Chapter Seventy-Two: Journey to the Celestial Pavilion

"Actually, little brother, you don’t need to worry too much. There might be a miracle yet. Besides, I’ve noticed both the Grand Elder and the Sect Master seem to look after you, so you don’t really have to fret over the competition entry," Chu Qingchen said with a gentle smile after a brief pause.

"That’s easy for you to say, but you have no idea what I’m going through!" Tianming replied with a bitter expression.

Just now, Tianming had checked the time left on the Lightning Sword—only five days remained. In other words, after those five days, he would revert to his original state.

"What? What trouble are you in?" Chu Qingchen was momentarily taken aback by his words.

Some people wished the tournament would be delayed, but here was Tianming, hoping it would come sooner. Chu Qingchen couldn’t help but wonder if he’d misheard.

Tianming wasn’t surprised by Chu Qingchen’s reaction, but he knew he had to keep his real concerns hidden.

"It’s a long story. Brother, why don’t you tell me when the Four Sects Tournament will begin? That way, I can be prepared. What do you think, Shumeng?" Tianming deftly changed the subject.

"Mm!" Shumeng nodded, her large eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Senior Brother Chu, could you tell us more about it?"

Hearing this, Shumeng, who’d been quietly listening, turned her questioning gaze to Chu Qingchen as well.

"Alright. Truth be told, I don’t know either. But I imagine it must be soon—after all, the Sect Master and the elders have already started selecting participants. As for the entry list or the location, it’ll all be announced on the Sky Dwellers’ board," Chu Qingchen said, a bit embarrassed, nodding to them both.

"Tch! That’s as good as saying nothing at all, brother!" Tianming immediately quipped.

He’d thought Chu Qingchen would know since he’d participated before, but apparently, he was just as clueless as they were. Shumeng, too, had been looking at him expectantly, but upon seeing his awkward expression, found herself at a loss for words.

"Uh… Tianming, you two can talk. I’m off to cultivate," Shumeng said, sensing she didn’t quite fit in with the group.

With that, she walked off to the left. As she passed Tianming, she glanced back at him with a smile.

Sensing her gaze, Tianming turned, only to see Shumeng looking away. He watched her retreating figure with a lingering sense of longing.

At last, he whispered, "Shumeng, remember the promise I made you in the Sky Pool Secret Realm. I’ll always be waiting for you."

Though Shumeng had shielded him from harm without expecting anything in return, Tianming was not one to forget a debt of gratitude. Even if Shumeng didn’t need his help now, he believed no one’s life was without hardship. He hoped she would remember him when the time came.

"Just worry about yourself. We’ll meet again at the Four Sects Tournament," Shumeng replied coolly after a slight pause.

As she neared a corner, Shumeng paused for a moment but didn’t look back.

Seeing this, Tianming simply waved silently.

"Alright, she’s gone," Chu Qingchen said, coming up to Tianming with a knowing smile. "So, care to tell your brother what happened between you two?"

Chu Qingchen had long been curious about how Shumeng had shielded Tianming from that sword, but the occasion had never been right to ask.

"What do you think, brother?" Tianming replied with a smile, giving nothing away.

Realizing he wouldn’t get an answer, Chu Qingchen let the matter drop.

"So what’s your plan now? Keep cultivating?" Chu Qingchen asked, shaking his head.

The question stumped Tianming. What should he do now? Cultivating was hardly necessary, as he was already doing it at every moment. For a while, he couldn’t think of anything else.

"I don’t know. What about you?" Tianming asked, casting a curious look at Chu Qingchen.

He might not have any ideas, but perhaps he could take a cue from Chu Qingchen, who had been an inner disciple for years and ought to know what to do.

"Oh, me? I’m going to check on Little Black. I left him in someone else’s care before we set out, so I need to go retrieve him," Chu Qingchen replied with a hint of amazement, but explained nonetheless.

Tianming was equally surprised by this answer, his mouth twitching slightly.

"So that’s why. No wonder I haven’t seen your Little Gray around lately—you had someone else look after him!" Tianming said, eyeing Chu Qingchen in mock disdain.

Leaving your spirit beast with someone else—how could you be so sure it wouldn’t forget you?

"Little Gray? You think I wanted to? There was no other way. The Sky Pool Secret Realm was too dangerous. I couldn’t just leave Little Black here to starve, could I?" Chu Qingchen retorted, a bit annoyed.

"Fair enough. In that case, I’ll head to the Sky Pavilion alone. Shall we part ways here, brother?" Tianming said, nodding.

At that moment, Tianming suddenly remembered he hadn’t learned any elemental techniques yet. With some free time on his hands, he could go to the Sky Pavilion and pick out three new techniques.

...

After parting temporarily with Chu Qingchen, Tianming made his way to the Sky Pavilion. Along the way, he seemed to spot a familiar face.

"Isn’t that Sikong Shi?" he murmured, watching two figures in the distance.

Were they headed to the Sky Pavilion as well? He recognized Sikong Shi by the badge hanging from his belt.

But who was the person with Sikong Shi? He seemed even younger than Tianming himself. Still, Tianming didn’t dwell on it. He was missing some company, and a bigger group would be livelier—going alone felt a bit too solitary.

"Brother Sikong, where are you headed?"

Hearing someone call out, the two figures stopped in their tracks. Sikong Shi’s gaze landed on Tianming, and his impatient look turned instantly respectful. "It’s you! What brings you here, Brother Tianming? We were just on our way to the Sky Pavilion."

Sikong Shi had long heard tales of how Tianming had single-handedly resisted the Dark Magi, and he harbored a deep admiration for him.

The younger youth beside him, however, looked stunned.

"This man is so tall!"

He had never seen someone so towering—almost twice his own height!

"Oh? To the Sky Pavilion?" Tianming’s interest was piqued.

Seeing this, Sikong Shi nodded. "Yes, my young cousin just advanced to the inner sect, so I wanted to take him to the Sky Pavilion to choose a suitable cultivation art or elemental technique."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Tianming. My name is Heng Cheng. Please look after me," the younger youth said politely.

Prompted by Sikong Shi, the boy cupped his hands and bowed slightly to Tianming, who found the gesture quite courteous.

"No need to be so formal, Brother Heng Cheng. We’re all fellow disciples—it’s only right we help one another," Tianming replied with a smile. "As it happens, I’m also headed to select some techniques. Seems we’re fated to go together."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Heng Cheng, thinking Tianming had noticed him heading to the Sky Pavilion and was offering to look after him, was genuinely grateful.

"There’s no need for thanks. Enough with the pleasantries—let’s be on our way," Tianming said, amused.

In truth, these words were nothing more than politeness, for Tianming knew that actually doing someone a favor was never so simple.

Seeing that Tianming was ready to leave, Sikong Shi quickly fell in step. As he passed Heng Cheng, he patted him on the shoulder. "Heng Cheng, let’s go."

"Alright."

After a brief daze, Heng Cheng hurried to catch up with the others.