Chapter 31: Open and Blatant!
Chapter 31: Open and Blatant!
A day passed in the blink of an eye. When those three suns rose high, a new day arrived.
After the first day of matches, the number of participants had dwindled from nearly two hundred to just over a hundred. Thanks to the competition rules, Tang Jinbiao, Tang Hu, and the other Body Refiners had automatically advanced, each carrying one win.
The first day served as a warm-up; the second day brought real combat. This day would select the sixteen most outstanding juniors to prepare for the final matches on day three. Choosing sixteen from over one hundred might seem easy, but with participants of mostly comparable strength and under various strange restrictions, it proved challenging.
Tang Jinbiao arrived on time at the venue. Fewer people attended today than yesterday, though some eliminated competitors stayed to watch the spectacle.
Though slightly fearful, the boys like Tang Hu followed Tang Jinbiao’s lead and attended without absence. Together, they silently awaited the Elders’ announcement of the matches.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three resonant bell tolls echoed. The Great Elder stood up once more, cleared his throat, and declared loudly, “Good! Those remaining after yesterday’s matches are all elites of our Tang Family. Yet, the Tang Family never lacks elite talents. Many among you would rank among the finest across the Divine Wind Continent—this is your pride. But do not grow complacent! Cultivate relentlessly to grow stronger. Life is constant battle! Cease fighting, and the world abandons you!”
The Great Elder paused, seemingly allowing the Tang juniors to digest his words. After a brief moment, seeing thoughtful expressions on their faces, he cleared his throat and continued, “No need for more words. You were destined for perpetual struggle since birth—not a moment’s rest! Today’s rules mirror yesterday’s: First, draw lots to divide into groups. All victors receive one win. Groups are then formed by Cultivation Level. Lot-drawing repeats until the top twelve emerge. Win three consecutive rounds, and you advance to tomorrow’s matches. Even if defeated, chances remain. After selecting the top twelve, the losers’ group competes to choose the eight strongest. These eight may then challenge any of the twelve victors. Succeed in the challenge, and you claim a spot in tomorrow’s contest! Enough rules! Qi Condensation Fourth Layer—ascend the Platform Stage to draw lots!”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As the Great Elder finished explaining the rules, twenty or so Qi Condensation Fourth Layer Cultivators rushed onto the Platform Stage.
“Brother Biao, should we go up?”
Tang Hu stood near Tang Jinbiao, eager to follow the others, as the typical rule placed them against Qi Condensation Fourth Layer Cultivators.
“Not yet. The Elders haven’t called us,” Tang Jinbial replied, his brow furrowing as he sensed something amiss.
He felt troubled. The Elders hadn’t mentioned the Body Refiners during the rule announcement, seemingly excluding them deliberately.
“Alright. We follow Brother Biao,” the youths nodded.
The Qi Condensation Fourth Layer Cultivators formed two lines upon the Platform Stage, silently awaiting the lot-drawing, overseen today by the Third Elder.
“Hmm?”
The Third Elder scanned the two lines, frowned slightly as if spotting an irregularity, then raised his gaze toward Tang Jinbiao’s group and barked, “Tang Jinbiao! Why have you not joined the ranks?”
Many eyes turned toward Tang Jinbiao at the Third Elder’s shout, showing undisguised disdain, as if viewing them as family failures.
Psst!
Just as Tang Jinbiao felt momentarily confused, the Third Elder’s voice sounded directly in his ears—a transmission audible only to him: “Hey, lad! Hasten up here! I argued with the old men all night to permit your contest against Qi Condensation Fourth Layer Cultivators! Don’t overstep bounds! I promised that senior I’d look after you!”
“Huh?”
Tang Jinbiao frowned. Unable to transmit voice without cultivation, he could only lift his head and glance at the Third Elder.
Seeming to fear incomprehension, the Third Elder transmitted again: “Silence! Get up here now!”
“Fine. Let’s go!”
Tang Jinbiao signaled Tang Hu and the others to ascend together.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
But the moment they moved, the Third Elder’s sharp yell rang out.
