Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: The Immortal Cultivation Tournament

Before dawn, the camp was already bustling. All the sects and schools rose early to prepare for the Immortal Cultivation Conference, and Jin Guishan hurriedly roused his companions. The Zhengjia Sect was particularly attentive, having prepared a variety of breakfasts from both north and south. Yi Bing and Pang Niu’er were so delighted that they could barely close their mouths, sampling bowl after bowl, and if not for He Lingchi’s repeated urging, the two would have eaten everything.

Seeing the crowd surge up the mountain path toward Yingxian Palace, Jin Guishan and his group quickly followed. Flags fluttered on both sides of the path, and every hundred meters a young Daoist guided the way. In front of the palace gates, lanterns shone, flowers blossomed in abundance, and two rows of Daoists stood in attendance, with three elders welcoming guests at the center. Each guest received a gift.

“This fellow Daoist?” Seeing the leading elder salute, Jin Guishan hurriedly returned the gesture. “I am Jin Guishan, here under the orders of my esteemed master, the True Immortal Tai Miao, leading the disciples of the Mist Cloud Sect to seek the Dao.”

“Oh… a distinguished disciple of Tai Miao! I am Wu Xu, and here are my junior brothers Zhen Xu and Hua Xu. Our master has instructed us to take good care of you. Please accept this token of our sect’s hospitality!” He took gifts from his junior brother and distributed them among Jin Guishan’s group—each person received a small, square bundle.

“Jin, please come inside. We’ve reserved seats especially for you!” Elder Hua Xu greeted them with a warm smile.

A high platform had already been erected before the main hall, over fifteen meters tall. Dozens of tables were set up in front of it, nearly fifty in all. Jin Guishan and his companions were placed at the foremost seats, showing the Zhengjia Sect’s respect for them. The tables were laden with dried and fresh fruits, and Yi Bing and Pang Niu’er grinned from ear to ear once more.

“Hey, show some restraint. We are representatives of a reputable sect!” Jin Guishan couldn’t help but scold Pang Niu’er, prompting Yi Bing to quickly compose himself.

“Brother Mu, see what’s in the gift?” Pang Niu’er, never one to sit still, urged Yi Bing to open the present. Yi Bing, curious, untied the bundle, expecting perhaps some Daoist artifacts, but found instead a promotional book—“The Great Zhengjia Method”—with a golden leaf tucked in the middle.

“Wow, the Zhengjia Sect really knows how to impress!” Qi Yuanxiao exclaimed. Jin Guishan, however, frowned in silence.

“Practice our Great Method, and you’ll surely ascend to immortality, tame dragons and subdue tigers, nothing will be beyond your grasp…” Pang Niu’er read aloud with a grin.

“Enough!” Jin Guishan suddenly glared at Pang Niu’er, frightening her into silence.

After that, no one dared speak; they all sipped their tea quietly. Pang Niu’er kept a solemn face, though her mouth was busy tasting each fruit on the table, recommending the best ones to Yi Bing.

Just as the two were enjoying themselves, a sudden burst of ceremonial cannon and joyous shouts erupted behind them. Turning, they saw Elder Fei Xu floating into view, surrounded by the crowd. He stopped before the high platform, saluted with both hands, and soared onto the stage, prompting cheers from below.

“On an auspicious day, the Immortal Cultivation Conference now officially begins. On behalf of my esteemed master, I wish you all swift success! Our sect hosts this conference so that Daoist friends may challenge and learn from one another, offering a humble contribution to your early attainment of the true fruit! Our sect has always…” Elder Fei Xu launched into a grand account of the Zhengjia Sect’s achievements, making it seem less a cultivation conference and more a promotional rally.

“Wow, he sounds amazing! Brother, is Zhengjia really that powerful?” Qi Yuanxiao asked.

“Hmph! How should I know? We’ll have to ask Master when we return!” Jin Guishan shrugged.

“To show our respect, we have selected disciples who have trained for only three months to perform for you. Their simple skills are not much, but we hope to amuse you!” Elder Fei Xu had barely finished speaking when the crowd grew restless, but he simply smiled and turned away.

