The next day had come. The stands were full of both audience members and former participants. The former participants weren’t that interested in the tournament itself, but how often did they get a chance to scope out strong cultivators from their rivals around town? The bracket for the tournament wasn’t released, so there was no chance to come up with a win-all strategy. You could only prepare for every possible opponent and hope for the best. The first fight was announced to be one of the members from the Flying Cloud Sect and one from the Hēi Family. The two fighters were in the arena grounds. The arena grounds had only been changed in size since it would be one-on-one fights, but the fighters were still given more than enough space.
“Luo Ning of Flying Cloud Sect versus Hēi Shan of the Hēi Family, begin!”
The cultivator from the Hēi Family rushed out, trying to blitz his opponent. The cultivator from the Flying Cloud Sect seemed to expect this and jumped backward and released a technique. A white mist spread from the man’s hands and slowly crept around the surrounding area. The Hēi Family cultivator hopped out and began using several fear techniques and firing them into the mist, obviously trying to avoid combat in enemy territory.
While many watched this fight closely, the Yellow Qilin students were not. Neither of these people should be strong enough to contend with them, so they didn’t pay much attention. Instead, Yàn Lìqín took this chance to explain everything he knew about the two powers behind them.
“The Flying Cloud Sect is a small sect based somewhere in the Dragonwood Forest. They shouldn’t be strong enough to have any authority in any city, but rumor is that a large force has planted some roots in it. They could be baseless, but no one wants to risk their force being destroyed so they won’t test the waters. They specialize in cloud and mist techniques. These techniques are usually for stealth and distraction, but because they don’t focus on any particular type of technique, there is still quite a bit of variety. I don’t know much about their dealings, so I can’t say whether they are involved in the black market, but I wouldn’t be surprised.”
All the Yellow Qilin students nodded. They technically only needed the info on their combat, but they would be in this town for the foreseeable future, so it was good to get all the information. They knew what to expect. They would likely try to confuse them and sneak around to gain the upper hand. They could see it happening now to the Hēi Family cultivator. It was probably why he refused to enter the mist and instead tried attacking from the outside. But they also knew they could have any technique if it had something to do with clouds and mist, so they had to be prepared. They only promised to use clouds and mist, not that they wouldn’t use swords. They would be caught off-guard if they only worried about their usual gimmick and had a sword or fist technique that had to do clouds.
“The Hēi Family is also pretty versatile, but the techniques all have a similar effect. They’re a family, so their members can be in any sect, but their allegiance will always be to their family first. The family stays in the northern city, one of the cities closest to our Blossom Falls. They engage in a lot of the underbellies of cities and towns, the whole family is a bit dark and cruel, so they naturally gravitate towards things like that. The Hēi Family follows the path of terror. They use techniques that induce fear, so mental fortitude and willpower are necessary when facing them. They commonly come in the form of illusions, but I’ve seen all types of attacks come from the Hēi Family, so be on-guard with them, as well.”
Rèn Chāngmíng clutched his fists and clenched his jaws again. Maybe it was because of his path of revenge, but any time he heard of the Hēi Family enraged him. The other Yellow Qilin students took note of the Hēi Family. They had a deeper ancestry and more extensive backing than the Flying Cloud Sect, but they would see them just as often. Of the two, they definitely felt the Hēi Family was more dangerous in the future. However, they thought they were probably about the same in terms of the tournament.
As they finished talking, they looked back to the arena grounds. The cultivator from the Flying Cloud Sect had somehow pushed the mist to surround the Hēi Family cultivator. Weaker cultivators couldn’t see through the mist, but it seemed the stronger ones still had a way to see the fight. This made Yù Quán wonder just how many methods those with higher cultivation had. It made sense for a few strong masters to have some unique methods, but for all of them to observe the mist and follow something with their eyes, he knew they all had something in common that allowed them to watch.
Yù Quán didn’t have to wonder for long, though. After a few seconds, some terror techniques blasted through the mist. They were like black lines of smoke moving at the speed of a flying arrow. He couldn’t guess how the technique exactly worked, but he assumed getting hit with such a blast would be enough to affect you. While thinking about the terror techniques, he turned to Yàn Lìqín and asked a question.
“Great Elder, why is the path they’re on called the path of terror instead of the path of fear?”
Yàn Lìqín’s face didn’t even change, and he didn’t stop watching the mist to respond. He just casually said, “Many things are complicated in this world and shouldn’t be revealed to you just yet, lest it distract you and stagnate your cultivation. All you must know is that terror is only a part of the complex path of fear. Not everyone is qualified to walk such a deep path, so their family focused on one portion of it.”
