Chapter 313: A Performance (Patreon)

~~~

It is not normal for a fight that does not feature at least one member of the Four Great Sects to evoke much interest. However, the duel between Xiao Fang and Ruan Dafeng proves an exception. The disgraced heir of the Xiao Sect making it to the third round and fighting against the Matriarch’s chosen disciple makes for quite the tale. That Ruan Dafeng is clearly tied to the Endlessly Raging Valley only adds to the intrigue. A wild variety of truths, rumors, and complete fabrications are already spreading like wildfire among the audience.

However, there are some who do not have to settle for rumors. Several Elders and Branch Masters of the Xiao Sect sit among the audience. It is the highest number of them that has ever attended the tournament. Though their motives and alliances vary, they all have their eyes set on a single person.

Xiao Fang.

“So that’s the boy, huh?”

“He has grown much since I last saw him. He’s the spitting image of Xiao Zheng at that age.”

“Hpmh! That’s only natural. He’s Xiao Zheng’s son, but appearance and talent are two separate things. If only the genius Xiao Nan was still with us.” 

“Haven’t you heard, you old fool! They say Xiao Nan reappeared in the Storm Dragon Empire!”

“Bah! A rumor, surely! Besides, no matter how great, a genius like Xiao Nan cannot compare to the full support of the Endlessly Raging Valley!”

“How about the support of the Divine Frozen Palace? It is clear the boy has their backing as well as that of the Storm Dragon Empire.” 

“Why mention the Storm Dragon Empire in the same breath as one of the Four Great Sects?”

“Enough talk! It is clear we will not agree on this. Let us watch Young Master Xiao Fang’s efforts and let those be his arguments. His father led the Xiao Sect to greatness. This is the least we can do for him.”

No one argues with that. The Branch Masters and Elders fix their eyes on the battle. Xiao Fang’s Qi roars as he and Ruan Dafeng dash towards each other. Their fierce energies crash when they meet in the center of the ring. Their faces are both set in equally confident smiles as they pour more Qi into their aura, daring the other to be the one to step back first. 

So much energy cannot be contained for long.

The ensuing explosion rocks the entire stadium and sends tremors throughout Imperial Cloud City. Xiao Fang and Ruan Dafeng are blown back in opposite directions. Their backs crash against the barrier surrounding the ring, making it shimmer blue.

They both land on their feet.

“I am impressed,” Ruan Dafeng says without losing his smile. He makes a show out of wiping some dust from his shoulder. “I was certain that would have forced you to reveal your cultivation.”

Xiao Fang unleashes a strong burst of Qi from his body to cleanse his robes.

“How bold of you to assume someone like you is qualified to see the depths of my power.”

“Is bravado all you are capable of, Former Young Master?” counters Ruan Dafeng. “This will not be any fun if it is!”

Ruan Dafeng punctuates his statement by bringing his arm down in a slashing motion, unleashing a sharp blade of wind that whistles through the air.

[Fierce Tiger Claw]

[Void Fist]

However, before the attack can reach Xiao Fang, an empty space materializes between the two combatants. Ruan Dafeng’s wind rushes to fill it, and in doing so, it loses its strength.

“Unlike you, I do not need to wonder,” Xiao Fang says. “I can already see bravado is all you are capable of.”

“It is unwise to be so open about your poor eyesight,” Ruan Dafeng says. “Still, was that your Void Fist? I am unimpressed. As the Former Young Master, shouldn’t your Void Fist be more like… This!”

Xiao Fang’s eyes grow wide. Ruan Dafeng’s stance. The flow of his Qi. The disruption in the air. Xiao Fang does not want to believe it, but there is no way his senses could ever mistake this technique.

[Void Fist]

Xiao Fang moves out of the way before the distortion fully materializes, his body accelerating through [Ground Contraction]. However, Ruan Dafeng does not stop at one. He unleashes continuous [Void Fists] across the ring, filling the area with distortions. 

“Are you surprised?” Ruan Dafeng taunts him, using his Qi to aim his words directly at Xiao Fang and no one else. “Did you think something like this would be beyond me? How naive! Your Sect’s vaunted technique is laughably simple!”

Xiao Fang wants to deny his words, but the proof lies in Ruan Dafeng’s performance. Every use of [Void Fist] is more precise and powerful than the one before. It proves how recently he learned the technique and how quickly he is growing used to it. If not for the situation with his aunt, Ruan Dafeng would have probably been part of the Endlessly Raging Valley’s delegation.

Xiao Fang keeps his expression impassive and thoroughly unimpressed, but he knows that Ruan Dafeng showing his mastery over [Void Fist] is sure to focus more attention on him. Already, he can imagine the Branch Masters and Elders talking about the disciple of the Endlessly Raging Valley in favorable terms.

That will not do.

[Void Fist]

The attack is unleashed right on the spot where Ruan Dafeng is standing. The fake disciple easily gets out of the way, smiling smugly as he uses wind to accelerate his body. He prepares to counter with the same technique.

He can’t.

His smile fades.

[Void Fist] [Void Fist] [Void Fist] [Void Fist] [Void Fist] [Void Fist]

To his left. To his right. In front of him. Behind him. Above him. Below him. No matter where Ruan Dafeng turns to, a [Void Fist] is waiting for him. 

“Did you really think a mere worm who only knows how to crawl has any right to lecture an eagle about flying!” Xiao Fang shouts, laughing as Ruan Dafeng flees all over the ring, unable to counter him.

At its most basic, to use [Void Fist] is to use wind to create a distortion, a sudden void. Thus, the one who seizes command over the atmosphere in an area is the one who can use [Void Fist], and the one who cannot simply can’t. There is no way someone new to the technique like Ruan Dafeng can defeat a master like Xiao Fang. 

Ruan Dafeng can only flee as Xiao Fang creates multiple [Void Fists] at once

However, he cannot do it for long.

Xiao Fang’s attack lands. Ruan Dafeng falters. The moment he does, Xiao Fang stacks [Void Fist] atop [Void Fist], damaging Ruan Dafeng’s body and unleashing multiple shockwaves across the ring.

