Chapter 26: Arrogance?

When they heard Tian Buyi’s words, Song Daren and the others exchanged glances; it was clear their master harbored quite a grudge against the disciples of Dragon Head Peak. The relationship with Reverend Dao Xuan was already tenuous, but as disciples, they couldn’t comment on such matters.

“Yes, Martial Uncle,” Qian Mo replied with a slight nod. In truth, he had already planned to teach the disciples of Dragon Head Peak a harsh lesson today. If he didn’t show them his colors, would they really think he was as pliable as clay, to be molded however they pleased?

Su Ru turned her gaze to Zhang Xiaofan, walked over, and said, “There’s no need for more words. In your second match today, Xiaofan, do your best. Regardless of the outcome, caution must come first. Do you understand?”

A wave of warmth rippled through Zhang Xiaofan’s heart, and he replied softly, “Yes, Master’s wife.”

Su Ru nodded, wanting to say more, but the distant sound of the ceremonial bells and drums signaled the official start of the matches, and the words on her lips were swallowed back.

Tian Buyi and Su Ru exchanged a glance, then Tian Buyi said, “You all know your designated arenas; the red register just now made everything clear. When the matches begin, your master’s wife and I will be there to watch from below. Give it your all.”

The disciples responded in unison. After Tian Buyi nodded and left with Su Ru, Tian Ling’er pulled Zhang Xiaofan aside, whispering to him, her face occasionally blooming with a shy, girlish smile.

Qian Mo watched this scene, a faint smile curving his lips.

Back then, Tian Ling’er hadn’t realized Zhang Xiaofan’s feelings for her. Now she understood the difference between man and woman, no longer treating him as a mere junior brother, but regarding him as a man.

It seemed Zhang Xiaofan’s persistent pursuit these days had borne fruit. Once, Tian Ling’er would only lower her head in silence, but now, she spoke and laughed, her cheeks flushed with maidenly shyness.

Clearly, if you want to win the girl you like, you need to be thick-skinned. In this era, pride doesn’t fill your stomach, but a wife can accompany you for a lifetime.

A short while later, Qian Mo arrived at his designated arena. Only a handful of disciples were present, all unfamiliar faces from yesterday. Sun Hongyang of Dragon Head Peak had yet to appear.

He certainly knew how to make an entrance—the matches had already begun, the adjudicating elder was present, yet he was nowhere to be seen.

Standing on the platform, Qian Mo could see everything around him at a glance. The Sea of Clouds Square was packed with disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, but unlike yesterday, when they gathered in groups, today they clustered around the various arenas, watching the matches that interested them.

All matchups were posted on the red register. Qian Mo and Zhang Xiaofan, from the Great Bamboo Peak lineage, were clear underdogs, drawing only a pitifully small audience.

In the central arena where Lu Xueqi stood, the crowd was as large as ever. Her cultivation was unexpectedly profound, and in full view, she broke her opponent’s immortal sword—a spectacle that left many disciples awestruck.

But such is human nature: drawn to excitement, many disciples flocked to her arena, causing Lu Xueqi’s popularity to rise with no sign of waning.

Some came just to see the fate of those matched against her.

Moreover, the long-lost divine artifact “Tianyao,” a legendary weapon from the war between the righteous and demonic a millennium ago, drew even more attention. Countless hoped to witness this artifact; even some Azure Cloud Sect elders came for a glimpse.

Qian Mo stood on his arena; Lu Xueqi had already arrived at hers. Her beautiful eyes fell upon his arena—even at a distance, for cultivators at the peak of the Eighth Foundation Level, it was no obstacle.

Their gazes met and lingered, and to the surrounding disciples, it seemed as though Lu Xueqi was waiting solemnly for her opponent, while Qian Mo appeared dignified and extraordinary, his handsome bearing drawing a few more onlookers.

After a short wait, the adjudicating elder glanced at the sky, his displeasure evident. The match was about to begin, yet the disciple from Dragon Head Peak was still absent. Such arrogance! But thinking of Elder Cangsong, head of Dragon Head Peak, he suppressed his irritation.

Soon, Lu Xueqi’s match began. Watching her graceful figure, Qian Mo was momentarily distracted and failed to notice a white-robed man stepping onto his platform.

“Boy, you’re Qian Mo from Tongtian Peak?” came a cold, sharp voice.

Qian Mo’s expression remained calm as he looked around, noting several Dragon Head Peak disciples in neat white robes had gathered below.

On the viewing stand, Reverend Dao Xuan narrowed his eyes, lost in thought, before a smile flickered across his face.

Counting the Dragon Head Peak disciples, there were now twenty Azure Cloud Sect disciples at the arena—far livelier than Zhang Xiaofan’s match.

The man on the platform wore a sullen expression, his gaze at Qian Mo sharp as blades, with a hint of murderous intent in his eyes. Qian Mo was taken aback—was it possible to kill during the Seven Peaks Tournament? The rules surely forbade it, didn’t they?

“So, you’re from Dragon Head Peak?” Qian Mo asked.

“Hmph!” Sun Hongyang snorted. “Just as my brother said—arrogant, can’t even remember your opponent’s name. Be careful; blades don’t have eyes.”

Qian Mo’s lips curled into a wicked smile. So, you’ve prepared your excuses already—how amusing. “And who is your brother, pray tell?”

Sun Hongyang’s eyes flashed coldly. “My brother was your opponent yesterday. After his match with you, his organs were shifted; it’ll take six months of rest before he can cultivate again. Do you know what six months means to a cultivator?”

Qian Mo’s face remained calm, but inwardly he scoffed. So it was that fool! He ignored him.

So what if he was your brother? Whoever he was, if you show killing intent towards me, leaving him merely injured was merciful. Had I not held back, even if he survived, he’d never cultivate again in his life.

A tense atmosphere hung over the arena. Qian Mo’s smile was dazzling, Sun Hongyang’s face icy. At that moment, the Azure Cloud Sect adjudicating elder coughed twice from the left of the platform, easing the tension.

Sun Hongyang turned and bowed slightly. “Elder, I am not late. May we begin?”

“Of course. But young people should restrain themselves; excessive arrogance is not a virtue.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Elder. I understand,” Sun Hongyang replied, then turned back, his gaze locked on Qian Mo.

The elder frowned but said nothing more. Sun Hongyang was accomplished in cultivation and backed by Dragon Head Peak; arrogance in youth was to be expected, though the elder found it distasteful. In contrast, he favored Qian Mo, the disciple of the Sect Master.

But the Seven Peaks Tournament valued strength above all; admiration counted for nothing. All he could do was hope Qian Mo would prevail.