Chapter 22: The Contest

In the ethereal realm of Azure Ethereal Vapors, Little Gray, the mischievous monkey, glared at the man standing before him with an odd, intense gaze. In a fit of rage, the creature swiftly extended its claw towards the man’s face, a swift motion that would have left a lasting mark had it not been for the man’s quick reflexes. He barely managed to tilt his head back, evading the claws by a hair’s breadth.

Zhang Xiaofan, startled, quickly called out to Little Gray and turned his attention to the man. The fellow was clearly shaken, his hand covering his face as he muttered, “That was close, too close.”

Xiaofan felt a pang of guilt, saying, “Brother, I apologize for that.”

The man, surprisingly, didn’t seem to mind, giving a small smile and waving his hand dismissively. “It’s fine, it was my negligence. I forgot how temperamental the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey can be, prone to sudden attacks.”

Xiaofan, bewildered, replied, “Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey?”

The man, taken aback, said, “What, you don’t know that this is a Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey?”

Xiaofan, still confused, asked, “What is a Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey?”

The man, wide-eyed, scrutinized Xiaofan from head to toe, asking, “You don’t even know what a Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey is, yet you keep one as a pet?”

Xiaofan explained, “I met him in a bamboo grove while chopping wood. He threw some pinecones at me, and then followed me back home.”

The young disciple of Azure Ethereal Conclave, almost losing his jaw, muttered, “A few pinecones and he follows you back, a few pinecones and he follows you back…”

Xiaofan, seeing the man’s strange behavior, shook his head and turned to leave. However, the man followed, grinning widely, and said, “Brother, or should I say, Senior Brother, may I…?”

Xiaofan, surprised to be addressed as Senior Brother, especially by someone older than twenty, replied, “Oh, no need for such formality. What do you need?”

The man, still grinning, said, “Haha, Senior Brother, you are indeed approachable. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zeng Shushu, a disciple of Fenghui Peak. And you, Senior Brother, are…?”

Xiaofan, introducing himself, said, “I am Zhang Xiaofan, a disciple of Dazhu Peak. Zeng Shushu, Senior Brother, or should I call you Uncle Shushu?”

Zeng Shushu, slightly embarrassed, chuckled, “No, it’s not intentional. My name, Shushu, means ‘books,’ not ‘uncle.’ It’s all thanks to my father. My mother originally named me Hero, but my father, seeing my love for books, impulsively named me Shushu. It’s a source of much amusement.”

Xiaofan couldn’t help but laugh, thinking that Zeng Shushu’s name bore a humorous resemblance to his Sixth Senior Brother. His earlier distress was somewhat alleviated by this encounter, and he felt a growing fondness for Zeng Shushu. “Senior Brother, you must love reading books, huh?”

Shushu, smiling, replied, “Yes, I’m quite the avid reader. No one on Fenghui Peak has read as many books as I have. But I mostly read tales of the strange and fantastical, often infuriating my father. Anyway, you really don’t know that this is a Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey?”

Xiaofan, shaking his head, said, “No, I thought he was just an ordinary monkey.”

At that moment, Little Gray, seemingly understanding their conversation, screeched and pulled Xiaofan’s hair, causing him to yelp, “Ouch! You damned monkey!”

Zeng Shushu, envious, said, “Ah, so clever.”

Xiaofan, wincing in pain, said, “This monkey just loves to hit people. How can you call him clever?”

Shushu, explaining, said, “Despite his appearance, he possesses a remarkable spiritual nature. Look between his eyes, there’s a faint vertical mark on his forehead.”

Xiaofan, examining closely, saw the subtle mark beneath the gray fur, impressed, said, “Impressive, you can see such a small detail!”

Shushu, serious, said, “Don’t underestimate him. I’ve read in the ‘Chronicles of Deities and Demons’ about the Spirit Beasts. The Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey is a mystical creature, indistinguishable from ordinary monkeys in youth. But upon maturity, a third eye opens, granting them great spiritual power and the ability to see over a thousand miles. The ancient term ‘thousand-mile eyes’ refers to these creatures.”

Xiaofan, holding Little Gray, examined him closely, unable to believe that this monkey he had lived with for two years had such a significant lineage.

However, Little Gray still looked like a plain, somewhat plump monkey. He seemed heavier, as if he had gained a few pounds overnight on their journey to Tongtian Peak.

Little Gray, perplexed by the attention, continued to screech, growing increasingly agitated.

