Hanyuan's first stop was the far eastern edge of the island. He wanted to offer his formal gratitude to Elder Huo; without that Star Breaker Pill, the eight month breakthrough to the peak of the 8th Layer would have taken three years of meditation.
However, as he rounded the final path, he stopped and rubbed his eyes. The massive, soot stained bronze cauldron-house,a building that had felt as permanent as the mountain itself,was gone. In its place was a tranquil, swaying garden of violet bell flowers and a modest, elegant pavilion made of white jade. The smell of sulfur and smoke had been replaced by a delicate, floral perfume.
Crack.
The pavilion door opened, and a woman stepped out. She wore flowing robes of pale violet silk that shimmered with an internal light. Hanyuan recognized her instantly,she was one of the three Elders who had overseen the Outer Disciple competition.
"This junior, Bai Hanyuan, greets the Elder," Hanyuan said, bowing deeply.
The woman chuckled, a sound like silver bells, as she watched the 13 year old. "Are you searching for someone, little boy? Your eyes are darting around as if you've lost your way."
"Elder... I was looking for Elder Huo. I remembered his forge was right here," Hanyuan explained, feeling a bit foolish.
The woman laughed openly now. "That old fool Huo? He isn't here anymore. After he successfully refined several batches of Tier 4 Pills, the Sect Master himself intervened. Elder Huo has been promoted to the Vice-Leader of the Alchemy Island in the Inner Sect. He moved his entire workshop to the high peaks 3 months ago."
Hanyuan's heart jumped. To be promoted to the Inner Sect's Alchemy Island was a monumental honor. It also meant he had a very powerful conection in the high circles.
"I see... I am happy for him," Hanyuan said.
"He left a message for the 'Brat with the Blue Spear,'" the Elder added, her eyes twinkling. "He said that if you fail to reach the Inner Sect next year, he'll come down here and turn your spear into a stirring rod for his lowest grade medicinal dregs."
Hanyuan gave a wry smile. That sounds exactly like him.
After bidding the female Elder farewell, Hanyuan walked toward the residential area. He reached the familiar stone door of Qin Yu's hut and knocked lightly.
Crack.
The door creaked open just a sliver. Qin Yu peered out, his hair a tangled mess and deep, dark bags hanging under his bloodshot eyes. He looked as if he hadn't slept since the last moon fell.
"I've told you three times today, Zhao Yao, I am not dueling you until my meridians stop hurting," Qin Yu mumbled, his voice raspy. Then, he blinked, focusing on the tall youth standing before him. "Hanyuan? You... you finally emerged from your hole?"
Qin Yu opened the door fully, his jaw dropping as he sensed the aura radiating from Hanyuan. The air around Hanyuan was unnervingly still and carried a sharp, electric chill.
"Huh? The Peak of the 8th Layer?" Qin Yu gasped, stepping back. "I spent a fortune on 9th Layer Water Pills and library time to reach the Peak of the 9th layer, and you caught up that much just by sitting in the dark? You're a lunatic!"
Hanyuan laughed, genuinely happy to see his friend. "I could say the same to you. The Peak of the 9th Layer? You're effectively the king of the Outer Sect now that Kong Xuan and Mu Rongbing has left. You'll win the competition without breaking a sweat."
Qin Yu sighed, leaning against the doorframe and shaking his head gloomily. "I wish it were that simple. I'm not the only one who hit the peak during seclusion. There are two others,an Earth style brute named Tie Kun and a girl from the Northern Provinces named Feng Yue. They've both stabilized the 9th Layer Peak. It's going to be a bloodbath for that top spot."
Hanyuan's expression turned serious. The competition is even fiercer than last year.
"I'm going back inside," Qin Yu said with a long, bone weary yawn. "I have three days to perfectly integrate my Spiraling Water art before the bells toll. If I see Zhao Yao, tell her I died and was reincarnated as a monk."
Hanyuan chuckled. "I'll see you on the day of the competition, Brother Yu. Good luck."
"You too," Qin Yu replied, the door clicking shut.
Hanyuan walked back toward the center of the plaza. He watched the white clouds drifting below the bridge of light. Three days.
Tie Kun, Feng Yue, Qin Yu... Hanyuan thought, his obsidian eyes flashing with violet sparks.
