The Purple Cloud Plaza
The scale was impressive, befitting a major sect. “Miss Baek, that right there is Ja-undae.” “Is that where the Magic Tournament is held?” “Yes. It’s the venue for all of our sect’s major events.”
Jinwi spoke with clear pride as he increased the speed of their cloud flight technique. Before long, the cloud carrying the two of them descended near Ja-undae.
Baek Cheong stepped off the cloud and slowly looked around the plaza. “Whoa…”
Ja-undae was a vast open square surrounded on all sides by peaks both large and small. The inner plaza alone was spacious enough to contain an entire immortal village. At its center stood a massive stone platform, easily the size of a small pavilion and covered in countless formation inscriptions. Tiered spectator seats rose in orderly steps from the edges of the platform all the way to the outer boundaries of the plaza.
“There are so many people.” “The Magic Tournament during the New Spring Exchange is one of our sect’s largest events.” Jinwi answered, clearly proud of his sect.
Indeed, the sheer number of people filling Ja-undae was no small thing. The spectator seats were packed with Biun Sect disciples, while every available space was occupied by visiting cultivators who appeared to be outsiders. Even the uppermost seats held cultivators dressed in luxurious robes.
They called it an exchange meet, but this is more like a full-blown festival…
Baek Cheong could only swallow a small sigh. When she had first heard about the New Spring Exchange from her eldest brother, she had assumed it would be a simple networking event. But seeing the crowd gathered at Ja-undae, it was clearly one of the biggest events in the entire Biun Sect.
I’ve been completely had.
With a slightly sour expression, she scanned the upper spectator seats again. The cultivators seated in the places of honor looked quite distinguished. Among them, a familiar face caught her eye. Her uncle was clinking glasses with the people beside him, deepening their connections.
Even Uncle is here.
Given the scale of the tournament, it made perfect sense that the Biun Sect would invite someone from the Yeonha Baek family—especially after the Ten Thousand Year Grand Conference. I almost didn’t make it in. If her uncle or eldest brother had known, they definitely would have stopped her. Fortunately, she had the challenge letter personally thrown at her by a child of the Hosan Seo family. With rumors already circulating among the cultivators, she had more than enough justification to participate.
Now, how should I plan my strategy…
While Baek Cheong was happily turning plans over in her head, Jinwi—who stood beside her—suddenly began explaining the Biun Sect’s Magic Tournament with visible excitement.
“Every year, at the very end of the New Spring Exchange, the Magic Tournament is held right here at Ja-undae. It’s a gathering where the promising talents of our sect, who have spent the past year honing their skills, compete against one another.” “Ah…” “However, this year the number of outstanding talents is twice as high as usual. The number of outside participants is also incomparable to previous years.” “Really?”
When Baek Cheong asked with genuine surprise, Jinwi nodded. “The prizes for this year’s tournament are quite different from normal. Simply reaching the main bracket grants you the right to enter our sect’s Cloud Sea Secret Realm.”
“The Cloud Sea Secret Realm?”
A subtle tremor stirred deep in Baek Cheong’s small chest. Stories of a sect’s secret realm—a concentrated trove of opportunities—were common knowledge in the cultivation world. But she had never imagined that simply advancing to the main bracket of the New Spring Exchange would earn her entry.
Jinwi continued without noticing anything unusual in her reaction. “Among our sect’s secret realms, this one only opens once every ten years. If you miss this chance, the next one will be very far away. That’s why even the usually reclusive talents are bringing out every trick they’ve polished and entering the tournament.” “It’s that valuable?” “Yes. Even within our sect, only a handful of people have ever entered it. Originally, only inner sect disciples are granted eligibility, and even then, only those with exceptional talent can set foot inside. Moreover, since it’s intended for the younger generation, there are age restrictions—Qi Condensation cultivators must be under twenty, and Foundation Establishment cultivators under forty.”
Jinwi answered calmly while stealing glances at Baek Cheong’s expression. “Even with those restrictions, since it’s a Magic Tournament where spells are freely exchanged on Ja-undae, it would be better not to participate if your skills aren’t up to par. It’s not necessarily life-threatening, but it’s certainly not without risk of injury.” “Injury?” “Yes. Once you reach the main bracket, you’ll face cultivators whose talent ranks among the very best. Even if our sect’s Formation Masters suppress lethal intent with their arrays, you can still get hurt by the aftershocks of the spells.”
Jinwi continued watching her with a worried look. His expression subtly suggested that there was no real need for her to push all the way to the main bracket. From his perspective as someone who had already entered Foundation Establishment, it was unrealistic for a Qi Condensation Seventh Star cultivator to reach the main bracket with ordinary talent. Most of those who stood out in the tournament were usually at the peak of the late stage or already at the Great Completion level.
Finally, a fortuitous opportunity for me too!
On the other hand, Baek Cheong didn’t register any of Jinwi’s concern at all. Her mind had already been completely taken over by thoughts of the Cloud Sea Secret Realm, blooming like a flower garden. If that was the case, the tournament prizes and contribution points were just extra benefits she could use however she wanted.