~~~

Xiao Yifan breathes deeply, trying her hardest to remain calm.

She is not in the stadium, but she does not need to see the fight to know how it is going. For an Emperor like her, it is easy to feel the flow of energies even from miles away. Xiao Fang is winning and Ruan Chenshu’s vaunted prodigy is losing. 

It is not over yet, she reminds herself. Neither child has revealed their full cultivation yet. Someone like Xiao Fang, who has spent more than half a decade hiding and surviving on whatever scraps he could find, cannot possibly be a match for a disciple trained by one of the Four Great Sects.

Xiao Yifan keeps telling herself that, but the only comfort she can give herself is that at least she made sure all Elder and Branch Masters received gifts from her upon arriving in the city.

~~~

Cui Tian and Chang Wei, members of the Seven Leaves School, watch the fight in intense silence, only occasionally taking sips from their drinks, a stark difference from the many cheering people all around them. They have good seats, better than what they’d usually be able to afford. The Five Blessings Group recently gave them a bonus in recognition of their good work. 

“Hey, Brother Tian?” Chang Wei asks. His voice is barely audible amidst all the cheering, but Cui Tian hears him just fine.

“Yes?” Cui Tian replies.

“Do you remember those packages the Five Blessing Group asked us to deliver the other day?”

“Indeed, I do,” Cui Tian says seriously. “They seemed quite valuable.”

“They did,” Chang Wei says, nodding. “Lady Song herself told us to treat them carefully. It is a good thing you got all the names right.”

“Me? Was that not supposed to be your job?”

“No, how could it be? Brother Cui knows I am terrible with names.”

“A sad case of miscommunication then.”

“How tragic.” Chang Wei shakes his head and takes a sip from his drink. “Lady Song will be so disappointed.”

The two break into laughter seconds later.

~~~ 

Ruan Dafeng’s Qi rises angrily, turning into wind and blowing away the dust and smoke. His green hair has become messy, and sweat stains his face.

“I wanted to give you the kindness of a familiar sight so that the Xiao Sect would not lose much face after my victory!” He yells. As loud as his voice is, the howl of wind accompanying it is greater. “It seems my kindness was misplaced.”

“Is talking your way of masking your inadequacy? If so, I understand why your mouth never seems to be silent.”

[Fierce Tiger Pack]

The howl becomes a shriek as Ruan Dafeng brings his hands forward, unleashing wind blades from each of his fingers. They speed through the air, cutting the ring as they head for Xiao Fang. The heir dashes forward without fear. Xiao Fang’s Qi roars as Ruan Dafeng’s wind crashes into him. 