The bronze bells of the Mystic Sky Sect pulsed, the vibrations shaking the very foundations of the Cloud Jade Isle. Hanyuan rose from his meditation mat, the air in his hut crackling with suppressed lightning and shifting frost.
He adjusted the strap of the Cold Cloud Spear across his back and stepped out. The paths to the arena were full of white robes. Thousands of disciples,some seasoned veterans, others the wide eyed new sprouts of the latest recruitment,surged toward the western plateau.
As the crowd gathered around the four main stages, Hanyuan could feel the difference in atmosphere. The Qi in the air was a turbulent sea of varying elements.
"Silence!"
Elder Su's voice descended like a divine decree. He stood atop the high observation balcony. Beside him, the violet robed woman and Elder Qi were joined by a new figure,a short, stocky middle aged man with arms as thick as tree trunks who radiated a heavy, metallic aura.
Hanyuan adjusted his breathing, settling into a peak state of readiness. In the distance, he spotted Qin Yu. The youth looked significantly more confident than last year, though Zhao Yao was still hovering near him, her red robes a vivid contrast to his azure ones. Hanyuan chose not to join them.
Last year, I fainted at rank 23, Hanyuan thought, his obsidian eyes scanning the competition. This year, top five is the floor. The ceiling... well, we'll see how high the sky is.
The first few rounds were quick eliminations. Hanyuan was called to the fourth stage twice. His first two opponents,one at the 5th Layer and another at the 6th,didn't even draw their weapons. The moment Hanyuan stepped onto the stone, he released a sliver of his Aura,the sheer weight of his Qi made the younger disciples' knees buckle. They bowed, surrendered, and retreated in awe.
"Next match: Bai Hanyuan versus Ba Gang!"
The crowd's attention shifted. Ba Gang was a well known name among the Outer Disciples,an eighteen year-old at the 8th Layer who favored brute force. He stepped onto the stage, a massive black iron warhammer resting on his shoulder. His muscles were so developed they threatened to tear his robes, and his eyes burned with a primal hunger for combat.
"Finally," Ba Gang rumbled, slamming the head of his hammer into the stone, cracking the tile. "A worthy opponent. I've heard you've been hiding for months, Bai Hanyuan. Let's see if you were training or just rotting!"
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
Ba Gang moved with surprising speed for his size. He hoisted the hammer, the metal glowing with a dull orange Earth Qi. With a roar, he brought it down in a vertical arc aimed squarely at Hanyuan's skull.
Hanyuan didn't reach for his spear. A thin, dangerous smirk touched his lips.
"Azure Cloud Footwork."
Usually, the technique was misty and unpredictable, but Hanyuan infused it with a spark of his Lightning Qi. Violet arcs danced around his ankles as his vision blurred.he repositioned himself into Ba Gang's blind spot in a literal blink.
"What?!" Ba Gang gasped, his hammer striking only air and stone.
Hanyuan's fist moved. He just used raw, physical power.
Thud Thud Thud!
Three rapid punches hammered into Ba Gang's ribs. Each strike carried the density of his muscles. Ba Gang felt like he was being hit by an iron battering ram. Before he could swing his hammer in a desperate sweep, Hanyuan pivoted on one foot.
WHACK.
A devastating roundhouse kick connected with the side of Ba Gang's head.
The large youth was launched three meters through the air. He hit the stone, his hammer clattering away, his vision swimming. He looked up, coughing, his ribs screaming in agony.
"Is... is he made of steel?" Ba Gang muttered, his consciousness fading.
Hanyuan appeared beside him in another flash of lightning, his foot hovering inches from the fallen boy's face. Ba Gang didn't wait for the strike; his eyes rolled back, and he slumped into unconsciousness.
The spectators went deathly silent for a heartbeat before erupting into whispers.
"He didn't even draw his spear..."
"Wait, wasn't he rank 23 last year? How is his physical body this strong?"
"He looks like he's taking a stroll, not fighting an 8th-layer expert!"
Even on the balcony, the new, muscular Elder leaned forward. "That boy's physical constitution... it has the flavor of a high grade beast. Who is he?"
Elder Qi chuckled, stroking his goatee with pride. "That is the Bai Clan's Bai Hanyuan".
"Winner: Bai Hanyuan!" the referee announced.
Hanyuan didn't look back at the stunned crowd. He walked off the stage, his hands tucked into his sleeves.