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Yù Quán understood. This logic was prevalent in a lot of Xianxia novels. It was like looking at the finish line from the starting point instead of the road ahead. If you focus too much on the end, you won’t be aware of what is right in front of you, possibly even trip or miss the other racers passing you. Since he understood this, he wouldn’t push the issue. But he still had a question on the path of terror.
“How is terror different from fear?”
Again, without taking his eyes off the mist, Yàn Lìqín responded. “Terror brings about fear without the presence of anything that causes fear. Instead, it may be implied or close by, but what brings terror won’t reach you. If it does, it’s no longer terror, as it’s now a reality right before you.”
These words slightly enlightened Yù Quán. He didn’t know why, but he felt a sort of calling. Before he could digest them, though, the battle had ended. The Hēi Family’s cultivator struggled but to no avail. Once trapped in the mist, the Flying Cloud Sect cultivator had the upper hand. When the winner was announced, the mist parted, and the Hēi Family cultivator was beaten and bruised unconscious.
“Next! Wu Shou! Tan Guang!”
The two contestants quickly entered the arena. Wu Shou was dressed in black cultivator robes made of silk. They had a design wrapping around them that looked like a line of dragon scales.
“Wu Shou and the Dragon Palace. Not much is known about either, but from what I gathered, he uses fist techniques and has an impressive physique. He’s like an unstoppable force among Body Tempering realm cultivators. The Dragon Palace should rely on dragon techniques, which can be any form. But, one thing I have always noticed among their cultivators is that their physiques are not weak. I can’t offer more information on him or the Dragon Palace.”
Yù Quán found how mysterious the Dragon Palace was a little ridiculous. How much effort had they put into being hidden? He couldn’t blame them, though. The less they know about you, the less they can prepare for you. Yàn Lìqín softly smiled and threw his chin towards the Supreme Wolf Sect cultivator.
“You have run into them. The Supreme Wolf Sect is a small force based here in town. They take part in a lot of nasty stuff. They are true criminals in their own right. They’re more like mercenaries than a sect, but they have the basic functions of a sect, so they can be called one. The core members act a lot more like a sect. The only ones participating would be core members; they wouldn’t let mercenary-level members participate in something like this. Those who are at the core of the sect learn the Supreme Wolf techniques. These you have to watch out for. They are far from weak techniques. Their most common is the Five Supreme Wolf Claws, a series of strikes shaped like claw marks. You can generally gauge someone’s strength within the sect by how many claws they have mastered. There are also a few other techniques, but it’s best to explain them as you run into them.”
“Wu Shou of the Dragon Palace versus Tan Guang of the Supreme Wolf Sect, begin!”
Fwoosh
Both cultivators rushed towards their opponents.
“This should help us see the strength of Wu Shou. This Tan Guang should be a pretty decent fighter.”
Boom, Boom!
Yàn Lìqín narrowed his eyes. To everyone else, Wu Shou and Tan Guang had run into each other, and then Tan Guang ended up on the floor unconscious. But to Yàn Lìqín and Yù Quán, who had the [Star Gazing Eyes], Wu Shou punched out at Tan Guang’s wrist before he could bring his hand down to use one of the Five Supreme Wolf Claws. Then, Wu Shou stretched his arm out at Tan Guang’s neck level and continued rushing forward.
Yù Quán was surprised. He couldn't believe Wu Shou just used a lariat.
Yàn Lìqín spoke slowly, his eyes still narrow. “This Wu Shou will be more difficult than I thought.”
…
Yù Quán
Realm: Body Tempering Realm
Stage: 1st Level Skin Tempering
Main Cultivation Art: [Stolen-eyed Mùmùlián Body](Level 3)
Strength: 550 Catties
Qi: 2060/2060 wisps
Mùmùlián Core: 6/100
Strange Fire: (Level 2)Murderous Flame(x1)
Techniques:
[Mùmùlián Eye Stealing](Level 3)
[Mùmùlián Eye Refining](Level 3)
[Murder Mantra](Level 1)
[Yellow Qilin Dance](Level 1)
Attributes:
[Strange Fire: Murderous Flame]
[Star Gazing Eyes](Level 1)
[Top-Quality Mortal Avarice Eyes](Level 1)
[Top-Quality Mortal Avarice Eyes](Level 1)
[Top-Quality Three-Finned Boar Aggression Eyes](Level 5)
[Top-Quality Three-Finned Boar Aggression Eyes](Level 1)(x2)
[Top-Quality Five-Finned Boar Aggression Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality Blue Wolf Ferocity Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality Winged Watcher Awareness Eyes](Level 1)
[Low-Quality False Dragon Pride Eyes](Level 1)