Chapter 221

Early morning, the morning sun rose.

No matter how many inferences and guesses there were below the arena, the Jin Qiu Martial Arts Competition was the main tone of Bowang City for these four days. Even if Qi Zhaohua and Cuiyu were worried, they could not stop Qijiao Shang Huaitong from walking onto the arena; and whatever purpose Qijiao Shang Huaitong was diligently seeking, he would ultimately have to obtain it by the sword in the martial arts competition.

The morning mist gradually dissipated, and the air above the martial arts arena was clear. The audience sitting on both sides could clearly see each other's expressions.

This was the second day of the Jin Qiu Martial Arts Competition. The main arena had not yet opened, but the seats were almost full, and it certainly did not seem boring—the loser's arena had already started.

The fighting between these contestants who had lost a round was, to a certain extent, more exciting than yesterday, because there were very few situations that ended in two or three moves. Everyone was evenly matched, the moves were always separated by a hair's breadth, and the fighting was hearty and thrilling, occasionally sparking cheers.

Seeing Pei Ye and the other sixty-four contestants still walked into the martial arts arena at half-past seven. The arenas had already been combined into two larger ones, with the platforms several feet higher than their heads.

Seeing Pei Ye took a look; it was the first arena and the third arena combined, and the second and fourth arenas combined. In the battle to reach the top thirty-two, under his own arena were Yang Yan, Zhang Mozhu, Shen Yao, and Zhang Zongyuan, who used a staff in the last match yesterday.

The other arena had Qijiao Shang Huaitong, Li Piaoqing, Zhang Junxue, and Gu Guang, and the rest were mostly sect disciples. Clearly, in this round, it was already possible for two strong players to meet in advance.

Seeing Pei Ye came down early today, and the drawing of lots had not yet begun, so everyone was scattered and chatting. Shen Yao and Zhang Mozhu stood together; both were people in charge of their respective sects, and even at a time like this, they were talking about official business.

Yang Yan was holding a booklet and looking at it with a frown. Seeing Pei Ye took a look and saw it was the detailed rules for the martial arts competition rewards. The youth was staring intently at the last line: Champion of seven rounds, one hundred taels of silver, granted the Bronze Sparrow Talisman, the plaque inscribed 'Bowang Jin Qiu · Champion,' one Ascension Pill, a sword from the East Sea Sword Furnace (Grade C-Lower), the sword technique "Collapsing Snow," and the Han Pavilion granting the title of Divine Capital Martial Scholar.

Seeing Pei Ye remembered that after the top sixteen, each level would add a new reward on the basis of the previous reward increase. By the time it reached the champion level, it was already overly generous and tempting.

However, the youth was just staring at that sword technique anyway.

Zhang Zongyuan clearly did not know anyone, and it seemed he did not want to know anyone either. He avoided the crowd by a considerable distance, holding his staff alone and leaning silently under the arena.

The ferocity with which he shattered Xiao Qiu's defense with one staff yesterday was still vivid in his mind. Seeing Pei Ye hesitated for a moment and was just about to go up and chat for a few words, but suddenly a tripod sounded, and the officials called for the drawing of lots.

This time Seeing Pei Ye was in the first position. He walked to the box, reached out first, and touched a slip, which was a "Seven."

Yang Yan followed right behind him and also touched one and opened it. Seeing Pei Ye leaned over to look, and it was an "Eight."

"Consider yourself lucky," Seeing Pei Ye hummed.

Yang Yan rolled his eyes.

The subsequent drawing of lots was also very fair; Shen Yao, Zhang Mozhu, and Zhang Zongyuan did not run into each other.

However, it did not mean that this arena was dull. In any case, the quality of the contestants had improved by a level. Even in those situations where victory was stable, the winner had more room to play, reducing the situation where "I haven't used my strength yet, and you've already fallen."

The lot Seeing Pei Ye drew should be the strongest among them; his opponent was a Fourth Life disciple of the Seven Serpents Cave, and even if placed in this year, he was a contestant with a chance to enter the top eight.

When the sunlight crossed the stands and shone onto the arena, the tripod sounded exactly at the hour of the snake. The red silk was put away, and white egrets passed through the sky. Amidst the surrounding sound waves, four contestants from the two arenas walked up at the same time.

The first one in this arena was Zhang Zongyuan.

This man in his early thirties had not said a word to this day. After breaking Xiao Qiu with one staff yesterday, although some people said Xiao Qiu's skills were simple and easily targeted, most people still believed that the man had overwhelmed him with hard strength, which meant that the man was very likely the fifth Fifth Life player besides Li Piaoqing, Shen Yao, Yang Yan, and Zhang Mozhu.

And today, his opponent once again provided strong evidence for this guess—a Fourth Life disciple of the Bai Zhu Pavilion was sent off the arena by the man with one staff.

Once could be targeting, but twice must be no fluke. The man's performance added another layer of mystery to the selection of the top four. Within this short quarter of an hour, at least twenty taels of silver had been piled onto the name "Zhang Zongyuan" in the gambling house.

