Chapter 186

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Zhang Xiaohu pointed at the platform, which was more than twice the height of a person, and smiled: “With a platform that high, I wonder how Xiaohua is going to get up there?”

Zhang Xiaohua slapped the back of his head and almost shouted: “Oh no! I forgot about that! The ladder was over at Young Eagle Hall, and I’m sure they’ve already put it away. It’ll be hard to find now. What should I do?”

He Tianshu gave Zhang Xiaohua a helpless look and complained: “Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Xiaohua, can you hurry up and learn [Wild Ox Strength]? Start practicing some Qinggong already. Watching you struggle with this every time is really embarrassing for me.”

After saying that, he muttered, “Wait here,” and ran off.

Watching He Tianshu’s retreating figure, Zhang Xiaohua laughed to himself and said: “I’m not even embarrassed, yet you’re worried about losing face?”

Before long, He Tianshu returned, carrying a ladder on his shoulder, while a crowd of disciples looked on in confusion.

When he reached the two brothers, He Tianshu threw the ladder to Zhang Xiaohu with a grumble: “I knew dragging me out here early wouldn’t lead to anything good.”

Zhang Xiaohu took the ladder and was about to say something when a bell rang out across the square, immediately silencing the entire crowd. Zhang Xiaohua looked around in surprise, not knowing what was happening.

He Tianshu quickly patted Zhang Xiaohua on the shoulder and whispered: “The third round is about to start. Be careful not to talk—just watch closely.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua immediately looked toward the largest platform, but it was still empty. Just as he was feeling puzzled, a group of people emerged from the Council Hall behind the platform, led by none other than Ou Peng, the Sect Master of the Piaomiao Sect.

Among the group behind him, there were some people Zhang Xiaohua recognized and some he had never seen before, all high-ranking members of the Piaomiao Sect. Zhang Xiaohua initially thought they would step onto the platform, but instead, they walked along the steps to a simple pavilion made of reed mats. Underneath the mats were numerous tables and chairs. Zhang Xiaohua chuckled inwardly, thinking: “The platform is for the matches—what would the Sect Master do up there?”

Once Ou Peng and the others sat beneath the pavilion, a young disciple leaped onto the platform—it was none other than Zhang Chengyue, the Chief Disciple of the Piaomiao Sect.

After stepping onto the platform, Zhang Chengyue looked around at the crowd gathered in the square and raised his voice, saying: “The third round of the Martial Arts Competition will now begin.”

Zhang Chengyue’s voice wasn’t particularly loud, yet it reverberated throughout the square, with a lingering echo that made it sound as if he were speaking directly into everyone’s ear. Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but feel envious. He glanced sideways at He Tianshu, thinking to himself: “As expected of the Chief Disciple—his internal energy cultivation far surpasses that of He Tianshu.”

In truth, although Zhang Xiaohua’s martial arts skills had already reached a certain level, and he could sense the difference in skill between Zhang Chengyue and He Tianshu, without seeing them actually fight, how could he really tell who was stronger?

What he relied on was the jealous gleam he saw in He Tianshu’s eyes!

Today was the third round of the Martial Arts Competition, the highlight of the entire event and the most lively moment. All the disciples who had won their previous matches would showcase their skills today. Furthermore, today was the only day that Sect Master Ou Peng himself came to observe the tournament. Even though Ou Peng had high standards, the elders seated under the pavilion also had sharp eyes. If someone’s performance caught their attention, that disciple’s future in the Piaomiao Sect could be very bright indeed.

Leaving aside the eager disciples below the platform, itching to compete, Zhang Chengyue stood on the platform and pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve, smiling as he said: “First, let’s acknowledge the seventeen Cloth-Robe First Level disciples from Young Eagle Hall who have won their previous matches. Congratulations to them for successfully passing the Cloth-Robe First Level assessment. Today, they will challenge the Cloth-Robe Second Level, and we hope they can deliver exciting results. In advance, we’ve selected seventeen disciples from the Cloth-Robe Second Level, and they are distributed across platforms one to five. I will now call out the number badges in order, and the disciples should head to their respective platforms to prepare for today’s matches.”

