Chapter 43: I’ll Be With You
Ye Guan, Nalan Jia, and Siao Ge sat next to each other and stared into the distance. They were waiting for Sun Xiong.
However, their expressions turned grave because Sun Xiong was still nowhere to be seen two hours later.
“Don’t worry. If he forfeits, the academy will escort him back. He should be fine,” said Siao Ge.
Ye Guan nodded. He looked at the fields that stretched into the distance. He hadn’t really interacted with Sun Xiong, but he still wished that Sun Xiong would pass this round. They were all from Nanzhou, after all.
Dusk soon descended, and Sun Xiong was still nowhere to be found. There were already more than twenty people on the stone platform, and there was only an hour left before the round ended.
Siao Ge glanced at the gray-robed An Mu and said, “Have you heard of him? He’s An Mu from Qingzhou.”
Ye Guan glanced at An Mu as well. The latter had reached the stone platform before them.
An Mu seemed to have sensed Ye Guan’s gaze. He turned to look at Ye Guan and grinned.
Ye Guan smiled slightly as well.
Siao Ge continued. “There are about nineteen people representing their own states here, and they’re definitely going to be in the rankings.”
Ye Guan nodded slightly. He looked into the distance and saw no one.
Meanwhile, Luo Zhaoqi appeared in the midst of the participants. Her arrival meant the end of the second round.
All of a sudden, Siao Ge pointed somewhere. “Look!”
Ye Guan turned and saw a man running frantically toward them.
The man seemed to be struggling. His face was pale, and his right hand was pressing on his stomach. Blood was dripping from between his fingertips.
The participants wordlessly watched as the man hopped onto the stone platform. Luo Zhaoqi didn’t say anything as well.
Amidst everyone’s gazes, the man ran up to Luo Zhaoqi. He smiled weakly and asked, “I… I’m not late, right?”
Luo Zhaoqi calmly replied, “You’re late.”
The man froze and smiled bitterly.
However, Luo Zhaoqi said, “But I can make an exception…”
Everyone froze over to process her words. It seemed that Luo Zhaoqi had the authority to decide whether a participant was late or not, and it seemed that she had decided to give the man a chance.
The man bowed deeply. “Thank you, Chief Student Representative Luo.”
Luo Zhaoqi smiled before turning around to look at everyone else.
“The third round is different from the past two rounds. The third round will be a fight against each other. I’ll give you a friendly hint: please choose your flag carefully. There will be no second chances if you end up choosing a powerful opponent.”
Luo Zhaoqi lifted a finger and continued. “One night. Everyone here will have one night to recuperate. Tomorrow morning, you will be transported to a wasteland. The battles will be broadcasted live throughout the three hundred and sixty states.
”Aside from the elders of the academy and the Grand Elder of the Shenge Clan, a representative of the six great clans will be present as well,” concluded Luo Zhaoqi with a charming smile.
The six great clans? Those who knew the six great clans were shocked.
Luo Zhaoqi smiled and explained, “It’s not strange that most of you haven’t heard of them. All I can say is that the six great clans are ancient clans that have existed for millions of years.
“Their foundations are extremely deep, and they’re second only to the Guanxuan Universe when it comes to the number of powerhouses. Being chosen by the six great clans would be an amazing opportunity.”
Luo Zhaoqi couldn’t help but glance at Nalan Jia.
The Zhongtu Divine Continent’s Guanxuan Academy would only choose the champion of the martial contest. In other words, the participants could only settle for the great six clans. It wasn’t really an issue because being chosen by the great six clans was still a one-in-a-lifetime fortuitous opportunity.
The resources from above were incomparable to the resources that those below could enjoy below. The participants were aware of that, so they were thrilled by the news.
Luo Zhaoqi smiled before turning around to leave.
The participants sat on the ground with excited faces because the fact that they had managed to pass the second round was finally starting to sink in. Those who managed to qualify for the third round were impressive cultivators in their own right.
The martial contest had over a thousand participants, but now, there were only about thirty people remaining. It was remarkable that they made it to the third round.
Ye Guan and the two others sat together around a campfire. Ye Guan decided to roast a chicken, even though they weren’t really hungry.
Ye Guan tore a chicken leg and handed it to Nalan Jia.
Nalan Jia looked stunning beneath the red hue of the campfire.
Nalan Jia accepted the chicken leg and asked, “What place were you aiming for again?”
Siao Ge turned to look at Ye Guan. Honestly, aiming for first place meant that one would have to shoulder immense pressure. After all, they would have to fight Qingzhou to secure first place.
Zuo Fu would try for first place as well.
Ye Guan smiled and replied, “First place, of course.”
First place! Nalan Jia stared deeply at Ye Guan. However, her face soon broke out into a grin as she said, “I’ll be with you!”
Siao Ge cheered and exclaimed, “You can do it!”
The group eventually finished their meal and dispersed to rest.
Ye Guan lay on a boulder with his hands behind his head, and he was looking up at the moon, seemingly in deep thought.
A fragrance wafted over to him. He turned and saw that Nalan Jia was lying next to him.
Nalan Jia smiled as well and asked, “Why are you smiling?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy!” said Ye Guan.
Nalan Jia muttered, “Me, too!”
The pair lay silently on the boulder, but they eventually started talking about mundane topics such as their families, lives, and what they wanted to do in the future.
The hours went by, and the stone platform became enveloped in silence. The moon was still hanging overhead, and the sky was filled with stars as usual.
Ye Guan glanced at Nalan Jia and saw that she had fallen asleep next to him.
Ye Guan took off his robe and placed it on her. Then, he lay down next to her. Nalan Jia leaned closer to him and used his arm as a pillow.
Ye Guan was startled, but he soon composed himself and gently placed his right hand on Nalan Jia’s cheek. Ye Guan smiled gently at her sleeping visage, and his heart became filled with nothing else but warmth.
Ye Guan closed his eyes and spoke to Little Pagoda, “Master Pagoda, are you asleep?”
Little Pagoda’s reply came a few moments later.
“No,” said Little Pagoda. There was a moment of silence before it added, “I don’t need to sleep.”
Ye Guan was perplexed. “Why not?”
Little Pagoda said, “Just tell me what you want.”
Ye Guan seemed to be hesitating as he asked, “Master Pagoda, is the Ye Clan[1] one of the six great clans?”
Little Pagoda replied, “No.”
Ye Guan was surprised. “Really?”
Little Pagoda explained, “They’re even stronger than the six great clans.”
Ye Guan asked, “Is that so?”
Little Pagoda said, “It’s not just the Ye Clan. Everyone in the Guanxuan Universe is strong as well, so you have to work hard. Do you understand?”
Ye Guan was silent for quite a while before saying, “If I become as powerful as that plain-skirt sister, do I still have to be afraid of them?”
It was Little Pagoda’s turn to go silent.
Little Pagoda was silent for quite a while before it replied, “I think the Ye Clan will give you some face by then.”
Ye Guan nodded and said, “She’s a Great Sword Immortal, right? Master Pagoda, I’ll work hard to become a Great Sword Immortal as soon as possible.”
Little Pagoda didn’t say anything in response.
1. Referring to his origin clan ☜