Awakening the Divine Spark

The Nethermoon sect had disciples of all ages. Not everyone was gifted or lucky enough to ignite their spark, and at some point many opted to become an elemental warrior by absorbing a beast’s spark.

Of course, because of the side effects, there were also people who wanted to age naturally. Thus in the spectator seats where the outer disciples were supposed to sit, there were quite a few middle aged and elderly people.

The contestants, though, were all from the younger generation. Seeing the first few that were about to go up, Lee could only sigh in relief none of them were bullies like Xie Wuking with whom he sparred for the past three months.

The guys were athletic and two heads taller than him. And the few girls, while of smaller stature, felt like deadly weapons about to be unsheathed.

"How many fights are there?" Lee asked Xiao Lian.

The latter got confused for a split moment, but then remembered where his friend stood with the reading lessons, and said, "Only thirty two. Their names are on the left stone slate. Technically one could apply to be become a candidate, but everyone was picked by Junior Elder Yuan."

To not let all outer disciples compete was only normal since there were simply too many of them, but to be hand picked by someone was kind of fishy.

As if guessing Lee’s thoughts, Xiao Lian said, "That is the simplest way to choose the best of the best. After all, the top four will represent our hall in the sect’s competition, and, trust me, the rewards they’ll get could leave many inner disciples green with envy."

Seeing everyone had their weapons, Lee asked, "What if someone dies?"

"It happens very rarely. No one really tries to kill their opponent, you know? Everyone can solve their disputes in the regular arena." Xiao Lian explained.

"So no outer disciples spar with the inner disciples?" Lee asked.

"No, silly. At least not for real." Xiao Lian forced out a laugh, "But the winner of the competition can challenge an inner disciple for a spar. That’s actually a tradition. Probably to point out the vast disparity between their strengths."

"Huh ..." Was all Lee could say, but there was a cold glint in his eyes.

If he practiced, if he really tried, maybe in few years he could win this thing? And then challenge Victoria? If the combat technique was what he thought it was, there was ninety percent chance he could land a hit on her if she was caught off-guard. And knowing her arrogance ...

Sect Master! Sect Master!

All of the sudden the crowd became rowdy, but instantly calmed down. Everyone stood up to welcome the head of the sect, a man that looked well in his sixties, clean shaven and smiling.

His name was Thorne Evergale, a unique one around here. Lee already knew that the guy arrived from another world at a young age, and spent all his life here. The rumor was that he was the strongest cultivator the Nethermoon sect had ever seen, but there was no way to confirm it.

Contrary to the present elders, junior elders and inner disciples, the sect master was wearing a simple dark robe and sandals. He also didn’t carry a weapon, but Lee’s guess was that he surely had a spatial treasure to hide it in.

"Good morning, everyone!" The sect master said, "We have a long day ahead of us, so let’s get started! The first four pairs – you’re up!"

Lee stared at the man in disbelief. He was as simple as they came – no unnecessary speeches, no brainwashing. It was unimaginable, especially after Ashland.

But the guy had a hobby, or rather – a weakness. Despite the fact that the sun had barely crawled over the treetops, the sect master pulled out a bottle and a glass from who knows where. Then he sat back in his chair, next to Elder Wang, and watched the kids below, doing their best to impress him.

While observing the sect master, Lee almost missed most of the fights. Everyone was so excited to show off, quite a few made mistakes and got punished before pulling out their best moves.

Fortunately the next batch were more focused.

"That’s Jian Wuji." Xiao Lian pointed at a slender youth, holding an elegant sword, "He’s only sixteen, but capable of going against the strongest outer disciples. They say he’s even holding back from igniting the spark prematurely, to strengthen his fundamentals."

"Does it work?" Lee asked.

"No idea." Xiao Lian said, "Look!"

Lee couldn’t tell how skillful the two competitors were compared to the others, but Jian Wuji’s opponent was clearly older. Nevertheless, for now they were evenly matched. Their swords kept making clanging sounds as their masters attacked and parried, sometimes even too fast for Lee to notice the moves.

’Seriously?’ Lee watched the fight, stupefied, ’Am I expected to fight at that level as well?’

Then he realized – he had never actually practiced real combat techniques. More importantly, only a month and a half ago, he finally stopped sensing the difference in gravities between the worlds! The fact that he met a clumsy bully like Xie Wuking turned out to be an incredible boon!

Meanwhile the two youths continued to fight. Both had minor injuries, and parts of their clothing was cut and bloodied, but instead of getting tired, the fight became more and more intense.

Lee didn’t notice that the rest of the matches had ended and watched the scene with bated breath, similar to the most spectators.

It ended abruptly, though. Out of nowhere, Elder Wang appeared next to the two competitors and the audience gasped, realizing he had caught both blades bare handed. One of the swords was about to slash Jian Wuji’s side, but his – a split moment earlier stopped half inch from his opponent’s neck.

Almost no one below the elemental master’s level saw the last few moves, thus the judges call came as a surprise.

"Jian Wuji wins!" The junior elder presiding the match said, and sighed in relief.

He would’ve been a half blink too late to rescue the winner. Jian Wuji, following the rules, halted before inflicting lethal damage, but his opponent didn’t.

One couldn’t blame the guy, though. The fight was so intense he probably stopped thinking a long while back. Both competitors went at each other with full strength, fueled by the muscle memory that had been drilled by months and even years of practice.

When the next participants arrived, and Jian Wuji and his opponent went to the side, junior elders from the Healing Hall immediately took off their upper clothing and inspected the wounds. Lee smiled hearing the gasps of many female spectators reacting to sight of the well trained bodies. No matter the world, people were still people.

He was more interested in what the junior elders did, though. Everyone watched the fights, but Lee was captured by the sight of someone being able to summon a stream of water from their palm and wash the fresh wounds.

It was something he had felt after Tess and Alan rescued him in Pine Village, but now he saw it for the first time with his own eyes.

The next part was even more interesting.

Junior elder put his palm on the wound, focused and closed his eyes. Then, few moments later, his hand began to glow in a blue color and when he took it away, probably fifteen breaths later, the wound had closed. It was still there, but only in the form of a pink scar.

Lee wasn’t even sure if after it was fully healed the scar would still be there!

The question was – did the junior elder do something besides transferring the water particles from his spark to the hand, and then to the wound. Did he somehow fix it, or it happened automatically, because of the nature of the spark.

"Watch! Watch!" Lee’s train of thought was interrupted by Xiao Lian’s excited elbow.

"That’s Sister Qin! She’s ..." The rest Lee couldn’t hear as Xiao Lian swallowed his own words and bit his lover lip.

’Ok!’ Lee smiled to himself, glancing at his friend and then observing the so called Sister Qin coming forth along with seven other competitors, ’I guess this is the one you would want to blush in front of!’

Xiao Lian wasn’t her only fan – half the spectator seats were cheering and shouting for sister Qin Yujian to marry them.