“What’s this?” “We’re here to compete!” “Isn’t this just a Zhengjia publicity stunt?” “Hey! You can’t do this!” Yi Bing looked back to see many already pounding the tables in protest.

Just then, music and drums erupted on stage. Through a cloud of white smoke, a group of young female Daoists leapt onto the platform, dancing gracefully with swords in hand. All wore heavy makeup, their sleeves rolled up to reveal fair arms, and their collars slightly open, exposing tender skin in tantalizing glimpses.

“Hey, hey, we should accept their hospitality, right?” “We have to give Zhengjia some face!” “True, true!” Unexpectedly, nearly all those who had stood in protest sat down, muttering.

After the young Daoist maidens finished their dance, six adolescent Daoist boys ran onto the stage. Five surrounded one, engaging in a lively scuffle. The surrounded boy suddenly sat down, muttered a spell, and spouted fire from his mouth, causing the attackers to retreat.

The crowd erupted: “Wow, so young and already mastering fire control!” “No wonder they’re a prestigious sect!” “How do they recruit disciples?” “Are you planning to betray your sect?” “No, just asking… just asking…”

Jin Guishan’s group watched, stunned. They, too, had cultivated for years, but none could spit fire. Yi Bing’s thoughts diverged: “Wow, if I learned this, roasting a rabbit would be so much easier!”

Next, six adolescent Daoist maidens ran onto the stage. They sat in groups of three, chanting spells. Soon, jets of water shot from their mouths, drenching the opposing trio. Their thin robes became increasingly transparent.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” “Go, go!” “Hey, don’t spray there!” The audience grew especially excited.

“Brother, this hardly seems Daoist…” Pang Niu’er muttered. Jin Guishan frowned, saying nothing.

“Brother Jin, my stomach hurts. I need to go!” Perhaps from too much fruit, Yi Bing suddenly felt pain in his lower abdomen.

“Go on!” Jin Guishan jerked his chin.

Yi Bing searched everywhere, but found no sign of a latrine. Unable to endure, he dove into the grass beside the high platform. The spot was ideal—it offered a view of both the front and back of the stage, perfect for convenience and observation. Only then did Yi Bing notice Zhengjia disciples standing guard all around, preventing anyone from approaching backstage.

“Eh?” While relieving himself, Yi Bing’s eyes widened. The three Daoist boys who had just run onstage looked exactly like three hiding behind the stage curtain!

He watched as the trio on stage hopped and sat cross-legged, their lips moving. Suddenly, they slipped down from the platform, and the three backstage immediately rushed out.

The crowd cheered: “Zhengjia’s earth-burrowing technique is incredible!” “So young, and already at this level!” “Worthy of the world’s foremost sect!”

Yi Bing stared at the three still suspended behind the curtain, thinking, “Is this earth-burrowing? Aren’t they just three pairs of twins?!”

While he was lost in thought, the heavily made-up Daoist maidens appeared backstage. Daoists were attaching something to their waists, repeatedly raising and lowering them, obviously suspended by invisible wires.

At the sound of a cannon, smoke enveloped the stage, and the maidens rushed out. In the mist, they danced seductively, pausing and smiling with each step, like enchantresses descending to earth.

“Hmph, aren’t they afraid the wires will snap?” Yi Bing scoffed, turning away. He’d squatted so long his legs were numb.

Sure enough, as soon as he stood, the maidens floated up from the stage, their cheers sounding particularly grating.

“Hey? Who’s there?” A sudden shout behind startled Yi Bing. He turned to see several Zhengjia Daoists approaching.

“I… from Mist Cloud Sect, here for the conference!” Yi Bing hesitated.

“Why aren’t you seated, but here instead?” The Daoists blocked his way with swords.

“Nature’s call!” Yi Bing sidestepped, and the Daoists, downwind, were immediately assaulted by a foul stench.

“Cough, cough… Hey! Why not use the latrine?” the lead Daoist complained.

“Couldn’t hold it…” Yi Bing scratched his head, embarrassed.

“You saw something?” The lead Daoist stared intensely at Yi Bing.

Yi Bing blinked back: “Saw what?”

“Nothing…” The lead Daoist eyed him suspiciously.

