3 months passes by like a blink of an eye. Mohua has already slowly gotten used to the place and her chores. Everyday she has to do a ton of chores and help clean the palace of the eldest dragon prince including his headquarters and bed chamber. On her spare time, she practiced the level one martial art skills in the manual her master hand over to her claiming it was hers originally when her master found her. Her progress was slow and she does not really understand some concept of the book, but she asked for some pointer not revealing she had a martial book on her hand. Though she was a mute, she was not illiterate. Her master had taught her how to write so she can still write.
“You have been asking me about some things only martial artists are interest in… are you interested in learning?” The eldest dragon prince questions her in the morning as she was serving him tea. She found out his preference in tea after a few failures. Her eyes beam with hope as she looks up at him. “I take that as a… yes?” He saw her expression and guessed her intention.
She nods her head. This was his first time seeing a girl whom did not take a liking to his looks, but on the contrary, overlook that. It was a pity she cannot speak or else, he’d think she is talented and a good-looking person. Even though she can’t speak, he can tell she is a bright, brave, and smart person. All she needed was guidance. He looks at her in the eyes and then closes his eyes sighing, “All right… I will help guide you for the basic part. I supposed you’ve already opened all your meridians, correct? I remembered giving you a pointer or two regarding this.”
She slowly nods her head carefully, I can’t believe he found out already. I guess he is not the eldest prince for no reason. He found out right away after one look. She sighs and looks up at him smiling showing her white perfectly lined teeth with a little silly expression.
He figured what she was thinking and smirks, “I know what you’re thinking. I am not stupid you cannot fool me.” He continues, “I can teach you the basics on things you don’t know or you’re confused with, but the rest will be up to you to see if you’re able to understand the concept. As you’re not part of the dragon clan, I cannot accept you as a disciple. You can only be my servant and I will guide you personally.”
She was a little disappointed to hear that he will not teach her martial arts. Based on his explanation, she understood the reason. She can only be grateful for his guidance. That is all I needed anyways, I don’t expect you to become my master when I already have a master in the Heaven Realm. I guess that is better than nothing.
With that, she spent 3 more months in training and studying under the Eldest Dragon Prince. She has already reached stage 9 of the Second Stage. She was about to have a break through to the third stage, Earth Shattering. She progressed at a very fast pace due to her diligent in practicing and with the help of the Eldest Dragon Prince. He was surprised to see her progressed at that kind of rate. He knew she was not just a simple mute. She does have talent in understanding martial arts. I can’t believe Nuwa Baihua wouldn’t teach you martial arts since you got the talent. What a waste Nuwa Baihua is! He scoffs.
In the hall room, stood hundreds of officers and soldiers in a uniformly manners awaiting for the Dragon Emperor’s arrival. All the dragon princes have arrived already. As soon as the Dragon Emperor walks in everyone stood up and then prostrate on the ground saying in a uniformly manner, “May the Emperor Dragon live for hundreds and thousands of years!”
The Dragon Emperor got to the front center of hundreds and thousands of officials raising his hands, “Get up.” Then everyone got up and stood silent awaiting for further tasking. The Dragon Emperor looks at his officials and declare, “There will be a martial arts competition taking place in the Human Realm and I would like for us to participate.” Then chit chatting started happening throughout the hall. The Dragon Emperor raises his right hand high and everyone went silence seeing his gesture. He explains, “The reason why we will be participating in this competition is because… Heaven Realm, Demon Realm, and Human Realm will be participating. If we don’t participate, they will call us cowards and I do not want us to be label as cowards, do you?” He asks with an imposing manner seeing if there are any reaction to his statement and see who will disagree with him.
The second prince interrupted the chit chat, “Father Emperor, will there be any reward for participating? What happens if we win, what is the prize?”
“Of course, there is a reward. If you happen to get to the top 5, the are rewards awaiting you. You will be handsomely rewarded, but-…” he pauses and turn his head to look at the eldest dragon prince, “My eldest son you cannot participate in this competition but instead, you will be a spectator and if anyone dare to not follow the rule, you may interrupt. The reason given is… no one dared to compete with you so I’ve given my words to the Upper Realm already that you will only spectate the competition, any grievances?” He questions his son with a meaningful voice steadily.
The eldest dragon prince bows to his father, “Father, son understand and I do not wish to participate in a meaningless competition, however father, I have a question.” He looks up at his father, “Is it open to anyone given status, rate, and rank?” He looks straight up at his father’s eyes making eye contact with him.
The Dragon Emperor caresses his beard and take in a deep breath. He calms down and look away replying, “Yes, anyone is allowed to join in given status, rate, or rank. As long as you’re not afraid of death, you may join.” He declared and then the eldest dragon prince stood up from his bow. No one paid attention to him but he had a slight smile that if you do not pay attention to his expression, you wouldn’t tell it is a smile. “Continue on, the competitors will enter a realm full of spiritual beasts and your main goal is to find any kind of valuable treasure and bring it back. You are given three days and your score and victory will be based on the treasure you brought back along with the beast points that you’re able to kill during your time there. My advice is if you see beasts that are higher than your level, avoid them at all cost to preserve your lives.” He hinted them, “You all will start up in groups, but when you enter through the dimension, you all will be separated to who knows where so do be mindful. You are not allowed to kill any, I mean ANY competitors, but you can make them surrender and press on the holy stone given to give up the competition. If you kill any competitors, you will be punished,” with that he adjourned the meeting with a last warning, “But I doubt they will abide by the rules. They will definitely take this chance to wipe us out if you’re not afraid of death then do proceed make your death a non-regretted one.”
