Later that night, Ren met up with Bao Hua, who had been released by the healers. They found Mei Ling and went to celebrate her victory and discuss the her next opponent. She would be facing Jian Feng for the semi-finals. Bao Hua gave her what details he could but there wasn’t much he could offer. Ren also spoke of Zhi Ping’s techniques and quirks in case she got the chance to face him at the finals.

  After all the advice was dispensed, they settled in for some light meals and drinks. Hua was looking particularly dejected, so Ren tried to cheer him up.

  “Out of all the hundreds of disciples, we made it to the best 16! Not to mention we weren’t even in the 6th layer. We should be proud to have gotten so far. And next time we’ll compete in the upper category and win there!”

  Hua perked up at that. “That’s right! We did do great. And we’ll train hard and win next time for sure!”

  “You know we’ll get some small awards for making it till here, right? That’s also something to celebrate. And when Mei Ling wins tomorrow she can treat us to a very nice meal.”

  Hua jumped in saying “I’ve heard Ember Chickens have the most tender flavor!”

  Mei Ling laughed at that. “I’ll avenge you both tomorrow. You can worship me in advance.”

  “Oooh, I have eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai! ” shouted Ren.

  Hua piled on, claiming, “To face Mei Ling in battle is to court death! ”

  Mei Ling looked at them both in surprise for a moment and then they all burst out laughing.

  ****************

  The atmosphere was even more charged the next day. Even more elders had arrived to witness the conclusion of the tournament. Those who had been competing yesterday were now all cheering for those who had bested them. The fights began but this time at the main arena with only one fight taking place at a time.

  Ren and Hua had gathered others of their cohort to cheer for Mei Ling. As a strong cultivator and charming young lady, she had no shortage of admirers. The other young ladies aspired to be like her but were conflicted between her and the other who held a place in their hearts, Jian Feng. The young men who were green with envy at all the attention Jian Feng received, were spurred to cheer for Mei Ling even louder.

  When it came to her turn, she began the fight by whirling the whip around her. The ghostvine whip’s usual ghastly echoes were muffled by the crowd but Ren knew that Jian Feng would definitely be able to hear it. He had clearly prepared to face her and pulled out a talisman and activated it. It released a large chunk of earth and launched it towards her. Ren winced, acknowledging it as a good tactic. The whip was light and agile but the large, clinging mass of earth would weigh it down.

  Mei Ling reacted quickly and danced out of the way, but her weapon was grazed. Thick mud-like earth clung to her whip slowing it down. Undeterred, she kept on the move, simultaneously striking out with the whip. Jian Feng anticipated it and tried to move into range. Both were clearly experienced fighters and began trading blows furiously. Mei Ling trying to keep her distance and Jian Feng trying to fend off her whip with his blade and approach.

  The crowd was going wild for this unexpectedly enjoyable fight. Jian Feng wasn’t getting frustrated. He seemed to be patiently playing the long game. He kept his movements small and often dodged blows by a hair’s breadth. Mei Ling, on the other hand, was forced to make elaborate moves to keep her distance and stay on the offense.

  Eventually, Jian Feng took his chance and used a ranged technique. His blade emitted a blade of fire that was launched at Mei Ling. Taken by surprise, she reacted a breath slow. Instantly pressing his advantage, Jian Feng’s sword was a blur.

  For all his arrogance, Ren had to admit he was skilled. Mei Ling slowly lost ground and was finally faced with a sword point. The crowd cheered it’s approval at a match well fought. Jian Feng was going to advance the final round.

  Ren and Hua looked at each other and then started heading towards the exit to go cheer up Mei Ling. She hadn’t been injured, but she did look exhausted.

  She started saying “Sorry I couldn’t… ” but was cut off by both of them saying “You fought well” and “You did your best”. Without any further words, they dragged her off to see the rest of the matches.

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  The final was fought between Jian Feng and Zhi Ping. It was close but Zhi Ping turned out to be the better fighter. Ren thought it was because he was more informed and prepared because he didn’t blink at the talisman’s Jian Feng threw out and countered them with qi techniques. Even so, the tournament had earned Jian Feng a lot of popularity as a rising star.

  Then came the upper category fights. Ren realized at that moment just how much the elites had been holding back. The fights were vicious and powerful beyond belief. Despite all his readings, Ren barely recognized a few techniques.

  During Senior Chun Wei’s fight against lady Zhen Bing, even over the roar of the crowd he could hear the popping and thrum of his muscles. It might have been the “Roar of the Crimson Tiger” body-enhancing technique. It was known to bring out the buried power of one’s muscles to enable to them to fight beyond known limits.