Third Elder shouted loudly: “Only Tang Jinbiao is eligible for this match! Tang Hu and the rest of you, get down immediately! Your contest is among the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer!”
“Oh!”
“Gosh!”
“What?”
As soon as Third Elder uttered these words, many people in the arena immediately let out sighs and gasps.
Thump!
Tang Jinbiao reacted incredibly fast; he grasped the situation almost instantly.
“Brother Biao!”
“Hah.”
Young Tang Hu and the other boys were dazed for a moment but quickly understood, resorting to bitter smiles. They hadn’t expected the Elders to pull something so blatantly unfair.
It was glaringly obvious: Tang Jinbiao, as the Family Head’s son, had been placed in the Qi Condensation Fourth Layer tier, while Tang Hu and the others, mere branch family members and so-called ‘waste talents’, were meant to be discarded pawns.
“Heh heh, this is getting interesting!”
“Haha, let’s see what that brat has to flaunt now!”
Tang Huaxi and the group positioned at the very front of the Platform Stage sneered mockingly upon hearing this. Clearly, they relished this outcome.
Ahem, who would have thought the Elders would be this brazen!”
“Cough, circumstances outweigh individuals. Who told him Tang Jinbiao is the Family Head’s son?”
“Ah, pity though. That Jinbiao was once a genius of our Tang Family. His downfall came from being too sharp, too outstanding.”
“Sigh…”
Among the remaining spectators, inward sighs and sentiments echoed in their hearts.
“So he even managed to rope in these little brats? Still, he’s just an unaccomplished playboy, lording it over others because of his father!”
Goddess Tang Yilin’s gaze towards Tang Jinbiao carried an added layer of contempt. She obviously believed Tang Jinbiao had secretly begged his father for favor.
“Brother…”
Little Tang Song seemed to catch something different in Tang Jinbiao’s demeanor. He tilted his small head slightly, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
“Trash remains trash! Even needs backdoor deals for such a contest! Hmph, worthless!”
Tang Shan’s look became even more scornful. He too was convinced Tang Jinbiao had resorted to underhanded means.
Just a few words from Third Elder had triggered sighs across the field. However, most still viewed Tang Jinbiao with disdain, convinced he had pulled strings.
“Didn’t you hear me, lads? Get off now! Or face having your Cultivation Level abolished and expulsion from the Tang Family!”
Seeing the reluctance on the young boys’ faces, Third Elder barked again.
“Heh, Brother Biao,” Tang Hu forced a bitter smile, understanding the reality instantly. Turning to Tang Jinbiao, he said, “Go on then, just you. Don’t worry about us; we’ll root for you. You’ve got to get a good result!” Though he spoke, tears already brimmed in his eyes.
“Yeah, Brother Biao, just go. Don’t stress over us. We’d lose sooner or later anyway. A few rounds against Qi Condensation Fourth Layer opponents? Getting to tomorrow’s round should be easy for you.”
Another boy chimed in.
“Yeah, Brother Biao, don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine!”
“Brother Biao!”
The other two added hastily.
These youths were long accustomed to harsh words, to sneers and dismissive looks, so they adapted quickly. Still, despite their resilience, a pang of sadness lingered; they were human, after all, capable of feeling.
“Say no more. I understand.”
Tang Jinbiao raised his hand, cutting them off. He lifted his head, directing his gaze towards the stage and Third Elder. He smiled faintly and nodded, acknowledging the ‘favor’.
“Hey, kid! Don’t do anything rash! I expended real effort for this, you understand? Get up here now! Forget those boys! Do you grasp what attending the Divine Wind Academy even means!?”
Third Elder, apparently sensing Tang Jinbiao’s intention, urged him again with a transmitted voice.
“Hah.”
Tang Jinbiao laughed softly and shook his head, but his feet remained planted firmly where he stood.
“Snap out of it, boy! Get up here already!”
Third Elder felt a shift in the air and pressed him again via transmission.
“Hah. Thank you for the kindness, Third Elder,” Tang Jinbiao declared with a loud, clear voice, shaking his head again. “But since my brothers are assigned to the Qi Condensation Ninth Layer match, then that’s where I will stay as well.”