Vindicated After a Wrongful Death - Chapter 19

Man Qiuxia’s spiritual medicine was incredibly potent. Although Xiang Zhongjing’s brow was furrowed in pain, the savage sword intent that had been buried deep within his left hand’s meridians finally began to loosen. Coaxed by the spiritual energy channeled through countless silver needles, the intent was slowly drawn out.

Qiong Eryi had already shifted back into human form and was crouching nearby, staring fixedly at Xiang Zhongjing’s left hand. His expression was that of someone waiting for a steaming pot of delicious food to be served.

Even though sixty years had passed, the sword intent Su Cansheng had left in Xiang Zhongjing’s body remained thick with malice. It was easy to imagine just how ruthless the sword intent must have been to injure Xiang Zhongjing so severely back then.

Man Qiuxia stared at the downcast Xiang Zhongjing with a look of intoxication, murmuring, “How could Su Cansheng be so cold-hearted? To actually have the heart to seal away a gem like this?”

Qiong Eryi tilted his head, looking puzzled. “Is my master that good-looking?”

Man Qiuxia, whose eyes had been solely on Xiang Zhongjing, hadn’t even spared a glance for Qiong Eryi. Hearing this, he glared at him like a beast whose territory had been invaded. “What kind of ugly-pig nonsense are you spouting?!”

Qiong Eryi: “…”

He looked at the man innocently.

A sword spirit’s sense of aesthetics simply didn’t apply to humans. In his eyes, no matter how outstanding Xiang Zhongjing’s face was, he looked more or less like everyone else.

Man Qiuxia shot him another glare before quickly turning back to enjoy the sight of Xiang Zhongjing.

The sword intent on Xiang Zhongjing’s left hand was exceptionally difficult to remove, and even Man Qiuxia found himself struggling until the middle of the night.

When the savage intent—which felt as sharp as jagged ice, finally leapt from Xiang Zhongjing’s hand, it began to thrash about wildly as if it had gone mad. Not daring to meet Su Cansheng’s sword intent head-on, Man Qiuxia took a sudden dive into the medicinal bath to dodge the incoming strike.

Xiang Zhongjing had already opened his eyes. He was so exhausted he couldn’t stop himself from sliding down into the bath, but Man Qiuxia managed to catch him.

Qiong Eryi’s eyes lit up as he watched the frantic sword intent. “Hahaha! I bet you can’t hit me!”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Clutching his still-throbbing left hand, Xiang Zhongjing gritted his teeth. “Qiong Eryi!”

Qiong Eryi hurried to check on his master. The pips beneath his eye spun rapidly once more, landing on a one.

He didn’t even notice. Just as he was about to beg for forgiveness, Su Cansheng’s sword intent slammed right into his head. With a loud thump, it knocked him flat on the ground.

Qiong Eryi: “…”

He had lost the bet. Clutching his head as he scrambled up, he glared at the sword intent. “I’ll eat you!”

With that, he lunged forward, catching the fleeing intent with lightning speed and stuffing it into his mouth, his cheeks bulging.

The scene was a bit unsightly, and Xiang Zhongjing closed his eyes, nursing a headache.

Man Qiuxia helped him out of the medicinal bath, eagerly assisting him with his robes, looking like he wanted nothing more than to glue himself to the man.

Xiang Zhongjing pushed him away and walked back to his room with unsteady steps.

Man Qiuxia clung to the doorframe. “Call me if you need anything!”

Xiang Zhongjing threw himself onto the soft couch, shielding his eyes from the surrounding light with the back of his hand. “Fine,” he replied weakly.

Only then did Man Qiuxia reluctantly close the door and leave.

Now that the sword intent in his left hand had dissipated, the blocked meridians were gradually clearing, bringing a dull, tingling ache.

Exhausted, Xiang Zhongjing lay listlessly on the couch.

Once the injury in his left hand had mostly healed, he suppressed his drowsiness to speak with Gu Congxu. However, he found that the usually arrogant dragon, who normally dominated his sea of consciousness, was currently biting his own tail and coiling himself into a circle, looking utterly depressed.

