The Tournament Opens

Before dawn the next day, Shen Yuxi was already up.

Without that little bundle who always loved clinging to him, the side hall felt exceptionally empty and quiet. Last night, Teng Zisu had profusely thanked him as he took the half-asleep Ye Xi back, saying that with today's grand event, he dared not let the child cause any further disturbance.

Ye Xi had only stayed in the side hall for a few days, yet Shen Yuxi felt as though he had not enjoyed that pure, relaxing peace and quiet in a very long time.

He let out a long breath and focused on the important matter at hand. Standing before the mirror, Shen Yuxi meticulously arranged his appearance.

His ultramarine direct disciple's robe was so smooth that not a single crease could be seen. The cloud patterns embroidered in silver thread gleamed with a cool luster beneath the gradually brightening sky.

He had wanted to bind his hair with a jade crown, but he had not learned how. So he used a hair ribbon as usual, loosely tying it back—though its angle was exceptionally proper. The white ribbon threaded with silver made his already coldly pale skin appear even more crystalline, while lending his brows and eyes an even greater air of distant aloofness.

Only after confirming that there was not the slightest flaw to be found anywhere on his person—even adjusting the hanging angle of the jade pendant tassel at his waist to perfection—did Shen Yuxi take a deep breath, push open the door, and head for the plaza before Vast Cosmos Hall.

Before the hour of the Dragon had arrived, faint voices already filled the plaza before Vast Cosmos Hall. Dense fog blanketed heaven and earth, blurring the distant mountains and towers into hazy silhouettes. Within that misty