Chapter 45: Look at My Thick Python
The draw began, and everyone was curious about their opponents. In the Ye family's competition rules, the format was simple: with twenty-two participants, competitor number one would face number two, number three would face number four, and so on.
In the second round, competitors would again face those with adjacent numbers, but the winners of numbers twenty-one and twenty-two would get a bye for one round. Many cultivators hoped to draw these numbers.
When it was Ye Jingcheng's turn, Ye Xinghe placed the box of bamboo slips in front of him. As he wasn't the first to draw, there were still many slips left.
"Do your best!" Ye Xinghe said with an extra hint, seeming to imply something.
"Thank you, Uncle!" Ye Jingcheng responded and drew a slip with both hands before bowing and retreating to the crowd.
Among the spectators, many murmured in disappointment or frustration.
"I didn't draw a good number, and my opponent is still Second Brother!"
"I didn't draw well either; my opponent is in the Qi Refining sixth layer!"
With rewards for the top ten and especially for the top three, many aimed to win at least one round to secure a position in the top ten.
"Jingcheng, which number did you get? I got eighteen, just two away!" Ye Jingli leaned over, looking dejected.
"Mine is twenty-two!" Ye Jingcheng looked at his slip, then rubbed his nose and spoke.
He was pleasantly surprised by his luck. This made Ye Jingli even more despondent, as it meant he would face Ye Jingcheng in the third round, making his chances of reaching the top three slim.
Soon, all the draw slips were picked. Second Brother Ye Jingyong drew number two, matching his generation's rank. Sixth Brother Ye Jingli drew eighteen, Seventh Sister Ye Jingyu drew fifteen, and Ninth Brother Ye Jingyun drew eight.
The competition quickly started. Ye Jingyong faced off first, using his Flying Cloud Leopard against Ye Xingyu, who was also in the Qi Refining sixth layer. Ye Xingyu's spirit beast was a spotted tiger, with formidable battle experience.
Ye Jingyong wielded a mid-grade first-tier broad sword and a high-grade first-tier magic seal, while Ye Xingyu used a bronze ring magic tool and three long spears.
The fight was fierce, with Ye Jingyong's broad sword slashing the spears away while the Flying Cloud Leopard swiftly attacked the spotted tiger, leaving numerous wounds. Despite Ye Xingyu's magic tools, Ye Jingyong's strength and spirit beast gave him the edge, leading to a hard-fought victory.
"Uncle Xingyu, thank you for the match!" Ye Jingyong said.
"Good job, kid!" Ye Xingyu, although older, was gracious in defeat. In the Ye family, the belief was that fairness in competition, even if harsh, was the greatest fairness.
After Ye Jingyong and Ye Xingyu, competitors numbered three and four faced each other. This time, it was a straightforward battle between a Qi Refining sixth layer and a Qi Refining fourth layer, with the former winning easily.
The fifth and sixth competitors also fought quickly.
Among them, Ye Jingyun, a pharmacist, was eliminated in the first round. In contrast, Ye Jingyu, with her Qi Refining fifth layer and jade ring rat spirit beast, advanced to the next round.
Finally, it was Ye Jingli's turn. He eagerly took the stage, despite knowing he wouldn't reach the top three.
"Fifth Brother, let me show you my Thick Python!" Ye Jingli announced loudly, revealing his spirit beast.
His opponent, Ye Jingfeng, from the Jing generation and highly experienced in demon hunting, looked even more sullen at this provocation.
[Translator: sauron]
The spectacle drew attention, even from Ye Jingcheng, who was momentarily stunned.
Ye Jingli's Thick Python was impressive, covered in green scales and adorned with spikes. Even Ye Xinghe was surprised. Customizing spirit beast armor was an extravagant yet effective way to enhance combat power.
Ye Jingcheng admired his sixth brother's creativity and began to consider upgrading his own spirit beasts' gear, like claws or wing armor for his Golden Scaled Beast.
Ye Jingfeng, with his standard equipment of a high-grade first-tier Qiankun Ring and a mid-grade first-tier flying sword, faced Ye Jingli, who used a black tower magic tool, a mid-grade silver ring magic tool, and a nine-ring copper knife. The match was intense, with both sides showing considerable skill.
Ultimately, Ye Jingli won, and Ye Jingcheng watched attentively, taking notes. Though he had limited experience in combat, observing these battles was enlightening, especially the clever tactics used by the demon hunters.
Finally, it was time for the last match of the stage. Ye Jingcheng stepped up, facing a middle-aged cultivator in a green robe.
"Jingcheng, though I'm an elder, as a talisman master, using talismans is quite reasonable, don't you think?"
Next Tuesday's update is crucial, so please follow along.
Additionally, it's worth noting that in ancient clans, schemes and rivalries are common. With the Ye family being a spirit beast clan, their methods are coveted, and even Purple Mansion clans worry about the Ye family's advancement.
The world of cultivation is far from peaceful; stability is merely a balance of interests, and disrupting this balance leads to turmoil.
(End of Chapter)