Drawing Lots

Dao Xuan narrowed his eyes and appraised Su Changqing for a moment. The other Qingyun Sect Peak Lords soon arrived as well, staring at the Water Qilin in astonishment, unable to understand what had happened.

The disciples were still frozen in terror; some had even collapsed to the ground and could not calm themselves for a long while.

Cang Song quickly recovered his senses and immediately went to Dao Xuan's side. "Sect Leader Senior Brother, it is not suitable for the disciples to remain here for long."

"Mm. Take them to Yuqing Hall first. I'll ask why the Spiritual Venerable suddenly became so restless."

Dao Xuan came to his senses, reined in his thoughts, and glanced sideways at Cang Song. After speaking, he turned and flew toward the Water Qilin.

"Everyone, the Spiritual Venerable was merely testing your temperaments just now. There is no need to be nervous or worried—it will not truly harm you. Those participating in the tournament, come with me to Yuqing Hall."

Cang Song turned around and called out loudly to the disciples.

The disciples answered in unison, restoring their former order. Su Changqing returned to the ranks as well, secretly praising them in his heart. As expected of enlightened masters—their reactions were certainly quick.

The Water Qilin had clearly flown into a rage, yet they could spin it into a test of temperament.

Of course, now that the matter was settled, it had nothing to do with Su Changqing. Following the crowd, he arrived at Yuqing Hall for the third time.

A flash of green light streaked through the air as Sect Leader Dao Xuan Zhenren followed close behind, flying in and taking his seat at the head. The several Peak Lords likewise took their seats.

"Everyone here is among the outstanding talents of our Qingyun Sect. Since the founding of our Qingyun lineage, it has already endured for a thousand years and now stands as a leader of the righteous path. To inspire the disciples, our sect's forebears passed down the grand occasion known as the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament. By today, it has been held for a full fifty editions."

Afterward, Cang Song Zhenren explained the rules and important details of the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament one by one. This tournament also had a major change: the number of participants had increased.

There were a full sixty-four participants. Each of Qingyun Sect's seven lineages would send nine competitors, with Longmen providing one additional contestant. However, Great Bamboo Peak had only seven disciples in total; with Tian Ling'er, that made eight, leaving them one short.

The tournament would use a knockout format: Number One against Number Sixty-Four, Number Two against Number Sixty-Three, and so on. Since there was no Number Sixty-Four contestant, whoever drew Number One would be lucky enough to skip the first round.

"All right. Come forward and draw your lots."

At the order, the disciples lined up and began drawing lots from the wooden box. To prevent anyone from pulling anything strange, the box had even been sealed with an array.

But this could not stump Su Changqing. With the boost from Unrivaled Insight, his comprehension of arrays was quite profound. A small array like this could be broken with ease.

Yet with so many people watching, he had no desire to expose himself. So, he chose another method to alter the course of this tournament.

"Pick Number Twelve for me later, understand?"

When it was Su Changqing's turn to draw, he quietly reminded the Little Flood Dragon Snake on his arm.

That was right!

His plan was to have the Little Flood Dragon Snake slip into the wooden box and draw the lot for him.

He had already decided on Number Twelve. It was not some lucky number of his; rather, Number Twelve would face Number Fifty-Three, a Fenghui Peak disciple who was likewise at the first level of Foundation Establishment. If he met that opponent in the first match, things would be much easier.

If he successfully entered the second round, he would have fulfilled his master's expectations. Then he could pick a formidable opponent and lose, bringing this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament to a perfect end.

As for why he did not simply choose Number One—it had been reserved for Zhang Xiaofan.

"Hiss, hiss!"

The Little Flood Dragon Snake softly responded to Su Changqing, then extended its head into the box to search around. Meanwhile, Su Changqing put on an extremely conflicted expression to cover for it.

Su Changqing's smug little trick did not escape the eyes of the Peak Lords seated above. Cheating right under their noses made several of them frown slightly.

Cang Song rose to his feet, intending to stop Su Changqing, but Dao Xuan lifted a hand and stopped him.

"No need. Let's watch first."

Dao Xuan smiled at Cang Song, signaling for him not to disturb Su Changqing.

Since the Sect Leader Senior Brother had said so, the others did not pursue the matter. It was only a drawing of lots, after all; it would not affect the overall direction of the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament.

"Your little disciple is quite dishonest."

Dao Xuan chuckled and transmitted his voice to Shuiyue.

Shuiyue did not reply. She merely held her forehead as she watched Su Changqing. She had a premonition that her little disciple would certainly not behave himself in this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament. He was already finding ways to cheat in the very first round of lot-drawing; later on, he might very well stir up a tremendous commotion.

Standing beside Shuiyue, Lu Xueqi watched Su Changqing feign indecision to cover for the Little Flood Dragon Snake, unaware that everything inside the little wooden box had already fallen under everyone's gaze. She could not help covering her mouth with a smile.

This Junior Brother was truly quite interesting.

Su Changqing knew nothing of everyone above watching him cheat openly. A few seconds later, he reached out, unfolded the slip of paper, and found that it was indeed the Number Twelve he wanted.

"Ah, I'm Number Twenty-Six!"

"I'm Number Thirty-Three. What did you get?"

"I drew Number Fifty-Three. I wonder who my opponent is? Could they also be someone who only recently broke through to the first level of Foundation Establishment?"

Hearing this, Su Changqing patted his Number Twelve in satisfaction.

Of course they had only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment!

Afterward, they identified the disciple who had drawn Number One. Sure enough, following the course of the story, it was Zhang Xiaofan who had drawn that lot. No one could have guessed such an outcome.

Next, Dao Xuan Zhenren stepped forward again and spoke words of encouragement to the crowd.

"To encourage the disciples of each lineage to strive courageously for the rankings, the Peak Lords, elders, and I have discussed the matter. Starting with this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament, we will grant rewards to the final four victors. Among them, the disciple who wins the championship will receive the richest reward: one of our sect's treasures, the Six Harmonies Mirror."

Once Dao Xuan Zhenren finished speaking, the Qingyun disciples erupted into cheers and commotion. Every one of them imagined themselves taking first place, drawing countless gazes, and receiving that supreme treasure.

"The Six Harmonies Mirror is rather nice. It would be great if I could get that treasure without taking a ranking."

By contrast, Su Changqing remained wholly indifferent. His greatest thought was the Six Harmonies Mirror Dao Xuan had mentioned. His martial cultivation was steadily advancing now.

The only thing he lacked was a magical treasure. Aside from Azure Edge, which Senior Sister had gifted him a few days ago, everything else he possessed was merely ordinary Qingyun Sect goods. That was a serious problem.

Thus, Su Changqing wanted to finish this Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament as soon as possible, then ask Master Shuiyue for permission to go down the mountain on a training journey and seek out the magical treasure destined for him.