Ryuu or as he called himself now Long Yu, was sitting on a chair as he watched his teammates were busy with their last minute preparations, he watched closely as the shouted at each other checking then double checking and triple checking everything, before Bashista ordered in a rough voice troops assemble, all the members of team Shadow Wolves weather temporary or permanent stood in straight line, "Squad I did like to welcome our newest member Long Yu, he will be in our care, but as we do not know his full skill set, I hope Yu would not mind giving me a summary of his skills.", finished Bashista as he glanced at Long Yu.
Long Yu was highly excited, his eyes were sparkling, the others winced at that no matter how much genius the child was he had apparently read too much fantasy and now suddenly he will be thrust into the real world they just hoped Long Yu would never give up being cultivator.
Long Yu: "Well I am a sword user, and I have already use level 5 sword force, I am an Zifu Disciple level arrayist, and Zifu Disciple level Alchemist.", Yu was bit tensed as he heard the frustrated growl from others, he winced internally, 'when I go back I will double my training, I am already a burden on this kind people, I hope they do not suffer any mishap because of me.', completely unaware that the frustrated growl was not because of Ryuu's lack of skill but because of the shame they felt as a person less than a fourth of their age is more talented than them, this was utter humiliation, but the thought that the child is inexperienced brought up their spirits at least we would not look like an idiot in front of him.
Bashista cleared his throat bringing everyone's attention towards him, "Well let us move out the registration will start soon, if we miss it the array surrounding the ruin will not allow us to enter."
They reached in front of a large crowd, people were wearing different color cloths, most of them seemed to wear some form of uniform as they traveled in large group many stalls were set up as hawkers trying to sell their stuff, while many people running helter skelter to make last minute purchase, Tina who was closest to Ryuu whispered into his ears, "Yu this hawkers selling here mostly are con artists and scammers, whenever you would go to such ruins you will be greeted by plethora of scum, although may be some of the article they posses be genuine but most are just masterful imitations just try to avoid them as much as possible."
Ryuu nodded with disgust, 'why would people be so mean?'
Ruth: "Captain there is still some time left so why don't we go and eat something, I am hungry."
Bashista: "Good idea brother let us finish our lunch, there is still some time before the registration starts."
Jack: "Well kid what do you think of this Nine Dragon village?"
Ryuu aka Long Yu: "Sir, this place is nice and the people look friendly but also feels a bit tense, as if something major will happen."
Jack laughed at him," Oy oy what is this 'Sir' thing, we are teammates now just call us 'brothers' and 'sisters', but you are right the people are tensed, when so many cultivators gather in a place fights breaking out are very common, this village folk just do not want to get caught in the middle of it."
The team was led to a restaurant a little bit further from the town centre where registration will take place. The restaurant was named 'The Laughing Dragon'; Ryuu cocked his left eyebrow he asked the person nearest to him, "Big Sis Jessie, why is almost everything named after dragon here?"
Jessie answered with a smirk, "Well kid since the main income of this village is from the ruins of the nine headed dragon school, everything is named after it."
They entered the restaurant took over one of the table, which gave them complete view of the street as well as inside of the restaurant, as they sat, Ruth began speaking, "Remember kid whenever you are trying to enter the ruins try to scout out as many of our competitors as possible, without drawing any attention to yourself. Like those idiots over there.", motioning towards some people specially an arrogant looking smug richly dressed middle aged man who was busy harassing some woman, who looked half his age.
"You see that idiot, over there is currently harassing the daughter of Celestial mountain sect head's daughter, Rong Niu, a twenty year old super genius of the sect already at peak Zifu Disciple level."
Suddenly Rong Niu vanished and reappeared a few feet away from the pig, as she walked away the clothes of the buffoon fell off from his body as if they were cut by something sharp, the man was stark naked as the day he was born in the middle of the street as the day he was born, everyone started laughing as the man who looked as if would grateful if the earth opened up and swallowed him whole, he ran with his hands covering his privates to save whatever dignity was left of him.