Xiaofan, making a face, tossed Little Gray onto Dahuang’s back. Dahuang, startled, jumped away, only to relax when he recognized Little Gray. Little Gray, now on Dahuang’s back, screeched and flailed his arms, finally settling down as he became distracted by the lice in Dahuang’s fur.

Zeng Shushu, admiringly, asked, “Are you here for the Seven Pulsars Tournament, Junior Brother?”

Xiaofan, nodding, replied, “And you, Senior Brother?”

Shushu, smiling, said, “I am as well. I drew number thirty-three yesterday. What about you? Don’t tell me we’re going to face each other today?”

Xiaofan, chuckling, said, “I drew number one.”

Shushu, surprised, said, “You are the disciple from Dazhu Peak?”

Xiaofan, blushing, nodded.

Shushu, laughing, said, “You have good luck. We won’t meet until the final round. It will be quite a challenge.”

Xiaofan, laughing, said, “With my limited cultivation, I’ll likely be eliminated in the second round, if not the first. I dare not dream of the finals.”

Shushu, sticking out his tongue, said, “I might not even make it past the first round.”

Both of them laughed, and they continued their conversation. Suddenly, they heard Song Dairen calling, “Xiaofan, it’s time to eat.”

Xiaofan, responding, said a few words to Shushu and ran over, with Dahuang and Little Gray following behind.

As they walked, Song Dairen asked, “Who were you talking to just now?”

Xiaofan, explaining, said, “I just met a senior brother from Fenghui Peak. His name is Zeng Shushu.”

Song Dairen, surprised, said, “Zeng Shushu?”

Xiaofan, curious, asked, “What’s the matter, Senior Brother?”

Song Dairen, looking back, said, “He is the only son of Zeng Shuchang, the head of Fenghui Peak. He is exceptionally talented, well-versed, and a strong cultivator. He is one of the top contenders in this tournament.”

Xiaofan, stunned, was at a loss for words.

After breakfast, the disciples of Azure Ethereal Conclave gathered in the Cloud Sea Square. The vast crowd was a testament to the flourishing sect. Eight large platforms, constructed from thick logs, had been set up, arranged in the Eight Trigrams formation.

At the central platform, a massive red banner stood, listing the names and numbers of the contestants. Xiaofan’s name, awkwardly, was at the top, with no opponent listed.

Xiaofan, blushing, glanced at his senior brothers, who were all smiling. Only the Sixth Senior Brother, Du Bishu, was complaining, “Unfair, unfair, not…”

“Silence!” A stern voice interrupted, and everyone turned to see Tian Yixi and Su Ru, along with Tian Ling’er, approaching.

The Dazhu Peak disciples quickly greeted them, “Master, Mistress!”

Tian Yixi nodded, while Su Ru said, “The tournament is about to begin. You all must do your best. Understand?”

“Yes,” they all replied.

Su Ru, turning to Xiaofan, noticed his peculiar expression. She walked over and called, “Xiaofan!”

Xiaofan, looking up, replied, “Yes, Mistress.”

Su Ru, concerned, asked, “Are you alright?”

Xiaofan, shaking his head, said, “I’m fine, Mistress.”

Su Ru, reassured, said, “Xiaofan, you have good luck with a bye today. But observe your senior brothers and sisters’ matches. This is a rare opportunity and will benefit you greatly.”

Xiaofan, nodding, said, “Yes, Mistress.”

Su Ru, looking at Tian Yixi, who nodded, then led the way to the platforms. They blended into the crowd.

A clear bell chime echoed through the misty clouds, energizing everyone. The square, once bustling, fell silent.

On the central platform, Daoxuan Zhenren and Cangsong Daoren appeared. Daoxuan Zhenren, stepping forward, announced, “The tournament begins.”

With a flick of his sleeve, the bell chimed again, filling the sky. Xiaofan, hearing it, felt a surge of excitement.

He stole a glance at Tian Ling’er, who was smiling and eager to compete. He couldn’t take his eyes off her and missed the rest of the announcement. The bell chimed again, snapping him back to reality. The tournament had already begun.

With sixty-three contestants and eight platforms, the matches were divided into four batches. Among the first sixteen, only Tian Ling’er from Dazhu Peak was scheduled to compete. Her match was on the ‘Li’ platform, and the Dazhu Peak disciples gathered around it.

Tian Ling’er’s opponent was Shen Tiandou from Chaoyang Peak. As Shen Tiandou leaped onto the platform, the crowd cheered.