After saying this, Zhang Chengyue raised the paper and began reading aloud: “Number one, number five, number twelve, number thirty-one, to platform one. Number two, number six, number twenty-eight, and number thirty-three to platform two. Number three, number eight, number forty-nine, to platform three. Number fifty-seven, number fifty-nine,” he paused slightly, furrowing his brows as if hesitant, but then continued, “and number two hundred fifty, to platform five.”

As soon as Zhang Chengyue finished speaking, a wave of chatter arose from the crowd in the square. The disciples present were all those who had advanced from the Cloth-Robe First Level, and many had participated in the third round of the Martial Arts Competition several times. Some older disciples had even participated in over ten tournaments. They knew well that the third round’s competitors were always the elite of the Cloth-Robe First Level. Moreover, the number on badges was distributed based on the results of the first round. Never had a disciple with a number higher than 100 made it to the third round, and even those above number 50 were rare. But now, Zhang Chengyue had announced the number 250, and anyone with a basic understanding of the number of Young Eagle Hall disciples this year would immediately realize that number 250 was likely the last person to pass the first round.

For such a disciple to reach the third round seemed almost impossible.

Naturally, this sparked a flurry of discussion among the disciples.

Seeing the crowd’s reaction, Zhang Chengyue’s frown deepened. He glanced again at the paper in his hand to confirm that he hadn’t made a mistake, then let out a soft “Hmph,” which echoed through the square like a clap of thunder, silencing the entire crowd.

Zhang Chengyue continued: “The rules of the challenge remain the same as before. The match lasts for the time of three incense sticks. If it ends in a draw, the challenger will be considered the winner. That concludes the announcement of the Cloth-Robe First Level competitors. The list for the other levels will be announced after the Cloth-Robe First Level matches are completed. Now, let the contestants take the stage.”

With that, Zhang Chengyue gracefully descended from the platform and walked toward the reed-mat pavilion. Then, five older disciples, who were poised and agile, leaped onto the platforms—presumably the Cloth-Robe Second Level disciples awaiting the challenges.

Typically, the first platform was reserved for the most outstanding disciple from the second round, and the matches there were always the most exciting, attracting large crowds. But today, many disciples flocked toward the fifth platform, eager to catch a glimpse of the mysterious number 250. As a result, the first platform, which was usually packed, was left relatively empty.

Seeing all the disciples heading toward the fifth platform, Zhang Xiaohua could easily guess their intentions. He didn’t let it get to his head, though, and just sneered inwardly. It’s not like they’re watching a monkey show—why are they all so curious?

However, after hearing the challenge rules, Zhang Xiaohua felt confident. After all, he had managed to get through the first round with nine consecutive draws. He had some experience with drawing matches by now. If he used the same guerrilla tactics of combining the Big Dipper Divine Fist with the Piaomiao Step, there was a 90% chance he could secure another draw in this third round. Thinking that he might safely pass the third round as well, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but smile.

There sure are plenty of comical moments in life.

He Tianshu and Zhang Xiaohu exchanged glances and smiled as well. They, too, had confidence in Zhang Xiaohua’s ability to force a draw.

The three of them moved a bit too slowly, though. By the time they started walking, the five platforms were already surrounded by a large crowd. Five Cloth-Robe First Level disciples had already leaped onto the platforms. In fact, Piaomiao Sect really lived up to its name, as each disciple’s Qinggong was impressive. Not only the two disciples on the platforms, but even the ones watching had all taken up strategic vantage points with ease.

Zhang Xiaohua and the others had no choice but to stand on tiptoe at the back of the crowd.

At this moment, the five pairs of disciples on the platforms were already engaged in battle.

Although the five Cloth-Robe First Level challengers were new to their rank, they were the best of the best, selected from among hundreds. The five Cloth-Robe Second Level disciples they were up against were handpicked by Zhang Chengyue and the others, representing the average strength of their level, rather than being the top-tier disciples. As a result, except for the disciple with number 57 on the fifth platform, who was gradually falling behind, the other four platforms were locked in evenly matched duels.

Watching the disciples on the platform, who had passed the second round along with him, fighting their opponents with real strength and determination, without relying on any clever tactics, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but think of one word: “Fierce!”

At the same time, Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the fifth platform nearby. Although the match on that platform seemed to be heading toward an inevitable conclusion, the many disciples watching still refused to leave, eagerly awaiting the third match. This made Zhang Xiaohua hesitate for the first time about whether he should use his guerrilla tactics on the platform again.

