Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Me Too

With Li Yan’s arrival, Fang He An suddenly had a solid backbone.

Their eldest senior brother took over Bai Jian’s snacks, investigated information on the Grand Sect Tournament, submitted all the entries, and kept an eye on Fang He An and Li Wan Zhi.

Fang He An did not have to do anything. Even Xun Yin could relax.

In two days, Li Yan ran all over the place, finished their registration, and came back with a plan: “Third Junior Brother, do you want to sign up for the Pill Cultivator contest?”

Fang He An asked with pure confusion: “What is that?”

Ye Wan Wan and Shen Nan Zhou shared a silent look.

Seeing at a glance that no one had done any homework, Li Yan called Bai Jian and Li Wan Zhi over and explained the whole process of the Grand Sect Tournament, including the split events.

Ye Wan Wan blinked: “There are split events too?”

Li Yan nodded: “Yes. Besides the main martial trial, which draws the most eyes, there are other profession trials: Alchemist, Artificer, Array Master, Spirit Botanist, and Beast Tamer. These five are popular. Because of their special focus, they’re at a disadvantage in fights, so the Alliance sets up five side arenas to rank them. If you take first, you can earn the youngest top title in that profession. It won’t affect the martial trial.”

Ye Wan Wan understood. These were separate tracks to encourage the professions.

Li Wan Zhi asked the key question: “Are there Spirit Stones?”

Li Yan had already looked it up: “Top three get Five Colored Stones and medicinal rewards. First place also gets a Level Six Herb.”

Li Wan Zhi gasped: “Wow, level six!”

Fang He An was tempted, then wilted: “But eldest senior brother, you know my pills…” He covered his face. “They’re not fit for show.”

Li Yan was surprised: “How could that be? Third Junior Brother, you always find a new path hidden in old recipes. The Alchemist trial isn’t only about high-grade pills. If you refine a new kind of pill unlike before and open a new formula for the Alchemy world, you get a big score bonus and a great chance to advance.”

Ye Wan Wan nodded. In short, innovation.

The new-disciple Alchemist trial tested grade and also innovation. On innovation, no one could beat Fang He An.

Fang He An straightened. “Then I’ll try!”

Li Wan Zhi threw an arm around him and shouted like a cheerleader: “Register him! Third senior brother aims for top three, fights for top two, and charges for number one!”

Li Yan smiled: “Good.”

Then Li Yan looked at Li Wan Zhi: “Fourth Junior Brother, what about you?”

Li Wan Zhi scratched his head: “I’m not especially good at anything. I’ll do whatever eldest senior brother arranges.”

Fang He An bumped his shoulder: “Says who? Eldest senior brother, Junior Brother Li is great at taking hits. Any kind of beating, he can handle.”

Playing the good baby, Li Wan Zhi suddenly had his weakness exposed. He grabbed a stool and chased Fang He An: “What nonsense are you spouting!”

[Can you give me some face!]

Fang He An called back while dodging: “Oh, and he’s amazing at digging up treasure.”

Li Wan Zhi skidded to a stop: “…I admit that one.”

Li Yan watched them fool around without anger. He turned to Ye Wan Wan and Shen Nan Zhou and asked gently: “And you two?”

Ye Wan Wan and Shen Nan Zhou answered together: “We’ll follow eldest senior brother’s plan.”

Li Yan thought for a moment: “Here’s what I’m thinking, but I want to hear how you feel.”

Hearing that, Fang He An and Li Wan Zhi snapped to attention, came back to stand in line, and looked at Li Yan.

Li Yan spoke earnestly: “Our Heavenly One Sect hasn’t joined the Grand Sect Tournament for nearly a hundred years. Since we’re here this time, whatever you’re good at, show it. Don’t hold back. Even if you lose, it’s fine. Gaining experience means the trip wasn’t wasted. Competing with people your age will also show where Heavenly One Sect is weak.”

Ye Wan Wan stepped forward: “Eldest senior brother, Heavenly One Sect’s weakness is… that we have no weakness.”

Li Wan Zhi and Fang He An shouted in unison: “Yes!”

Bai Jian chimed in: “Right!”

Shen Nan Zhou stayed quiet.

