Chương 45: Chapter 44 – Tournament of Champions

The tournament grounds had that same festive atmosphere surrounding it once more. The decorations were more lavish, and the arenas larger, but there were still some welcome common elements. Stalls selling food, gambling and mystery rock carving games, and weapon shops all entertained the gathering crowds. One enterprising young disciple had a huge crowd surrounding his stall, selling Surprise Dumplings.

He had used some method to so completely seal in the scent of the fillings that even the sharp senses of most foundation establishment realm cultivators couldn't penetrate. You couldn't know what kind of dumpling you had until you bit into it. He included some intentionally odd fillings that people had as much fun discovering as the gamblers had with their rock carving. They met Xi Yuan and went to get some Surprise Dumplings. They laughed as they discovered the strange fillings.

Ling got a root dumpling that stained her teeth red. Her bloody smile reinforced the image of a sinister witch Ren sometimes had of Ling. Ren bit into a grass dumpling, but the truly surprising part was how sublime it tasted. Xi Yuan's strangest flavor was tea, an innovation that Ren was sure Daoist Tealeaf would approve of. Saddest, however, was Hua, as he bit into dumpling after dumpling filled with regular fillings.

"It's not fair! Why don't I have a funny one!" he cried to general laughter. To recoup his losses, Bao Hua decided to try his hand at the rock carving games. These rocks were formed when a peculiar, qi-sealing mud, which is often around treasures, envelops said treasures and hardens. These treasures were perfectly preserved inside, but without a hint of qi escaping, it was impossible to know what was within.

The gambling aspect of things came from the fact that the mud wasn't only found around treasures, meaning there could be absolutely nothing inside. Additionally, there was a trick to opening them. The rocks had to be carved using qi, and a dull or rough touch could destroy the contents. And in some cases, even if there were a natural treasure inside, if left unopened for a long time, the treasures would simply lose their qi and become worthless fossils.

Ren didn't know any of the exact details and couldn't help but find it curious.

'What gives the mud qi-sealing properties, and why is it common around treasures? Why is the treasure preserved at times, but at others it fades?' Ren sighed as he contemplated the countless mysteries of the cultivation world. He even got a little frustrated.

'Always more questions but rarely any answers!' He took a deep breath to calm himself.

'But then again, I haven't been part of this world for very long. I still have a long life ahead of me, so let's not get impatient.' While Ren was looking off into nothing and musing, Bao Hua had spent a spirit stone for 3 attempts and was already on the third after two failures.

"Dear customer, if you would like, I could open the rock for you. But please don't blame me for the results!" The stall owner took pity and volunteered to assist, seeing Bao Hua's clumsy attempts to carve the rock.

"No, if I am not fated, so be it!" said Bao Hua, looking stoic.

"Stop acting all profound and mysterious! Just open it!" Mei Ling teased him from the side. Flecks of dust were shaved from the rock in his palm. Then it finally cracked in half, revealing… nothing inside. Everyone leaned back. After a breath, Ling put her hands behind her back and, looking into the far distance, said, "Such are the vicissitudes of life." Ren solemnly quoted, "The waters have receded and the rocks revealed. It was not to be." Then both of them started laughing.

Even Xi Yuan was chuckling at their antics. Hua looked aggrieved.

"Good. Good. Good! Both of you sure do take pleasure in twisting the knife! Why don't you have a try!" Ling, still laughing, said, "What if I actually won? How would you feel then?"

"… Look, the tournament is about to begin! Let's hurry or the best seats will be taken!" The four of them hurried to the grounds amidst a fresh burst of laughter, even Hua good-naturedly joining in. They took their seats in the audience and waited for the tournament to begin. The elders arrived soon and entered their private viewing pavilions. After some short speeches that Ren didn't really pay attention to, the tournament began.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Each of the remaining sects had sent three elites to represent them. Each disciple would fight twice with a disciple of the other two sects for a total of 9 fights. If any stood out with two victories, then they would be considered a winner. Their prize would be to choose one of the 6 prizes. The sects had provided a technique and a manual each.

Ren didn't recognize any, but each one was unique to their respective sects. They must have been something impressive, judging by the appreciative murmurs from both the crowd and the pavilion of seniors. The reason for this strange halfhearted style of tournament was the Hidden Sea Sect fleeing, a fact now known to all. It would have been a straightforward tournament with 16 participants otherwise.

