The Color of Flowers (First Update)

"Reverend Wang Ye, what do you think of this match?"

"I'll watch lying down. These past few days have worn me out. Sigh..."

"I heard that Mafario Ode was removed from the Feng Family's Tianxia Association yesterday. I think Wang Bing will probably win this one. After all, he's from the Wang family!"

"Fat Dragon, shut your mouth! Have you forgotten how much commission that guy took from you?"

In the stands, a dozen or so people gathered together, discussing who would win the match that was about to begin.

On the other side of the stands, the Old Celestial Master and several of the Ten Elders were talking about something as well.

"President Feng really knows how to gather heroes from across the land. The Tianxia Association can recruit anyone."

"Old Master Wang, you're joking. I'll make sure Feng takes better care of Sha Yan from now on."

"Old Celestial Master, I heard that this Ode fellow defeated Zhang Lingyu the day before yesterday. Isn't that right, Reverend Zhang?"

"Mm. It's perfectly normal for youngsters to spar and for there to be winners and losers. I remember attending a banquet at the Wang family's place that year. Wang Ai, you were quite well-behaved back then."

"Heh heh, Old Celestial Master, you're joking. Let's, let's just watch the match..."

"Mafario Ode versus Wang Bing. Begin!"

Black Qi roiled around Wang Bing. A seductive black shadow suddenly appeared out of thin air, turning into a long black whip that lashed toward Wang Changle.

He was going to grind that despicable lackey into the dirt, torment him, and humiliate him.

Wang Bing had been born to stand atop the mountain. Everyone should look up to him, and anyone who opposed him had to die!

"Whap! Whap! Whap!"

Wang Changle instantly activated the Golden Bell Shield, a faint golden light enveloping his body. When Armor of Toughness appeared, he let the black shadow strike him. Even when it surged past him, he remained completely unmoved.

[You have been attacked by a spirit. Make a check against your Intelligence. Intelligence above 10: you are immune to panic.]

"Root Entanglement!"

He raised a hand, and green light flashed. The vines shot forward like serpents, instantly pinning Wang Bing in place.

[Your Intelligence is 1.5 times your opponent's. The target is forcibly immobilized for 3.6 seconds. Nature Mark has been applied.]

"You dirt-poor peasant! How dare you treat me like this? My grandfather is one of the Ten Elders!"

Black Qi rippled around Wang Bing as he roared at Wang Changle in fury. Damn it! Wasn't this man supposed to obediently admit defeat? How dare he attack him!

"So what if he's one of the Ten Elders? You're nothing but a man with a good grandfather! Today, I'll show you why flowers are so red!"

As soon as he finished speaking, "Call of Nature" activated amid a flash of green light!

The vines stirred in the wind, transforming into a three- or four-meter-tall Treant in the blink of an eye.

The stands erupted in an uproar. The sight of plants turning into a Treant had genuinely shocked quite a few people.

"Cough. They're just children roughhousing. It's best not to interfere."

Wang Ai leaned on his cane and was about to stand, but Lu Jin stopped him. The Wang family was getting more and more unruly.

Down in the arena, the Treant spun around 360 degrees and slammed down with a "Bang!" Then it began pounding its chest furiously, right where Wang Bing lay.

"Ahhh! I'll kill you! I'll make my grandfather kill you!"

Wang Bing screamed with all his might, rage in his eyes turning to murderous intent. This man had made him lose face in front of everyone. If he didn't kill him, he wouldn't be a man!

"Oh? Then you'd better try harder. This is Dragon Tiger Mountain, not your Wang family's little patch of land. The Old Celestial Master is right here. Why don't you ask your grandfather if he dares to make a move?"

A verdant light chain sank into Wang Bing's body. As Wang Changle spoke, he watched Wang Ai's every move, his blatant provocation utterly undisguised.

"Impudent brat, how dare you!"

In the stands, Wang Ai saw his grandson being beaten senseless. The boy even dared to provoke him in public. No one had dared to do that in years, and his anger flared.

Wang Ai was about to strike when he suddenly felt a gaze settle on him. In the next instant, he sat right back down, grinning awkwardly.

The Old Celestial Master's eyes turned back almost imperceptibly, and he continued watching the match. This fellow was rather like Chulan. Mm, interesting.

