Chapter 15 – Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!

The final days leading up to the tournament revealed to Ren just how vast the outer sect really was. He thought he had gotten a general idea after living here for six months, but once the tournament grounds were opened, the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect started emerging from their abodes or returning from the outside world with treasures and news.

Most spent a few years to a decade cultivating qi and then advancing to the foundation establishment realm, allowing them entry to the inner sect. The others continued to live within the outer sects for the rest of their slightly longer lives. They performed tasks, gained a little wealth, and found some satisfaction in their lives that prevented them from ever returning to the mortal world. These numbers added up with new hopefuls joining the sect every six months.

The usually scenic yet busy mountains had exploded in energy and activity. It gave the air of a festival, aglow with treasures, items for sale, gambling, and endlessly proliferating rumors. That last market day had been so crowded, with many interested in the influx of new ingredients and discounts in circulation. Ren started fearing he would be lost amongst the endless numbers participating but steeled his resolve, thinking not everyone would be fighting in the tournament.

Ren approached the mountain that held the tournament grounds, joining the flow of eager cultivators all heading in the same direction. Huge sparring platforms dotted the grounds with large pavilions overlooking them all. The lavishly decorated buildings gave off an air of antiquity and power. Beautiful carvings of mystical beasts and popular sword motifs were abundant. Even now there were a few stalls bordering the grounds selling talismans and weapons to the desperate last-minute buyers. Other stalls were for the food and the popular rock carving gambling.

The tournament was divided into two sections: those up to the 6th layer of qi cultivation and those from the 7th to the peak of qi cultivation. The last three months had been good to Zhao Ren, but he hadn’t quite managed to reach the 6th layer. He was pushing up to the limit of the 5th layer but hadn’t quite found a way to cross that barrier like many others in his cohort had. It would be a serious restriction if his aim was to win, but Ren was content with simply testing his limits.

A gong resounded through the fields, easily audible over the roar of the crowd. Everyone stilled and turned to the front of the pavilion where the elders were seated. Ren didn’t recognize very many of them but knew of them from other disciples. The elders who initiated them, Elder Tian Mo and Elder Yun Peng, were seated among them. The one seated in the seat of honor was a beautiful lady who barely looked middle-aged. Ren found out from the whispers around him that she was the vice sect leader.

A voice rang out from the middle of the largest central platform, and Ren turned to the elder addressing them all.

“We shall now begin the Tournament of the Outer Sect! Here is your chance to seize fortune and overturn fate! Bring out your best efforts and advance on the path of cultivation.”

“There will be 4 rounds of melee fighting for each category. The last 4 standing on the field will advance to the next rounds. Those who have entered have been informed of the rules, but let me warn you again. Swords and fists have no eyes, and your life is not guaranteed. However, you are all disciples of the same Heavenly Sword Sect, so treat each other with honor. Let’s begin!”

With a loud roar of excitement from the crowd, the tournament began.

*******************************

Ren was assigned to the 3rd group of the melee and had to wait. The first 2 groups would fight simultaneously on separate platforms. Then the 3rd and 4th groups would fight. Following them, the fighters of the next category would climb the stage. He would have a little time to watch the fight before he had to make his way over to the preparatory area.

There were over 100 disciples on each of the vast platforms, despite which there was plenty of room. He had chosen to watch over the 2nd group because that’s where Mei Ling would be fighting. Bao Hua would be fighting in the 4th group, at the same time as him, so he wouldn’t be able to cheer him on.

There were large crowds on all sides eager to see some vicious bloodshed. Ren understood the sentiment. Not much happened on a day-to-day basis in the sect for some, and for others it was a constant cycle of fighting and surviving. Such events served as occasions to blow away all the stress and frustration. Old champions could fall, and new stars of the sect would often emerge from these tournaments. Everyone enjoyed seeing the rise of a hero, but the fall of someone who stood above them was even more appealing to many.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

The referee would be floating above the platform on a flying sword. Ren wasn’t sure exactly how it would all play out, but he couldn’t help but be nervous for his friend. With a loud crack as the signal, battle commenced. Instantly the air was charged with qi of all types, and explosions of techniques and violence surrounded them.