Elder Gongxi was too embarrassed to answer anything. He just wished he had some mystic artifact to turn back time for half an hour so he could wait for somebody else to jump out and call that boy a demon. Then he could claim to be righteous and chastise that guy for accusing someone without proof before anyone else could react. Ah, he would have ingratiated himself with that young genius and Grandmaster Zhangsun and his image would have become better. Now …
He could only sigh. "This, I'm afraid it's not too good. See, I'll apologize to you. I was really wrong. You definitely aren't a demon."
"I know! I said so from the beginning!" Qiu Ling was getting impatient. Damn that old geezer! He should just come down and let him beat him up!
Just then, the Elder in charge of organizing the fights gave out a surprised noise and looked up at the stage. "Ah, Sect master, with the addition of Grandmaster Zhangsun's disciple there is one person too much."
"Oh?" Yuchi Bing Xia lifted his brows. "Which disciple got left out? Is it someone from our sect?" Then he'd just ask that person to stand back for once and compensate him. It was more important to have the Grandmaster's new disciple fight, after all.
"No, it's …" The Elder smiled wryly. "It's the disciple of Elder Gongxi from the Yang Huo sect."
Everyone at the site was stunned. What a coincidence! Maybe that Elder Gongxi would use this disciple to leverage the situation?
Before he had any chance Sect master Yuchi used the opportunity. "Ah, so it's Elder Gongxi's disciple. How about this? Qiu Ling just challenged the Elder but I'm afraid it's not really suitable to have someone from the younger and older generation fight. Don't hold it against him, he hasn't been with us for long and didn't know any better. So how about letting your disciple substitute, Elder Gongxi? After all, you are his master. It's only right that he stands up for your faults."
"That … Is this really necessary?" Elder Gongxi just wanted to wash his hands off this.
But of course, the Sect master wouldn't let him. "It's a great opportunity to solve the problem for the gathering. Let's just have the one who loses the battle drop out of the fights. Then the numbers will be even again."
Elder Gongxi smiled wryly. How was this fair? If his disciple lost, his sect would have one fewer slot in the gathering than the rest! And that even without competing.
The other sects also weren't thrilled at this possibility. Especially since the one taking that place would be someone with a divine constitution. "That wouldn't be fair, would it? The Yun Zou sect couldn't be trying to swindle another slot for itself, could it?"
Yuchi Bing Xia smiled icily. "The Yun Zou sect certainly never asked our esteemed guests to accuse one of our disciples to declare him a demon. So how can you insinuate this had been our plan all along? Of course, should Elder Gongxi decline then, of course, one of our disciples will yield his slot to Grandmaster Zhangsun's disciple."
"I wonder why he wasn't on the list of participants in the first place."
Grandmaster Zhangsun looked at the Elder who had dared to pose that question. Was it really so difficult to have his disciple participate in this gathering? "My disciple just emerged from closed-door practice today."
"Well, if he's not on the list …"
Sect Master Yuchi smiled. "As far as I remember the list isn't mandatory. It's just something we casually put together. Had one of the disciples on the list gotten injured we would also have somebody else substitute for him. I don't see a problem with one of our disciples giving up his slot in favor of another disciple of ours."
Qiu Ling just listened with a smile. He wasn't furious as one might expect. No, Qiu Ling was relishing the moment and hoped those Elders would dispute a while longer. Of course, there could only be one reason for that: Jing He. Or rather his mortal reincarnation Jing Yi. Qiu Ling could feel his adoration filled gaze in his back. Ah, it really felt good. Even back in the nine heavens, Jing He had never displayed his affection this openly. Mn, please, argue for some hours more. I don't want this to end.
Actually, he was even of a mind to slip away into the crowd, find his beloved and hold his hands. Wouldn't it be great if they could finally meet face to face? He couldn't wait for it! Mn, he should start contemplating how to approach him. He had to find some impactful first words.
Unfortunately, Sect master Yuchi didn't want to let this drag on. "Let's get back to the issue at hand. What do you say, Elder Gongxi? Do you want your disciple to take up the challenge in your stead? Or do you actually want to fight with someone from the younger generation?"
