93 – Tournament (I)
It has been several hours since the tournament began.
There are ten stone arenas in the martial arts ground. Originally designed as places for outer temple disciples to swap pointers, they can also be used for competition.
Simple ladder-shaped wooden seats meant for both contestants and spectators are built around the martial arts ground.
As for the high-ranking figures of the Merak Temple, they have a specially built dais to spectate from.
Qi Qiqi is sitting on the dais.
Today, she exchanged her usual easy-to-move clothes for a red dress. Her charming posture and enchanting face attract the gazes of outer temple disciples from time to time.
At this time, there are matches going on in all ten arenas.
Competitors in the arenas display their skills, trying their best to perform in front of spectators – especially in front of inner temple seniors. They are trying their best to get a chance to join inner temple.
Seeing people going to and fro the arenas, Shui Yuner feels nervous.
She is sitting near arena No. 9 along with Xue Qilin and Nangong Mingming.
The three of them will have their matches in arena No. 9, so they chose to seat here.
There should be still some time before its their turn.
After all, there is a large number of participants in the tournament. Even though matches are held in ten arenas, but the first round of matches won’t be finished in one morning.
“Aaa…”
An adorable yawn entered her ears.
Shui Yuner looked sideways and found Xue Qilin sitting beside her, propping up her head and pouting, listless. The lass looks bored.
“… I’m a little tired.”
Sensing her gaze, Xue Qilin glanced at Shui Yuner.
“I know, your expression already told me so.”
Shui Yuner smiled, troubled. At the same time, she felt particularly intimate with the other party.
Compared to the Young Ancestor of the Merak Temple, the lass in front of her is more like a younger sister.
Although it’s strange that the other party has this kind of temperament, but Shui Yuner doesn’t dislike such a Xue Qilin.
Seniors usually give their juniors a stifling feeling.
However, Xue Qilin’s temperament makes her an exception.
Because of this, Shui Yuner is able to communicate with Xue Qilin this easily.
She actually likes this feeling, so she isn’t willing to give up Xue Qilin. If this were not the case, Shui Yuner would have already cut all ties with the other party when she learned that Xue Qilin hid her identity, and might even have deceived her.
She dislikes such behavior because it makes her feel insecure.
… Shui Yuner hates to get along with people who can’t make her feel at ease.
But she can’t dislike Xue Qilin.
Perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope deep in her heart for the lass.
“… Little Yun?”
Shui Yuner roused to find Xue Qilin wrinkling her nose. The lass appears to have called her a few times.
“Why are you spacing out?”
“I’m thinking of something.”
“I feel like you have been distracted recently!”
Xue Qilin frowned.
Is that so? Shui Yuner wasn’t aware.
“Um – maybe I’m a little tired.”
Xue Qilin crossed her arms, looking annoyed.
The ponytails swung gently along with the lass’s movements like cat tails, scattering a minty fragrance.
“Who told you to practice swordsmanship so much every day!”
The tone was that of rebuke.
Shui Yuner hasn’t let up on training these days.
Although she has Phecda’s assistance, but the girl knows that this power doesn’t belong to her.
“As the saying goes, diligence makes up for a lack of talent. I have no choice but to be diligent.”
Shui Yuner’s answer made Xue Qilin frown even more.
“Didn’t I say that ‘magic’ doesn’t have a high requirement for physical fitness?”
“This … Anyway, I have nothing to do when I’m idle. I might as well practice swordsmanship. Like this, I can kill time and temper my physique, killing two birds with one stone.”
It took Shui Yuner a bit of time to find this excuse.
However, her persuasiveness seems to be a bit lacking.
“I really don’t know what to say to you…”
Xue Qilin sighed helplessly.
Then, as if attracted by it, her eyes moved to Shui Yuner’s practice sword – no, calling it Phecda would be more accurate.
‘What, what do I do, I might have been discovered!’
A soft, flustered voice sounded in her head.
