Chapter 186: Rogue.
Engrossed in training, Lee barely noticed how the day of the competition arrived. While this was only Hall of Ascension’s inner competition, normally it was a big deal.
Unfortunately, the excitement was spoiled a month prior to the competition, when it was announced that this year only those outer disciples of fourteen years of age and younger would be taking part. As always, the candidates were hand-picked by the elder and spent the last month in a crazed preparation.
The crowd that gathered to spectate matches was mostly here to witness the second part when the inner disciples would compete. They didn’t pay much attention to the thirty two excited kids at the side, preparing for their first duels.
Not everyone was bored, though. Lee had to facepalm hearing shouts like Go, Brother Lee! and Brother Lee, you’re the best! coming from the front seats where Xiao Lian sat with Qin Yujian. Obviously the two lovebirds were sitting blushed and silent – it was her two annoying friends that kept shouting.
After analyzing the opponents one more time, Lee had to admit that Jian Wuji had done a remarkable job. He actually picked the best, but the most tricky opponents had been placed in one bracket with his younger brother.
Lee was certain that Jian Tianyu could deal with them, thus all he had to do was to make sure to get to the finals.
He didn’t care for how spectacular or unfair the matches were about to be – he had come here for another reason. Soulcleaver in his backpack anxiously waited, but for some reason Lee himself was completely calm.
This was not the first time he would claim someone’s life, and probably not the last. Maybe ten years ago he would’ve had a symbolic ethical struggle regarding it, but not after witnessing the Ashland, to not speak about the attack on the Nethermoon sect and the following Blackwater war.
This was the world where the strong ruled with their merciless fists.
***
Everyone cheered and jumped to their feet when the Sect Master Wang arrived, and he, similar to how once Thorne Evergale did, simply greeted the present and invited the first four pairs to begin.