Xiang Zhongjing blinked in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

Gu Congxu said nothing.

Just as Xiang Zhongjing was about to ask again, the sound of the night watchman came from outside.

After the third chime, Gu Congxu suddenly appeared on the bed. He loomed over Xiang Zhongjing, his hand seizing Xiang Zhongjing’s slender right wrist and pinning it firmly above his head. His other hand gripped Xiang Zhongjing’s neck, his eyes filled with a mix of ferocity and bewilderment.

Even while pinned down like this, Xiang Zhongjing remained sickly and weak, not even bothering to resist. He chuckled softly. “What’s this? You look like you’re about to eat me.”

Gu Congxu’s eyes were bloodshot as he whispered, “Just who are you?”

Gu Congxu’s voluminous black robes nearly covered Xiang Zhongjing’s body, and the dragon’s hair, cold as scales, brushed against his cheek. Despite his fierce appearance, looking as though he wanted to swallow Xiang Zhongjing whole, the hands gripping Xiang Zhongjing’s wrist and neck didn’t actually use any force.

Xiang Zhongjing tilted his head, his dark hair a mess. He looked completely vulnerable, yet even in this state, his flirtatious remarks were endless.

“What do you mean, ‘who am I’? Sange, this position is quite dangerous. If anyone saw us, they’d think we were about to tumble together under the sheets. It’s springtime now; do even dragons have a mating season? While I wouldn’t mind a roll in the hay with a dragon, at least wait until my injuries are healed before you think about that sort of thing.”

Gu Congxu: “…”

He looked at Xiang Zhongjing in disbelief, never having imagined a human cultivator could be so thick-skinned.

But right now, Gu Congxu was in no mood for jokes. He was being driven mad by those memories. He repeated himself once more, “Xiang Zhongjing! Who the hell are you? Tell me!”

Meeting Gu Congxu’s wild, vertical pupils, Xiang Zhongjing tilted his head and suddenly asked, “What did you see in my sea of consciousness just now?”

Looking at Xiang Zhongjing’s radiant face, Gu Congxu felt an uncontrollable sense of wariness rise within him.

He had known this human was clever, but he hadn’t expected him to be this sharp.

Seeing Gu Congxu’s silence and the flickering doubt in his pupils, Xiang Zhongjing assumed he must have seen something significant.

He curled his lips and sat up slightly, leaning in to whisper into Gu Congxu’s ear with a low laugh, “Could it be that I really am your master?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Congxu reacted as if someone had stepped on his tail, nearly jumping back. He abruptly released his hold on Xiang Zhongjing, shouting with forced bravado, “You… stop talking nonsense!”

As soon as he said it, the memories that had been tormenting him came flooding back.

Gu Congxu: “…”

Xiang Zhongjing found his bristling reaction quite amusing. Just as he was about to tease him further, Gu Congxu vanished without a word.

For a moment, Xiang Zhongjing couldn’t tell if the dragon had fled out of embarrassment or if his time of freedom during the third watch had simply expired.

Xiang Zhongjing opened his mouth to call out, “Sange…”

But just as he spoke the name, his left hand suddenly flew up and slapped itself over his mouth.

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

The injury to his left hand was almost entirely healed, and Gu Congxu had finally gained full control over it.

His mouth covered once again, Xiang Zhongjing blinked and tried to speak. “Mmm mmm mmm…”

Gu Congxu didn’t want to hear any more of his nonsense and tightened his grip, gritting his teeth.

Seeing that the dragon wouldn’t listen, Xiang Zhongjing narrowed his eyes slightly, a mischievous glint appearing at the corners.

When Gu Congxu saw that expression, he had a bad premonition.

Sure enough, a moment later, he felt a wave of warmth against the palm of the left hand he was controlling—Xiang Zhongjing had actually parted his lips and flicked his tongue against the palm.

Gu Congxu: “…”

As if he had touched a burning coal, he yanked his hand away, unable to stop himself from roaring, “You… you have no shame!”

Xiang Zhongjing burst out laughing. Teasing the dragon did wonders for his exhaustion.

