Chapter 10: The Arena

Qin Yuzhou was a bit puzzled. Normally brash and domineering, he obediently dismounted from the Moon White Rabbit and walked toward another gray Azure Shadow Deer nearby.

“This is purely for the upcoming competition, absolutely,” he muttered to himself as he settled onto the Azure Shadow Deer.

The martial arena was soon within sight.

There were spectator stands and twenty platforms in all.

Usually, it served as a place for disciples to spar, and every year’s sect tournament was held here as well.

Rumor had it the arena was much larger, but most of it remained concealed within arrays, only revealed during major tournaments.

It was common for children to wander over, curious about the bouts.

Every recruitment brought in some disciples still quite young.

“Senior brother, we’d like to compete on the stage,” Qin Yuzhou said, bringing Ji Jiuxuan to the registration desk and placing the required spirit stones on the table.

The disciple in charge of registration, seated, couldn’t even see Qin Yuzhou from his position. He glanced toward Ji Jiuxuan standing not far away and asked, “Is it the two of you competing?”

He’d noticed the pair when they walked in, so he didn’t bother getting up to look at Qin Yuzhou.

“Yes, Qin Yuzhou against Ji Jiuxuan.” Qin Yuzhou, tired of tilting his head upward, finally decided to stand together with Ji Jiuxuan.

Just then, the registration disciple finally saw clearly who they were.

The grandson of the Peak Master of Wangling Peak—he’d come before, though previously he sat in the stands. This time, the two little ones wanted to go on stage.

After a brief moment of surprise, he calmed down; in this world, such things were hardly unusual.

“Which kind?” To avoid confusion, the registration disciple explained, “There’s ‘point-stop’ duels, and there are ‘life-and-death’ ones.”

“For ‘point-stop’ matches, elders will intervene if danger arises, but ‘life-and-death’ matches require a contract.”

He saw the girl also wore a red identity jade tag, its pattern from the main peak.

He guessed she must be the Sect Master’s granddaughter, Ji Jiuxuan.

These two little deities were not to be trifled with, so he hurriedly contacted senior brothers from both peaks to keep watch.

“Point-stop,” the chubby Qin Yuzhou, though domineering, understood the situation and spoke up before Ji Jiuxuan could.

The registration senior looked at her; after Ji Jiuxuan nodded, he began recording their information.

“Alright, wait here. There are a few groups ahead, I’ll call you when it’s time.”

The two didn’t think much of it and sat on the arranged chairs.

Ji Jiuxuan watched the bouts on stage with great interest.

It was her first time witnessing a real fight, one that didn’t need special effects to surpass the spectacle of any effects.

Ji Jiuxuan was enthralled, but Qin Yuzhou grew impatient, pointing at the two who had just gone up: “They were clearly behind us in line—why are they on stage first?”

The registration disciple felt awkward at being caught, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the two senior brothers.

Facing two children—one glaring, the other indifferent—he sensed a pressure that demanded a proper explanation.

In the end, he smiled and compromised: “The two senior brothers had already registered earlier, but left due to urgent business. According to the rules, they returned at their allotted time, so they were put on stage.”

Qin Yuzhou nodded, accepting the explanation without further protest.

Ji Jiuxuan asked, “Are there any other senior brothers or sisters in the same situation?”

She’d been so fired up watching the matches that she wanted to try herself.

Ji Jiuxuan inherited the Qí family’s smiling tiger trait.

When she smiled, she looked gentle and adorable, but when her face grew cold, she could intimidate anyone.

“No, none at all,” the registration disciple replied, feeling as if the Sect Master himself had arrived.

“So we’re the next group?” Not wanting to be fooled, Ji Jiuxuan pressed the question.

At last, the disciple could only nod stiffly, “Yes, you’re next.”

The news that Ji Minghuai and his partner were alive was known only to a handful of important people, so everyone else believed the sect’s senior brother and his partner, Sister Yanwei, had both perished.

The whole sect respected Ji Minghuai, and they cared for Ji Jiuxuan all the more—she was the sole remaining bloodline of Senior Brother and Sister Yanwei!

Qin Yuzhou could get knocked about with no issue, but Ji Jiuxuan must not suffer a single scratch.

Instructions were sent to the elders in the stands to watch her closely, ready to intervene if needed.

Ji Jiuxuan, satisfied with the answer, had no idea that because of her parents, she was regarded by all as a precious child to be protected.

She glanced at Qin Yuzhou, raising her brows as if to say, See? It’s all thanks to me.

Qin Yuzhou suddenly understood—so that’s how it works! He’d learned something new.

The two on the competition stage soon finished their bout.

When they flew down, Qin Yuzhou slowly walked up the steps, while Ji Jiuxuan looked over to a newly arrived, ethereal young man, sensing his cultivation was very high.

She instinctively spoke, “Senior brother, would you use your spiritual power to move me onto the stage?”

Even as she spoke, she didn’t stop admiring his handsome features.

“Of course,” he replied, his voice carrying a unique timbre, “But you should address me as uncle.”

With that, gentle spiritual energy enveloped Ji Jiuxuan and wafted her onto the platform.

The registration disciple relaxed upon seeing the young man, bowing, “Brother Nie.”

Nie Xingyuan waved his hand, “Leave this to me.”

The disciple returned to his seat, but kept a close eye on everything happening on stage.

Both children were rumored to possess Heavenly Spiritual Roots—such talent, even at the Qi Refining stage, drew much curiosity.

Qin Yuzhou, just climbing onto the platform, saw Ji Jiuxuan descend gracefully, looking very beautiful.

He drew his golden Child’s Sword. “Please, instruct me.”

This chubby boy seemed slow, but his stance showed solid foundations.

Never underestimate anyone—this was the lesson Ji Jiuxuan had learned from her past life, so she carefully drew her own Child’s Sword.

As the sword emerged, spiritual energy flowed, and its blade glowed fiery red. The harmless-looking child’s aura surged, dazzling those who watched.

Qin Yuzhou was not to be outdone, his sword enveloped in golden light.

The duel was about to begin, swords clashing.

Both were at the second stage of Qi Refining; Qin Yuzhou had started cultivating earlier, already practicing various techniques.

Ji Jiuxuan had only just received her cultivation method and hadn’t had time to train. For now, she knew only the body strengthening fist taught by Wen Ying and the sect’s simplest Xuanqing Sword Technique.

The Child’s Sword, imbued with sharp metallic spiritual energy, thrust toward Ji Jiuxuan.