Around three months after Qatrand was asked about it by her elders, the location of the competition and traditional pre-war festivities had been officially released to the public. It was a time of excitement and increased tension… as while it was well known that the cultivators had been moving and preparing for this latest Voidling Descent, now there was an actual date for another related matter that stressed how close it was getting.
Yet many mortals, as well as competition aspirants from simpler backgrounds, looked forward to the entertainment. Cultivators might be seen frequently going about their Guild activities, but finding out who the next expected 'celebrities' among this next generation were helped lift many people's moods at a time it was needed.
A little 'cruel father, kind father' contrast for our Qat. Dense people might not realize things quickly, but when they do the happiness and pain are very strong!
Does this count as 'torturing the cutie' storytelling? Or am I providing too much potential emotional support through other avenues... hm...
As an aside, someone blasted Anper's character page with more popularity the other day from when I'm posting this. I promise this chapter wasn't in reaction to that!
Though my own shameless dumping of points at Elua to get *him* out of Top 1 was...