The sun cast a gloomy shadow on the crooked backs of the Li clan juniors limping away from the rumbling arena. For the miraculous liquid , they had fought with their lives on the line, sadly, they lost , and would no longer be able to climb towards the peak of martial arts.
Each year the Li clan would put together rare herbs and spiritual items to brew an ancient potion , capable of transforming one’s aptitude towards the Dao. A single drop could alter the constitution of a mortal and boost the longevity by a hundred years. The lure of soaking in an entire pool could be imagined.
Naturally such a treasure was reserved for the geniuses, those with ability and perseverance to scale the mountain. And the Li clan believed that such talent could only be found amidst the blood drenched battlefield, giving birth to the Li clan annual tournament. Where those who emerged victorious would leap through the dragon gate and the rest, remain common fish in the pond .
The heavy steps of the youths continued, aware of their fate. Approaching such a tense atmosphere was a frail figure clad in a brown robe. The air around him was filled with dancing butterflies. His entire focus was drawn by the varying colours and patterns on their wings. His gaze remained fixed in the air, his figure meandering were ever the butterflies took him.
His eccentricity quickly drew curious glances from the bored victorious youths.
“Tsk Tsk, ain’t that the ‘dog son’ of the tiger-father pair”, a bulky youth said nudging the luxuriously dressed youth beside him - Li Jian.
His clothes had neither tears nor blood stains, clearly, he had sleep walked the entire bloodbath and yet, when he spotted the familiar figure in the direction of the gesture, veins voluntarily popped on his forehead.
“Li feng? Don’t tell me he’s here for that ‘free spot’”, his unconcealed voice instantly cleared the doubts of the surrounding youths.
Even though they hadn’t seen the person, they’d all heard of the name “Li feng”, born of the most outstanding pair in the clan , and yet possessed neither ambition nor talent towards martial arts and instead spent his time basking among mortal flowers.
And one would expect such dead weight to be thrashed and spit at , but the clan did something unexpected and nurtured him instead. All the resources that the geniuses had to fight for, he always got a share , be it pills or precious herbs.
An enigma that had always clouded the clan, and had incited many scuffles but was dismissed as the clan honouring the contributions of his deceased parents.
The defeated youths halted their steps, even though it was true that they would remain mediocre and under somebody’s boot, that statement was ultimately relative. They could still be farmers, mercenaries and even personal guards.
Compared to the ‘talent-less’, Li Feng, they were times smarter, wiser and stronger. This thought immediately dispelled the dark veil that had cast shadows on their hearts and crooked smiles crept up the corners of their mouths.
“If it’s not the 18 year old - body refining trash”, one of them immediately spoke out loud.
The road to the peak had known checkpoints called realms, from the start point to the half-mile: Body refining, Qi gathering, Bitter Sea and Core formation. Body refining was just the starting line.
“Pah, Let alone cultivation , i heard he’s an idiot who only knows how to eat and fart”
“To think such a ‘genius’ even has a beautiful protector by his side, i bet hundred coins if he’s even capable of raising that thing”
“No, no , boss Ming, I'll give you, a million coins if you…”
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“…”
...
The crowd continued to rant and yet his unconventional steps remained the same. Any one of their words would have thrown any youth his age into a frenzied rage but he seemed impervious and continued walking straight towards them, or rather through them - towards the plaza behind them.
Something about the milky hue in the air seemed to urge his steps. Was it the beautiful mirage it cast in the sky or the miraculous change it’d bring to his life afterwards.
His mind couldn’t think that far, for he had been born with a defect, his cognition was limited to the realms of a 3 month old. But, even a child could burst with a determination, even if, its just to get an interesting toy.
Behind the crowd, the mastermind – Li Jian had an unsightly expression, his clenched fists trembling. That last remark, had poured salt to his fresh wound.
He was also a victim of the terror known as cultivation bottleneck, that had trapped at the early stage of the core formation realm for months, causing him to be a victim of verbs like ‘chicken talent’.
However he firmly believed, that if it wasn’t for his grandpa withdrawing his resources, he’d also be ranked within the top ten genius ranking. Thinking to this point, the trembling stopped , his gaze focusing on the figure of Li Feng who had drawn near the crowd. His thoughts unknown.
The supervising elder hidden in the sky observed the spectacle , his thoughts lingering over Li feng for a few breathes. His task today, involved presiding over the tournament and looking out for this disciple, something that puzzled him and yet he didn’t dare question the supreme elders.
But he couldn’t help wander whether the reason to nurture Li feng was to provide a foil and emotional support for the fallen disciples. Because no matter how many geniuses the clan got, there will always be a need for a chef, a guard and maids. We can’t be all emperors. However the elder soon shook his head in derision. Who knew, that even ‘trash’ had its own use.
...
Pzzz!
A soft whistle drifted among the disciples, disrupting his thoughts. Movement immediately followed, his brows furrowed in suspicion, but before he could act further, a voice resounded dispersing the clouds he was hiding in.
“Elder, why does Li feng get to swagger his way into the pool when we had to sweat for it?”
The elder’s eyes squinted, it wasn’t everyday a junior challenged an elder. “This is the decision of the patriarch and is irrefutable”
The elder’s tone remained unfettered. This wasn’t the first time, somebody had doubts about Li feng’s matter. And also because a word from the clan head was akin to the decree of the emperor himself
However, as if not hearing the warning behind the elder’s words, Li Jian continued in a subservient tone, “But, my juniors would want to know why, they being closer to the core formation realm were deemed unworthy of the free spot and yet he...”, he did not finish his sentence, the meaning evident by the gloomy expressions that had crept up the defeated disciples faces.
In their taunts , they had actually forgotten the reason of Li Feng presence. They instantly turned towards the gloomy elder, waiting for an explanation. They were akin to struggling rich men poking a beggar in the dirt with a stick. But if gold appears in that same dirt…
The elder’s face darkened, they had been countless riots over Li feng unclear allocation of resources, but never had the tension been so focused. Surely, the disciples did not think of this themselves . The elder immediately realised he had been led by the nose, but he couldn’t act impulsively. If the situation wasn’t handled carefully, the disciples might lose faith in the clan, and the results, could not be imagined.
“What are you trying to say?”
“Li feng should compete like everyone else” The corners of Li Jian mouth revealed a quick flash of disdain.
But the defeated disciples had no such qualms and began sneering. Even though they knew Li Feng had limited intelligence and possessed no combat ability they couldn’t help but shamelessly nod their heads in approval.
The frown on the elder’s face deepened. This was his scheme all long. But, wasn’t it a little bit - weak. However, when he recalled the previous movements in the crowd, his sleeping qi instantly churned forming a palm towards Li Feng.
Almost as instant, Li Jian let out a roar.
“Now!”
He had never planned to win the battle of words with the elder, and instead had been delaying for this moment.
———-
Body refining (Li Feng)
Qi gathering
Bitter Sea ( Many Li clan youths)
Core formation (Li Jian and other geniuses)
Earth Realm
Nascent Soul (Supervising Elder)
Heaven Realm
Nihility Realm