Chapter 33: Hidden Schemes
When had his killing intent become so strong?
After Hu Da left, Lu You sat alone in the courtyard, feeling a little dazed.
During his sparring session with Hu Da, Lu You realized he'd had more than a dozen chances to stab Hu Da through with a single thrust.
Although it was just practice—and in real combat Hu Da would be a bit stronger—Evil Eye had already recorded everything. With a bit more familiarity with Hu Da's habits, even in a straight-up fight, Lu You was confident he could cut Hu Da down on the arena stage.
Lu You held his sword and stared at it for a long time, then let out a sigh.
Setting Hu Da aside for now, Lu You immersed himself in Zeng Yan's sword dance from the Blood Shadow Technique.
As he broke down and practiced the sword dance, Lu You could clearly feel his swordsmanship improving at a rapid pace.
With the Blood Shadow Technique, whenever Lu You gained some insight from the sword dance, he would immediately summon Hu Da's shadow and test himself against Hu Da's flashy but hollow moves.
The Blood Shadow simulated the strength and speed of Hu Da when he was holding back in practice. At first, Lu You needed several exchanges before he could pierce through Hu Da's shadow. Before long, it became: the moment Lu You drew his sword, Hu Da was dead.
Another day passed. Lu You no longer knew how many times he had practiced the sword dance, but he had stabbed Hu Da to death thousands of times already.
Time passed in the Blood Shadow Technique in the blink of an eye.
Senior Sister had been missing for a day and a half. On the day of the recruitment, she finally interrupted her own training to accompany Lu You to the competition.
By the time they arrived at the location designated by the Verdant Cloud Sect, many menial disciples were already there. Since the notice had been posted three days in advance, far more people showed up than expected. Some menial disciples had heard the news through unknown channels and even rushed back early from home. Among those who returned, there were quite a few with solid strength. After all, everyone followed the spiritual field magazines more or less, so they were generally informed. There was even a cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining.
"Don't worry, it's still within the plan. After all, only the top ten matter," Zeng Yan comforted Lu You. "There are fewer than ten people at the eight levels of Qi Refining and above. At the very least you can squeeze into the bottom of the top ten."
Lu You was deeply moved. Senior Sister really had worried herself sick over him. Aside from Hu Da—whom she'd paid out of her own pocket to hire—his treasured artifact was probably also a reward from that ancient tomb she'd explored. She had even taught him swordsmanship. And what had he done for her? Just helped farm her land and given her a few talismans.
"Senior Sister, don't worry. My swordsmanship has improved a lot these past few days. I'll definitely do my best so I can keep being neighbors with you."
"I'm only dragging you along because moving to the inner sect means being unfamiliar with everything. Who said I wanted to be neighbors with you?" Zeng Yan snapped with a stern face when she noticed other cultivators looking over, but there was still clear satisfaction in her eyes at Lu You's confidence.
After saying goodbye to Zeng Yan, Lu You went to the Verdant Cloud Sect registration desk to sign in. For this recruitment competition, Foundation Establishment seniors were acting as referees, doing their best to keep things to point-contact. Still, since it was combat, if someone unleashed a killing move and others couldn't react in time, deaths could happen. So everyone signing up not only registered, but also signed a life-and-death waiver.
Standing at the back of the signing queue, it took about the time of an incense stick before it was finally Lu You's turn. When he at last saw the Foundation Establishment senior in charge of registration, Lu You kept his expression calm, but inside, he raised his guard.
The person in charge of registration turned out to be the very cultivator from Myriad Talismans Pavilion who had given him a token and led him into a private room.
Instinctively, Lu You lifted his gaze to scan the area. Sure enough, in the arena grounds he spotted another familiar face, it was Wu Tong, the one who had threatened him to join their group.
At the Myriad Talismans Pavilion, although Lu You had concealed his appearance, he hadn't disguised his voice. Seeing the two of them now, Lu You suddenly sensed something fishy. That Golden Core cultivator who had persuaded rogue cultivators to enter the ancient tomb was definitely suspicious. And those two Golden Core cultivators who had boarded a flying vessel to search for him because of Wu Tong's incident were the same too.