“But it’s my own hand,” Xiang Zhongjing said, leaning against a soft pillow. He reached out with his right hand to grab his left, making as if to press it against his own face. “You’ll get used to it.”

Gu Congxu was so startled his scales nearly stood on end. He desperately forced the left hand to pull away. For the first time, he regretted taking over one of Xiang Zhongjing’s hands.

If anyone else had been there, they would have seen Xiang Zhongjing in his red robes engaged in a wrestling match with his own hands, the right one trying to press the left to his face while the left tried to escape.

He looked like someone who wasn’t quite right in the head.

Seeing that he couldn’t win the struggle, Xiang Zhongjing finally let go. He slowly traced small circles on his left wrist with his right finger, whispering softly, “Sange, which part of you is connected to this left hand? Your claw?”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Inside the sea of consciousness, Gu Congxu was in turmoil. If he were in human form, he would surely be blushing from his face to his ears. He couldn’t stand Xiang Zhongjing tracing circles on his “claw” anymore and finally gave in.

“Don’t touch me,” Gu Congxu’s voice trembled slightly. “I’ll break the ‘Shared Destiny Knot’ for you. I don’t want anything in return.”

Xiang Zhongjing nearly laughed but managed to hold it in. “Not even the right hand?”

Seeing that he had finally stopped moving, Gu Congxu breathed a quiet sigh of relief and muttered, “Even if I wanted it, would you give it to me?”

Xiang Zhongjing obviously wouldn’t, but seeing Gu Congxu acting like a bullied, pitiful girl, a streak of mischief rose in him. He touched his lips and thought seriously, “Based on what you’re saying, if I don’t break the knot, I can touch you whenever I want?”

Gu Congxu: “…”

He yelled in fury, “I didn’t say that!”

Xiang Zhongjing drew out the word “Oh” with deep meaning. “Don’t be shy.”

Gu Congxu: “…”

He was on the verge of cursing, but since he couldn’t think of any words to express his inner collapse, he could only fume until he nearly bloated with rage.

“Are you going to let me break it or not?!”

How could this man, who was so irreverent and full of flirtatious talk, be his master, who was as pure as a celestial being?!

As Gu Congxu grumbled, the slight doubt he had felt earlier vanished completely.

There had to be another reason why those memories were in Xiang Zhongjing’s sea of consciousness!

Xiang Zhongjing stopped teasing him and said, “Alright, thank you.”

Gu Congxu said, “Then you must promise that after the knot is broken, you won’t touch me again.”

Xiang Zhongjing chuckled. “Fine, I promise.”

Seeing that Xiang Zhongjing had tucked his left hand away and seemed to be keeping his word, Gu Congxu began diving through the sea of consciousness to find where the knot was hidden.

Xiang Zhongjing curled up comfortably under the covers, yawning as he asked, “How long will it take?”

Gu Congxu replied coldly, “Just a moment will be enough!”

With that, he took a deep dive into the depths of the consciousness. For the sake of his left claw’s “virtue,” he worked diligently to find the knot attached to the countless strands of divine sense.

Since Gu Congxu said it would only take a moment, Xiang Zhongjing waited.

But as he waited, he ended up drifting off into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, Xiang Zhongjing rubbed his eyes as he sat up, feeling Gu Congxu still tossing and turning in his mind.

“Hmm? You haven’t found it?”

Gu Congxu: “…”

He snapped back, “Give me one more moment!”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

He nodded. “Oh, so even dragons can talk big.”

Gu Congxu’s horns were turning red with embarrassment, but he truly didn’t have the face to say more. He dived back into the sea of consciousness and disappeared.

Having retrieved his sword, registered for the ceremony, and knowing there was no threat to his life at Man Qiuxia’s place, Xiang Zhongjing finally managed to rest peacefully for a few days.

Seeing that he wouldn’t go out, Man Qiuxia brought out all sorts of outfits to fuss over him. At first, it was a new set every hour, but eventually, Man Qiuxia was dragging him up to change every half hour.

