Chapter 28: The First Four

On the morrow, as the sun rose in its usual splendor, the disciples of the Azure Ethereal Conclave gathered in the square, only to find that four of the eight original arenas had been dismantled. The remaining platforms were arranged according to the cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west.

Tian Yishi and Su Ru led the way, with Zhang Xiaofan’s injuries seemingly healed overnight. As he walked among the crowd, the once-overlooked disciple felt a sense of newfound importance, almost overwhelmed by the attention. He turned to Du Bishu beside him and whispered, “Sixth Senior Brother, is Eldest Senior Brother’s injury severe? How could he be unable to walk?”

Du Bishu shook his head. “Master checked on Eldest Senior Brother this morning. It seems that yesterday’s match against Chang Jian, the senior disciple from the Longmen Sect, was too intense. One attacked while the other defended, resulting in a mutual defeat. Their meridians are damaged, which may severely affect their cultivation.”

Zhang Xiaofan was taken aback. “If even Eldest Senior Brother couldn’t defeat Chang Jian, I stand no chance. Won’t I be utterly defeated today?”

Du Bishu rolled his eyes. “By all accounts, you should. But if things followed the usual pattern, most of our fellow disciples would have bet against you in the previous days!”

Zhang Xiaofan was left speechless, and fell silent.

Below the largest platform in the north, a sea of people thronged. It was evident that Lu Xueqi was competing there. Tian Yishi glanced in that direction, harrumphed, and led his disciples toward the western platform. Clearly, he had no fondness for the one who had defeated his daughter.

After a few steps, Zhang Xiaofan’s body tensed. A group of people approached from the side, led by an elderly man. Beside him, Zeng Shushu walked shoulder to shoulder. Behind them, over a hundred Fenghui Peak disciples followed, including Gao Shixiong and his group, but notably, Peng Chang was absent.

As if sensing Zhang Xiaofan’s searching gaze, Zeng Shushu spoke up when they passed. “Peng Senior Brother didn’t come; he’s recuperating at his residence.”

Zhang Xiaofan forced a smile, but noticed Zeng Shushu’s stern expression and icy gaze.

The elderly man, naturally, was Zeng Shuchang, the head of Fenghui Peak. He cast a glance at Zhang Xiaofan, whose deep, piercing eyes seemed to see into the very depths of his soul.

Feeling a chill, Zhang Xiaofan involuntarily shrank. Just then, Tian Yishi greeted, “Greetings, Senior Brother Zeng!”

Zeng Shuchang returned the greeting. “Greeting, Senior Brother Tian. I hear your sect has a remarkable talent named Zhang Xiaofan, with peculiar Daoist skills. Yesterday, he nearly killed my unworthy disciple, Peng Chang, in their match.”

Zhang Xiaofan paled. “What? Peng Senior Brother was that badly injured?”

This outburst caused a commotion among the Fenghui Peak disciples, who found it insidious that he feigned surprise after causing such harm.

A flash of anger crossed Zeng Shuchang’s eyes, but he restrained himself, sneering at Tian Yishi, “You’ve taught a fine apprentice, Senior Brother Tian!”

Tian Yishi, who was already frowning at Zhang Xiaofan’s lack of tact, caught the mocking tone. His protective nature flared, and he laughed, “You’re too kind, Senior Brother Zeng. Xiaofan, come and meet Senior Uncle Zeng.”

Zhang Xiaofan hesitated, but Zeng Shuchang’s expression hardened. He waved his sleeve and said coldly, “No need,” before striding away.

Zeng Shushu gave Zhang Xiaofan a disdainful look. “I never knew you were so skilled. I begged Peng Senior Brother to go easy on you, but it seems I only made things worse for him.”

Zhang Xiaofan stammered, “I didn’t…”

Before he could finish, Zeng Shushu turned and walked off, followed by the Fenghui Peak disciples, their glares icy. Feeling dejected, Zhang Xiaofan saw Gao Shixiong wink at him as he passed by.

Tian Yishi glanced at the Fenghui Peak group, smiled coldly, and led his disciples to the western platform. As they approached, they found about two hundred people gathered, making it the second most crowded area after Lu Xueqi’s match.

Zhang Xiaofan gasped and whispered to a senior disciple, “So many people… Is Chang Jian that formidable?”

The others chuckled, and He Dazhi said seriously, “Chang Jian’s skills are unquestionable, but most people are here to see you, Junior Brother!”

Zhang Xiaofan was shocked. “How could that be?”

He Dazhi snorted. “With only eight contestants left, you’re the biggest dark horse. Everyone wants to see what tricks you have up your sleeve!”

Zhang Xiaofan was left speechless.

Tian Yishi led them to the platform, and the crowd parted to let them through. Seeing the Longmen disciples, Tian Yishi noticed that their numbers were considerable, likely because of Chang Jian’s match. However, he didn’t see any elders or the Azure Ethereal Vapors’ leader, Daoxuan Zhenren.

Tian Yishi frowned and whispered to Su Ru, “Why isn’t the Patriarch here? Are there more Longmen disciples competing?”

Su Ru shook her head. “No, the Longmen disciples’ talents aren’t as strong this year. Only Chang Jian remains.”

Tian Yishi pondered this, then approached the center of the platform, where a white-bearded old man sat. Recognizing Tian Yishi, the old man stood up.

Zhang Xiaofan recognized the old man from the previous day’s match with Chu Yuhong.

The old man, clearly remembering Zhang Xiaofan, glanced at him and addressed Tian Yishi, “It seems your sect has produced quite a talent this year, Senior Brother Tian.”

Tian Yishi, seeming to have a good relationship with the old man, chuckled. “Senior Brother Fan, you flatter me. Please, sit.”