Meanwhile Ryuu was struggling to see the aftermath of the fight as Tina had already covered his eyes with her hands as soon as the pig's clothes were cut, no need to traumatize the young boy. Ryuu pouted angrily at her he wanted to see what was so funny everyone was laughing.
As they finished their lunch he saw many richly dressed so called young masters and young mistress, acting so precociously and shamefacedly it disgusted him, this people had no temperament of a cultivator, but he also carefully observed that the some people who were very strong, the skills his Third Mistress taught enabled him to realize that, his blood boiled he wanted to fight them, he frowned at that since he stepped into Zifu realm his desire to battle and challenge others is growing strong.
Soon it was time for them to register, they went towards the crowd near the middle of the town center, Ryuu was hopping up and down trying to see through the crowd, suddenly he felt a strong arm grasping him and hosting him up in the air so he could see, "High Could See Far", came a deep rumbling voice.
Ryuu: "Thank you, Han.", who just gave him a kind smile.
Ryuu saw a few dozen stone steele erected in front of what looked like a stadium, the entrance of it had some veil covering it, but he could make out blurry image of many people behind it, some people went to the steele and placed their hands on it, a dozen deep voice boomed out simultaneously, "Male, 43 years, Zifu Disciple 5Th rank, Pass, "Female, 35 years, Zifu Disciple 4Th rank, Pass,
"Male, 70 years, Zifu Disciple 5Th rank, Fail, Male, 62 years, Wanxiang Adept 1st rank, Fail,.....
As soon as the word failed was uttered the failed person was blasted off with tremendous force screaming as blood flowed from his/ her mouth, he was quickly dragged away by some people.
Jack sighed, "Why did those fool do not understand only someone of Zifu realm and younger than 70 can enter the realm."
Ryuu hummed as he thought how awesome would be to study and create such array, which even after so many years are still working. He idly watched as Rong Niu placed her hand on the steele, she gained entry and like her many others did but he noticed everyone who entered had a bracelet formed on their hands made out of array.
Soon it was his turn, suddenly a shiver went down his spine as a stray thought ran through him, if all the ruins had such security it would easily reveal his secret to the outside world, no none shall know about it he will have to consult his Second Mistress about it. Suddenly an obnoxious voice came to his ears, "Oi dwarf did your mama not give you any milk you are so short, well come and be my foot stool I might buy you some."
At that the surrounding laughed uproariously at Ryuu, never in his short life has he felt so much anger 'that smelly poop headed idiot, when I find him inside the ruins I will beat him so hard not even his mother would recognize him.'
Ryuu retorted rather harshly, "Why are you here oh ancient one, you should not compete with us youngsters, you might dislocate your withered old bones just by walking."
"Burn", a comment came from somewhere as many started laughing again. Ryuu glared fiercely at the arrogant hawk nosed man who had two scantily scant women with heavy makeup and perfume practically plastered with the man. Ryuu felt nauseous as he saw this people he grew up surrounded by many woman who made him respect the fairer sex a great deal, but this women acting like that made him feel sick. He shook his head as placed a hand on the steele. Then a deep booming voice erupted, "Male, age 7 years, Zifu Disciple 4th rank, Pass.", everyone froze at that, even the elders who were currently gossiping and drinking wine or tea, dropped their cups, a 7 year old Zifu Disciple, where did that little monster came from, the people awoke from their shock as pandemonium descended among the people, but before they could react Ryuu had already entered the stadium with his teammates, while the outside world was busy trying to discern his identity Ryuu was busy trying to decipher the array on his wrists. He suddenly felt many eyes on him, as he looked up he saw many eyes completely focused on him, which made him nervous and shy, he gulped before waving at the other participants, he mumbled out a weak, "Hello.", then he quickly went stood as close as possible with his team mates.
Meanwhile the sects' elders were busy contacting their respective sect head, "Sir, yes sir you have heard correctly, yes I will surely try to recur…. WHAT! You will be here personally, ….uh oh …. DIVINE BODY! ….capture."
As the plotted and planned about Ryuu how to recruit or reason about his level or in some cases capture or kill, what they did not know that everything was being watched not only by Ryuu's Martial Sisters but also his mother and teachers as well, who would never allow such nefarious schemers to touch him.