In terms of his actual skill level, he knew he was no match for his Cloth-Robe Second Level opponent. After all, they had trained their internal energy for more than a year longer than he had, and their technique was far more refined. At best, he could hold out for two incense sticks’ worth of time, but after that, his strength would be exhausted, and he’d likely be kicked off the platform. On the other hand, if he used his Piaomiao Step, he could run circles around his opponent and, when the time ran out, secure a draw and win. However, the quality of his martial arts would be far inferior—he wouldn’t even measure up to the struggling Cloth-Robe First Level disciples currently on the platform. He would likely be ridiculed by the disciples watching from below. If that happened, how could he ever step foot into Piaomiao Manor again?

To fight or not to fight? To lose or to draw? That was the dilemma he faced.

The time of three incense sticks quickly passed. On the fifth platform, the Cloth-Robe First Level disciple was defeated, while on the other four platforms, the challengers either won or drew, securing their promotion to Cloth-Robe Second Level.

It wasn’t just the disciples below the platform who were discussing and judging the matches; even the high-ranking members under the pavilion of reed mats were pointing to the disciples on the platforms, engaged in their own lively discussions.

The pavilion, located right in front of the Council Hall entrance beside the steps, was positioned higher than the platforms, giving the elders a clear view of all five matches. Ou Peng, Shui Yupeng, Great Aunt Qin, and the others were smiling in satisfaction, nodding frequently as they watched the young disciples perform with such fierce energy and achieve solid results. The other members of the Piaomiao Six Tigers, along with the Hall Master of Divine Forging Hall and others, occasionally lower their heads to speak to the disciples below, likely eyeing the talent of these young disciples and considering recruiting them into their halls.

With the first round of challenges over, the second round immediately began. The situation on the five platforms was much the same as in the previous round. Except for the fifth platform, where the challenger was struggling, the others were all in advantageous positions. It made sense—those competing now were the top-ranked disciples. If even they couldn’t secure victories, it would defy reason. The real suspense would likely come in the later rounds.

As everyone was thinking this, the time of three incense sticks had already passed, and once again, the contestant on the fifth platform, number 59, was defeated. By this point, the curiosity of the disciples gathered in front of the fifth platform had started to fade. If the contestants numbered in the fifties were losing, how could number 250, no matter how fierce, be better than them? Even if number 250 had managed to make it to the third round by some stroke of luck, it was unlikely to provide any surprises. So what was the point of watching? However, since they had already missed the more exciting duels on the other platforms and there was still one more match to watch on platform five, they decided to stick around and see what this number 250 was all about—whether he had any extraordinary skills or talents.

On the fifth platform, the Cloth-Robe Second Level disciple, who was awaiting the challenge, had already leaped onto the stage. Zhang Xiaohua, the contestant with number 250, along with Zhang Xiaohu, who was carrying the ladder, were still pushing their way through the crowd, overcoming numerous obstacles as they made their way toward the platform. At that moment, a disciple rushed into the reed-mat pavilion, went straight to Zhang Chengyue, and whispered something into his ear.

Zhang Chengyue’s expression changed dramatically upon hearing the news. His face darkened, and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed the disciple. After thinking for a moment, Zhang Chengyue quickly walked over to Ou Peng, leaned in, and whispered a few words. Ou Peng’s face also darkened for a moment, but he quickly returned to his usual composure, though his brow remained deeply furrowed. After giving some instructions to Zhang Chengyue, Ou Peng nodded.

Zhang Chengyue acknowledged with a nod, quickly left the reed-mat pavilion, and leaped onto the first platform. He raised his voice and announced: “Disciples of Piaomiao Sect, we have guests arriving from afar. The Martial Arts Competition will be paused for now. After our guests have been seen off, we will resume the competition.”

Of the five platforms, only Zhang Xiaohua had yet to step onto his. The other four disciples, who had just jumped onto their platforms, had no choice but to jump back down. Zhang Xiaohua, who had been pushing his way forward, stopped in his tracks after hearing the announcement and smiled at Zhang Xiaohu, saying: “Let’s head back, Second Brother. It’s a good thing they made the announcement early—if they had waited until I was halfway up the ladder, wouldn’t I have wasted all that energy?”