Xiang Zhongjing finally lost his patience with Man Qiuxia’s obsessive behavior. With an expressionless face, he flicked his fingers, and two bursts of Nether Fire reduced the exquisite garments in Man Qiuxia’s hands to ashes.

“What did you just say? I didn’t hear you clearly. Say it again.”

Man Qiuxia: “…”

He coughed, knowing when to fold. “Ahem, if you like this set, then… then wear it a bit longer. No need to rush to change.”

Only then did Xiang Zhongjing retract the fire.

It was then that Man Qiuxia finally noticed the Nether Fire on Xiang Zhongjing’s body. “Is that the Nether Fire you found in the Sandu Secret Realm?”

Xiang Zhongjing sat by the window, resting his chin on his hand as he watched the crowds below. He answered casually, “Yeah, I think so. It recognized me as its master when I woke up.”

Man Qiuxia studied the Nether Fire floating on Xiang Zhongjing’s shoulder, his expression becoming a bit strange. “Do you know that Qu Weixian came to me seeking medical help a while ago?”

Xiang Zhongjing thought for a moment. “Yes, I heard about it.”

He hesitated, unable to help himself. “What happened to him?”

Man Qiuxia said, “After he came out of the Sandu Secret Realm, he had Nether Fire poison in his body.”

Xiang Zhongjing’s brow furrowed.

His memories of how he was sealed were fragmented, but he could make out the general idea. He vaguely remembered Qu Weixian saying to him.

“Zhongjing, I’ve got the Nether Fire. Run!”

According to Man Qiuxia, Qu Weixian must have provoked Gu Congxu back then specifically for those two bursts of Nether Fire. But after getting them, he failed to make them his own, and was instead severely injured by the backlash.

Qu Weixian was different from Xiang Zhongjing. He was the future sect leader of the Quyi Sect, one of the three Great Gates, with a noble status and a limitless future. Xiang Zhongjing, on the other hand, was just a “sword” for the Quyi Sect. From childhood, he had been told that he must give his life to help Qu Weixian secure his position as sect leader.

Xiang Zhongjing frowned as he recalled the memories.

The Nether Fire, the dragon, the contract marks, Qu Weixian’s heavy injuries, and…

Xiang Zhongjing’s eyes snapped open.

There were also the corpses of disciples from the three Great Gates scattered across the ground.

And in his memory, Xiang Zhongjing’s face was covered in contract marks, two bursts of Nether Fire flickered on his shoulders, and he was holding a blood-stained sword.

No matter how you looked at it, it was the scene of a massacre.

Xiang Zhongjing finally pieced the logic together.

Su Cansheng and Jin Chuling had sealed him back then for three reasons: the dragon contract marks, Qu Weixian’s severe injuries alongside the mysterious death of the disciples, and because someone within the Great Gates specifically wanted him dead.

Xiang Zhongjing rubbed his temples. “Did you not treat him?”

Man Qiuxia shrugged. “He’s too ugly. It hurts my eyes.”

Xiang Zhongjing thoughtfully stroked the Nether Fire that was rubbing against his palm. “I heard he’s now the sect leader of the Quyi Sect.”

“He is,” Man Qiuxia said. “After he came out of the Sandu Secret Realm, he became a different person. He broke off ties with the other two Great Gates and even called off his engagement to Su Cansheng. I wonder if the fire scorched his brain.”

Xiang Zhongjing’s eyebrows shot up. He had almost forgotten that Su Cansheng and Qu Weixian were once engaged.

Man Qiuxia saw his expression. “What? You want me to cure him?”

Xiang Zhongjing said nothing.

Inside the sea of consciousness, Gu Congxu had also figured out who Qu Weixian was. He growled, “Don’t you dare cure him!”

Xiang Zhongjing said innocently, “I haven’t said anything yet.”

Xiang Zhongjing wasn’t sure if Qu Weixian had been involved in the events of that year. After all, with Qu Weixian’s personality, he was incredibly easy to manipulate.

Gu Congxu said coldly, “That man forced open the Soul-Stabilizing Coffin, causing my master’s remains to turn to dust. If I see him, I’ll swallow him alive.”