"Looks like your grandfather can't protect you today. Why not admit defeat? I might even show mercy and spare you!"

Wang Changle planted a foot on Wang Bing's face and ground it in. He wasn't worried that Wang Ai would make a move.

That was because he had met Master Xingye again last night. Using the opportunity of delivering Life Essence to Zhang Lingyu, he had made it clear that he had no intention of competing for the position of Celestial Master.

The Old Celestial Master might not favor Wang Changle, but this had given him a good excuse to invite the Old Celestial Master to watch the match.

As long as the Old Celestial Master was there, Wang Ai wouldn't dare make a move. He wouldn't dare even if he had a hundred lives!

"You little brat, you... Grandfather, save me!"

Wang Bing could feel the Qi in his body dwindling. He still refused to admit defeat and instead shouted to Wang Ai for help.

"We concede!"

Wang Ai glared at Wang Changle, who was kicking Wang Bing, then looked at the Old Celestial Master, who remained amiable. His gloomy eyes were full of murderous intent as his hoarse voice rang across the arena.

"Wang Bing versus Mafario Ode. Ode wins!"

[You obtained Life Essence (Spirit) ×1.]

[Your relationship with Wang Bing has changed to Mortal Enemy: 99/100.]

[Your relationship with the 'Wang family' has changed to Enemy: 900/1000.]

[Hunter, your Main Mission (2), Luotian Grand Ceremony—Stage 2, has advanced in rank. The rewards have been upgraded.]

"Once you leave Dragon Tiger Mountain, it'll be the end of you!"

Wang Bing was helped away, his face bruised and swollen. Wang Ai glanced at Wang Changle without saying a word, his eyes icy cold.

"Come on, don't leave Dragon Tiger Mountain! Come on over here! I promise I won't fight back!"

Wang Changle stretched out his neck, sat right there in the arena, and beckoned to Wang Ai and Wang Bing. His expression clearly said, "If you've got the guts, kill me right now."

Wang Ai shut his eyes in anger and swept away. The boy wasn't just shameless—he was downright despicable. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd lost his temper.

"Second match: Mafario Ode versus Zhang Chulan. Begin!"

Zhang Chulan looked at Wang Changle, who had been gesturing at Wang Ai. The truth was, this man really was a bit like him.

"My Chinese surname is Wang. If I ever need Master Zhang's help, could you help me once? Referee, I concede. He wins!"

Wang Changle sat on the ground, pointed at Zhang Chulan, then turned and walked out of the venue.

"Uh... Ode versus Zhang Chulan. Zhang Chulan wins!"

[Hunter, your Main Mission (2), Luotian Grand Ceremony: you placed second. Mission complete.]

[You obtained 6000 Paradise Coins and 3 attribute points.]

[You received a mission rating of 90 points. Your current mission rating is 280 points.]

[Notice: After receiving a mission rating of 90 or higher three times, subsequent missions will be changed.]

[Hidden Mission: Turn the Tide, activated.]

Mission Difficulty: LV8

Mission Description: Quanxing will attack Dragon Tiger Mountain tonight.

Mission Information: Search for the key points on the battlefield and change the course of the battle.

Mission Reward: Unknown

Mission Time Limit: 12 hours

Mission Penalty: Immediate execution.

After reviewing the mission notice, Wang Changle felt both pleased and troubled. He was pleased to have received a generous reward and triggered a hidden mission.

He was troubled because the hidden mission was not only more difficult, but its information was also vague. Most importantly, what would he have to do for the mission to count as a success?

As he recalled the events of the story, he took out the Life Essence and inspected it:

[Life Essence (Spirit)]

Origin: The Outcast

Green: 30

Effect: After absorption, restores 50% of health and 20 Qi over a short period.

Life Apostle: Restores 50 points of Life Force immediately upon use.

Description: Grandpa was wrong. Zhang Zhiwei was wrong too. You were all wrong... I don't even want the position of Celestial Master. You should just give me the Heaven Communicating Talisman Art!

Price: 4000 Paradise Coins

Wang Changle tossed the Life Essence in his hand and smiled. With this, he could use [Life Force] one more time.

Suddenly, he had a few ideas about the key to the mission. He just needed to take advantage of the remaining daylight to change his preparations. There should still be time.