
Thinking of this, he couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of his lips. The Shaoyang Sword's light grew even stronger. He watched as that youth ahead painfully furrowed his face in the scorching light, even biting through his lips.
Suddenly, right at this moment, his heart violently skipped a beat, as if someone had slammed a heavy hammer inside his body.
At this time when everyone couldn't clearly see Zhang Xiaofan, Chu Yuhong—this person standing opposite Zhang Xiaofan—clearly saw through the brilliant light of his own Shaoyang Sword that Zhang Xiaofan had raised his head and opened his eyes.
That pair of blood-red eyes filled with savage, murderous intent!
A formless, unknown coldness rapidly spread out. Chu Yuhong watched as that black fire poker at this moment seemed to come alive—black qi billowing upward. The round bead at the tip of the stick blazed with green light, shining upon Zhang Xiaofan's body as if he had completely transformed into another person.
All these changes occurred within the light of the Shaoyang Immortal Sword. Apart from Chu Yuhong, no one else saw them.
Chu Yuhong was utterly terrified, but before he could react, that icy aura had already hidden itself under the light of the Shaoyang Sword and ensnared him. He almost immediately felt the world spinning, his entire body nauseous and wanting to vomit. A moment later, the faint green light emitted by the round bead on the fire poker shone upon his body.
Below the stage, Zeng Shushu watched Zhang Xiaofan, who was wrapped in that mass of light, with tension. The moment he thought of Zhang Xiaofan being like a monkey being roasted (logically he should have thought of a pig being roasted, but somehow the thought of a monkey appeared in Zeng Shushu's mind), he almost didn't want to watch anymore. On the contrary, the Chaoyang Peak disciples were all clapping and cheering, overjoyed.
Just at this moment, everyone suddenly heard a loud roar from Chu Yuhong on the stage. The Shaoyang Sword shot up toward the sky, and the light immediately dissipated, revealing Zhang Xiaofan's figure. Yet Chu Yuhong seemed to be heavily injured, retreating repeatedly. After a moment, before everyone's shocked gazes, blood actually gushed from all seven orifices of his face. He tremblingly stretched out his right hand, pointing at Zhang Xiaofan as if wanting to say something, but no matter what, he couldn't speak.
After a moment, they watched as his body swayed a few times and with a "dong" sound, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Above and below the stage, there was utter silence. Everyone looked at each other in dismay, too shocked to speak.