Could it be that these people were all in the same group?
On top of that, the cultivators who had participated in the ancient tomb expedition would certainly mention Dongfang Bubai and the talismans. Could this recruitment event have some other agenda behind it?
Lu You's heart sank as he formed a guess about Wu Tong and the others' true intentions.
When Lu You entered Myriad Talismans Pavilion and when he impersonated Dongfang Bubai, he had acted with his face covered. To outsiders, this clearly looked like someone who's afraid of having their identity exposed. If Lu You were just a rogue cultivator or an outsider, there'd be no need to be so cautious, after causing trouble, he could simply leave the Verdant Cloud Sect and the lower city. So it wouldn't be hard for them to infer that Lu You was likely still in the lower city or within the Verdant Cloud Sect.
'Looks like I'll have to disappoint Senior Sister. This time, I really won't be able to win the competition and enter the outer sect,' Lu You sighed.
He took his number token and calmly headed toward the arena, already having a plan for how he would fight.
After all the menial disciples had finished registering, the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had led Lu You into Myriad Talismans Pavilion stepped onto the arena platform again to serve as the referee:
"Junior brothers and sisters, I am Zhang Xiansheng of the Deep Literary Pavilion of Verdant Cloud Sect's inner sect. Today, I'll be overseeing the matches as a witness. When your names are called, please come up to the stage to compete."
The inner sect of Verdant Cloud Sect was divided into different lineages. Deep Literary Pavilion specialized in cultivating and drawing talismans, while the Weapon Crafting Hall focused on artifact refining. Because works from these disciples were sold in the lower city market, Lu You knew a little about them. There were also some other lineages within the inner sect whose names Lu You didn't yet know.
The first pair to step onto the stage were two menial disciples with average cultivation. Their spiritual energy was nothing special, but their techniques came from the martial world of mortals. Their punches and kicks were flashy and entertaining to watch. However, once spiritual energy was infused into their strikes, both the destructive power and the consumption increased. In less than three minutes, the match was already decided.
'As expected, menial disciples have far too few methods of attack. The street cultivators in the lower city are the same, they are just ordinary people without proper techniques,' Lu You thought. After learning Zeng Yan's swordsmanship, Lu You had gained some perspective. The fight just now looked exciting, but in reality it was all show and no substance. If they ran into Senior Sister, they wouldn't even withstand a single sword strike. They were even far inferior to the street cultivators Lu You had encountered the first time.
After that, several more pairs of contestants went up. Their strength was roughly the same as the first group's. Lu You only watched a few glances before his gaze secretly shifted toward Wu Tong.
Sure enough, Wu Tong was watching the menial disciples fight on the stage with a serious expression. This second-generation immortal who was in charge of the Myriad Talismans Pavilion was clearly very interested in this recruitment.
'Looks like when it's my turn, I can't pretend to be too weak. Otherwise, they'll suspect I'm hiding my strength. I need to put on a good show, but at the same time make it look like I'm still lacking in real power.'
At last, Zhang Xiansheng called Lu You's name.
With his plan in mind, Lu You strode onto the arena, chest out and head high. His left hand rested at his waist on the scabbard, pressing the sword down slightly, while his right hand hovered over the hilt, ready to draw at any moment.
A sword cultivator.
On the surface, Zhang Xiansheng showed no reaction, but inwardly he began to pay close attention to Lu You. Wu Tong on the spectator stands also narrowed his eyes, secretly watching Lu You.
Lu You's opponent was a cultivator wielding an iron staff. Seeing Lu You's stance, he swallowed nervously, then suddenly shouted and swung the staff down at Lu You, taking the initiative.
An extra inch of weapon meant extra reach. Lu You's opponent wanted to strike first.
Clang!
Lu You's sword left its sheath. With a single slash, he cut the iron staff in two. The remaining force of the sword strike didn't diminish at all—rip!—it tore through his opponent's clothes, leaving a long, bloody gash across the man's chest.
A treasured artifact.
"Lu You wins."
Zhang Xiansheng raised his eyebrows slightly and announced the result. The scrutinizing look in his eyes from before was gone. Wu Tong in the stands snorted softly and shifted his gaze away.
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