On a closer look the Shui siblings discovered it wasn't two boats but the parts of a destroyed boat!
As the "boats" came close to the shores everyone saw the large beast with two spears embedded into one of its eyes and the head, right where the brain is situated on one board with a short haired scrawny boy leaning against it while the other floating wood carried three youths.
Seeing them, the Elders eyes went wide, not even Feng Shaofang was excluded. Funny enough, the others were the ones paddling Xu Kai and the Skylark!
Cheng Wei blinked twice, unable to believe the group they did not even remember was participating in the competition was here and with a catch bigger than Shui Mei Er's!
When they reached land, the youths scrambled out, digging their fingers into the sand and looking at the sea with fear.
A glance and Xu Kai knew apart from Jin Tao who had a fighting spirit, the rest would never hunt nor sail the sea willingly.
Boldly, he walked up to the Elders and cupped his fists. "This is my catch, a big young Skylark Shark."
'Did you have to add big?' Shui Long Yan's lips twitched. Whispers and gasps hung in the air as this feat surpassed Shui Long Yan's!
Shui Long Yan was expected to be impressive but everyone in this group could barely lift a 55 kg stone so how were they able to kill a ferocious sea beast weighing over 1000 kg!
Truth be told, had it not been for Xu Kai's subtle control over the water, it would have been impossible to move the beast to the shores, meaning transporting the catch was also another trial, especially when the boat was wrecked.
"You were six, where are the other two?" Cheng Wei tersely queried.
Xu Kai bowed. "The Skylark attacked them—!"
"Liar, you must have done something!" One of the dead youth's older brother pointed at Xu Kai, his eyes bloodshot.
Xu Kai knew they were simply seeking someone to vent and he seemed to be the right target, after all, who will defend an orphan and a beggar?
"What are you saying? He risked his life to save them!" Jin Tao retorted strongly.
"Risked his life? Then we're the mark to show for it?" Cheng Wei sneered. Behind his calm expression was boiling anger, one so hot that it might rival a volcano. None of the Shuis died but two Chengs were killed?!
Clearly, he refused to believe the heavens were against his family and chose to believe Xu Kai did something.
After all, there was no way a sleeper who hasn't learned nor seen martial arts in his life could kill a Skylark Shark!
One needed to know that the Skylark Shark is an iconic beast known for its tyrannous strength and ruthlessness. Though not the most powerful beast, it was feared the most.
"How could a beggar kill the Skylark?!" Someone from the crowd uttered in clear disbelief.
"Child, did you see how he killed it?" Shui Ling turned to Jin Tao.
"It was inside the water so I did not see everything but he saved me when he stabbed its right eye. We all know the Skylark rages when it's hurt, that's why it attacked and Xu Kai fought it in the water. None of us could do anything," Jin Tao said, staring at the other two from the corner of his eyes. He made sure they couldn't spoil Xu Kai's good deed later on.
"He made it angry so he was the cause!" One of the youth's elder brother bellowed, threatening to dart towards Xu Kai and…
"Enough! Your brother signed the agreement. Too bad he was too weak," Elder Cheng Wei shook his head.
His show of understanding only made the commoners look at Xu Kai like he was the enemy.
'Can't you see he's merely acting? He's only careful of Elder Feng! Without clarifying the Elder's intent towards me, they can't act. But, it doesn't mean they won't in the end.'
A gleam flashed through Xu Kai's eyes.
"Good! You did well, the last jade tag is yours." Shui Ling amicably said as she smiled softly.
"Will any of you challenge him for the jade?" Elder Feng's slow, deep voice rang causing a stir.
Even Xu Kai's expression changed.
"Isn't Elder Feng supporting the beggar or has it decided to abandon him after discovering how shrewd he is?"
"What do you mean by shrewd?"
"He clearly hid his true strength! Or are you blind?"
While discussions were going on amongst the commoners, Cheng Wei tilted his head toward Feng Shaofang, his eyes gleamed and he averted his gaze.
"Beggar, thank you for saving my life but I also want to enroll into a Taoist Enclave and prove myself to the family!" One of the youth, a descendant of the Shui Family's branch families, dashed toward Xu Kai.
Hearing the youth's hurried footsteps grow louder and louder the closer the youth was, Xu Kai's muscles grew taut, his hands balling into a fist.
He still remained his bow making others think he was shocked. His senses were so keen that he sensed when the temperature around the youth's fist become moist and water covered his fists, hardening into ice!
[Ice Fists!]
This wasn't a technique that trained the body but a spirit technique reserved by the Shui family for their kin. Outsiders were forbidden from learning it.
Bam—!
Xu Kai slammed his elbow into the youth's abdomen, wrapped his arms around the youth's neck and flipped him over. As the youth fell on his back, Xu Kai placed his foot on his chest.
The excited youth had goosebumps. There wasn't an inkling of playfulness in Xu Kai's eyes. Those were the eyes of a veteran practitioner!
It was on the ground that the pain from his abdomen assaulted the youth causing him to groan.
"Interesting," Shui Long Yan cocked a brow while his sister's brow knitted. Unlike her brother who only knew opponents, she preferred using her brain in almost every situation as long as it required it.
"It's yours." Elder Feng said and the jade tag floated into Xu Kai's grasp.
"I, Xu Kai won't disappoint!" Xu Kai finally smiled like someone his age. His goofy smile shattered the mysterious visage he put in Shui Mei Er's heart.
She quickly lost interest as Xu Kai shamelessly kissed the jade tag, ran into the forest and came back with a large leaf which he used to fan Elder Feng.
"Eh, Elder, you're old so I thought you might be hot."
Elder Feng's lips twitched. "Brat, scram!"