Li Yan blinked, then laughed: “Very good.”

Ye Wan Wan scanned the five professions. Leaving out Beast Tamer and Alchemist, she lifted her hand and said calmly: “I’ll enter these three.”

Everyone stared. Array Master, Spirit Botanist, and Artifact Refining. Three of them.

Li Yan asked after a pause: “Junior sister knows all three?”

Ye Wan Wan kept her eyes steady: “Not Artifact Refining. But I can learn.”

Li Yan burst into warm laughter: “Good. Eldest senior brother appreciates your boldness.”

Ye Wan Wan pressed her lips together, a bit shy, and admitted: “I’m not really good at Artifact Refining. But if you understand one path, the others connect. Alchemy and Artifact Refining shouldn’t be so different.”

Li Yan encouraged her, voice soft: “No rush. I said it already. Losing is okay. Cultivation trains the heart. Accepting failure is the first step.”

Ye Wan Wan, Li Wan Zhi, and Fang He An shouted together: “Yes!” Then, turning on a dime, they added: “But we’ll still win!”

Bai Jian opened her mouth a beat late and quickly declared: “Me too!”

Li Yan covered his smile.

Ye Wan Wan added, firm: “I’ll go into the Spirit Market tonight to study.” [Even cramming matters.]

Li Yan laughed helplessly but kindly: “I admire junior sister’s hard work. But with the tournament so close, I have a selfish request. If you don’t mind yielding to your eldest senior brother, could I take the Artifact Refining slot?”

Ye Wan Wan and Li Wan Zhi turned to him with bright eyes: “Eldest senior brother can refine artifacts?”

Li Yan nodded: “A little.”

Fang He An grinned: “They don’t know, do they? Eldest senior brother is Third Senior Uncle’s personal disciple and was guided by Seventh Senior Uncle. He was the first to combine Mechanism Arts with Artifact Forging Arts. Besides being a Sword Cultivator, he’s a skilled Artifact Refiner, and he’s also a top cook.”

Ye Wan Wan and Li Wan Zhi sparkled: “So strong.”

Li Yan waved it off: “Don’t exaggerate. I only know a little.”

Fang He An lifted his chin proudly: “Eldest senior brother is the best.”

Li Wan Zhi and Bai Jian shouted together: “The best!”

Bai Jian clenched her fist, satisfied: “Great, I kept up this time.”

Li Yan gave a helpless look.

After thinking, Ye Wan Wan said seriously: “All right, then Wan Wan will be lazy. Keeping first place in Artifact Refining for Heavenly One Sect is up to eldest senior brother.”

Li Yan arched a brow: “Junior sister is setting a trap? If I lose, I’ll let down Seventh Senior Uncle’s guidance.”

Ye Wan Wan nodded, very honest: “Yes. Surprised you noticed.”

She even looked a little troubled on purpose.

Fang He An pointed and laughed: “Wow, junior sister turned naughty.”

They all looked at each other and laughed.

Shen Nan Zhou watched them, eyes deep. [No one is allowed to ruin this mood. Whoever tries will die.]

Li Yan turned to him: “What about you, junior brother?”

Shen Nan Zhou pointed at the Beast Tamer arena: “I’ll enter that.”

Li Yan nodded: “Good.”

After the six decided who would enter which arena, they began to prepare to go up the mountain. As Li Yan passed Shen Nan Zhou, he paused and said softly: “Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Shen Nan Zhou met his eyes and nodded.

Li Yan lifted a hand and rubbed his hair: “These years have been hard.”

Shen Nan Zhou froze. For one heartbeat it felt like Li Yan also had memories of a past life. But Li Yan added in a low voice: “Second Senior Uncle wrote to me about you and junior sister. Don’t worry here. If something weighs on you, come to your eldest senior brother. I’ll help.”

Bai Jian popped her head in: “Me too.”

Shen Nan Zhou bowed: “Okay.”

After a short rest, at first light the next day they Sword Rode toward Mount Shouyang Summit. Xun Yin came along, and Lu Qing Xuan hurried to join them as well. This year, the long-empty Elder seat of Heavenly One Sect finally had someone to sit in it.