As if answering Phecda…
“Little Yun, did you change swords?”
Xue Qilin asked in a hesitant tone.
Did she really notice? Shui Yuner’s chest constricted.
Just as Shui Yuner was looking for a way to deflect, Nangong Mingming protruded from her other side.
“Really? It looks no different to me.”
Nangong Mingming spoke while observing Phecda.
In terms of appearance alone, there is no difference between Phecda and a practice sword.
“Hmm, maybe it’s just my imagination.”
Playing with a bun on her head, Xue Qilin didn’t press further.
Shui Yuner was relieved when she saw this.
At the same time, the balance in arena No. 9 was broken.
A contestant was flung out of the arena by their opponent.
“The winner is…”
The judge issued a verdict.
The winner released a cheerful cry, rushed down the arena, and hugged some people.
“… Next is Shui Yuner and Li Tiezhu!”
The judge glanced at the list and read out the names of the two people fighting next.
“Little Yun, it’s your turn!”
The bored expression on Xue Qilin’s face from moment’s ago vanished, and her face brightened.
It’s finally my turn! Shui Yuner took a deep breath. As she exhaled, she stood up holding the practice sword.
“Older Sister Shui, good luck.”
Nangong Mingming made a fist to cheer up Shui Yuner.
“You’re putting pressure on me…”
Shui Yuner sighed and said awkwardly.
“I… this…”
Nangong Mingming doesn’t know how to respond, feeling guilty.
“I’m kidding.”
Shui Yuner winked at Nangong Mingming. Leaving the side of Xue Qilin who is holding back a smile and a stunned Nangong Mingming, she set foot on the arena.
“You are Shui Yuner?”
The judge standing in the middle of the arena asked thusly.
“Yes, I am Shui Yuner.”
Not waiting for the judge’s request, Shui Yuner handed over her proof of identity as a contestant. The judge looked at it carefully. After confirming that everything checks out, he returned it.
At this time, Shui Yuner’s opponent also entered the arena.
It is a young male disciple, probably in his early twenties.
He looks rather tall and strong, giving off a fairly honest impression. His name fits him well [1].
After confirming Li Tiezhu’s identity, the judge asked the two to move to the opposite ends of the arena, facing each other.
Their gazes met in the air.
Shui Yuner nodded at the opponent in greeting. Li Tiezhu seems a bit surprised, but he still nodded in response.
“You are temple-mates, so don’t overdo it.”
The judge glanced at Shui Yuner and Li Tiezhu respectively, and got a nod in response from both of them.
“In that case…”
He raised his arm high…
“Begin!”
Then he swung it down violently.
Shwing…!
The contestants drew their swords at the same time.
Phecda issued a high-pitched sword cry, and sword intent rolled out in all directions.
Li Tiezhu’s eyes widened, and he assumed an expression of fear. He stared cautiously at Shui Yuner, guarding against her every move.
Shui Yuner didn’t move.
“… Phecda, I want to win – can you lend me your strength?”
Shui Yuner closed her eyes and whispered in a low voice.
‘This is what we agreed, and I will abide by it! As for the price…’
The innocent voice suddenly mixed in with some impurity.
‘Come on, Shui Yuner. Brandish me!’
Probably unable to hold back, Li Tiezhu attacked first.
He quickly approached, erasing the distance between the two in a few steps, and slashed down with the sword in his hand!
Shui Yuner suddenly opened her eyes.
Reflected in Li Tiezhu’s eyes, there is some kind of glow that doesn’t belong to her deep of her eyes .
Drawing a beautiful arc, Phecda moved upwards to welcome the opponent’s sword.
Ding…!
The bell-like sound coming from the collision stung everyone’s eardrums.
The two swords clashed, and sparks splashed.
… This is the prelude to the fight.
[1] – Li Tiezhu (李铁柱): Tie (铁) means iron, hard, strong; Zhu (柱) means pillar
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