Ancestral Grotto, Capital City

Zhao Min had but just returned from his mission, his heart brimming with the anticipation of solitude and unshackled independence. The oppressive yoke of confinement and the dictation of others had chafed his spirit raw, as he yearned for freedom. As a disciple of the Bao Wen Academy, he understood the necessity of such restrictions, yet his disdain for them smoldered quietly within.

"Finally home again." - He sighed.

With measured steps, he crossed the threshold of his humble rented abode, a semblance of contentment adorning his countenance.

The air whispered with promises of seclusion, and he prepared himself to immerse himself in cultivation, to harness the potency of his A-grade aptitude.

Settling comfortably upon a worn cushion, his mind primed for nurturing his aperture, but the next events conspired against his cherished moment of tranquility.

Boom!

Without warning, a radiant beam of light, resplendent and undimmed, sundered the sturdy thatch roof with a thunderous crack.

Zhao Min's heart leapt within his chest, his eyes widening with alarm as he instinctively looked around due to this unexpected intrusion. A hallowed presence lingered within the beam, Zhao Min's mind immediately flashed with a suppressed memory.

"An immortal?" - This was his first coherent thought in the heat of the moment.

In the blink of an eye, before his racing thoughts could coalesce into action, the shimmering light retracted with a speed that defied reason. It took hold of his form, cradling him within its luminous embrace, as if plucked from the mortal realm by some intangible force.

Zhao Min's voice remained trapped within his own mind, an indignant curse reverberated silently against the injustice of his fate. His ears rang with the echo of the explosion.

Higher and higher he ascended, the contours of the capital city dwindling beneath him. The world below transformed into a tapestry of minuscule landscapes, as distant mountains and meandering rivers merged into an indistinguishable blur.

Zhao Min's internal tirade continued unabated, a litany of curses that vented his frustration and resentment. Yet, with every passing moment, a sense of equilibrium settled upon his mind, urging him to observe and take in the unfolding spectacle.

As he rose higher above the billowing clouds, a stunning revelation unfurled before his eyes. There were others, countless beams of light bearing young gu masters, ascending alongside him in harmonious unity.

The radiant streaks converged, intertwining like a grand fabric woven by an unseen hand. Zhao Min strained his eyes, seeking familiar visages amidst the sea of faces as the currents of light carried them ever closer together.

In an instant, the light's journey reached its conclusion, and Zhao Min found himself standing upon an expansive green leaf floating high up in the sky, large enough to bear the weight of countless young men like himself.

The verdant surface beneath his feet exuded a vitality and vibrancy that resonated with the life force coursing through his veins.

His gaze lifted to the dark sky above, and there, suspended in midair, a congregation of ethereal figures floated effortlessly.

The immortals, resplendent in their otherworldly splendor, exuded an aura of wisdom and grace that transcended mortal ken. They surveyed the gathering with eyes that held a measure of both benevolence and scrutiny, their very presence commanding reverence and awe.

Zhao Min, humbled and awestruck, felt his indignation dissipate, replaced by a profound sense of purpose and curiosity.

What grand design had summoned them to this meeting ground?

What significance lay in the convergence of these gu masters beneath the watchful gaze of the immortals?

What was the annual competition about?

The questions tugged at the consciousness of the many gu masters summoned on the leaf.

As the final echoes of his curses faded, Zhao Min found himself enveloped in a silence that transcended mere absence of sound. It was the stillness of anticipation, the quietude of a world holding its breath in anticipation of revelation. In this suspended moment, one of the immortals raised his arm in the air and ceremoniously drew a circle.

The ring of light came to life and expanded with great momentum. It grew wide and tall from its initially small proportions. Within the ring a great sight was laid before the dumbstruck gu masters.

A different world presented itself.

* * * * *

Lingering Mountains Grotto, Wen Bao Academy

Wen Qinyang delved deep into the improvement of her information path killer move. Her recent spar with her brother, Wen Tu, had revealed areas where she could enhance her skills. As she focused on honing her methods, a polite knock on her door drew her attention.

Hao Meng entered with an air of eagerness.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Qinyang, the time for the annual competition has arrived." - Hao Meng spoke, his voice warm and inviting.

"Come, join me, and I shall secure for you a good point to witness the grand spectacle."

As an esteemed elder of the academy, Hao Meng possessed the privilege of procuring favorable positions for such occasions.

Qinyang, in her single-minded pursuit of information path, had been oblivious to this grand event.

With an icy cloud at his command, Hao Meng whisked her into the heights, their bodies becoming one with the breeze.

During their flight, he imparted his knowledge of the competition between the Wen and Bao clans, an event where the gu masters of both lineages would showcase their martial prowess. Qinyang, true to her cautious nature, asked.

"Will we go to the domain of the Bao clan then?" - Her words hung in the air, filled with anticipation.

But Hao Meng, with a gentle smile, dispelled her presumption. He revealed that the competition was held in a unique location, removed from the sole influence of either clan. It resided within the realm of a small world left behind by a Treasure Blue Beaver.

As the mention of this mythical creature reached her ears, Qinyang's memory stirred, recalling her knowledge immediately.

"The Treasure Blue Beaver..." - She mused, her mind reaching into the depths of her recollections.

"An immemorial desolate beast, known to traverse the expanses between the Eastern Sea and the now shattered realm of the Immemorial Blue Heaven. The beavers were hunted to extinction though. The notorious Gu Immortal, Old Immortal Kong Jue, claimed the lives of numerous Treasure Blue Beavers in his mad pursuit of aperture research."

