Chapter One Hundred: The Twin-Horned White Spirit Rhinoceros

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Chapter One Hundred: The Twin-Horned White Spirit Rhinoceros
Chapter Twelve: Transmitting the Dao on Spirit Mountain, Attaining the Sublime Method, Soaring Ten Thousand Miles on the Clouds Alone (Part Ten)

Zhang Ke smiled and said, “Senior Brother, you are too modest!” Then he composed himself and said, “Yesterday, many senior brothers came to watch the initial round of the traveling study competition. Although it was just the first trial, the participants were all remarkably skilled and not to be underestimated! If you wish to know the details, there’s no harm in going again today!”

Ma Fei nodded. “Indeed, what you say is true. Yesterday was the very first day, so many experts stood aside watching. I imagine today they won’t be able to hold back any longer. Ha ha!”

Shi Lei chimed in from the side, “Could it be that Senior Brother intends to participate?” Ma Fei chuckled, “That’s not impossible. Although the traveling study competition involves about one hundred and twenty participants, competing against the world’s finest talents, losing to a worthy opponent would be quite exciting!”

Huan Ming admired Ma Fei’s confidence and said, “Senior Brother is truly admirable!”

Ma Fei smiled, “Ah, it’s nothing at all. At worst, I just lose badly!”

Everyone laughed heartily. Zhang Ke then turned to Ye Hua. “Junior Brother Ye, when do you plan to set off for the Great Scripture Pavilion?”

Ye Hua glanced outside at the daylight. “Whenever it is convenient for the senior brothers.”

Zhang Ke nodded with a smile. “Very well, let us rest a while and then head there.” Everyone agreed.

Ye Hua briefly turned to glance at Zhang Lan. She seemed to notice Ye Hua’s gaze, lowering her head with a faint smile. A trace of melancholy shimmered in her large eyes, causing Ye Hua’s heart to tremble. He quickly looked away, staring at the incense burner on the desk with its curling smoke, feeling a sudden emptiness inside.

After some casual conversation, the group left Zhang’s residence and headed toward the Three Mountains and Five Gardens. Upon reaching Xuanwu Arena, they saw the steps covered with a sea of heads, bustling and noisy, with many shouting in unison.

Huan Ming sighed, “I hadn’t expected so many disciples!”

Ma Fei nodded. “Indeed, Xuanwu Arena is located within the Three Mountains and Five Gardens, traditionally a place for learning martial cultivation in the capital. Such a large crowd is not surprising!”

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Huan Ming smiled, “I heard of the Qing Hall and Jinghua Martial Hall back in Lingnan. They must be formidable. I wonder how many of the participants are from those schools.”

Zhang Ke scanned the crowd briefly. “Senior Brother Huan Ming, those wearing dark green robes with faint white patterns are disciples of Jinghua Martial Hall. Those in black garments are from Qing Hall. The rest come from Woluo Mountain, Chuihong Garden, Yixiang Garden, and others, who make up the majority.”

Huan Ming murmured, “I see.”

The group slowly found a quiet spot and watched the arena. In the distance, a flat field spanning several dozen acres was visible. Eight people, paired into four matches, were fighting each other, each casting spells—wind, fire, thunder, and lightning—creating wondrous phenomena.

Around the area, faint shimmering waves indicated an array of magical barriers had been laid in advance. Although the group stood some distance away, the roar of explosions and clashing energies still reached their ears. Sudden blasts of scorching wind and biting cold made the atmosphere uncomfortable.

As they focused, one combatant summoned an unknown spiritual beast, its body radiating a golden light and enormous in size. With a slight charge, the surrounding magical barriers wavered uncertainly.

Those nearby were filled with dread. Few seventh treasure realm disciples could control spirit beasts, let alone such a colossal creature. They feared the barriers might shatter, unleashing the beast upon the innocent.

Huan Ming’s eyes gleamed slightly as he whispered, “Indeed, this is no ordinary spirit beast—the Twin-Horned White Spirit Rhinoceros! Such a rare beast is seldom seen in the Divine Continent.”

Ye Hua was taken aback. “This is the Twin-Horned White Spirit Rhinoceros? I only saw it in the ancient texts. I never expected to see it today by chance!”

Everyone watched intently as the disciple commanding the white rhinoceros gained the upper hand. The giant beast seemed to possess boundless brute strength, charging relentlessly with its glowing twin horns. The opponent could only dodge clumsily and, within a few moves, was struck by a mighty blow and sent flying, injured and collapsing to the ground.

The spirit beast’s summoner wielded a long halberd, swiftly flying toward the fallen opponent with no sign of mercy.

Terrified, the injured disciple desperately blocked with his long sword, shouting loudly as if begging for mercy.

However, the summoner paid no heed, relentlessly striking with the halberd against the sword. The opponent’s swordlight dimmed gradually, his complexion turning pale, and with a final roar, the sword shattered, and the disciple fainted on the ground.

The young summoner laughed heartily, recalled his halberd, and wore a triumphant expression. Bowing to the presiding elder nearby, he said something before turning to the watching disciples, shaking his head with disdain and arrogance.

A murmur rose among the crowd, but none dared speak against the summoner, given the overwhelming power of the summoned spirit beast and his own formidable strength.

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Huan Ming sneered and said to Ma Fei, “May I ask, Senior Brother Ma, how is victory decided in this traveling study competition? That disciple is truly hateful—winning is one thing, but then returning to crush the opponent’s sword! I’d like to have a word with him!”

Ma Fei nodded. “Indeed. Ha ha, that disciple is ruthless. But it’s understandable—this is only the preliminary round, and one must win ten consecutive matches to have the chance to enter the final round. I suppose he wants to intimidate everyone and deter challengers. No one wants to face such a powerful opponent. I wonder which match number he is currently on.”

Before Ma Fei could finish, the summoner quietly moved to the side and sat down, ignoring those around him, seemingly waiting for the remaining six matches to conclude.

Zhang Ke said, “It seems there are still fewer than ten participants who have advanced; the competition continues.” Huan Ming nodded, “So it goes. I wonder who will challenge him next.”

Zhang Ke was surprised. “Could it be Senior Brother intends to step forward? All you need to do is find the presiding elder! But...!”

Huan Ming smiled, “No need to worry, Brother Zhang. I know my limits.” With that, he pushed through the crowd and walked forward. The others exchanged glances and hurried to follow. Shi Lei laughed quietly to Ye Hua from behind, “This... this Huan Ming is really impatient!”

Ye Hua praised, “Such hatred of injustice is truly the conduct of a chivalrous man.”

Shi Lei smiled, “Indeed! But with thousands of disciples here, many masters hidden among them, there’s no need for us to intervene.”

Ye Hua sighed, “True, but it is also commendable that Senior Brother Huan Ming dares to take the lead. That is the spirit of a true man.”

Shi Lei sighed, “Let us hope he is not a mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.”

Ye Hua smiled, “You worry too much. Since Huan Ming is taking action, he surely has confidence.”

When they reached the edge of the arena, Huan Ming was conversing with a white-bearded elder. After a moment, the elder produced a piece of brocade. Huan Ming extended his index finger and let a drop of refined blood fall upon it. The brocade shimmered with radiant light before fading away.