Martial Arts Tournament (5)

The Distant Lands Martial Arts Tournament, or simply the tournament, was founded thirty years ago.

Its original purpose was for talented people under twenty-three of Xiantian cultivation stage to showcase their abilities, and if they wanted to improve their circumstances, to attract an offer from a sect with more desirable future prospects. Overtime, however, the number of unclaimed talents had dwindled, and disciples from the five great sects almost always dominated the top ranks. One of the prizes for the top three - the opportunity to become an inner disciple of one of these eminent sects - was thus reduced to mere formalities.

This year was no different. Thousands of people had traveled day and night for the chance to witness a historical battle between two youths who were universally acknowledged as the strongest within the younger generation of the region. Xiantian realm cultivators they might be now, but who knew if these young ones, still filled with vigour and vitality, would become those lofty elders of Yuanying stage the future?

As such, it was easy to understand why even after circling back and forth a few times, Jiang Shiqin was unable to find Su Dai among the growing influx of nameless faces. In the end, he simply gave up and went to the grandstand, where he found the his target waving at him with bright eyes.

"There's no need to apologize for being late, I've heard about your argument with young master Lei," she interrupted before he could explain himself. Smiling wryly, he accepted a cup of tea from the servants and sat down.

Looking down at the slightly swirling liquid with traces of dark green leaves at the bottom, Jiang Shiqin braced himself and took a small sip.

Su Dai's glittering eyes made him unable to display any expression but a carefully crafted look of appreciation, even as the overwhelming aroma of lotus threatened to choke his sense of taste.

This was the fourth time he had experienced the unique Crystal Lotus tea, a specialty of her Thousand Blooming Lotus Sect that was renowned for its effectiveness in nourishing the body. He truly appreciated her good will, but the overt sweetness of flowery flavours simply could not compare to the soothing lightness of green tea. As he lightly set the cup down on the oak table, Su Dai was unable to refrain from speaking any longer.

"Brother Qin, how is the tea? My sect's tea not only nourishes the physical body but also has a calming effect on the mind. It would be of great benefits if you have an epiphany watching today's high-level match."

"Many thanks to Sister Dai. The tea is exceptionally delightful this morning," said Jiang Shiqin with flawless conduct despite inwardly grimacing. Thankfully, the judge started introducing the contestants, sparing him from additional interrogation.

The first contestant that glided in like an elegant summer breeze was none other than Yuan Jia, who was dressed in a slightly more ornate robe compared to the last match. A jade hairpin adorned his hair, adding onto his gracefulness as he lightly waved his silk fan in response to deafening cheers from young maidens.

Jiang Shiqin could sense Su Dai's gaze flickering back and forth between him and Yuan Jia in an obvious attempt to compare the both of them. Torn between feeling amused and helpless at the same time, he decided to pretend to be ignorant of her increasingly penetrative stares. Finally, she settled on him with a look of resolution, to which Jiang Shiqin was rather uncomfortable, if only because her attention would draw excessive focus on his presence. His line of sight fixed downwards at the flat grassland below, he vowed to concentrate on the upcoming match without fail.

A blue-clad figure was walking towards the designated field, his steps firm and unwavering.

It was a heroic-looking young man with a serious and determined expression. A silver belt tightened around his waist, revealing the tall stature and powerful muscles behind the flowing fabric. His right hand was tightly gripping an unsheathed sabre, its curved blade gleaming with menace. Coiled around his right arm was a slender cord, the vague hue of which was constantly shifting from navy to a mysterious black to a sort of purplish blue. Despite the object's outward fragility, a sense of crisis blared in Jiang Shiqin's mind as if he was facing a serpent with reddened eyes baring its poisonous fangs at him instead.

"Falling Stars Sect's Thread of Extremity!" exclaimed many people in shock. Even Su Dai, the treasured daughter of the Sect Master of one of the five great sects, had a surprised expression on her face. Noticing Jiang Shiqin's confusion, she explained with zeal.

"This Thread of Extremity is one of Falling Stars Sect's treasures, and would only be bestowed on their most prized disciples. Three hundred years ago, the founder of the sect had encountered a mysterious creature while hunting, and despite slashing it no less than ten thousand times, the creature remained intact and hissing at him. Nobody knew how he manged to capture it, but the founder then refined the strange creature for ten days and ten nights before splitting it into fifty threads of extremity. Falling Stars Sect didn't reveal how many had survived, but their rareness is indisputable."

Jiang Shiqin nodded in thanks and shifted his gaze to a nearby grandstand. As expected, he saw an a middle-aged cultivator stood up with an ice-cold expression and folded his fan sharply, the action carrying a hint of threat.

Soon, a group of cultivators on the distinguished stand gathered together, their faces stern and unsmiling, no doubt to debate the validity of bringing such a treasure into what was supposed to be a fair match. At last, when the crowd's whispering and murmuring was at its breaking point, it was announced that both of the contestants were permitted to carry a life-saving treasure with them, on accounts that it was strictly reserved for moments of life-and-death. The penalty of breaking this rule was exile at its lightest.

The elders of the various sects returned to their seats with calm countenances as if the previous conflict was non-existent. Though Jiang Shiqin was glad at having avoided futile disturbances, he could not help but be wary at the sects' relatively peaceful cooperation. Twirling the plain silver band around his finger, he appeared to be in deep contemplation. Su Dai looked at his dazed expression with curiosity, but was reluctant to disturb him.

After a few minutes of musing, Jiang Shiqin's train of thoughts was interrupted by the fierce clashing sound of metal on metal.