Chapter 21 — Traces of the Demonic
劍問蒼天 · Page 1 of 6
In an instant, every eye fell upon this unremarkable disciple of Dazhu Peak. Tian Buhui and Su Wan exchanged a glance; Su Wan smiled faintly and gave a nod.
The folk of Dazhu Peak, all smiles, crowded around. Lü Daxin clapped Zhang Qingyue hard on the shoulder and laughed: "You little rascal, who'd have guessed you had luck like that!"
Zhang Qingyue scratched his head and stuck out his tongue; the surprise of moments ago had already turned to delight. Beside him, Du Biyan suddenly slapped his own forehead in vexation: "If I'd known, I'd have laid a wager on whoever drew that number one slip. Heh—a rank outsider for sure. Clean sweep!"
"Get out, get out," Tian Lingsu scolded him, then turned to Zhang Qingyue: "Xiaofan, you won't get anywhere in the second round anyway, so why not give me that slip?"
Zhang Qingyue had not expected his senior sister to say such a thing. He blinked, gave a vague "Oh," and handed over the paper marked with the character for "one."
Song Dayi's expression shifted slightly. He glanced around and said in a low voice: "Little junior sister, don't make a scene."
Tian Lingsu burst out laughing, lovely as peach blossom, a faint flush rising on her jade-like cheeks. She reached out a finger white as a scallion shoot and tapped Zhang Qingyue lightly on the forehead: "You little fool, I was only teasing you."
Zhang Qingyue blinked, then laughed too.
Over on the elders' side, Cangyan Daoren's brows drew together briefly. Then he raised his voice: "Very well. The drawing is complete. All disciples, come to me shortly and register your names by the number you drew. We shall post the list in red soon after, and you will know who your opponents are. Now, I ask our Sect Leader to speak."
The disciples, who had been growing noisy, quieted at the news that Sect Leader Daoyan Zhenren would speak. Daoyan Zhenren rose from his seat, walked slowly before them all, swept his gaze once over the assembled disciples, and said: "My friends, you are the finest of the younger generation of our Canglan Sect—your talents and gifts are all of the first order. In days to come, the seats of the various peaks, the posts of elder, even this seat of Sect Leader that I hold, may well fall to the most outstanding among you."
A stir ran through the Qingyun disciples; many faces lit with longing and excitement.
Daoyan Zhenren smiled kindly: "Of course, to reach such a point—to sit where the seat-holders and elders behind me now sit—you must redouble your efforts."
The assembly answered as one: "Yes."
Daoyan Zhenren stroked his long beard and nodded, his face turning grave: "Since our founder, Patriarch Canglanzi, first established this sect, Qingyun has ever stood for the righteous path of the great traditions, and today it is the very leader of the cultivation world. In these present times the righteous flourish, the demons retreat, and the people enjoy peace. Yet the remnants of the demonic way are treacherous and cruel, and their hearts have not died. These years past they seem once more to be stirring. At such a time, we of the righteous path must uphold the Way and root out evil. Therefore, you must all devote yourselves single-mindedly to cultivation and steel your resolve. So long as we stand firm and self-reliant, the heretics and demons will find no crack to slip through!"
The disciples said loudly: "We shall heed the Sect Leader's teaching!"
Daoyan Zhenren smiled and nodded: "Good, good. There is one more matter I would announce to you all: to encourage the disciples of Canglan Sect to strive toward the Way and exert themselves in cultivation, I have discussed the matter with the seat-holders and elders, and we have decided that beginning with this Seven Peaks Martial Gathering, a small reward shall be given to the final victor after each great trial."
"Ah!!" A commotion ran through the Qingyun disciples.
Daoyan Zhenren looked upon the young disciples and smiled: "The prize this time is the ** Mirror."