Afterward, Shen Yao also successfully won, and then it was Seeing Pei Ye's turn.

The order of the lots had already been announced, and everyone stared at this youth walking onto the arena. If yesterday's lukewarm performance was because the opponent was too weak, then the person he was facing today could definitely be considered a strong player. Many people even believed that compared to this country youth who was unknown to anyone before and hadn't shown where he was strong, the Seven Serpents disciple had a greater possibility of winning.

"Second Arena, Seventh Match! Seeing Pei Ye, Wei Guangzhou!"

Seeing Pei Ye walked onto the arena. He was indeed much more serious than in the first match—the Fourth Life opponent was already at the same level as himself in basic quality, and the victory or defeat could be considered "only known after fighting."

Seeing Pei Ye was still holding his sword and performing the ritual, but the opponent's movements were clearly already showing tension—he was present at the poetry society that day.

It was precisely when he caught this trace of tension that Seeing Pei Ye couldn't help but smile.

Facing a strong enemy didn't mean one couldn't be nervous, but the tension after setting up the sword stance represented caution and pressure. Being stiff from the moment of the ritual only showed that his state of mind hadn't reached the level, and he was afraid before the battle.

This actually made Seeing Pei Ye somewhat disappointed. When Shen Yao said this name was also emerging in the Seven Serpents Cave when he drew it, he had intended to fight more heartily.

Seeing Pei Ye dashed up like a falcon. Unlike Feng Guangsui's design everywhere yesterday, the youth's trajectory was straight and clear, and the sword path was clean and simple. 【Breaking Earth】, the first move of the Cicada Department, the sword momentum was from bottom to top, using three parts of strength and leaving seven, with more Qi in the back than in the front.

If this were a game of Chinese chess, this move would be a simple "cannon at the head."

Although Wei Guangzhou was indeed nervous, he was not dizzy enough to lose his nerve. He blocked horizontally with his sword, returning with a standard "jumping horse."

But the moment the two swords crossed, things immediately went wrong.

The force coming from the sword suddenly increased, as if to suddenly break the enemy in one go. Wei Guangzhou was startled and immediately exerted force as well. But the moment his own Qi exploded, the resistance under his sword suddenly disappeared without a trace. So Wei Guangzhou was startled again; he knew he had to change moves immediately, but how could the sword in his hand listen to him at that moment? He could only tilt his body to block it reluctantly, losing his stance, and luckily heard a "ding" sound of collision.

But this "ding" immediately turned into a discordant "zheng." The sword that was still slashing horizontally a moment ago somehow turned into a soft snake, already traveling up along the sword, and in the blink of an eye, it was about to strike his wrist.

Wei Guangzhou finally realized that this was an insurmountable chasm in the "sword" itself—this was not a fair game of chess at all; the opponent's chariot was flying all over the board!

The opponent's first sword was the snake's core. The moment the two swords crossed, it accurately grasped the strength and reaction of this prey, followed by a calm slaughter.

Wei Guangzhou gritted his teeth and retreated, wanting to make one last desperate attempt—at least to make one offensive sword move.

But there was no space left. His wrist felt a sharp pain, and his long sword fell with a "ding-lang." Facing the Seven Serpents Cave disciple, Seeing Pei Ye did not show the gentleness and patience of the previous match, but decisively took the victory.

Afterward, he still stepped back, held his sword, and performed a proper ritual of concession.

Cheers erupted in the arena. Even if it was a lukewarm victory, it was still a victory. Here, as long as you win, you can win people's favor. People finally saw that this youth might just have this kind of gentle personality. Although it didn't seem hearty enough, they finally got to know the person "Seeing Pei Ye."

Afterward, Yang Yan and Zhang Mozhu both won steadily. When Seeing Pei Ye turned his gaze to the first arena, the young girl had also won and waved at this side.

The one she sent to the loser's side this time was also one of her own people, Chu Nian, who was waiting for assignment behind the losers with his head drooping. Seeing Pei Ye couldn't help but smile, and the young girl gave him a helpless smile.

Afterward, Zhang Junxue and Gu Guang also won their respective victories in that arena, and then the whole arena once again welcomed the highest cheers so far—Qijiao Shang Huaitong stood on the arena.

His movements were exactly the same as the previous match. He did not perform the ritual, nor did he stop. He gripped his sword and walked straight forward, once again using his scabbard to heavily strike the opponent, who had just finished the ritual and was hesitating whether to draw his sword, off the arena.

The young man in blue clothes collapsed under the arena, vomiting blood on the ground, not knowing how many bones were broken, and unable to stand up for a long time.

This opponent was almost exactly the same as the last one: young, sword-wielding, hesitant, and timid, and still only Third Life. He was indeed not worth the man spending more energy.

The only difference was the clothes.

Jian Zimin on the first day wore the white Bai Zhu sect uniform, but the person lying on the ground now was wearing blue clothes, with a dragon imprinted on them.

This was the "Silver Mist" sect uniform; he was a disciple of the Third Cave of the Seven Serpents.