At this moment, Zhang Chengyue gestured toward a certain area and made a signal. Immediately, the sound of nine consecutive bell rings echoed across the square. It was the Piaomiao Sect’s signal for welcoming honored guests. The disciples in the square, all well-trained, promptly stood aside, creating a clear path from the Council Hall straight to the exit.

Inside the reed-mat pavilion, Ou Peng, hearing the bell’s resonant chimes, stood up, glanced around, and led the way out, followed by the other high-ranking members. They walked along the path created by the disciples and exited the square.

Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu had never witnessed such an impressive display before and didn’t quite know where to place their hands and feet. Fortunately, He Tianshu had been following them closely the entire time. He grabbed them and positioned them straight in the middle of the group of disciples. Being shorter in stature and standing off to the side, they naturally blended in, drawing no attention.

After Ou Peng and the others left the square, the disciples remained standing quietly in place, showing no signs of leaving. Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but whisper: “Captain He, what’s going on?”

He Tianshu looked around and whispered back: “It’s likely that someone from another major sect has come to visit. The nine bells signal an extremely high-level welcome, so it must be a super prominent sect. It could be someone from Dalin Temple, Incense-Spreading Cult, or the Heaven’s Way Alliance. Or perhaps the leader of Ten Thousand Swords Peak or another major faction has arrived.”

Zhang Xiaohua, curious, asked: “Could it be their Sect Master who has come?”

He Tianshu shook his head and said: “I don’t think so. If their sect master had come, the bell wouldn’t just ring nine times—it would ring eighteen times, the highest welcome in our Piaomiao Sect.”

Zhang Xiaohua was curious and asked: “What’s the connection between the bell rings and the guest’s rank?”

He Tianshu smiled bitterly and explained: “These customs have been passed down for a long time. I don’t know the specific reasons behind them. What I do know is that if a top figure from a first-rate sect visits, we ring the bell eighteen times—the highest level of respect. For top figures from sects of similar standing to our Piaomiao Sect, we ring it nine times. For representatives of ordinary sects, it’s six or three bell rings. As for visitors from unranked groups, no bells are rung at all.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded, seemingly understanding a little, and said: “So basically, the number of bell rings shows respect based on the status of the visitor. But why not ten or twenty bell rings?”

He Tianshu replied: “Like I said, this is an old custom. Why it’s done with bells and why nine and not ten, I don’t know. Besides…”

He paused for a moment, his expression hesitant, and said: “During the Martial Arts Competition, Piaomiao Sect keeps its gates closed to visitors—we don’t entertain any guests. This rule is well-known in the martial world, so why would we have honored guests visiting today? Could there be another reason?”

Zhang Xiaohua was surprised: “Really, Captain He? No one has ever come during this time before?”

He Tianshu nodded: “That’s right. In my memory, no one has ever visited during the Martial Arts Competition. I’ve even read in some sect records that, a long time ago, there were people from the martial world who, full of arrogance, tried to use our Piaomiao Sect as a stepping stone to make a name for themselves. They came during the tournament, hoping to gain recognition. However, none of them ever made it past the gates of Piaomiao Manor. They were beaten so badly they had to leave in disgrace, without even seeing the main entrance.”

Zhang Xiaohua laughed and said: “Maybe it’s just some sect master feeling spontaneous and coming to watch the matches.”

He Tianshu shook his head again and said: “The Piaomiao Sect’s Martial Arts Tournament is an internal competition, a way to display the sect’s strength. How can such confidential matters be shown to outsiders? Moreover, the rule about not entertaining visitors during the tournament is well-known in the martial world. Prominent figures from other sects wouldn’t do something so foolish.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohu interjected: “Since they rang the bell nine times and Sect Master Ou personally went to greet the guest, it must be an extremely important figure in the martial world. Such a person wouldn’t interfere in our Martial Arts Tournament without a reason. I suspect there’s more to this situation than meets the eye.”

He Tianshu nodded in agreement, sharing the same feeling.

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the now-empty pathway and said: “Forget it. As the saying goes: ‘If it’s a blessing, it’s not a disaster. If it’s a disaster, you can’t avoid it.’ Whatever is going to happen will happen. Let them come—we’ll see what unfolds first.”