White Lotus Sect, the night before the Sprout Tournament started.

Kierra, Yu Chen, and Bai Qing were on the highest floor of the Crimson Tower V2.0. To help Bai Qing achieve mastery in combining qi and mana, both the archwizard and the martial master of Qinling Peak were present. The latter was pacing around the room, however.

''...Can we actually make it...?'' Yu Chen asked nervously.

There were only a few hours left until the fighting bit started, and it would typically take a full day on a Cloud Boat to reach there from the White Lotus Sect.

''Calm down,'' Kierra said. ''If you gave me the right distance, we can easily make it.''

''Your dragon...''

Yu Chen shook her head lightly. At this point, there was only the option of believing in Kierra.

So she kept pacing around some more anyway. Eventually, though, Bai Qing finished the final stage of her training, which was to harmonize the two energies inside her body. Getting up from a lotus position, she moved around a bit before speaking up energetically.

''Masters, I'm ready!''

The three nodded at each other.

''Follow me.''

Yu Chen and Bai Qing followed Kierra to the large window, where a relaxed Tian Yun could be seen sitting on the frame.

snap—!

''Kamikaze.''

Following Kierra's call, a massive gust of wind blew in the sky, pushing away thick patches of cloud. Soon, a majestic dragon with green scales descended from the space. This was Kamikaze - The King Dragon of Storm.

''He specializes in controlling wind. And he can move at extremely high speed.''

Kierra proudly explained as Kamikaze flew in front of them. The sheer size of this mighty beast was enough to make even Yu Chen or Tian Yun flinch. They weren't sure if they could defeat it alone.

[Do you need a ride, master?]

A deep male voice sounded from Kamikaze's mouth.

''Indeed.'' Kierra replied.

[Then please climb up!]

''Thanks.''

So the crew flew onto Kamikaze's back, and after Yu Chen pointed the direction they needed to go, the dragon immediately took off.

''Woah...''

Kamikaze shot himself forward faster than any bullet by utilizing his wind magic. Not only that, he also created a translucent shield surrounding his whole body so the people riding him wouldn't be blown off.

They were moving so fast that the scenery passing by couldn't even be perceived properly anymore!

''Slow down a bit, Kamikaze. We have two more hours.'' Kierra said. ''Let this girl rest well.''

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

[Understood.]

So Kamikaze adjusted his flying speed down, keeping the distance in mind. Thanks to that, the rest of the ride was actually very relaxing. By the time the sun poked itself up, they could now see the arena clearly.

As Kamikaze floated over the arena, Kierra stood up and stretched out in an elegant manner, prompting the others to rise to their feet as well.

''Thanks for the ride, Kamikaze.''

Kierra flew over and stroked the dragon's head. Her hand barely covered a fraction of one of his scales, but the warmth was certainly delivered. You wouldn't find anyone who treated summoned creatures as well as Kierra!

[It's an honor, master.]

With that, Kamikaze flew up into space and reverse-summoned himself, leaving the crew floating above the arena. By this point, they had caught everybody's attention, spectacularly, no less.

''Bai Qing, go to them.'' Yu Chen put her hands on her disciple's shoulders. ''Show them what you are capable of.''

''Yes, master!''

Bai Qing confidently flew to the contestants' area, and the remaining three also began to move to the observation room. The attendant was shocked to see Tian Yun again after decades, but he let them in regardless.

Once inside, Kierra walked side to side with Tian Yun; her demeanor was relaxed, her face was calm, and her steps were confident. Then, she suddenly noticed a familiar face.

''Kang Jiang, was it?''

''Ah, yes, lord Kierra.''

Kang Jiang hurriedly stood up and bowed his head. Kierra simply nodded and continued her way.

╭(°A°)╮ ╭(°A°)╮ ╭(°A°)╮

She made a sect leader bow that easily?!

At that moment, even though people could only sense a low cultivation base from the archwizard, they all thought—

'This woman must be a master!'

Among the leaders of the top sects, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple was particularly curious. There were numerous hidden masters with inhumanely strong cultivation bases in the past, and all of them behaved exactly like this!

He wanted to talk to Kierra right away, but General Manager Sang's voice sounded again.

''Ahem!''

Kierra threw her hat into the space bag and sat down on her chair, sandwiched by Yu Chen and Tian Yun.

''There was a small issue, but now, let us begin the long-awaited tournament! The first match is between Bai Qing of the White Lotus Sect and Liao Cai of the Flying Sword Sect!''

''Hm? She fights the first match?'' Kierra spoke up.

''That is why I was worried...'' Yu Chen sighed.

''Well? I didn't receive that information.'' Kierra shrugged. ''I certainly wasn't going to arrive late for extra attention purposely. That is reserved for delusional teenagers only.''

Suddenly, Kierra felt the room getting a bit colder. Tian Yun and Yu Chen beside her seemed to be panicking as well.

Meanwhile, the 'bigshots' all felt like needles were poking at their hearts. Why were they still getting smack-talked in the face even though they came on time this year...

Nevertheless, they all turned their attention to the arena, where the match had already begun.

Bai Qing's opponent was from a relatively small sect and was generally on the same level of strength as her, not counting magic. Bai Qing decided only to use a small amount of mana this time, fearing that she would run out of it later.

Against the opponent's flying swords, Bai Qing deployed a multitude of lightning nets to hinder their flying paths before comfortably going in to compete sword to sword. Bai Qing's lightning sword collided with the opponent's regular sword.

The result was obvious. Outside of the flying swords, which were easily disabled, the disciple from the Flying Sword Sect had nothing else. Bai Qing quickly claimed her victory.

''Round one of bracket A, winner, Bai Qing!''

The audience clapped. When General Manager Sang announced the next match, Kierra was already bored. Kierra didn't need to sleep at all, but she still found it beneficial to sleep once in a while just to reset her mind.

So naturally, Kierra said. ''I will close my eyes for a moment. Wake me up when something interesting happens.''

'''' Eh? ''''

Before Tian Yun and Yu Chen could even react, Kierra had already leaned back into her chair, eyes closed. Watching the archwizard's steady breaths, the two looked at each other blankly.

Just like that, the tournament continues for a while. Nothing particularly special happened until Tian Yun suddenly felt something on her shoulder.

''!!''

( ;ↀ.ↀ)

Kierra was now leaning on her shoulder!

Tian Yun wanted to do something, but she couldn't wake Kierra up or let her without support. So Tian Yun, with all the respect she had for Kierra, went full in. She wrapped her arm around the archwizard's waist and adjusted her position a bit. Now, they were effectively having a side hug.

'Phew...'

Tian Yun was impressed at her quick wit. With this, Kierra should had a comfortable nap...

''Ah?''

When she turned her head to the side, the usually calm Yu Chen was somehow biting her lower lip with a light pout, glancing at the two of them.

'What...?'