Now with the strained relations, it looked like none of the elders wanted to truly push their disciples into a bloody contest for the top spot. Now it was more of a demonstration. Ren didn't mind. While no one would be revealing their hidden cards, it still provided plenty to watch and learn from. Apparently the best fighter the Heavenly Sword Sect would be sending out was someone called Li Feng.

Information traders had been hard at work, and it was found that Li Feng was a core disciple of the late foundation establishment realm. His master was elder Sha, the head of the Hall of Discipline. The Hall of Discipline was an elite group of trusted disciples responsible for dealing with internal issues of the sect. When the prodigy appeared alongside the other elites, everybody was shocked at his youthful appearance.

He couldn't have been older than Xi Yuan, but he carried himself with a graceful strength, like a sheathed sword. Such an attainment in cultivation at so young an age, as expected of a heavenly genius! Ren didn't know any of the other seniors participating but cheered with the rest of the audience anyway. These late foundation establishment realm disciples who had participated in the inheritance trial, Ren had no doubt they had made it to the center of the subspace.

It was rumored to have been a turbulent region, full of conflict. For all he knew, they might have been the ones to trigger the trial's end. Now, he would see them compete with his own eyes. The cultivators from the other sects were no less impressive in appearance. The monks were bare from the waist up, wielding staves or arm guards. The celestial instruments sect was garbed in armor and covered in items like rings and necklaces.

For each item visible, they were surely concealing many more dangerous formations and talismans. The fights began with surging qi and rapid movements. Ren felt like a qi gathering disciple once again, unable to grasp the nuances of the actions taken. They were simply too quick even if he strained his Third Eye Sense technique, which was not nearly as useful anymore. But the fights were still extremely impressive. The item users had an answer for every problem and adapted quickly.

The monks with their tempered bodies landed crushing blows that shattered large chunks of the arena. As for the Heavenly Sword Sect, Ren felt like he was rediscovering the true meaning of sword cultivators. Ren acknowledged that he had no real talent with the blade and whatever ability he possessed came from hard work and time. But he was a monkey waving a stick in front of them. The skill with which they wielded their blades was entrancing. Ren sighed. He had a long way to go.

Beside him, Bao Hua was on the edge of the seat, a look of intense longing in his eyes. Of the sect's 3 representatives, one wielded a heavy sword like Bao Hua, but his technique was many times more refined. That was probably because he had the higher grade manual he followed and a far superior weapon, but Ren could almost see Hua form a target to work toward. He patted his brother's shoulder in silent encouragement. Ren was also exposed to a variety of techniques that complemented each sect's main style.

From elemental attacks to techniques that turned the terrain against the opponent. Brutal brawling styles, a talisman user who threw out precious talismans like they were cheap paper. One was entirely defensively focused, and their armor brushed off attacks that would have split him in two. One of Ren's sect's representatives fought using flying swords. She masterfully wielded 3 floating blades to simultaneously attack, defend, and reposition. So many new styles, so many different ways of battle!

Ren was amazed and intimidated. His own skills in battle were trash in comparison. Some of the talents before him were even younger than him, so he had no excuse.

'I knew I wasn't meant for the martial path, but was the difference such a vast chasm? With time, as they advance, won't the gap just get bigger? Could I ever cross it?' Ren had already made up his mind to walk a different path, but he couldn't help but want to keep trying. If only to ensure his own safety in the future. Soon the final fight came to an end. A slim monk and Li Feng had distinguished themselves and won both their fights, earning the right to pick a prize.

The Celestial Instruments failed to stand out despite their strong showing. Even so, all the participants were cheered on loudly by all who had witnessed their fights. If nothing else, some of the foul mood surrounding them had been alleviated. After a ceremonial selection of their rewards, the elders began the final ceremonies. Everyone moved to the open region near the sect's entrance. Representatives of all the sects spoke some words and exchanged parting gifts.

The monks gathered in a line, their flag once again wielded by the ferocious-looking, rotund monk. Ren finally spotted Subo, who was standing beside the flag bearer, and felt relieved that his friend had made it through after all! Subo looked healthy and cheerful. Ren waved and managed to catch his eye. They grinned at each other, and Ren saw his own relief mirrored on the boy's honest face. After a final bow, the monks started chanting as their procession moved down the stairs.

The Celestial Instruments Sect summoned their flying ship and quickly boarded. Ren once more could only stare with longing at the marvelous device that carried away the last sect. With a final word from the sect leader, the inheritance trial and its following events had finally come to an end. It had occupied the majority of Ren's focus for over a year, and what he had gained wouldn't have been possible otherwise. Now it was time to digest it all and turn it into strength for himself!