Inter-Peak Tournament (1)
Today was the day of the sect's inter-peak martial tournament. Qingyun Peak, the main peak of Qingyun Sect, was swarming with even more people than usual. It was always bustling as the sect leader's residence, but today it was exceptionally crowded. Disciples in blue robes marking inner sect members, along with those in the robes of various peaks, streamed up and down endlessly. The wide plaza surrounding it buzzed with constant murmurs.
The martial arena at the center of Qingyun Peak was normally used for disciples' sparring sessions and lectures on techniques or spells. But today, it had become the focal point of the entire sect's attention. From Thunderclap Peak, Golden Glow Peak, Mystic Mechanism Peak, and Qingling Peak to the main Qingyun Peak itself. Even early in the day, outer sect disciples had rushed in to claim good seats, followed gradually by inner sect disciples settling in. Up on the elevated pavilion, idle Foundation Establishment cultivators and stewards from each peak chatted among themselves.
"This time, the disciples from Thunderclap Peak are said to have made good progress, right?"
"Hah. Haven't you heard? One of our Golden Glow Peak disciples reached the 9th star of Qi Condensation."
"If a single 9th star could sweep the tournament, why would the sect even hold this event?"
"Still, those Thunderclap Peak kids have wild temperaments, so they're solid in real combat."
"The Mystic Mechanism Peak lot are tricky with their fancy tricks instead."
"What about Qingling Peak then?"
"What do you expect from a place that just grows herbs?"
The stewards' conversation, audible even down below, carried a subtle edge of rivalry. It wasn't just the elders, either. The disciples crowding around the arena were all inwardly calculating their own odds. Who would make a name for themselves? Who would catch the elders' eyes in this sect tournament?
On one side, reflecting that anticipation, bets were being placed with spirit stones on who would win. And this wasn't some shady backroom deal. Qingyun Sect always set up a small Victory Prediction Pavilion next to the arena during tournaments. It was essentially the sect's official wagering house. Predict which disciple would win, how many exchanges it would take, or how many from each peak would advance—and if you were right, you'd get back your stake multiplied by the odds; if wrong, it went straight to the sect treasury. The official excuse was to excite the disciples and make the event grander, but in truth, the sect raked in a tidy profit from spirit stones.
"Thunderclap Peak's Jang Jin-ho to win in one exchange—two low-grade spirit stones!"
"Too much piling on Qingyun Peak's side? Watch those odds drop!"
The pavilion was more crowded than any street stall. Not just outer disciples—even inner ones sidled up slyly, handing over their wooden tokens. Even the stewards up on the pavilion watched openly, chuckling.
"Qingyun Peak's odds are too low this time."
"With everyone betting on them, of course."
"Hah, these cultivators these days have no sense of romance."
Someone's quip drew soft laughter from around.
A young girl slowed her steps without realizing it, watching the scene. She glanced toward the participants' waiting area. Realizing her turn was still a bit off, she naturally drifted toward the Victory Prediction Pavilion. Standing on tiptoes because her short stature made it hard to see, she spotted the neatly arranged wooden plaques.
Qingyun Peak Do Won - Win
Thunderclap Peak Jin Il-seung - Win
Mystic Mechanism Peak Mok So-yeon - Win
...
Qingling Peak Ryu Yeon-hwa vs Golden Glow Peak Ha Jin-myeong
Ryu Yeon-hwa Win - 8x
Ha Jin-myeong Win - 2x
The girl paused for a moment, then approached the counter with a blank expression.
"Excuse me."
The outer disciple sorting plaques looked up.
"Yes. Which side will you bet on?"
The girl said it as casually as possible.
"Qingling Peak Ryu Yeon-hwa... twenty low-grade spirit stones."
Before she finished, the outer disciple's hand froze. He glanced between her face and the participant token in her hand, then spoke with utmost politeness—but firmly.
"Participants cannot bet on their own matches or related wagers."
"...Ah."
"Sect rules."
Another outer disciple nearby added with a suppressed grin.
"There was that incident before where someone secretly bet on themselves."
Ryu Yeon-hwa nodded with perfect composure, as if she hadn't seriously intended to bet anyway.
"Just asking."
"Yes. Understood."
The disciple looked anything but understanding. Ryu Yeon-hwa turned away as if nothing happened. Only after a couple steps did she inwardly click her tongue.
Damn, so close.
The crowd behind the pavilion stirred.
"Qingling Peak's direct disciple came to check the odds?"
"Seeing your own name must be weird."
"Still, 8x is too much, right?"
"No, her opponent's Ha Jin-myeong from Golden Glow Peak. 7th star Qi Condensation."
Sticking around would just make it more awkward, so Ryu Yeon-hwa pretended not to hear and kept walking. But inwardly, her calculations were done.
Good. Time to crush the fixed bets.
She couldn't bet spirit stones, but her pride was stung.
Ha Jin-myeong of Golden Glow Peak lay tumbling down from the arena, unable to rise for a while.
"Hoo..."
I caught my breath slowly, still standing on the arena. My opponent was a higher realm than me—maybe he got careless. The match ended faster than expected. He probably never imagined I'd have two mid-grade magic tools. But my dantian felt hotter than anticipated. Deploying the Black Wood Spirit Tablet and following up with the Blood Needle in quick succession would do that. My realm had advanced, so my spirit energy wasn't depleted, but the strain was real.
Still, easy win.
Truth be told, I hadn't expected it to end so quickly either. Ha Jin-myeong underestimated me from the start. Sure, I was Qingling Peak's direct disciple, but just a 5th star Qi Condensation girl.
"...What?"