The wind dies.

“What?!”

Ruan Dafeng cries out in shock, but he’s not the only one confused by what just happened. Several masters are now looking at the fight with far more attention than they were before. Xiao Fang neither created a barrier nor matched the force of Ruan Dafeng’s technique. Ruan Dafeng’s winds simply faded away when they came into contact with Xiao Fang’s Qi.

“Why are you surprised?” Xiao Fang asks, walking slowly towards Ruan Dafeng. His Qi glows ominously around him, and his presence feels more real than it was mere seconds ago. “I already told you I have risen from desolation. In the desert, even the wind was not free. It was aimless and meandering, doomed to die without ever accomplishing anything. Just like you.”

Ruan Dafeng steps back. It is a purely reflexive reaction. The moment his gaze meets Xiao Fang’s, a part of him realizes he is in danger and seeks safety.

It shames him to his very core.

“Enough!” Ruan Dafeng roars. His Qi roars like a hurricane. “I have allowed you far too much! Allow me to make it clear how beneath me you are!”

Earth Realm, Level Six.

The audience gasps. Even among participants from the Four Great Sects, the norm is for them to be in the Third or Fourth Level of the Earth Realm. For someone on the Sixth Level of the Earth Realm to be competing for the Xiao Sect says much about how seriously the Endlessly Raging Valley is taking their alliance. As far as the audience is concerned, Xiao Fang cannot possibly win now.

Xiao Fang’s expression remains undaunted. He smirks knowingly at Ruan Dafeng, knowing he forced his foe to unleash his full cultivation first.

It pushes Ruan Dafeng past the brink.

[Fierce Tiger Howl]

The wind erupts around Ruan Dafeng, taking on the shape of a tiger’s head. Its strength is such that the ring breaks as it passes by. The people in the audience lean in. Some cheer Ruan Dafeng on. Others shout at Xiao Fang to dodge.

Xiao Fang takes a deep breath.

The item hiding his cultivation shatters.

Earth Realm, Level Seven.

[Engulfing Void]

Xiao Fang’s technique expands and devours Ruan Dafeng’s attack before covering the entirety of the ring. Ruan Dafeng’s screams are drowned out by shrieks caused by the void. There is nowhere for him to run. No way for him to defend himself against the onslaught. 

“Pathetic,” Xiao Fang says as he ends his technique. The barrier holds strong, but the ring has been reduced to rubble. “If you had truly mastered Void Fist, you’d have been able to defend yourself. But we all know you are not a true disciple of the Xiao Sect.”

To his credit, Ruan Dafeng is still standing, albeit in a horrible state. His robes are torn, and blood flows from multiple wounds all over his body.

“How dare you!”

Ruan Dafeng and Xiao Fang clash. Their forms blur across the ruined ring as they exchange punches and kicks. The aftermath of each hit is felt across Imperial Cloud City. Ruan Dafeng screams as he raises his fist, summoning a huge whirlwind around it, and prepares to bring it down on Xiao Fang.

It dies as his fist is caught by Xiao Fang’s hand.

A sharp crack echoes across the stadium. 

“I told you I’d break you!” Xiao Fang says as Ruan Dafeng falls with a broken hand. “Your winds are strong, but that is all there is to them! You dared to fight me relying on nothing but the raw strength of your cultivation! Such foolishness only shows how inferior you are!”

Xiao Fang stomps on his opponent’s shoulder, dislocating it out of place. Ruan Dafeng screams, yet he still tries to attack Xiao Fang. 

His wind dies again.

“Naive!” Xiao Fang roars, stomping on his chest. Ruan Dafeng’s body is pushed into the remains of the ring, which have somehow turned to sand. 

Xiao Fang’s Qi keeps rising.

“The Winner! Xiao Fang of the True Xiao Sect!” The announcer hurriedly announces before Xiao Fang can continue. 

Xiao Fang snorts.

“How protective,” He says. “Well, I suppose it’d be bad if I actually killed a member of the Four Great Sects, not that it matters. A failure like you might as well be dead.”

~~~

“That’s a very interesting look you are making,” the Wandering Wind notes.

“Please, pay it no mind,” Ruan Chenshu says, lowering his head so his hair obscures his face. His voice is even, but his knuckles are white and his fingers have dug into the armrests of his seat.