Elder Gongxi gnashed his teeth in anger. What kind of question was that? How could he take up the challenge of that brat? When he won people would point at his nose and accuse him of bullying a junior after insulting him. His face … No, not just his face, the face of his whole sect would be lost! He didn't even think of the possibility of losing but for someone who had lived a long life and was accustomed to the gap in skill between the young and the old that was probably expected.
"Sect master Yuchi's suggestion seems fair to me. It was my fault, after all. Zhou Wu, go and duel in your master's place. This will decide which one of you will be participating in the gathering so there is no need to hold back."
His disciple smiled, cupped his hands and bowed. "Don't worry, Master. Your disciple won't disappoint you." He looked at Qiu Ling and lifted his chin. Hadn't that Sect master of theirs said that this guy hadn't been in the sect for long? If that was the case, then Grandmaster Zhangsun couldn't have taught him much. He would definitely be able to beat him!
He went up onto the jade ring in the middle of the clearing and looked at Qiu Ling again. The dragon king beamed. He was a little sad that he couldn't bask in his beloved's attention any longer but he was hyped up that he was finally able to compete. Watch me, my love! I'll show you my might!
And then, he would go down and step up to him, finally saying the words he had prepared meticulously!
His heart beating wildly, Qiu Ling stepped onto the ring. Ah, he couldn't wait for it! Let's do this fast! But I also need to display some skills …
The Elder in charge of the fights nodded at them and sounded the gong to begin while Qiu Ling still contemplated which of his moves were the most dashing.
Elder Gongxi's disciple unsheathed his sword and took up a stance, waiting for Qiu Ling to make the first move. His opponent just casually stood there, though. He waited a bit but there was still no movement on the other side of the ring.
Zhou Wu frowned. It seemed he had to be more direct? "That there, considering I am doing this as an apology on behalf of my master I will let you have three moves first. Please." He motioned at Qiu Ling.
The dragon king looked up with glimmering eyes. "Three moves?" Ah, that was really hard … He had finally identified the best moves to use but he had only narrowed it down to five. Well, there would be more fights later. He could just use the first three and then show off the other two in the later fights.
Qiu Ling didn't waste any time with words. He leaped forward, turned on the ball of his foot and kicked. His sleeves fluttered and his hair described a black arc in the air.
The martial sisters on the ground screamed. Jing Yi didn't say anything but his cheeks were flushed. Ah, heroes really were all handsome young men in white robes!
Qiu Ling turned further, his sleeves and hair fluttering once again until he stood in front of his opp— Uh? Where was his opponent? Qiu Ling looked around but couldn't see him. Was this fellow actually good enough to evade his move and then mask his presence so as to mount a sneak attack? But that was strange. It had felt like the kick connected.
Qiu Ling took some cautious steps forward while looking around. He couldn't believe that a human would manage to land a good hit on him just because he hid before. Qiu Ling finally arrived at the edge of the ring and detected his opponent: Zhou Wu was lying on the ground. The kick had actually sent him flying out of the ring.
Qiu Ling lifted his brows. He wouldn't have thought that his attack had been this successful. He waited but that Zhou Wu was just lying there. Qiu Ling angrily narrowed his eyes. "What are you still doing down there? Get up and continue the fight."
Grandmaster Zhangsun coughed. "Qiu Ling, you already won the fight."
"What? But I only used one move!"
Zhangsun Xun Yi lifted his brows. Good that you know …
Qiu Ling pressed his lips together. "I won't accept this!"
Zhou Wu could only groan. He had already kicked him off the ring this viciously and he still wanted to go again?!
Grandmaster Zhangsun sighed. Why was his disciple so thrilled about this fight? "You'll be participating in the gathering. Just fight there."
Qiu Ling paused. Mn, right, this one wasn't good enough of an opponent to showcase his skills. He could wait another hour before meeting his beloved if it gave him the opportunity to find a better opponent and show off.
Qiu Ling smiled at that master of his and stepped down from the ring. Mn, please, Elder in charge, hurry up and tell me who my next opponent is!