Just reaching the main bracket lets you enter?
Baek Cheong swallowed once, very quietly. If she couldn’t even reach the main bracket with her current ability, that would be truly embarrassing. She could summon ten Ice Dragon Shatter dragons at once without hand seals or incantations, had mastered over two hundred basic spells to perfection, and had reached a respectable level in flying sword training. She genuinely couldn’t imagine any peer in Qi Condensation being better than her.
And this is an event packed with outsiders too?
There were a few suspicious parts, but it didn’t feel like some kind of trap. If the forces that had attended the New Year Banquet were to turn hostile, even the Biun Sect wouldn’t be able to endure it. It was far more likely to be an internal power struggle within the sect. Whatever the case, this was an incredible opportunity for her.
No matter what, I have to reach at least the main bracket.
Even as she made up her mind, Baek Cheong showed no outward agitation and simply nodded. “Still, I should give it my best shot.” “…Are you really aiming for the main bracket?” “Yes. Since I’m participating anyway, it would be nice to achieve a good result.”
Baek Cheong answered politely while looking at Jinwi. He mulled over his words for a long time before finally nodding as if he had no choice. “…Understood. However, please don’t overdo it during the tournament and take care of your body.” “Yes, I’ll be careful.”
When Baek Cheong gave a short reply, Jinwi took the lead and began walking toward the entrance. “Then let’s first obtain your participation token. Before the opening ceremony begins, you simply need to declare your intent to participate to the Outer Sect Elder stationed beside the Ja-undae entrance.”
Baek Cheong followed Jinwi toward the side of the entrance. A small pavilion-like station had been set up there. Inside sat an elderly cultivator wearing Biun Sect robes embroidered with solemn patterns. Two young outer sect disciples stood beside him, organizing jade slips and participation tokens.
“This junior greets you, Senior. I am Baek Cheong of the Yeonha Baek family. I have come to participate in the New Spring Exchange Magic Tournament.” “Oh, Baek Cheong of the Yeonha Baek family. I’ve heard of you.”
The Outer Sect Elder gave a small smile and nodded slightly. Not only had the Sect Leader personally mentioned this young talent at the New Year Banquet, but rumors about the challenge letter thrown by a child of the Hosan Seo family had been spreading quietly among the guests.
“Now that I see you in person, your bearing carries a subtle sword aura. Truly extraordinary. And at such a young age, your demeanor is calm and composed. The reputation we’ve heard within the sect does not seem exaggerated.” “This junior wishes to observe and learn from the Magic Tournament.” “Very well. Do your best and try to reach the main bracket.”
The Outer Sect Elder nodded and made a small gesture to the outer sect disciple beside him. The disciple took one of the prepared participation tokens and respectfully handed it to Baek Cheong. The token was a palm-sized jade plaque engraved with the characters Qi Condensation Division A.
“Thank you.” “Yes. Be careful not to get hurt.”
Baek Cheong bowed politely in thanks before stepping aside.
“Oh my, it’s Miss Baek Cheong.”
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind. When she turned, she saw Seo Jua approaching with two maids in tow. In her hand was a jade participation token identical in shape to Baek Cheong’s. However, Seo Jua’s token was engraved with Qi Condensation Division B.
Oh, we’re in different divisions.
Baek Cheong quickly compared the two tokens. Even though they were both in the Qi Condensation division, being placed in different brackets meant they wouldn’t meet unless both reached the main bracket.
Seo Jua also glanced at Baek Cheong’s token before tucking her own away. A subtle mix of relief and confidence appeared on her face.
“My, Miss Baek Cheong is quite lucky.” “Pardon?” “Since you’ve been placed in a different bracket from this lady, you won’t have to suffer the humiliation of being eliminated in the preliminaries!”
Seo Jua flicked her robe dramatically and lifted her chin high. Though her voice was full of confidence, one of her feet had unconsciously slid backward.
“This lady intends to show you my true skill in the main bracket! So please, stay uninjured and safely advance to the main bracket before we meet!” “Yes, I will.” “Good! This lady must prepare, so I shall take my leave now!”
Seo Jua declared this with overflowing confidence, then gave a quick gesture to her maids and hurried away as if fleeing.
I should have eliminated her in the preliminaries…
Baek Cheong quietly watched Seo Jua’s retreating figure while fiddling with the participation token in her hand. She had been planning to punish that annoying growth monster early on, but it was a shame.
Well, it can’t be helped.
For now, she wouldn’t settle for just reaching the main bracket—she would aim even higher. Winning first place might be possible, but the cultivation world was vast and full of geniuses. Letting her guard down would be dangerous.
Steelng her resolve in her small chest, Baek Cheong turned to Jinwi. “Senior Jinwi, shall we head to our seats?” “Yes, Miss Baek. It happens to be near my own seat, so I’ll guide you.”
As Baek Cheong followed Jinwi, she noticed the cultivators around her whispering and staring. It seemed the rumors were spreading quickly.
“Ah…?”
By the time she reached the designated family seating area, she saw her uncle and eldest brother staring at her with sharp, piercing gazes.