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After the meeting, there are chit chattering among the officials. Many planned to send their families in so they can get chances of obtaining a rare treasure from the competition. Many vied for a good position in the court and is very ambitious. They wanted their families to have a good standing in court and thus planned to send their most outstanding person to join in the competition. Laughter and discussions can be heard throughout the hallways.
The emperor wave for his princes to stay behind so he can talk to them more. The emperor looks at his princes and said, “Even though Hai Lanqing cannot go does not mean you all will disappoint me. You must bring a treasure back no matter what it is, now is your opportunity to shine.” He reminded his sons, “Hai Lanqing, even though you cannot participate, you may, however, send in a disciple or guard of yours to participate so that way you wouldn’t have anything to lose.”
The eldest prince, Hai Lanqing has no expression. He kept a neutral face and nods, “Yes father,” he seems as if he was not even interested in all the treasures and rewards. All the other princes were happily cheering deep inside knowing he cannot participate. It will give them chance to exceed him and perhaps, maybe one day they can even replace him. He had a total of 6 siblings including him would be 7. He had 2 sisters and 5 brothers. His two sisters are the youngest among them and are about the age of marriageable.
Hai Lanqing break the news, “Father, I will be sending only one person to enter the competition.” With that, he gives his departure bows and excused himself. When he said that, the other brothers panic as they all knew what kind of person he is. He will definitely send someone strong and powerful so that way he will not lose in the competition.
Ever since that morning, everyone has been preparing for the competition nonstop. Nobody paid attention to the eldest prince’s palace anymore. That leaves Hai Lanqing some peace and he quite liked it. Mohua still comes daily to clean his space and palace while many other of his guards have been slacking with the news. He understands they all wanted a name for themselves and be successful so they won’t be a slave to others. He only mocks the heart of others, however, he observed and still found Mohua working endlessly nonstop and listening to his instructions.
3 days have passed and they only have 4 more days until the competition. He was testing her for three days and yet she showed no sign of revolt or desire to join in the competition. He summoned her to his quarter and ask if she wants to join in the competition.
She thinks and slowly shook her head as answering she is not interested. His lips arc up finding it interesting. He added, “If I want you to join, would you? It will give you experiences and you can train to become better, wouldn’t it be beneficial to you and your cultivation progress?” He reminded her, “That place has a lot of treasures as well, don’t you want any? I heard you can find artifacts and treasures to boost your cultivation but of course, that is up to fate.”
She thought about it and it does look interesting. She wants to improve on her martial arts and cultivation. Thank God he reminded her. She then nods her head as she is willing to go. He half-smile and nods, “Then remember this…” His tone turns deadly serious, “Trust no one you are going in for yourself do not allow others to cheat you into killing you nor defeating you. Never beg for mercy, if they want to kill you, you must take that opportunity to defeat them.” He warns her repeatedly, “Do not trust anyone beside yourself, I repeat do not trust anyone even from my dragon clan.” He finally gave her the main point of his warning.
She nods her head understanding; don’t worry I will not trust anyone. I will not fail you nor your trust in giving me this opportunity to advance in my cultivation progress. Hai Lanqing’s hand lift up and taking an outfit out of his storage, he handed it to her, “The day you go, make sure you wear this outfit as I specifically made prepared for you. Your gender must be hidden as I do not want anyone to recognize you so this mask and this white robe will be as you represent me.” He explains, “This is the most I can help you with your cultivation. Not only that, you will see Zhang Tianheng from the Upper Realm along with his people. Do not falter, for now you are no longer of the upper realm, but one of my people.” He gave her a warning.
She stood frozen remembering and recalling of the past. She clenches her fist slowly. She remembered how she was labeled as a thief and her master was the only one whom stood up for her. It makes her miss her master very much. Hai Lanqing saw her reaction and her fists. He sigh and further explains, “Let the past be bygones. Your master had expelled a girl named Caiyan because she accepted a bribe from the Ninth Princess Wang Jiuying. She already got what she deserved just let it go. If you see her again, you can just beat her up for framing you.” He explained everything in a short detail and she instantly understand everything. Her master kicked Caiyan out after her incident shows how much her master cared about her. Sending her to Hai Lanqing is probably to save her from endless tortuous and embarrassment from the Heaven Realm. Now she finally understood her master’s good intention and even feel gratitude toward Hai Lanqing.
Though he was a hard person to please, she can tell he is not a bias person. He treated everyone equally and never tolerate bullying at his place that’s how she was able to live freely and not be teased, tortured, or mocked for being a thief. So, it seems her master had taken a lot into consideration to bring her to this place. She cannot fail her master and Hai Lanqing. She wants to find the most useful and important treasure back to Hai Lanqing as a way to thank him for his protection and guidance.