"..." A moment of silence appeared in the arena.

The matchup information had already been announced, and everyone knew the identities of the two people on the arena. If yesterday was repaying grievances with directness, why was this heavy hand today? People suddenly had a strange thought—in this martial arts competition, the four words "stop at the appropriate point" did not seem to exist in this man's heart.

Without paying attention to anyone's reaction, Qijiao Shang Huaitong walked down with a calm expression.

"Unless... he truly views this as an obstacle."

——

The autumn moon hung high.

The street was in a state of extreme quiet after the bustle. Seeing Pei Ye and Li Piaoqing were walking along the street canal, the moon stretching their shadows extremely long.

"So they are still for the sake of entering the Sword Academy," the young girl said, walking with her hands behind her back, "That's what Master said."

"Official Sui's tone at the time was for him to go to Shaolong for the test after taking the championship, but that would have to wait until next spring. The Seven Serpents Cave couldn't wait, and Shang Huaitong wouldn't be satisfied either," Li Piaoqing continued, "Master went to the prefecture government to inquire today—Official Sui didn't leave immediately after parting with us at the time, but chatted with Luo Defeng and Shang Huaitong for nearly an hour while saying goodbye to the Inspector and others."

"What did they chat about?"

"How would I know," Li Piaoqing shook her head, "Perhaps they believed they had something sufficient to make Official Sui change his tone."

"We are very unlikely to know this."

"Yes... then, we also entrusted the Bai Zhu Pavilion to investigate the Zhang family."

Seeing Pei Ye was surprised, "You really went to investigate?"

"Since we discovered signs that something was wrong, of course we had to investigate," Li Piaoqing glanced at him, "And do you know, there really were some discoveries."

"What discoveries?"

"The head of the Zhang family has come."

"... For such a big event as the martial arts competition, isn't it normal to come and see the performance of one's own disciples?"

"Yes, but before today, the Zhang family's performance had always been that he wouldn't come."

"..."

"And he indeed didn't come," Li Piaoqing continued, "But today, he quietly entered the city."

"... What is he trying to do?"

"Don't know, he didn't even meet up with the Zhang family members, and after entering the city, he lost his trace," the young girl twirled a small wooden sword in her hand, "Since both Bai Zhu and Cuiyu can't find him, it's very likely he is under the wings of the Seven Serpents."

"..."

"Anyway, we will try our best to find him before tomorrow night."

"Is it easy to find?"

"Hmm, two ways—first, the 'wings' of the Seven Serpents are mostly broken now, so we just need to aim at those few intact places; second, since this matter has already fallen into our eyes, and the Zhang family is now in the city, there will be ways to think of regardless."

"Oh," Seeing Pei Ye nodded slowly, raised a hand, and said, "That... try your best not to hurt the harmony with Junxue."

"..." Li Piaoqing rolled her eyes, "Are you unclear about which side Zhang Junxue is standing on?"

"... After all, it's a clan. If something happens to the Zhang family, I don't think Junxue will be happy, right?"

"Thank you for the reminder, Young Hero Pei, I didn't know when I was going to exterminate the clan."

"..."

This was the night of the eighth day of the ninth month. The second day of the Jin Qiu Martial Arts Competition passed just like this, and thirty-two people had been decided. If one were to divide the martial arts competition into an upper and lower part, that line should be drawn tonight.

Starting tomorrow, the battles would become suddenly intense. Second Life contestants would almost disappear, and Third Life would also become a level that would be screened on a large scale. Even Fourth Life would be hard to say was safe this year—there had already been three precedents in the past two days.

But at the same time, the rewards would also step onto another level.

It was not such a coincidence, but rather that the prefecture government's rewards were set according to this line.

"Sixty-four people who won one round, one tael of silver."

"Thirty-two people who won two rounds, five taels of silver."

"Sixteen people who won three rounds, ten taels of silver, granted the Iron Fish Talisman."

Among the few taels of silver that were not painful or itchy, something that could be relied upon for a lifetime suddenly appeared. In the eyes of many martial artists, this was the highest destination of this martial arts competition. Of course, to get this talisman, besides winning tomorrow, one had to win another match—either win the top sixteen to eight, or resist the challenges from the losers.

It was on such an eve, after dining at the Willow-Viewing Tower, that Li Piaoqing leaned against the window and asked Seeing Pei Ye if he wanted to meet her master.

Seeing Pei Ye had of course met this old man before, but at that time, the old man was too busy due to the sudden changes and only came to express his gratitude, without time for a deep talk.

For these days, the young girl had always conveyed her master's regret that he wanted to see him again but couldn't spare the time, until tonight, when there was finally a tight bit of free time.

Seeing Pei Ye of course couldn't say he had no time, so he naturally nodded quickly and received the young girl's happy smile.

"Eh? It's raining again." The young girl stepping on the moonlight beside him suddenly paused.

Seeing Pei Ye raised his head; under the clear sky and bright moon, there was indeed an invisible chill falling.

(End of chapter)