C125-2: Life Changing Realization

Xuan Zi's unnaturally loud tone was quite possibly an over-the-top warning toward the new generation of disciples in this tournament, meant to both be a reminder as well as an insult .

"Grief....is too strong a word for my feelings, fellow cultivator Tang. A more accurate description would be 'dissatisfaction' . But let's not make today about me. My disciples are eager to break our record this century. Fellow cultivator Yi, please continue your introduction."

Xuan Zi did not make a scene and waved the elders to a side to watch as Luo Yi did her job. The cultivator from Abyss Guild shook his head and stood behind Luo Yi in ramrod straight pose.

"Seems like we are in a hurry. So I'll keep things at the minimum. Basically, meatball and I shall be stationed here for your convenience. I'll help you with registrations for various events, explain any rules and changes implemented by the tournament authorities, clear away your confusion regarding the events and help you in any way I can as long as it doesn't involve breaking the rules," Luo Yi explained, not seeming bothered by the drama.

At this point, the disciples were slowly adapting to the new situation, while Han Xuhan was getting even more confused. Registration for events ? When did xianxia tournaments get so orderly ? And why was there such a strong emphasis on her pet beast? What was its role ?

It seemed that he wasn't the only one with those questions, because Mu Ran elbowed him in the back and whispered in his ear,
"Underling, ask her about her pet. Something about it feels very suspicious."

"Boss, I'm sure she would answer very honestly if you were to unleash your infinite charm on her and ask the question yourself!" Han Xuhan replied instantly.

". . . .Well, can't argue with that. But I'm trying not to attract attention for the first few rounds of the tournament and emerge as a dark horse to steal people's heart in the coolest way, see ?"

"People ? Really ?" Xuhan asked in flat tone.

"Ehehehe."
That was the reply he got to his question.

Han Xuhan cursed the guy internally and chose to make the small sacrifice. He wasn't afraid of exposure anyway. He had no special powers or treasures to be coveted. Why bother hiding from the eyes of the powerful? His backing was quite possibly the strongest in the sect. Mu Ran, Kong Ye, Xuan Zi, Fang Xie, all four of them had made investments of various sorts on him. Any enemy would have to face severe consequences for harming him and spoiling their plans..

"Uh, can we ask questions ?" He said from the middle of the crowd, raising his hand tentatively.

"Of course, yes ! Go on!" Luo Yi nodded emphatically and gestured at him to speak up.

"Is meatball a spirit beast ?" Han Xuhan asked, a nervous, yet curious smile on his face that he had perfected just last week.
Since it was a given that he would have to attract the attention of various powerful cultivators in order to do his duty as Mu Ran's lackey, he chose to go all out and make the best of it.

"Oh my, yes! How did you know ? I didn't know the Crimson Snow sect taught cultivation techniques related to spirit manifestations!" Luo Yi looked delighted as she nodded appreciatively at him and threw a sideways glance at Xuan Zi, who was watching Xuhan suspiciously.


Han Xuhan breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, her response was positive. The spirit manifestation shouldn't be a top secret technique, considering it led to creating spirit beasts and the very title of her sect was Beasthaven sect. It was definitely a common, or even the most popular technique in the sect. For a second there, he had been afraid that the technique would turn out to be a secret that would lead to a dispute. In retrospect, he had been a bit too rash. Not everybody liked to brag about their cultivation techniques or progress like his peers.

Xuan Zi responded to the inquisitive look from her by saying, "that is disciple Xuhan under the tutelage of our newest elder Kong Ye, fellow cultivator Yi. He might not be the most talented....."

A few snickers rose amidst the crowd as Xuan Zi trailed off for a second. Han Xuhan didn't take it to heart, realizing fully well that at their age, it is common for teenagers to be competitive, even more so in the situation they were now where talent and skills were the most precious characteristics one could have. . . .no, wait a minute. . . .a faint realization dawned on him at that very moment.

He, Han Xuhan, was beginning to harbour a sense of superiority over his peers for the wrong reasons. His short lifetime back on earth could be barely qualified to be called 'experience'. In that life, he was a commoner whose achievements consisted of getting A's regularly in exams, winning debate competitions against other teenagers, getting into decent universities and such. He had died pretty young, without experiencing much of what life meant as a whole, missing valuable aspects of a normal life that should have changed his personality drastically. He was barely an adult trapped in a barely adult body. There was no reason for him to act so understanding and mature about the entire situation of peer pressure, jealousy and the behavioural issues of young cultivators.

So where did this superiority complex come from ? It definitely was a superficial layer of maturity he had draped over his heart in order to cope with the lack of his talent and peer pressure in his sect. . . .

". . . .But he definitely is the most resourceful disciple in his generation. Do keep an eye on him, hahah !"

While Xuhan stood there contemplating the sudden realization, Xuan Zi completed his sentence and was about to resume his conversation with an elder beside him, but a phenomenon caught his eye.

Above Han Xuhan's head, the empty space was beginning to twist like a see-through cloth.