As the gong sounded, Tian Yishi turned to Zhang Xiaofan. “Xiaofan, go up!”

Hundreds of eyes turned to Zhang Xiaofan, who felt his face heat up. “Yes,” he mumbled, turning and heading for the platform.

Before he could take a step, Su Ru stopped him. “Is your injury still hurting?”

Zhang Xiaofan shook his head. “Master treated it, and it’s almost healed.”

Su Ru smiled, her concern evident. “Surface wounds heal quickly, but internal ones take longer. Chang Jian is formidable, and even your Eldest Senior Brother couldn’t defeat him. Although I heard he was also hurt, your half-hearted cultivation won’t suffice. Don’t overextend yourself. If you can’t win, admit defeat. Don’t risk further injury, understand?”

Zhang Xiaofan felt a warmth in his heart but didn’t nod. “Master… will be angry…”

Su Ru shook her head, smiling. “Fool, go on. Your Master cares for you deeply.”

Zhang Xiaofan’s mind reeled. He turned to Tian Yishi, who was still chatting with the white-bearded old man. Su Ru patted his head. “Go!”

Zhang Xiaofan slowly ascended the platform, his mind echoing Su Ru’s words: “Your Master cares for you deeply.”

Amidst his confusion, the crowd below buzzed. After a while, Zhang Xiaofan realized something was amiss—his opponent hadn’t arrived.

The Longmen disciples grew restless. Suddenly, a Longmen disciple rushed over, looking distressed. He whispered urgently to the white-bearded old man, who paled and asked, “Is it true?”

The disciple nodded, and the old man, crestfallen, slumped in his chair. Tian Yishi, seeing this, inquired, “What’s happened, Senior Brother Fan?”

The old man, weakly, announced, “Longmen disciple Chang Jian, due to severe injuries from yesterday’s match, cannot compete today and forfeits.”

Silence fell, followed by a commotion. The Dazhu Peak disciples, rather than being jubilant, exchanged puzzled looks. After a while, they sighed and shook their heads.

Behind them, Tian Yishi and Su Ru watched the bewildered young apprentice. Su Ru whispered, “I told you, your apprentice’s luck is truly extraordinary!”

Tian Yishi, amused, shook his head.

For the rest of the day, Zhang Xiaofan was the subject of many curious glances. By the end, the results were clear: Zhang Xiaofan, along with Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, and Zeng Shushu, advanced to the final four.

Qi Hao was the favored contender, and Lu Xueqi’s popularity was soaring. However, Zeng Shushu and Zhang Xiaofan’s success was unexpected.

On the platform, the four stood together, with Daoxuan Zhenren and Cangsong Dao Ren, the head of the Dragon Head Peak, in front. Daoxuan’s smile belied any disappointment at the Longmen disciples’ failure.

Below, nearly a thousand Azure Ethereal Vapors disciples gathered, with the heads of the various branches in the front row. Su Ru, observing the scene, whispered to Tian Yishi, “Xiaofan seems nervous.”

Tian Yishi harrumphed. The others, calm and composed, contrasted sharply with Zhang Xiaofan’s awkwardness.

Daoxuan Zhenren, scanning the four, smiled and addressed the crowd. “Today, we have determined the top four disciples. They are the elite of our Azure Ethereal Vapors, destined to carry the burden of our sect’s future…”

A sudden giggle from the crowd interrupted him, followed by laughter. Daoxuan’s smile faded, and he glanced at the youngest, Zhang Xiaofan. Cangsong Dao Ren, frowning, silenced the crowd with a stern gaze.

Once order was restored, Cangsong announced the next day’s matchups. Zhang Xiaofan, feeling the pressure, finally relaxed.

“Did you sweat that much?” Zeng Shushu whispered.

Startled, Zhang Xiaofan remembered Zeng Shushu’s cold demeanor since his victory over Peng Chang. “I’m sorry, I—”

Zeng Shushu, unchanging, whispered, “Don’t turn around. You got me in enough trouble. But I didn’t expect you to be so skilled.”

“Not really, I… I think Peng Senior Brother held back.”

“I asked Peng. He said he used all his strength, and praised you. So don’t worry about it.”

Zhang Xiaofan was relieved. “What about the scolding?”

“It was Gao Shixiong and his group. They blabbed about my plea for mercy. Even though Peng vouched for me, I still got scolded. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been so cold to you.”

“Sorry, Shushu.”

“Minor issue. Anyway, be careful in your next match. Lu Xueqi might slice you with the Sky Severing Sword.”

Zhang Xiaofan grimaced. “I know. If only I were facing you…”

Their conversation halted as they felt a chill. Lu Xueqi, nearby, was glaring at them. Zhang Xiaofan froze, and Zeng Shushu, equally chilled, stopped talking. They both pretended to listen intently to Cangsong’s speech.

Finally, Cangsong finished, and the crowd dispersed. As Zhang Xiaofan and Zeng Shushu descended, they felt a lingering chill. Zeng Shushu, seeing his father, scowled at Zhang Xiaofan and stalked off.

Zhang Xiaofan, sighing, rejoined the Dazhu Peak disciples. Tian Yishi called, “Let’s go,” and added, “Linger, come with me. I and your mother have something to say to you.”

Linger nodded, smiling at Zhang Xiaofan as she left.

Back at their quarters, the Dazhu Peak disciples erupted in celebration, relaying the news to Song Daren, who was bedridden. Lü Daxin hugged Zhang Xiaofan, laughing, while Du Bishu grumbled, “No justice, no justice…”

And so, the day ended, filled with anticipation and mixed emotions, as the next day’s challenges awaited.