Xiaofan saw the ‘Li’ platform surrounded by over a hundred spectators, mostly from Chaoyang Peak. Even Shang Zhengliang, the head of Chaoyang Peak, was watching with a pleased expression.

Tian Yixi and the others arrived, and the Dazhu Peak disciples were soon surrounded by Chaoyang Peak disciples. Tian Yixi, undisturbed, exchanged a glance with Shang Zhengliang, both smiling politely.

Seats were brought for the elders, and Tian Yixi and Su Ru sat down. Tian Ling’er, walking over, said, “Father, Mother, I’m going up.”

Tian Yixi, nodding, said, “Go.”

Su Ru, smiling, said, “Be careful.”

Tian Ling’er, glancing at the platform, smiled confidently, “Wait for my good news.”

Turning, she cast a spell, and the amber sash at her waist floated up, carrying her to the platform like a fairy.

Her graceful entrance far outshone Shen Tiandou’s leap. The crowd, including the Chaoyang Peak disciples, erupted in applause, and even distant spectators turned to watch.

The Dazhu Peak disciples stood behind Tian Yixi and Su Ru. Su Ru, smiling, said to Tian Yixi, “Ling’er’s cultivation seems to have improved.”

Tian Yixi, smiling, nodded.

Tian Ling’er, floating to the platform, bowed to Shen Tiandou, “Please, Senior Brother, teach me.”

Shen Tiandou, recognizing the sash as the famous ‘Amber Sash’ of Dazhu Peak, bowed, “Please go easy on me, Junior Sister.”

Drawing his sword, he prepared to defend against the incoming attack. The sash, shimmering, lunged at him, and he retreated, his sword glowing with a brownish light.

The bell chimed, and the match began. Tian Ling’er, pointing her sash, unleashed a burst of energy, forcing Shen Tiandou to block with his sword. The collision sent a shockwave through the platform.

Su Ru, noticing the similarity in their elemental affinities, whispered, “Their cultivation levels are very close.”

Tian Yixi, smiling, said, “No earth-based treasure can compare to your Amber Sash. That sword is no match for it.”

Su Ru, teasing, said, “You always exaggerate.”

Shen Tiandou, chanting, launched his sword into the air. The sword, striking down, was met by the sash, creating a barrier of light. The impact was fierce, but Tian Ling’er remained steady.

The crowd, particularly the Chaoyang Peak disciples, cheered, overpowering the Dazhu Peak supporters. The Sixth Senior Brother, Du Bishu, scoffed, “They’re just loud.”

Shen Tiandou, commanding his sword, summoned a barrier of rock, blocking the sash. The sash, rebounding, struck the rock, causing a massive explosion. The crowd, gasping, watched in awe.

Tian Ling’er, unfazed, directed the sash to pierce the rock. The crowd, silenced, watched as the sash, now a giant red dragon, emerged, shattering the rock.

Tian Ling’er, casting another spell, enveloped Shen Tiandou in a web of sashes. The crowd, astonished, wondered how Shen Tiandou would fare compared to Lin Jingyu.

As the sashes closed in, Shen Tiandou, pale, fought desperately, but the sashes tightened, compressing him. The crowd, tense, knew that under the pressure of the sashes, one wrong move could be fatal.

Shen Tiandou, in a last-ditch effort, broke free, but his efforts were in vain. Tian Ling’er, redirecting the sash, struck him, sending him tumbling off the platform.

The crowd, shocked, fell silent. Shang Zhengliang, sighing, ordered his disciples to help Shen Tiandou. Tian Yixi and Su Ru, smiling, congratulated their daughter.

Tian Ling’er, returning, was surrounded by her joyful senior brothers. Tian Yixi, reminding the others, said, “Do your best. Remember, you have Ling’er as an example. The other sects’ disciples are not unbeatable.”

“Yes,” they all replied.

Xiaofan, shouting enthusiastically, saw the others preparing for their matches. The next eight bouts included three Dazhu Peak disciples, so Tian Yixi and Su Ru split up to watch. Su Ru, seeing Xiaofan, reminded him to watch carefully before leaving.

Xiaofan, looking for Tian Ling’er, saw her walking towards Qihao, who was waiting for her. Their laughter and joy cut through Xiaofan like a knife, and he felt a deep, cold sadness.

Tian Ling’er, laughing, walked off with Qihao, leaving Xiaofan alone, his heart heavy with sorrow.