Chapter 118 – Another Year Has Passed

“One more thing! I want all of you to surrender immediately if the situation calls for it!”

The crowd quietened.

Qin Xian’s gentle gaze swept across the group. “It’s always possible to lose control of one’s strength during a sparring match. Every year, many disciples die in the tournament, but we can’t say anything—by stepping onto the stage, we are silently accepting that death is a possibility.”

His voice grew stern. “You are the future of the Daxia Sword Sect! Even if the sect runs out of resources, we elders can still hunt demonic beasts to support you! There’s no need for you to risk your lives over something like that! Do you understand?!”

Everyone drew a deep breath and shouted, “Understood!”

Qin Xian nodded, then steered the cloud boat over the mountains.

Roar! Screech! Chirp!

The cries of beasts echoed from below as they crossed the mountain range. More cloud boats began to appear around them, and to their surprise, beast cries rang out from above as well.

A gigantic golden cloud boat, over a hundred and fifty zhang long, suddenly loomed into view. It had five levels, and six stallion-like beasts pulled it forward at its bow, bound by thick ropes. They were pure azure in color, each radiating a formidable aura.

A youth in white robes stood at the back of the fifth level, his arms behind his back.

As the cloud boat passed overhead, he met Li Guanqi’s gaze. Surprise flickered in his eyes, quickly giving way to resolve.

Lin Dong was in awe. “What beasts are those? They’re magnificent!”

Ye Feng recognized the beasts. “They are tier-three demonic beasts—Azure Cloud Stallions!”

“What sect is that? What an entrance! Those Azure Cloud Stallions are as strong as Golden Core cultivators, and they’re just pulling a cloud boat!”

Li Guanqi looked at them with his heart’s eye, lost in thought.

Qin Xian watched the cloud boat sweep past their heads, then said, “That’s the Profound Gate Pavilion. It’s one of the factions from the Three Sects and Six Pavilions, just like the Purple Sun Pavilion. Anyway, let’s pick up the pace too.”

Whoosh!

He poured vital force into their cloud boat, sending it surging forward. Beyond the mountains, a roaring river came into view, nearly a thousand zhang wide. At its midpoint stood a towering fortress.

As they drew closer, the inscription on the gatehouse’s plaque became clear.

Heavenly Tiger Pass.

The massive fortress was constructed along the river between two tall mountains. Behind the fortress lay a sprawling city known as Heavenly Tiger City. A dense crowd of cloud boats docked around the surrounding mountain peaks, while those boats that remained outside the pass were filled with random people who wanted to check out the event.

Li Guanqi did a rough estimate and realized there were at least three hundred cloud boats, meaning that more than ten thousand people were gathered in Heavenly Tiger City.

After a security check, their cloud boat passed Heavenly Tiger Pass.

In the city below, many people looked up at the sky, discussing the cloud boats they saw.

“From now on, your every move and word will represent the Daxia Sword Sect! Always think before you act,” Qin Xian said softly. “Still, if someone stupidly insists on provoking us, give them a good punch!”

Everyone grinned and agreed.

The cloud boat arrived behind Heavenly Tiger City. Li Guanqi noticed three tall mountains behind the massive city. However, someone had sliced off their peaks with seemingly supernatural powers, leaving three platforms, each three thousand zhang wide.

Many cloud boats were docked next to these mountains.

After disembarking, sect personnel guided them to their assigned quarters within the city. The Tournament of a Hundred Sects was being held in a more secluded location compared to previous years, and many factions had not yet arrived.

The elder leading the welcome team gave Qin Xian a fist salute and said, “I can’t believe you’re personally leading the team this time, Brother Qin.”

When Qin Xian caught sight of the man in azure robes, he froze, then asked in surprise, “Ge Qing? Weren’t you always the lone-wolf type? What are you doing here?”

Ge Qing chuckled. “When I was young, I thought I could do everything alone. Later, I realized everything requires both capability and a support system. With that, I decided to go for the smartest path. Serving as an elder under the Heavenly King of the Northern Territory isn’t too bad.”

Qin Xian was hit with a wave of nostalgia. “Who would have thought that the once rebellious Ge Qing, who answered to no one, would seek shelter in a faction?

Hahaha!

Would you consider coming to the Daxia Sword Sect?”

Ge Qing quickly shook his head with a smile. “It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m too lazy for change at this age. Are these your sect’s current batch of disciples? Not bad, not bad.”

His eyes swept over the group, but he clearly didn’t mean the compliment.

Qin Xian didn’t respond. Ge Qing continued, “Alright, I’ll take you to your lodgings. They’re in Heavenly Tiger City. The tournament officially starts in three days, so you’ve got two days to rest.”

Everyone flew behind the old man toward their assigned quarters.

The hotel had seventeen floors, but they were only assigned to the second floor. Once they had settled in, Qin Xian said, “We have two days left. Use the time to look around the city if you like.”

After their meal, Li Guanqi and Ye Feng exchanged a glance, then quietly prepared to slip out. Just as they were leaving, they bumped into Zhong Lin and had no choice but to bring him along.

In the end, Li Guanqi said, “Let’s go. We might as well take Lin Dong along too.”

To their horror, when they met him, Lin Dong exclaimed loudly in surprise, “Are we going to ‘cultivate amongst mortal distractions’?”

They quickly covered his mouth and hurried outside.

***

Heavenly Tiger City was bustling at night. Perhaps due to the Tournament of a Hundred Sects, the streets teemed with people, and the air buzzed with the cries of vendors.

Only then did they realize how quickly time had flown on their sect’s mountain. It was New Year’s Day.

Boom! Boom boom!

Firecrackers exploded in the distance, and cheerful New Year’s greetings filled the air. Amidst the bustling street, they felt momentarily stunned.

“Winter has come and passed. It really has been a whole year! I hope everything will go smoothly this year too. Let’s go, brothers!”

Li Guanqi smiled and picked out a red coat from a street stall for Yu Sui’an. “Today’s the perfect day to cultivate amongst mortal distractions!”

Then, to Lin Dong and Zhong Lin’s horror, Li Guanqi and Ye Feng strolled straight into the Azure Cloud Brothel.