When he mentioned the “remains,” his eyes turned red.

Xiang Zhongjing: “This Nether Fire belonged to your master?”

Gu Congxu gave a muffled “mm,” thinking back to those memories and feeling even more stifled.

If that Nether Fire had stubbornly recognized Xiang Zhongjing as its master, was it really because he was the reincarnation of his master?

Gu Congxu couldn’t believe that his master—who was as elegant as a celestial being—could have reincarnated into the flirtatious, teasing Xiang Zhongjing. So, in the days leading up to the Beast Taming Grand Ceremony, Gu Congxu observed him in secret.

His master was unflappable, always maintaining his composure.

Xiang Zhongjing flipped the chessboard over, yelling at Man Qiuxia, “Why do you have to tell me which move to make?! Is there a difference between these two spots?! If there isn’t, then shut up! Where do you want me to move?!”

Gu Congxu: “…”

His master was pure and noble, his smiles as calm as the waters of a deep pool.

Xiang Zhongjing stepped on Qiong Eryi’s kneeling knee, leaning his elbow on his own leg. He gave a cold smile. “Hmm? Still want to gamble? Gamble in front of me one more time and I’ll twist your head off!”

Gu Congxu: “…”

His master was as gentle as jade, never speaking a vulgar word.

Xiang Zhongjing curled up on the soft couch, his right hand tracing circles on his left. He gave an intimate, low laugh. “Sange, are you coming to my bed again during the third watch tonight?”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Gu Congxu had no expression.

Xiang Zhongjing could absolutely not be his master.

After several days of chaos in the Wujin Building, the day of the Beast Taming Grand Ceremony finally arrived.

Xiang Zhongjing’s left hand was fully healed. Gu Congxu coiled himself around his wrist, hidden beneath layers of red silk, showing only a slight bulge.

The golden bells on Xiang Zhongjing’s wrists and ankles had been repaired by Man Qiuxia. Although the clappers were gone, they looked the same as they had years ago, so he wore them anyway.

The bells were making Gu Congxu’s head ache. He frowned. “How old are you that you’re still wearing bells?”

Xiang Zhongjing threw on his outer robe, distracted. “When I was abandoned as a child, these four bells were the only things I had. They might have something to do with my past.”

He tied his sash and raised an eyebrow. “Did you find the knot?”

Gu Congxu: “…”

Always mentioning the one thing he didn’t want to talk about.

Gu Congxu grumbled, “I should have found it easily, but it seems that little snake hidden the knot on purpose. I have to search through every strand of divine sense one by one.”

Naturally, it was taking a while.

Xiang Zhongjing nodded. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Gu Congxu expected Xiang Zhongjing to mock him, so when he heard this instead, he froze. Then he let out a huff and said awkwardly, “It’s good that you know I’m working hard.”

With that, he bit his tail and dived back into the sea of consciousness.

The ceremony was a decennial event, and even Man Qiuxia, who normally never left the house, had been invited.

The two of them wore veils to hide their identities and made their way to the ceremony without issue.

The venue was a stone seating area that rose on three sides, with a circular platform in the center made of countless jade stones. It was large enough to fit five Wujin Buildings.

Xiang Zhongjing picked up a jade token at the entrance that served as his ID and wandered inside.

Man Qiuxia looked at the name on the token and raised an eyebrow. “Gu Sange? Why did you pick a name like that?”

Gu Congxu, who was diligently searching for the knot, froze. He focused his gaze on the token dangling from Xiang Zhongjing’s right hand.

Sure enough, it said “Gu Sange.”

“I can’t exactly use my real name,” Xiang Zhongjing said, twirling the tassel of the token around his finger. “Besides, don’t you think it’s a nice name?”

Man Qiuxia looked at him strangely, wondering if the man had been cursed. How was that a nice name?

Gu Sange, on the other hand, felt a bit flattered, and his search for the knot became even more vigorous.

The prize for this year’s ceremony was a dragon bone, which drew countless cultivators who otherwise had no interest in beast taming. Usually, the seating for the ceremony was only partially filled, but this time, it was packed to capacity.

