Celestial Martial Path

Hundreds of gaping mouths and disbelieving faces stared oddly at the newly emerged competitor.

"Who is this child?"

"He seems really clueless."

"Youngsters these days, so carefree."

Jun Xiang noticed the looks casted towards him and smiled awkwardly, "Am I late? I really didn't mean to take so long. It's just that the manual was truly to complex, I couldn't understand everything immediately."

The audience's expression became even more unsightly at his words.

'How could this be. Are people these days so petty for time. I've already given an explanation so can't we start our battle now?' Jun Xiang was confused at the audience. Was it really such a big matter.

Looking across the arena, his eyes passed over several large spots of obvious elemental damage and the remnants of what seemed like large ice shards. As he glanced over the odd obstacles upon the arena, his eyes arriving upon the body of a still smirking boy and a prone figure of a larger, more well built child.

'Had they already started? They should have waited for me, it wasn't like I was taking forever.'

Jun Xiang called out to the adjudicator, "Did you have to be this impatient? I was only going to take another minute or so, why the rush?"

The adjudicator's eye twitched in horror. Had he really just been reprimanded by a junior who was only at the third level of Body Refinement despite being the age of thirteen? It was practically getting a catfish to call a dragon weak! 'No, I can't go around being angered by mere children. I'm a proud elder! A proud elder!'

The adjudicator replied back with a low tone, "The moment you stepped onto the stage, you should have been ready. If you wanted more time, you shouldn't have come on."

Jun Xiang nodded his head, noting the complaint down for future reference. before turning back to the arena. Before long, his eyes landed on a girl in the northern side of the arena. She was sitting in an awkward position, panting deeply and pointing with a trembling finger towards him. "What the heck was wrong with her? Was she so out of it that she couldn't even point straight? She definitely needs some rest!"

Jun Xiang strode quickly over to the girl and stuck out a hand, "Are you alright? You look really hurt, do you need a rest?"

Li Ke almost spurted blood at his comment, 'I just defeated them alright? It takes energy to do that! Just because you were free-loading off my work doesn't mean you can make fun of me.'

Li Ke looked up at Jun Xiang with annoyed and slightly teary eyes, too flustered to speak. Jun Xiang looked at her oddly, 'Was there something wrong with her head? I try to give her some help and she begins to cry? Am I really that ugly?'

Li Ke in actuality was depressed over this situation. She was completely out of energy and wouldn't regenerate much any time soon. The other competitors were also knocked out. This left the third stage Body Refinement child to be the winner? How was this even fair?

"Ahem..." the adjudicator coughed to gain their attention, "Competitor Li Ke, are you still able to fight."

Li Ke sighed in regret before shaking her head.

"Then, I announce western side competitor, Jun Xiang, as the victor!"

The cheers that would usually follow this declaration were missing, instead, replaced by low mutterings and whispers of contempt. Most of the audience had chosen a victor in their hearts and some had even bet upon the victor, however this child that had no fame, nor any real power had won without competing at all.

Jun Xiang was quite surprised at the announcement, "Eh? I won? That's cool but how could you guys be so weak? I haven't even started fighting and you're already done..."

This time every one felt the urge to vomit blood. How clueless was this kid? Did he really think that the others were weak? The other competitors could probably kill you with a sweep of their hands okay? You won purely by luck!

Although the adjudicator was quite unwilling to let this child win, it was perfectly within the rules to hide and wait until the other competitors had finished battling before cleaning up the remains. He quickly called for silence before allowing the individual sects to recollect their disciples back. He noticed that although Li Ke had not taken Jun Xiang's out-stretched hand, Jun Xiang had taken the initiative to pull her up, propping her against his side as he helped her move towards the Severed Snow Sect. The adjudicator thought while sighing, 'At least this child has compassion and good in his heart.'

The adjudicator waited until all the competitors had left the stage before calling up the next group to compete. Explosions and elemental spells began to burst all over the stage once more...

● ● ● ● ●

Half an hour later, the first battles had concluded. Although there were only 16 cultivators that had participated, there were many more powerful youths, hidden by their clan in order to hide their potential and power. This first small tournament had a reward of 1000 gold coins for the victor, 500 for second and 250 for third. This amount seemed like a lot, but a more experienced cultivator would be easily be able to earn that amount, meaning that it would only be pocket money to the children who won. This was a big reason why many sects had not sent their children to participate. They wanted to shoot for the even bigger prizes in the following all ages tournament.

As of now, Jun Xiang only needed to not lose first in the following battle in order to obtain a reward of 250 gold coins. His eyes gleamed in excitement. His father rarely gave him money to spend, and even if he did, the amounts would not exceed 50 silver coins. To commoners, 250 gold coins were enough to last a family several weeks of expenses, so to Jun Xiang, he valued it even more than the others.

If he could take a free win, why wouldn't he!

The thought was broken by the adjudicators voice, "The winners of each previous round, please move off to your designated position."

Jun Xiang looked at his number, he was in the west side of the arena again. With a fling of his robes and a kick of the dust below him, he moved off towards the smiling bald man once more.