Chương 24: Absurd
[Word Count 2081]
The path of cultivation is a long endless path that many can tread on.
Every individual had their unique reasons to tread on that path.
Some cultivators practice immortal cultivation so as to have enough strength to protect their loved ones and relatives.
Others take on cultivation to attain eternal life and live as long as the heavens.
Some do it for wealth, prestige, and beauties.
There were simply myriad reasons that couldn't be named, ranging from simple to the most complex ones.
Ambitions are what drive people to constantly grow in terms of individuality and strength.
You could walk hand in hand with a significant other while realizing your ambitions together but you could also decide to do it alone.
Loneliness needed a heart of endurance. Zhao Wei had already tasted loneliness and was familiar with it. He was already used to it.
The path of aloneness had been his even when he had been an earthling.
His heart had never wavered or been influenced by feelings of romanticism. And that didn't mean that Zhao Wei was by no means hollow.
Or did one need love and romance to be full and complete?
Did one need to be loved and cherished to feel the meaning of their own existence?
Life can be interesting when shared with the other half or the so-called harem but at the same time, it can also be enjoyed by being alone.
Priorities mold different aspects of a person. Zhao Wei never saw a future where he embraced beauties left and right. In his future, he only saw himself but was that kind of future going to be like that forever?
Zhao Wei himself didn't know. Jokingly, maybe he would find love and his immovable heart set racing or maybe….
It sounded absurd even to himself.
With the main tournament starting, Zhao Wei had such thoughts running through his mind.
Anyway, the main tournament was divided into the ranking challenge and spot challenge. The "spot challenge" involved fighting among the qualified top outer disciples and some of the inner disciples so that only fifty disciples remained. The "ranking challenge" was the final method used to properly rank the inner disciples according to their strengths. And the overall ranking obtained during the "ranking challenge" would determine the kind of prizes one would receive at the end of the day.
The spot challenge wasn't that interesting and worthy of Zhao Wei's attention. Many also shared the same thoughts.
During the spot challenge, Zhao Wei fought an inner disciple occupying the eleventh rank among the top fifty and easily won. Since he was the top outer disciple, it didn't come off as a surprise to the main judges and elders.
Zhao Feng took the thirteenth position while Zhao Yufei took the sixteenth.
When Zhao Wei analyzed Zhao Feng he found that he was in the Peak Fourth Rank of Consolidated Realm unlike during canon where he had fifth rank cultivation base. Also Zhao Yufei even with her unawakened ancient bloodline of the Spiritual Race, was in the Peak Fourth Rank.
In the cultivation world, there was always no need to show everything about yourself to the whole world to see. A high progression rate in the cultivation base when you were initially trash would always bring you unnecessary scrutiny from busy bodies. To make it more simple it would always be better to show other people what they want to see while hiding yourself pretty well.
Zhao Wei hid his real cultivation and on the surface, showed an acceptable rate of progress - Peak Fourth Rank. His strength was still terrifying even when under restrictions of the weighty bangles.
"The Ranking tournament will now begin." The judge announced after the spot challenges were finished.
Since the ranking challenge 'Phase 2' was all about prizes, the rewards were naturally going to be different across all the ranks. The rewards received by the top three were inevitably going to be better than the top ten and top twenty.
Zhao Wei's sights were obviously set on nothing less than the top three.
He remembered that the rewards for the top three was the chance to choose a Peak Ranked martial arts technique from the martial arts library and the bestowal of a blood pill.
The various alluring rewards were going to create an extremely fierce competitive environment among the inner disciples.
'The third rank isn't that bad. Anything beyond that would be a complete waste of my time.' Zhao Wei thought carefully and surreptitiously gazed at the number one rank, Zhao Linglong, who was pretending to be mysterious by having his eyes closed, ignorant and unperturbed by the pesky competition.
His pretentious pose nearly made Zhao Wei burst out in laughter.
'The Long guy has that "template" just like all Aotians. Wasn't he infatuated in an instant when he had just seen Zhao Yufei for the first time? And then the guy decides to mark the original MC as an enemy due to his closeness with the girl.
'Sigh, sometimes it is always good to sympathize with the young masters.' Zhao Wei chuckled internally.
The judge then started to clearly explain the rules of the "ranking challenge".
The rules were pretty simple. Everyone had only three chances of challenging others. If you lose when you challenge someone, then that would leave you with two chances and if you win, then the three chances would still remain unaffected. If for example you were ranked at the fiftieth position and you challenge the inner disciple at fortieth rank and also win, you would naturally take their position. Even if those ranked higher challenged those of the lower rank and won, there wouldn't be anything to be gained.
By the time the judge had finished his brief explanation, every participating disciple now had a clear picture of the tournament.
Going forward, the challenges began being issued from the bottom rank going up.
Zhao Wei slept through that period and only opened one eye when it reached the top twenty. Even though it was still worth nothing in his eyes, Zhao Wei still silently watched the various skills displayed by those disciples. All the inner disciples in the top twenty had at least quasi martial artist strength.
Zhao Yufei challenged someone in the sixth seat and won but she couldn't help sneaking glances at a certain youth who seemed to be half-sleep.
Zhao Yufei wondered who he was going to challenge. She couldn't help but get curious since up until now, he had never shown his full fighting capabilities. He would always joke around.
