Chapter 317 – Truths and Lies (III)

Chapter 317

Truths and Lies (III)

The kids left their room one by one as we slowly made our way out, under the somewhat peeved gaze of the old woman that, thankfully, didn’t kick us out ’cause of that kicked-down door.

When I came out, I was stunned for a moment as the image of the city was restored to the initial few days, with the crowds being corralled almost like sardines. You’d think they were handing out free candy with how everyone and their mother was racing out, all headed toward the lake rather than anywhere else.

And for a good reason, too.

Where once was only open air above the still waters of the lake now stood a gargantuan complex that stilled the breath in me.

Four rectangular arenas stood paved with marble, about forty yards off the lake’s surface, suspended midair with a slight hum bursting from underneath them in addition to a teal taint webbing out from their centers.

Surrounding them were seats, at least two thousand of them from my quick estimate, all overlooking the arenas.

Sheesh.

People here sure love it when things float midair.

“Wooow, Master! That’s amazing!” Dai Xiu said.

“How do they even do that?!” Xi Zhao commented.

“It’s probably some kind of a formation, no?” Wan Lan suggested.

Their comments drew the gazes from the surrounding folk, and, well, as I expected… they looked at us like we were country bumpkins. I didn’t mind it, honestly, as we kind of were. And seeing as the kids themselves didn’t care either, we simply moved along the sea of people until we got to the two sets of stairs–one for competitors, which would be situated on one of the elongated viewing terraces, and the other for the rest of us.

Bidding the kids a farewell, Long Tao, Lao Shun, Rayce, Xing Feng, and I headed toward the audience portion.

Getting up, we found a fairly open set of seats nearby and huddled over there, looking over the entire thing again.

We were on the western end, while the competitors were opposite of us, on the east, with the north being occupied by a marvelous, gilded balcony, likely reserved for VIPs and whatnot. I couldn’t even see who was in it as it was elevated an extra forty yards above us, cloaked in a faint haze that obscured both the eyes and Qi senses.

I yawned, feeling a bit tired; there was a bit of worry in my heart, to be honest. Not that the kids wouldn’t fare well against their peers, but that the reaction to them would be one of jealousy rather than awe.

For that, I’d practiced my movement technique like mad to try and get it to the next level of mastery and just barely succeeded–I don’t know how well it compares to other movement arts, but I just hope it’ll be enough for me to get next to one of the kids quick enough to activate the tortoise.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Welcome, everyone!” A speech was held… and then another… and then another… and, oh my God, what is this sense of déjà vu? Didn’t they hold a billion speeches back in the Spirit Sword Sect too? These old dudes sure love their freakin’ speeches.