Someone's dazed mutter sparked it, and the surroundings erupted in noise.
"It's over already?"
"Ha Jin-myeong lost?"
"Didn't they just start?"
"How'd it end like that?"
"Golden Glow Peak's Ha Jin-myeong out in the first round?"
The murmurs spread like waves. I looked down slowly toward the arena's edge, listening. Ha Jin-myeong was grinding his teeth, forcing himself up. His face was flushed red, eyes mixed with rage and shock.
"Coward...!"
I blinked.
"What?"
"Relying on magic tools...!"
Ah. That almost made me laugh.
"You could've used yours too."
"..."
"You didn't, right?"
Giggles rippled from the crowd. Ha Jin-myeong's face burned redder. The supervising steward stepped forward.
"The match is decided. Loser, withdraw."
Ha Jin-myeong ground his teeth but turned without further protest. Sighs of regret rose from Golden Glow Peak's seats, while elsewhere came strange mixes of admiration and excitement.
"Insane..."
"Wasn't it 8x at the pavilion earlier?"
"Anyone bet on Ryu Yeon-hwa?"
"I put on Ha Jin-myeong and lost everything..."
"Hah, me too."
Ah. Hearing that brought it back. My odds were 8x just before. Twenty low-grade spirit stones...
I bowed my head briefly.
So close.
Maybe I'd shown off too much. Looking up at the stands, nearly every gaze was fixed here. Golden Glow Peak disciples looked incredulous; Thunderclap Peak ones amused. Even Mystic Mechanism and Qingyun Peak disciples whispered.
"Two magic tools, huh."
"And not even low-grade."
Then, someone called my name.
"Ryu Yeon-hwa."
I turned. The supervising steward looked down at me.
"Descend from the arena and prepare for the next round. Participants don't linger after their match."
"Understood."
I nodded and stepped down.
The moment my foot hit the ground, people subtly parted ways. Not blatantly, but still. The Qingling Peak direct disciple they'd barely heard of had just crushed a famed Golden Glow Peak contender in round one. Guess they weren't seeing me as just a kid anymore.
Feeling that shift as I walked, a wail like a death knell suddenly burst from the Victory Prediction Pavilion.
"I'm ruined!"
"Aigoo, my spirit stones!"
"Why'd Ha Jin-myeong lose there?!"
I whipped my head around instinctively. An outer disciple clutched his plaque, face like the world had ended. Beside him, another grinned ear-to-ear.
"Hahaha. What'd I tell you?"
"Hah, I thought she was crazy using a magic tool."
"Gotta take risks for big rewards."
I glanced their way briefly, then looked away.
Wait, why am I envying their busted bets after winning?
Funny, really. I'd entered the tournament, won my first match, and yet the biggest thing sticking in my head was the missed bet. I swallowed a sigh inwardly and kept going.
But I hadn't gone far.
"Senior Sister!"
A familiar voice. Her face beamed, but a hint of complicated emotion mixed in.
"Seol-a Junior Sister."
Han Seol-a stopped in front of me, catching her breath a bit.
"You won?"
"As you see."
"No, seriously amazing. It was Ha Jin-myeong. Everyone said he was Golden Glow Peak's dark horse for this tournament."
Han Seol-a let out a small laugh. I stared at her, then nodded toward the pavilion.
"Didn't bet, Junior Sister Seol-a?"
Her smile froze for a split second. I caught it clearly.
"...Pardon?"
"The Victory Prediction Pavilion."
"Ah."
She glanced aside, tucking hair behind her ear.
"I just watched."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Quick answer, but her eyes dodged mine. I narrowed mine.
"Junior Sister."
"Yes?"
"You just looked away."
"I didn't."
"You did, just now."
"Must be your imagination."
"Let me ask again."
I said it kindly.
"Did you bet on Ha Jin-myeong?"
"..."
The silence stretched. And that was answer enough. I chuckled.
"Didn't you say you were rooting for me?"
Han Seol-a finally sighed in resignation.
"Everyone said he'd win."
"Everyone?"
"Yes. Higher realm, strong in combat, and it was your first tournament..."
She trailed off, realizing her slip.
"So you bet on him too?"
"I just... played it safe."
"How many spirit stones?"
She held out a bit, then whispered.
"A few."
"A few?"
"Ten low-grade."
"Junior Sister, that's not a few."
"Now I have to survive the month on wall-grain pills."
I couldn't help laughing.
"Didn't you say the cafeteria ones taste awful?"
"That's why it's worse."
"What about Everplenty Pavilion?"
"Can't even dream now."
Han Seol-a looked genuinely glum.
"No fragrant rice, not even Hundred Flower Pancakes. Just chewing wall-grain pills three times a day."
I nodded, glancing at the bracket board.
"Then we need a comeback."
Han Seol-a followed my gaze. The stone slab updated with the latest result, my name now on the next line.
Qingling Peak Ryu Yeon-hwa — Advanced to Round 2
The next opponent wasn't set yet—would depend on remaining matches. I pointed at the pavilion.
"Bet on me this time."
"No spirit stones left..."
Han Seol-a pouted for real. I eyed her, then pulled out a pouch.
"Here, loan. Spirit stones. Bet on me this time. If you win, save some for me."
"No, wait."
"Why?"
"Can't do that."
She waved her hands in panic.
"Against sect rules. There was match-fixing before like this..."
"..."
"Sect's strict on this. When stones are on the line, everyone's serious."
"Too bad."
"Anyway, I'll cheer hard. Good luck."
"Gotta. But no more betting against me next time."
She finally burst into soft laughter.
"See you."
I waved lightly and headed to the waiting area.