The Treasure Blue Beaver, a creature of unparalleled wonder, possessed inherent extraordinariness that defied mortal comprehension. Its stomach pouch alone, a testament to its grandeur, held the essence of an immortal aperture with space path and water path dao marks.

In the eyes of a Gu Immortal, the annexing of this wondrous treasure meant the augmentation of their immortal aperture, expanding their blessed land's or grotto-heaven's space.

Such awe-inspiring capabilities, however, had sparked the greed of Gu Immortals, leading to the relentless hunting and extermination of the Treasure Blue Beavers. Alas, the fate of these magnificent creatures had been sealed, and they faded from existence, leaving behind only remnants of their extraordinary realms.

Amidst the esteemed assembly, a figure of ancient wisdom stepped forth, a Gu Immortal whose presence commanded both respect and reverence.

Wen Jie said a few words, before facing away from the rest.

With a subtle gesture, a passage to the secret realm within the Treasure Blue Beaver's aperture was unveiled, revealing a transformed landscape that bore the imprints of the two clans' work to make this place a competition ground.

As the gateway opened, revealing the transformed world within, a collective gasp escaped the lips of the gu masters present.

The interior of this mystical world had been remodeled, a vast expanse of shimmering lake punctuated by a floating platform at its heart. Though substantial in size, the platform seemed minuscule when contrasted with the grandeur that enveloped it.

Two grand structures, arching with elegance and purpose, stood on opposite sides of the lake. One belonged to the Bao clan, its ornate presence a testament to their pride and heritage. The other, a mirror image in design, stood as the domain of the Wen clan, emanating an aura of resilience and unwavering loyalty. The architectural marvels framed the lake, their stately facades a testament to the harmonious rivalry between the two clans. Their purpose to provide an unobstructed view for their respective spectators.

Within this idyllic setting, the grandeur of aged trees, their canopies a picturesque of vivid hues, cast gentle shadows upon the serene waters. A chorus of unseen birds filled the air with mellifluous melodies, while light filtered through the verdant canopy above, imbuing the landscape with a golden luminescence.

Amidst the tranquil beauty of nature's embrace, the gathered higher-ups assumed their positions with an air of anticipation. Their countenances, etched with lines of wisdom and experience, bore witness to the weighty responsibilities they shouldered as leaders of their respective clans. The sacredness of the occasion was reflected in their solemn expressions and the hushed reverence that enveloped the surroundings.

Qinyang, her heart both thrilled and cautious, took in the magnificence of the scene. Her gaze flitted across the resplendent architecture that framed the shimmering lake, her thoughts contemplating the imminent clash of gu masters and the intricate strategies that would soon come to fruition.

In this moment of suspended anticipation, the stillness of the air echoed with the whispers of ancient forces and the weight of generations past. The lake, a mirror to the sky, beckoned with a quietude that masked the still power it contained.

"How do you like it?" - Hao Meng took his seat next to Qinyang.

"This place is quite something." - Qinyang didn't hide her awe.

"Who will be the ones fighting, do we know that?" - She asked.

"Each year there are some gu masters selected from each rank. There are not many restrictions as to who can join. But there is one ironclad rule, if a person has joined one event they cannot join once again." - Hao Meng laid out the situation briefly.

"Is that so that one person can't dominate every year?"

"Probably so. Otherwise, the two clans would just send the same talents each year. But this way we get to see some fresh blood each time." - Hao Meng chuckled.

Qinyang hoped he meant that in a figurative way.

"Oh, look! Bao clan has also arrived." - Hao Meng pointed in the air.

As the Bao Clan's select few descended upon the small world, their arrival was heralded by the graceful landing of a colossal flying leaf. Like a majestic ship of the sky, it carried the members of the Bao Clan, who disembarked with a sense of purpose. They took their rightful places on the opposite side of the Wen Clan, mirroring the symmetry of their rivals.

"They brought so many gu masters this year." - Someone commented.

"I heard they will give it their all this year, because of the incident..." - Another added.

High above the lake, the two heads of the clans soared through the air. A momentous meeting took place at the midpoint between the two sides.

With a solemn grace befitting their esteemed positions, the clan leaders approached each other, acknowledging the shared significance of the event. With a formal gesture of reverence, the heads of the clans exchanged dignified greetings, an unspoken agreement that signified the official commencement of the event.

"As per the immortal oath, Bao Lang Chao of Bao clan greets the Wen clan."

"As per the immortal oath, Wen Jie of Wen clan greets the Bao clan."

Their every movement held the weight of generations, as they shouldered the responsibility of upholding their clans' honor and the legacy that had been passed down through time.

The stillness of the air, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant melodies of nature, mirrored the collective reverence of those present.

The heads of the clans represented the culmination of years of tradition, and unyielding commitment. Their meeting marked not just the beginning of a contest, but a testament to their age old rivalry.

With the formal greetings exchanged the two leaders faced each other once more.

"This year's competition will be the grandest spectacle. I hope Wen clan has prepared well and will not disappoint us." - Bao Lang Chao remarked with confidence and a hint of arrogance in his voice.

Wen Jie covered her face with her fan as she laughed faintly.

"Lord Chao can rest assured, Wen clan will not disappoint." - She smiled mysteriously.

* * * * *