  Senior Zhen Bing’s response to such a technique was an unbelievably strong icy breath technique that Ren couldn’t identify. It slowed down Chun Wei’s movements and allowed Lady Bing to draw blood from several deep slashes. Having restricted his movement, her deceptively rapid offensive forced Chun Wei to yield.

  During senior Xi Yao’s fight, he brought out a flying sword. He wielded it equally well at range and power. His opponent had decided to rely on formations and had thrown out array flags to try and gain control of the arena. Despite her best efforts, she was unable to contend with both an advanced swordsman and a flying sword and was forced to surrender. The crowd was as unequivocally enthusiastic over a one sided victory as much as a narrow win.

  Personally, Ren was unable to get the images of the sword ruthlessly dominating the fight out of his mind. It brought about too many memories of Xi Yao’s sister, Xi Yuan. The echoing sounds of anguished despair were still rooted deeply in Ren’s heart. The first such instance of undeniable pity and remorse that he could remember.

  The final match between the two peerless elite was incredible. Ren spared a moment to observe the reactions of the elders of the sect. They looked both impressed and proud. These future powerhouses of the sect were sure to earn the Heavenly Sword Sect glory and renown.

  Even though many of the moves were beyond Ren’s ability to perceive, the final victor was judged to be Xi Yao. His triumphant posture with a flying sword above him was unforgettable. At the end, everyone cheered with pride.

  The elders didn’t hesitate to announce the prize of a foundation establishment pill of high quality alongside many qi enhanced pills of unbelievable power. After them, Zhen Bing, Zhi Ping and another were awarded a qi enhancing medicinal plants and a single high quality spirit stone. The lower prize winners who had earned recognition including Zhao Ren were awarded middle grade spirit stones which were worth a 100 regular spirit stones.

  Ren could only envy the winners and their high grade spirit stones worth a hundred of his prize. But the strong devouring the weak was an established phenomenon. Resolving in his heart to be happy with his own prize was both harder and easier than he thought possible.

  After the vice sect leader finished awarding the prizes, she took a moment to address the outer sect.

  “Well done all of you. You have shown your abilities and upheld the face of our Sect. Those who failed to win this time, I am sure you will strive to win the next time. In that I have a fortunate announcement for you all.”

  Everyone was eagerly awaiting her verdict. Many seemed to have an idea of what was going to be announced and looked impatient.

  “I’m sure many of you have heard of the unusual incident in the southern mountains of our sect. The unrelenting beast tides are a sign. Our patriarch has announced that it is no simple treasure that spurs them to activity.”

  “Be aware that it is an opportunity for you all. It is a trial and an opportunity for great success or perilous demise. But this opportunity is not just for you all, as our allied sects will be also be participating in this inheritance trial.”

  “In a period of just one year, the Golden Light Monastery and the Celestial Instruments sects will be visiting our sect. There will be huge inter sect tournament that goes beyond anything you can dream of. So prepare well of this opportunity for the winners will be awarded slots in the inheritance trial event.”

  Her announcement led to an unprecedented level of excitement. Zhao Ren had long heard rumors of unusual activity in the southern mountains but had never imagined that it had something to do with a cultivator’s inheritance. Those were invariably opportunities of great advancement and risk. His friend Hu Yan had spoken of the Frost Moon elder who had been the cause of disaster for the sect many centuries ago, but he hadn’t dared dream it was rooted in something real.

  However, one year was a long time. Even by his modest estimates, Ren could be at the peak of the qi gathering realm by that time. An inter-sect tournament was sure to award even greater prizes than the one given out today. While he didn’t relish the chance to battle opponents of unknown strength, he believed in himself. By the sound of things, he just had to beat some monks and crafters. If that afforded him a chance at an inheritance, his personal dao didn’t forbid such competition.

  Even more attractive to him, he wondered if he could create and leave behind a trial within the inheritance. He already had a few ideas about challenges and didn’t even need to wait until the inheritance.

  This was a chance to further test his dao, and Ren was not one to waste such a precious opportunity. Suddenly he could help but be excited for the days to come.

  ***************

  The elder watching over the tournament had identified many talents worth nurturing. While a few would be competing over the winners as potential disciples, most were unmoved. However one was intrigued by one amongst the crowd who had neither failed nor excelled. They weren’t yet worthy but there was just something about them that was inexplicable. No moves would be made just yet, but they were one to keep an eye on.