Given Man Qiuxia’s status, even with so many powerful cultivators present, the hosts respectfully led him to a private box in a pocket dimension to ensure he was comfortable.

As Man Qiuxia and Xiang Zhongjing walked up the stairs to the highest private box, they found that everyone inside was at the Nascent Soul stage or higher.

Xiang Zhongjing didn’t recognize any of them and had no intention of making small talk, so he walked silently beside Man Qiuxia.

These cultivators, who would normally be swarmed by admirers, quickly stood up to greet Man Qiuxia. It was a great honor for most, but Man Qiuxia looked impatient. He gave a curt nod and pulled Xiang Zhongjing toward a seat.

Man Qiuxia claimed he was there for the ceremony, but as soon as he sat down, he rested his chin on his hand and stared at Xiang Zhongjing.

Accustomed to his gaze, Xiang Zhongjing looked around. “Do you think Jin Chuling and Su Cansheng will show up here later?”

Man Qiuxia didn’t care. “Who cares?”

Xiang Zhongjing frowned.

Man Qiuxia couldn’t stand seeing him frown and immediately slapped the table. “Fine, we’ll move.”

Only then did Xiang Zhongjing’s expression soften.

Gu Congxu: “…”

This man and his constant little schemes!

Man Qiuxia pulled Xiang Zhongjing up, gave the others a nod, and left without another word.

Given his special status, he found a disciple from Shangyao Peak and asked a few questions. Then, he led Xiang Zhongjing to an extremely remote private box.

“The view isn’t great there, so almost no one goes.”

As he spoke, he used a technique to shrink the distance, and they arrived at the quiet box in an instant.

Man Qiuxia lifted the bamboo curtain and walked in, only to find someone already there.

Since he was wearing a veil, Man Qiuxia didn’t recognize the person, but when Xiang Zhongjing walked in, he froze.

Sitting by the wooden window in the box was Qu Weixian, dressed in white.

Qu Weixian was beautiful but strikingly thin. Due to the Nether Fire poison in his body, he looked so fragile it seemed he might shatter if he coughed. His pupils were hollow, and he was staring blankly at the dense crowd outside, lost in thought.

Sensing someone enter, it took Qu Weixian a moment to react. He slowly turned his head to look at them.

Sensing the medicinal scent of Water-Calamity Grass, Man Qiuxia realized who it was and muttered, “What a small world.”

He looked at Xiang Zhongjing, his eyes asking: Should we move again?

Xiang Zhongjing shook his head.

Man Qiuxia then led him to a seat as far away from the other man as possible.

Qu Weixian’s grey-white eyes remained fixed on Xiang Zhongjing, his gaze as cold and lifeless as ash.

Although Man Qiuxia rarely left home, he knew everything that happened in the world. He set up a sound-blocking array and whispered to Xiang Zhongjing, “Qu Weixian is a famous ‘beautiful idiot.’ He was already dim-witted to begin with, but the fire poison seems to have scorched what little brain he had left.”

Xiang Zhongjing: “…”

Qu Weixian’s face was deathly pale, and he coughed from time to time, but his eyes never left Xiang Zhongjing.

Xiang Zhongjing almost thought the man had recognized him.

From where they sat, the arena was right below them. The stone benches on all three sides were filled with cultivators from all over Jiuzhou. It was a massive scene.

Xiang Zhongjing hadn’t seen so many people in years. He looked down curiously, but his right hand was firmly pressing down on his restless left hand under the table.

Inside his mind, Gu Congxu was about to explode. The dragon roared, “I’m going to kill him!”

Xiang Zhongjing sighed helplessly. “Don’t be in such a hurry. I have things to ask him later.”

“Ask what?!” Gu Congxu snapped. “I saw your memories of him in your mind. He was so good to you.”

Xiang Zhongjing said softly, “Su Cansheng and Jin Chuling were also very good to me back then.”

Gu Congxu: “…”

As Xiang Zhongjing finished his cold remark, he noticed Qu Weixian raising a hand to shield a tiny lamp on the table, as if afraid the wind might blow it out.

Xiang Zhongjing froze.