“Saw what? I was in so much pain I couldn’t even stand straight, who had time to look?” Yi Bing grumbled.

“No offense, fellow Daoist! We’re just cautious to prevent any malicious intruders—for everyone’s safety!” Another Daoist hastened to console him.

“Heh, thanks for your hard work!” Yi Bing thought: “Malicious intruders? You’re the only ones acting strange! With so many cultivators here, what demon would dare show up?” Then another thought struck him: “Oh no! Hanyu must not appear!”

Returning to his seat, Elder Fei Xu was again on the stage, this time explaining the rules. He mentioned that competitors would mainly be disciples from various sects, and that the winner would receive a thousand taels of gold. The crowd was immediately thrown into chaos.

Elder Fei Xu smiled, waiting for the noise to subside before continuing, “Other participants may not receive gold, but are welcome to stay in our sect for three days, during which our master will personally guide you, aiding your cultivation.”

“Wow…” At this, the crowd was even more elated. To hear a lecture from the master Qixu was a lifelong fortune; even just seeing him would be a blessing. In some ways, this reward was superior to a thousand taels of gold. Yi Bing, uninterested in the rest, quickly grabbed Pang Niu’er and asked, “Where’s Han… the little white rabbit?”

“The little white rabbit? No idea!” Seeing Yi Bing’s face turn pale, Pang Niu’er smiled, “Relax, she’s here!” She untied her bundle, intending to take out the rabbit.

“No, no… I’ll go feed her some grass!” Yi Bing snatched the bundle and hurried toward the distant woods. Only after ensuring no one was around did he open it, and the little white rabbit immediately poked her head out.

“Don’t speak! You mustn’t say a word—with so many cultivators…” Suddenly, seeing Hanyu’s ears stand up, Yi Bing remembered her strength and quickly added, “Aren’t you injured?” Hanyu’s eyes rolled, and her ears drooped.

After repeatedly cautioning her, Yi Bing returned to the front. By then, the stage was already ablaze with combat. Before he could settle, Pang Niu’er dragged him over. “That’s the Pure Heart Sect and Dragon Mountain Sect! The ones in blue are Pure Heart, the ones in black are Dragon Mountain!”

On stage, a Pure Heart disciple leapt up, sweeping down with his dust whisk. The black-clad disciple retreated, raising his staff to block, but the whisk suddenly extended three feet, aiming for his brow. The black-clad disciple realized the danger and tried to float back, but it was too late; the whisk struck his chest, sending him crashing heavily to the ground. Blushing, he jumped up, saluted, and left the stage.

“Impressive technique!” came a shout, and a figure soared onto the stage. Dressed in white, with rosy lips and perfect teeth, he was strikingly handsome, causing many female Daoists below to gasp in admiration.

“This fellow Daoist…” The Pure Heart disciple sized up the newcomer with a forced smile.

“I am Ruzhen of the Jade Immortal Sect, here to seek guidance!” The white-robed youth saluted courteously.

“Ruzhen? Heh… Then let me instruct you!” No sooner had he finished than the Pure Heart disciple swept his whisk. The white-robed youth leapt, and a brocade fan appeared in his hand, deftly blocking the whisk. The Pure Heart disciple was startled, then lengthened his whisk like a serpent, trying to bypass the fan. But the fan expanded with it, blocking every move.

“Well done!” The Pure Heart disciple retreated, but the white-robed youth pursued relentlessly. The fan followed, blowing fragrant wind that nearly toppled the Pure Heart disciple from the stage.

“Careful, Daoist brother!” The youth swept his fan, turning the fragrant wind, gently carrying the Pure Heart disciple to the ground.

“Thank you for the lesson!” The Pure Heart disciple bowed in admiration.

“Brother Mu, this one’s impressive!” Pang Niu’er excitedly patted Yi Bing’s arm. Yi Bing nodded, still gazing dumbly at the white-robed youth, suddenly reminded of Senior Sister Biyi.

Afterward, the white-robed youth became unstoppable, defeating three or four challengers in succession. Just as Qi Yuanxiao urged Jin Guishan to take the stage, a dark figure suddenly darted out, leaping onto the platform with three quick bounds.