He was like a maze and Zhao Yufei sadly didn't realize that such an enigmatic maze can't be easily cleared. No, she could never.
Zhao Wei felt a gaze burning holes into his face and he didn't even need to turn his head to know whom it belonged to. He pretended to be oblivious, not giving them any of his attention.
And when it was Zhao Feng's turn…
"Pass!" He passed his chance while casting competitive glances toward Zhao Wei and the top three seats.
His decision surprised many but it wasn't against the rules to pass up your chances.
'Not surprised.' Zhao Wei thought as he patiently waited for his turn.
The guy in the twelfth position was a Peak Third Ranker but he could put up a proper fight against a Fourth Rank Martial Artist.
He used a saber as his attack weapon while fighting against the challenged opponent holding the ninth position.
His attacks were filled with savagery and ferocity, perfectly conveying the essence of a saber which ultimately overwhelmed his helpless opponent who had just entered the Fourth Rank.
The ranking was once again refreshed.
'I am learning new things over the course of this competition. That's good.' Zhao Wei mused as he kept on replaying the images of various fights that had already happened inside his head.
"Next, Zhao Wei!" The judge called out to him seeing that he seemed rather distracted.
"Oh, um…" Zhao Wei jolted from his seat and slowly started looking around.
Everyone sighed in relief when they realized he wasn't going to give up the chance like Zhao Feng.
There was a pin-drop silence. Everyone waited in anticipation to see who the supposed 'undisputed' top outer disciple was going to choose.
His deep gaze started trailing from the 10th position holder who immediately directed his eyes away as if Zhao Wei's eyes could petrify one's soul.
The saber wielder despite his wild nature also cowered.
Eighth… Seventh… Sixth… Fifth… All the disciples holding those positions respectively totally avoided Zhao Wei's predatory gaze like a plague. This truly amused Zhao Wei.
Was I that bad? When did I start eating people? Why cower when I haven't even done anything?
The Fourth Rank, Zhao Qin, met his gaze in defiance as if secretly urging him on to give it a shot and she wasn't afraid like the others. Zhao Qin's cultivation base was at the Peak Fourth Rank of the consolidated realm just like Zhao Wei. So there was really no reason to fear him.
Or so she thought.
Zhao Wei's gaze passed her, much to her secret relief. Zhao Qin had a subconscious understanding that even though she could fight Zhao Wei, winning against him would be a different story entirely. An opponent that hides their trump cards and true strength so confidently wasn't someone that Zhao Qin wished to cross paths with.
"Who is he going to choose among the top three?" A spectating elder spoke impatiently.
"Isn't he biting more than he can chew? The top three are all elites with Fifth Rank and above strength. They can easily rival those of the same realm." Another higher up interjected.
"Winning against other outer disciples seemed to have made him arrogant and conceited. The outstanding elites like Zhao Linglong and Zhao Chi are rare geniuses that can easily beat him with one move." An elder with a green hat on his head said harshly while casting a gloating look at Zhao Wei with his rat eyes.
"I beg to differ. There's something different about this disciple. Just look at his form very closely. If you look at him very vaguely then you won't know how terrifying he is. Even for someone like me who has a higher cultivation than him can't really find any openings in his stance." The white-bearded great elder, Elder Zhao, who was also the main judge, shook his head lightly while caressing his beard. His eyes shone with profundity when he said those words, much to the shock of the elders present. Even the head of the clan, Zhao Tiancang, had his interest piqued.
"You seem pretty confident in that disciple but I still think my Zhao Linglong can't easily lose to anyone in the inner court. You will see for yourselves." Zhao Tiancang laughed with pride, showing his full confidence in his adoptive son.
"Now let's see who the young cub is going to pick."
Without speaking, Zhao Wei pointed at the Third seat where Zhao Yijian's cousin or something, sat.
"Wow, he chose Zhao Han!" A disciple exclaimed.
"Zhao Han is a terrifying peak Fifth Ranker. Doesn't he know that or is he just bat crazy?!"
"Reckless! Truly Reckless!"
"Let's watch how he will be beaten black and blue!" Zhao Han's supporters cast malicious glances toward Zhao Wei, hoping and cursing him to suffer misfortune.
As for Zhao Han, the challenged, he felt rather disrespected for being pointed at by a measly finger that ought to be cut clean from its owner.
Thick black lines appeared on his temples as a chilling surge of icy inner energy erupted from him like a blizzard.
"YOU PUNK! LET'S SEE HOW I BREAK THAT FINGER OF YOURS AND THEN FEED IT TO THE DOGS!" Zhao Han bellowed furiously like a mad bull before jumping onto the stage.
His cold inner strength was threatening dropping the temperature around the fighting arena.
Zhao Wei used his pinkie finger to pick at his ear with a bored expression on his face. He looked completely unbothered by Zhao Han's intimidation.
Zhao Wei then feigned a fake sneeze, much to the surprise of everyone.
"I honestly didn't think that the barks of a hairy mutt like you, would bring me an unexpected allergy. Shoo, can't you just bark an infinite distance away from me?"
Someone in the crowd coughed up blood and fainted!
Probably for the sake of Zhao Han!
***
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