When they were young, Qu Weixian was simple-minded, almost to the point of being dull. That was why the previous sect leader of the Quyi Sect had picked a “sword” for him at a young age to protect him and pave his way.

Back then, Xiang Zhongjing had chosen the path of the sword. If he failed to finish the lessons left by the sect leader, he would be locked in a woodshed without food or water.

In the dark of night, only that little fool Qu Weixian was brave enough to risk punishment, sneaking over to find him while shielding a tiny lamp with his hands.

Watching Qu Weixian’s movements now, Xiang Zhongjing felt a sudden pang of emotion.

Gu Congxu’s voice broke through his reverie. “What’s there to ask?! He was the one who stole the Nether Fire back then and ended up like this. He deserves it!”

Seeing how Qu Weixian had withered away to nothing but skin and bones, the furious Gu Congxu suddenly went quiet.

Xiang Zhongjing tested the waters. “What is it, ancestor? Finished with your tantrum?”

Gu Congxu let out a cold snort. “Who’s throwing a tantrum? He looks fine this way, living like a ghost.”

The implication was that he wouldn’t eat him.

Xiang Zhongjing rubbed his temples.

Just then, the Xizhao Nether Fire was lit on the platform below.

Man Qiuxia said, “The first round is about to begin.”

Xiang Zhongjing saw countless people rushing toward the central platform. He frowned. “Isn’t the ceremony a one-on-one competition?”

“That was the old way,” Man Qiuxia said. “This year, there are so many people here for the dragon bone that a one-on-one tournament would take forever. The first round is a free-for-all; the winners move on to the next round.”

Xiang Zhongjing nodded, stood up, and straightened his robes before turning to leave.

Man Qiuxia called out, “Wait! Let’s change your outfit first!”

Xiang Zhongjing ran even faster.

Man Qiuxia: “…”

As Xiang Zhongjing walked down the stone steps, Gu Congxu was busy cursing Qu Weixian in the sea of consciousness. Seeing that they were reaching the arena, a sudden competitive streak rose in him.

He said haughtily, “Do you want me to just knock them all flat with a single look?”

Xiang Zhongjing said, “No need.”

If Gu Congxu went out in the first round, wouldn’t the Snow Wolf he had stolen be a waste?

A moment later, the massive arena was packed with people. If everyone released their spirit beasts at once, the scene would be even more chaotic.

Xiang Zhongjing didn’t try to compete for space. He chose the most remote corner to stand in. Thanks to the array on his veil that hid his presence, the people around him didn’t even notice him.

Gu Congxu’s gaze was cold.

These people were all here for his dragon bone. One day, he would eat every last one of them.

Once everyone for the first round had arrived, a wave of spiritual energy emanated from the highest box, signaling the start of the match.

In an instant, countless spirit beasts were released by their masters, filling the arena. Xiang Zhongjing, who didn’t quite know the rules, was caught off guard and nearly swept off the platform by a nearby beast’s tail.

Stabilizing himself, he watched as everyone began their beasts’ savage attacks. He quietly found a peaceful spot to stand.

Gu Congxu urged him, “What are you doing?”

Xiang Zhongjing said, “There are so many beasts here. If I release the Snow Wolf now, no one will even see it. I have to wait a little.”

“Wait for what?”

Xiang Zhongjing laughed. “For when everyone else has lost.”

Gu Congxu: “…”

He’s planning to just sit back and watch the tigers fight.

Gu Congxu muttered, “Cunning human.”

Xiang Zhongjing waited as he said he would, displaying immense patience. It was only after half an hour—when only about ten competitors remained, that he slowly wandered out from his corner.

Cultivators who could forcefully suppress so many spirit beasts were certainly powerful.

Xiang Zhongjing wasn’t currently capable of fighting so many people at once. He didn’t even wait for them to notice him; he simply raised his hand.

A Snow Wolf the size of a small hill suddenly appeared in the arena. With a thunderous roar, it instantly drew every eye to itself.

In the highest private box, Su Cansheng stood up abruptly, his eyes fixed coldly on the center of the arena.