Old Children

Seeing this scene, an enigmatic smile played across the corners of Zhao Beichen's lips. He murmured softly under his breath, "Heh, as expected of you. "To pretend to be grievously wounded and unhealed all the way until now... "Even I couldn't see through it. Impressive, truly impressive..." Zhao Beichen slowly rose to leave. Beside him, Old Man Miao said in a low voice, "The battle for the championship takes place in three days. You'd better spend these days in seclusion. "This Li Guanqi's strength is definitely not to be underestimated." Zhao Beichen gave an arrogant smile. "Not to be underestimated? Heh, in my eyes, he's merely so-so." With that, the youth's figure flickered and vanished into thin air. The old man could only sigh softly. "Notify the Vice Palace Master that he may come over. We've reached the battle for the championship; he should come see it after all." Having said this, the old man took a deep look at the youth bearing the sword casket on the stage, then rose and departed. Standing upon the arena stage, Ge Qing looked toward the youth with undisguised admiration in his eyes. Infused with profound vital energy, his deep voice carried in all directions. "The Great Xia Sword Sect ranks first in points! However, according to the rules of the Purgatory Challenge, they must still contest Ziyang Palace for the final championship! "In three days, the clash for the championship shall begin!" Excitement painted on every face, the crowd slowly dispersed. The championship battle in three days filled countless hearts with yearning, making everyone wish time would pass faster. This Hundred Sects Tournament had drawn an unprecedented amount of attention. By now, the number of spectating cultivators flooding into Tianyu Pass was nearing eighty thousand. The streets of the little Tianyu City were already packed to bursting, to the point where even a place to stay could no longer be found. Setting the final championship clash three days later was also meant to build momentum for the ultimate duel between the two great sects. Li Guanqi glanced at the departing Zhao Beichen, then followed Qin Xian and the others off the summit of Mount Tianyu. All along the way, the elders remained dead silent, their expressions exceptionally grave. Frowning slightly, Li Guanqi wondered what had gotten into them. Hoisting Yu Sui'an onto his shoulder, he muttered in a low voice, "What's wrong with them?" Covering her mouth with a giggle, the little girl leaned in close to his ear and whispered, "They're just so happy that they can't even speak!" Only then did Li Guanqi realize the truth. Gliding through the air, he laughed. "So that's it. Our Sui'an really is the cleverest." With a little wiggle, the girl slipped her right leg off his shoulder and shifted to ride across him, draping her leg over his back. Hugging his head, she giggled, "Haha, of course! I'm the cleverest!" Once everyone returned to their residence, the elders could no longer hold it in. Flailing their arms, they shouted at the top of their lungs: "First place! First place!" At that moment, Qin Xian was like an excited child, dashing all over the room with his hands raised, shouting "First place!" Li Nanting's face was flushed red as well, his fists tightly clenched. "First place! How many years has it been...? "Just one final step away!" Even Tu Kui, a man of few words, was shouting with an excited flush across his cheeks. Casting aside all dignity, the three elders unrestrainedly displayed their boundless joy before the group of young disciples. After a while, Qin Xian recovered some composure and hurriedly said, "Quick! I need to tell the Sect Master this news and have them set off immediately!" Qin Xian got up, hurried back to his room, and promptly relayed the news to Lu Kangnian. Upon receiving the message, Lu Kangnian leaped right out of his cultivation! Immediately afterward, all the peak elders of the Great Xia Sword Sect learned the news at the exact same instant. Arranging sect affairs overnight, they set off for Mount Tianyu without delay. Qin Xian handed Li Guanqi the pills and spiritual liquids he had prepared over the past couple of days. In an earnest, heartfelt tone, he said, "I won't waste words on nonsense. Just do your best!" Li Nanting also smiled with total ease. "Even in the worst-case scenario where you lose, our sect has still achieved an unprecedentedly glorious result. "The sect resources we'll obtain will be enough to sustain the Sword Sect for centuries. "You have already done more than enough!" Scratching his head with a smile, Li Guanqi answered softly, "Understood." Then he added, "Over the next few days, I plan to enter seclusion to adjust my condition." Hearing this, Qin Xian said at once, "As you should. I'll go over and swap your spirit-gathering array for a mind-calming array." Ye Feng sidled up to him, slinging an arm around his neck and saying with great excitement, "Old Li, you're so damn strong! "After all this time, were you just messing around with us before?" Li Guanqi smiled faintly and looked at them. "If I had gone all out, you guys wouldn't have learned anything. You can't blame me for that." After some teasing and roughhousing, Ye Feng's expression turned solemn as he spoke. "Old Li, to tell you the truth... "With everything you're doing right now, we all feel as though we share your glory and hardship. "You're like a champion cleaving through the darkness. It makes my blood surge!" Phew... Ye Feng took a deep breath and said in a grave voice, "After saying all that, what I really mean is... "No matter the outcome, you are a hero in my heart!" A warm smile spread across Li Guanqi's face. He punched Ye Feng on the shoulder and laughed. "Why make such a big deal out of it? From now on, you guys just need to cultivate even harder. "That way, I won't have to fight all alone." Hearing that, Ye Feng and the others looked somewhat sheepish, scratching their heads in embarrassment. Ye Feng muttered under his breath, "I've even stopped sleeping in... "Just you wait once we head back! Within half a year, I'll definitely step into Core Formation!" Li Guanqi smiled, then got up and returned to his room. Looking at the various pills and spiritual liquids prepared for him, the youth gave a faint smile and sat down cross-legged within the array's barrier. Water-blue ripples washed over Li Guanqi's exhausted body and mind, the gentle energy bringing him immense comfort. Yu Sui'an came to Li Guanqi's room and was just about to knock when Li Nanting stopped her. "Oh, little Sui'an, we can't disturb him right now." Tilting her head, the little girl furrowed her brows. She had wanted Li Guanqi to take her to play in Tianyu City. The old man crouched down and gave a gentle smile. "The battles lately haven't been easy for him. Let him rest well for a couple of days, all right? "If you want to go out and play, how about Grandpa accompanies you?" Held in the old man's arms, the little girl shook her head, her twin braids swaying like a pellet drum. In a clear, crisp voice, she said, "No need, I'll just play by myself. "Little Blindie is too tired. Let him rest well." For some reason, the words "Little Blindie is too tired," tumbling so naturally from the little girl's mouth, brought a sudden sting to the Tianlei Peak Grand Elder's nose. Turning back to look at the tightly shut door, the old man's eyes were filled with heartache. Setting Yu Sui'an down, he said softly, "All right, then Sui'an can go play on her own."