Dark Horse
Feng Haochen didn’t ask his disciples where they went nor did they reveal where they went. Cheng Yan and Mu Yu both knew better than to mention the youth on Green Pine Sect’s turf. Feng Haochen wasn’t disturbed in the least, while Mu Yu tossed and turned all night. All they could do was pray the competition ended as soon as possible to return to Dustfallen Sect.
Daoist Qing Song didn’t make an appearance on the second day of the tournament. Bai Lang replaced him as the host and explained his shifu went into seclusion to train after finding inspiration late last night. Though there was inevitably some speculation, for the most part, it wasn’t a big deal. Nobody would have the audacity to run rampant on Pine Green Sect’s grounds just because Daoist Qing Song wasn’t around, after all.
The tournament was at an interesting junction since two dark horses from the two lowest-ranking sects were on a roll. The world of cultivation had already begun to change; the cultivators were merely oblivious.
Mu Yu constantly searched for Tian Ran to no avail. At the same time, the youth in red monitored everyone from the shadows, hoping to find clues on Sword Shadow Dust Gale’s whereabouts. Mu Yu couldn’t pull out of his match without a justified reason after what he pulled off yesterday. Otherwise, it would lead to speculation and attention.
During the face off, Gu Yitian was burning to fight, while Mu Yu was absentminded. Mu Yu knew he had to pull punches, much to his dismay.
“My mistake. I didn’t realise your senior brother was the only impressive one at Dustfallen Sect,” said Gu Yitian, touching the ground with his sword loudly.
“Yeah? I never thought you were weak.” Mu Yu coiled his sword around his arm.
Since both contestants left deep impressions yesterday, there was big crowd watching them. The majority were in favour of Mu Yu winning since he defeated Xiaohu, while Gu Yitian had yet to cross swords with any of Green Pine Sect’s disciples. The logic was self-explanatory.
The two advanced to engage at the same time. Afterimages and sparks accompanied their swift tirade of fairly even trades. When they disengaged, both returned to their starting positions.
Mu Yu twirled his wrist after the separated. He found each of Gu Yitian’s strikes to be heavy, thereby tiring to block and counter. Gu Yitian’s style consisted of overpowering and straight-forward strikes unlike the popular technical style others practiced.
“You’re not ready.” Gu Yitian frowned because he noticed Mu Yu’s lack of decisiveness behind his attacks. “I want to fight you at your best.”
“Me, too.”
Mu Yu dashed forward and lunged, thrusting his sword at Gu Yitian’s forehead. Gu Yitian raised his sword, deflecting Shadow Splitter Sword and carrying his momentum around to swing around to Mu Yu’s lower back. Mu Yu spun and tensed up, dexterously redirecting the force from Gu Yitian’s swing using his Shadow Splitter Sword.
“You’re still holding back!”
Gu Yitian aggressively swung toward Mu Yu from another angle. Mu Yu jumped back and evaded every attack thrown his way. Following a sudden moment of inspiration, Mu yu deliberately left an opening. Gu Yitian couldn’t stop himself in time and smacked Mu Yu straight on the left shoulder, sending Mu Yu out of the ring.
As Mu Yu hit the ground, jaws also hit the ground. If Mu Yu defeated Xiaohu, yet hd was defeated in less than ten exchanges against Gu Yitian, then it spoke volumes about Gu Yitian’s cultivation.
Mu Yu tried his best to contain his rampaging spiritual energy despite the excruciating pain in his shoulder. Cheng Yan went over and placed a hand on Mu Yu’s shoulder to transfer pure spiritual energy to the latter. Cheng Yan could tell Mu Yu intentionally held back and was aware of the motivation behind the decision. He quietly told Mu Yu, “You didn’t need to do that.”
“I think I’m going to have to pull out from the next matches,” bemoaned Mu Yu, deliberately raising his voice for people to hear. Those who heard him were elated to hear they wouldn’t be matched up with him.
“Universe Sect wins!”
Gu Yitian was bitter he didn’t win fair and square. He still remembered Mu Yu’s formidable swordplay from yesterday; it was in a different league to what Mu Yu showed today.
Dustfallen Sect shone for a moment, but they eventually fell again. As for Gu Yitian, he became the centre of attraction just as Mu Yu hoped for. There was still concern Green Pine Sect would try to go after Mu Yu due to their loss, but it was all smoke and mirrors until someone made a move.
“I am sorry, Shifu,” conveyed Mu Yu, as he sat down. He avoided Feng Haochen’s gaze. He still couldn’t ease up when they were still within a dangerous zone.
“You can cross the bridge when you come to it. Don’t mind it.”
Mu Yu wasn’t sure if Feng Haochen was aware someone was searching for him from the remark. He wondered if said bridge was implying the individual overpowered everyone present. Perhaps he was saying not to worry?
“You’re not focused today. Once you’re ready, I’ll fight you again,” Gu Yitian said to Mu Yu. He then turned to Cheng Yan. “And you.”
“Yitian! Brother Feng, I apologise. Is Mu Yu all right?” expressed Daoist Bo Yang.
Feng Haochen smiled. “He’ll be fine after two days’ rest.”
“Since Mu Yu is pulling out, does that not mean you will not be ranked high? I apologise. I will find a way to make it up to you.”
Despite feeling sincerely happy Gu Yitian won, Daoist Bo Yang was sincerely apologetic, as well, because he understood Dustfallen Sect’s struggles at the bottom-rung sect.
“We were never bothered about that. Brother Bo Yang, please do not think too much of it. This serves as a good reminder that there is always somebody superior out there.”
Though Mu Yu’s injury wasn’t debilitating, there was no healing it. Sadly, that was the only way he could convincingly withdraw from competition. If he wanted to have more options in the future, he had to grow stronger. Until then, he could only bear with what was imposed on him.
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