~~~

“Did you see it?”

“An Inheritance. It has to be.”

“Not only that. It seems highly compatible with the Young Master’s Dao.”

“Oh, so he is the Young Master now? How curious.” 

~~~

“What a fantastic fight! I can’t believe it was a duel between contestants who do not belong to the Four Great Sects.”

“They might as well have been.”

“Only one fight remains! I have been waiting to see the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire fight!”

“You will have to wait one more day. His opponent is not a member of the Four Great Sects.”

“What poor luck. This fight will be over in an instant.”

~~~

“Qing Jin of the Eternal Flame Clan vs. Li Ning of the Black Dusk!”

The fighters stand in front of each other on a pristine white ring. The Crimson Cloud has fixed all the damage caused by Xiao Fang and Ruan Dafeng’s fight, and the tournament officials have cleared out the rubble. 

Li Ning of the Black Dusk is an impressive-looking young man who wields an equally impressive hammer. Despite not being a member of the Four Great Sects, he managed to make his way to the third stage. That speaks well of his talent, grit, and determination. 

However, he is not Liu Jin’s match, and everyone knows it.

The young man stands in front of his opponent and wonders what he is doing there. The fight has yet to begin, but he already feels like a loser. Surrendering before the fight began would have reflected poorly on him and the Black Dusk, but after seeing so many one-sided matches, Li Ning is starting to wonder if perhaps that would have been the wisest move.

“It would be bad if you surrendered,” Liu Jin says.

The words are spoken in a soft voice. Most people in the audience miss them. Li Ning could have almost believed he imagined them if not for the way Liu Jin’s Qi carries his words to his ears. There is no mistaking what just happened.

That was a threat.

Li Ning stands rooted in place, unable to surrender yet knowing better than to attack. However, it is not his choice. The pressure mounts as the cheers and boos from the audience grow louder. The Emperor’s red eyes order him to attack.

So he does.

[Art of the Roaming Thief - The First Step]

Li Ning stands confused, not understanding what just happened or where Liu Jin has gone. A shove to the back makes him yelp in surprise. Liu Jin is standing behind him. Li Ning hurriedly backs away, almost tripping over his own feet. Some members of the audience laugh at him, making his face turn red.

He attacks again.

[Art of the Roaming Thief - The Second Step]

The first step reads the opponent’s Qi and steps into their blind spot. The second step reads the ambient Qi and becomes one with it. For Li Ning, the end result is the same. He loses sight of Liu Jin and ends up looking like a fool. Liu Jin would be lying if he said he did not feel bad for him, but he made his choice long before stepping into the ring. 

Li Ning’s reputation. His pride. His efforts.

Liu Jin already decided they are an acceptable price to pay.

[Art of the Roaming Thief - The Third Step]

~~~

Su Daji sighs as Li Ning’s hammer goes through Liu Jin’s body. The man’s face twists in confusion as he feels the lack of impact before the mirage in front of him fades away. His confusion only grows when dozens of Liu Jins suddenly surround him, each a mirage that seems like the real thing.

“I am surprised,” Ding Yan says. “I did not think the Emperor was the type to play with his food.”

“He’s not,” Su Daji says. “This is just…”

A performance.

~~~

Lord Feng Gui blinks. 

“Did you know about this, brother?” Lord Feng Shang asks. His face is dead serious, which is hardly unusual.

However, for once, that seriousness is reflected on his brother’s face.

“Dear?” Lady Ling asks, caught off guard by her husband’s severe expression.

“Did father know?” Lord Feng Gui wonders at last.

~~~

“That… No, it cannot be. Techniques that hide one’s Qi are far from unique.”

“How many of those have three variations that match the stories?”

~~~

[Art of the Roaming Thief - Fourth Step]

The Third and Fourth steps of Art of the Roaming Thief are meant to be used together. The Third creates a mirage with Qi. The Fourth drastically reduces the user’s presence, enough that it becomes impossible to differentiate between the mirage and the real thing.

Of course, it is also possible to use the Fourth Step on its own to, for example, go into hiding for several years.

