Only a few moments after, a mysterious voice appeared in the heads of the gathered cultivators. From the other information Ke YongAn gathered from Tian Nian, this mysterious voice was a strange phenomenon that happened every time the event arrived.
It was indeed strange. No one could identify if the voice was from that of a man or woman, young or old. It said,
"Only the victor will achieve the destiny."
This could be inferred to winning the competition and receiving the inheritance, but at the same time, from previous years of the competition, no one had gotten it.
It was kind of obvious once you think about it, Ke YongAn thought. No one knows what conditions it is to achieve being the "victor", and this competition was made by others, not the master.
All cultivators already knew about this. There was nothing they could do, however, as there was no information as the inheritance. Many powerful cultivators attempted to find the truth, but gave up and instead used it to train the younger generation. After all, there were still benefits in this place. This also went to show that this inheritance was very special.
Ah! Right. Since I'm with xiao JinTie, I can watch the others use their bow.
Ever since becoming attached to the bow, all negative thoughts about it was thrown out the window. Ke YongAn was now thinking about using a bow.
"Each group, make an orderly line and take turn drawing lots."
Huh? I don't think I've heard this voice before?
The voice was rough and belonged to a person of over 60. Ke YongAn had already looked around and all of them were youngsters, hence the purpose of this trip. The oldest was only in his prime years(30).
Ke YongAn turned to the center of the source only to find an old man with a hunched back still looking majestic while several cups of bamboo lots floated beside him. There was a short moment of surprise within Ke YongAn at this sudden appearance.
Looking around, Ke YongAn realized no one else reacted with surprise.
Instead, their faces were painted with calm as they lined up orderly in several lines so Ke YongAn followed along. It was to be noted that no two teammates were in the same line.
There was still a question in her mind toward this old man though. Was he someone related to the inheritance, and if not, why was he here?
Thinking about this, Ke YongAn absentmindedly drew her lot.
It appeared to be a 2.
Wait, 2?
"This is a competition among your respected teams. The lots are draw from group one, numbers 1-20, group number 2, numbers 21-40, and so on. Thus, aside from group 1, one from the other groups drew a blank lot. The victors from the 6 groups will face off against each other. A champion willl be crowned at the end.
Now, can I have number 1 and 2 on the first ring, number 21 and 22 on the second ring, number 41 and 42 on the third..."
Even without prompting, the competitors found their ring without hesitation. Through Ke YongAn's sight, there appeared to be perfectly 6 groups excluding the rogue cultivators.
"...teammates can watch from the side and help one another out. However, they are unable to enter the ring or provide support in the form of artifacts, pills or mental attacks." The old man ended with this sentence.
They can still attack me. It's just like dodgeball, but just a "little more" dangerous. Ke YongAn thought. Ke YongAn didn't think of getting support from her teammates.
He looks...uh...Ke YongAn blanked out in the ring seeing this intimidating man towering over her small frame. His muscular upper half of the body seemed built for drawing the bowstring and firing destructively.
Why did I have to draw 2? I don't know how to shoot! Ke YongAn bemoaned her poor fate.
Just as she predicted, none of her teammates came to support her, opting to go to Tian Nian, who had drawn number 41.
"Mm?" Ke YongAn unconsciously let out a noise out of surprise to see Fei Dan walk towards and station himself at ring 1.
Out of all of the group members, Ke YongAn least expected for Fei Dan to observe her fight. After all, he was the closest to Tian Nian. She even suspected that in the last life, Fei Dan was the loyal dog of Tian Nian(in a cute puppy way, not the offensive way).
"Senior brother told me to come over and observe your fight. He told me not to help but to make sure you would fight with all your might." Fei Dan cleared Ke YongAn's doubts.
Well, I do need to try sometimes. I might have sparring experience, but not against those of the Nine Passages Stage yet.
Soon, Ke YongAn breathed out and let her focus sink in.
"Sorry. Are you ready?" Ke YongAn said.
Her opponent nodded, patient and of few words. Ke YongAn greatly appreciated the man's patience.
There's not need to worry about external help as no one came to our ring.
Movements seemed to slow.
Serenity within the heart and focus of the mind!
The opponent drew their bow quickly but steadily, an arrow of wind condensing. Ke YongAn observed all this but did not try and copy.
The arrow was fired and Ke YongAn saw the trajectory of the arrow. However...
So fast!
She did not have much window time to avoid the arrow. As she dodged out of the way, the arrow left cuts from the condensed wind and drilled deep into the ring.
She really would have been left with serious injuries from that. Was this really a friendly battle anymore?
Finally finished a chapter I should have finished a long time ago.
People say that they'll write more in this summer since school is over but for me...it is true but I instead procrastinate in writing even more than if I were in school. How's summer vacation coming along for you guys?