Li Ning cries in genuine rage as he keeps trying and failing to hit his opponent with his hammer. The audience laughs at him, clearly enjoying the show the Emperor is putting on for them. Why else would he keep toying with an opponent he could easily defeat? 

~~~

“Four steps,” Bai Lianshi whispers, a hand held over her mouth. “It cannot be, but…”

Her head turns to her right.

“Meng Yue! Did you know?”

Her sister avoids her gaze.

“I… might have had some suspicions after meeting his master,” she admits. “The technique he was using to hide… It was probably that.”

“His master?!” Bai Lianshi’s gaze rapidly switches from Liu Jin to Meng Yue. “You mean to tell me-”

“I never found out for sure!” Meng Yue cuts her off. “Great Mother saw him through me. If she wanted me to know, she’d have told me! If you want to know more, ask her!”

~~~

“I must be imagining things,” Ruan Chenshu says. “That must be it. I have only heard tales about it. Lady Wandering Wind, surely, you must…”

He trails off as terror grips his heart. 

The smile on the Wandering Wind’s face is the widest he has ever seen.

“Oh, that child,” the Wandering Wind says. “Truly, he is spoiling me.”

~~~

Granny Zhao closes her eyes.

~~~

“Stop looking down on me!” Li Ning roars as he raises his hammer.

[Arf of the Roaming Thief - Fifth Step]

Li Ning stops. Suddenly, he is unable to see his enemy even though he’s right in front of him.

Liu Jin takes pity on him and knocks him out.

“The Winner! Qing Jin of the Eternal Flame Clan!”

There are cheers. There are boos. 

None of that matters. He has done what he needed to do. 

All that is left…

~~~

“Master! Master! I have urgent news to report!!”

~~~

“My Lord, I saw it with my own eyes.”

~~~

“Xiao Shuang! You need to learn this!”

~~~

“Chen Guo! Listen to the words of your Great Grandfather.”

~~~

“Those snakes of the Eternal Flame Clan were hiding him all this time! Who knows how much they know!”

~~~ 

“The child Emperor is dangerous! He cannot be allowed to live!”

~~~

“Fool! He has mastered the Fifth Step! Who is to say he has not reached the Sixth or Seventh! If we try to go after him, he’ll disappear for at least eight centuries!”

~~~

“He has the blood of one of the One Hundred and Eight! Besides! The Wandering Wind made her feelings quite clear! We need to contain him!”

~~~

…is for everyone else to act.

~~~

Mini-Character List

Liu Jin: Our Protagonist. The Grand Prize.

Xiao Fang: Future Patriarch of the Xiao Sect. Took out the trash and gained a lot of reputation.

Ruan Dafeng: Totally a Disciple of the Xiao Sect. Lost badly. Very disgraced.

Xiao Yifan: Matriarch of the Xiao Sect. Peeved. Another victim of the mailing system.

Cui Tian and Chang Wei: Disciples of the Seven Leaves School and workers of the Five Blessings Group. Never trust the mailmen. 

Wandering Wind: The Strongest of the Endlessly Raging Valley. Quite happy. Very impressed.

Ruan Chenshu: Elder of the Endlessly Raging Valley. Not happy. Not happy at all.

Li Ning: A disciple of the Black Dusk. Good guy. Very talented. Very unfortunate. 

Su Daji: The Wandering Wind’s “disciple.” Knew what Liu Jin was going to do. Is not happy with what’s about to follow.

Ding Yan: A disciple of the Endlessly Raging Valley. Su Daji’s friend. Curious.

Lord Feng Shang: Not the Future Patriarch of the Eternal Flame Clan. On the process of putting several pieces together.

Lord Feng Gui: Future Patriarch of the Eternal Flame Clan. Making several assumptions. Some are erroneous. Some are not.

Lady Ling: Lord Feng Gui’s wife. Worries when her husband is serious.

Bai Lianshi: One of the Five Fairies of the Divine Frozen Palace. Suddenly revising several things.

Meng Yue: One of the Five Fairies of the Divine Frozen Palace. More discreet than given credit for.

Granny Zhao: Old Lady. Has seen something like this before.

AN:

Out of all my characters, Xiao Fang is the one that just keeps verbally eviscerating his opponents. It's not a conscious decision on my part. It just happens.

Also, I debated with myself whether to include the Liu Jin fight here or move it to next chapter, but I figured it would make for a nice surprise. You have no idea how much I have been waiting for this moment. We're now really beginning the tournament!

Take care!