Blossoming Path

It was getting cold now. The air had a biting chill to it, and I let out cold puffs of mist with every breath. I wouldn't be surprised if it began snowing anytime soon.

Crescent Bay City was as busy as ever. It seemed as though everybody was outside despite the cold weather.

"I'll just bring the horses over to a stable," Feng Wu said to me. "Do you feel ready?"

He was wearing a padded cloth cloak with the unmistakable green hue that represented the Verdant Lotus sect. With the weather getting chillier day by day, it was no surprise. I had my own in the carriage, although I didn't really need it for now. The silk robe I had purchased was quite good at staving off the cold as is.

I snorted. "Does a tiger become anxious before a hunt?"

He shook his head with a small laugh, pulling gently at the harness to guide the steeds past the bustling alleys. "I don't know where you learned all these quotes with that busy schedule of yours..."

"A lot of reading, my friend. Lots of reading."

Accelerated Reading helped me compress my time studying to a fraction of what it used to be, so I spent what little free time reading other novels that the sect library had to offer.

But despite my joke, I did feel apprehensive. The Grand Alchemy Gauntlet was here. It's where the fruits of my labors would be put on display. In front of an audience, likely numbering in the hundreds or thousands...

"It looks like its quite busy. While I go to the stable, would you mind grabbing a seat at one of the restaurants?"

"Sure, does the Spirited Noodle sound good?"

"Alright, I'll see you there."

I diverted from Feng Wu in search of the restaurant, the first one I ever came to when I arrived here at the capital city. It felt like a lifetime ago, but in reality it's only been a few months. Although I had no doubt it'd be a volatile atmosphere, the noodles were just too good to pass up on. I'd consider it a treat for how hard I trained.

"Come to think of it, you ran out of lychee wine, didn't you?"

I raised the cage in my hand, where Tianyi rested peacefully. It was a simple contraption I had custom-made just for her, so I could bring her around in a discrete manner without having her fly about. Of course, if she really wanted to, she could slip through the space between the metal, it wasn't meant to keep her trapped. The only reason she stayed inside was because I asked her politely.

An outpour of desire flooded our connection once I mentioned the word 'wine'. it was quite concerning, the rate at which she consumed alcohol. The amount I brought her was dozens of times her body weight, and was supposed to last at least a few months. Where was she putting all this?

"Hiss..."

I snuck a peek in my other sleeve. In all his glory, Windy was wrapped carefully around my entire arm. Finding out his gender was quite a surprise. Judging by how pretty Windy had been, I was fully convinced they'd be a girl.

He was getting really heavy nowadays, and I had to make sure to swap his placement on both arms so there wouldn't be an imbalance. I suppose it was motivation to keep getting stronger.

'I think at some point it'll be impossible though,' I mentioned internally.

Eventually, Windy would become the size of his parents, enough to swallow a cow whole. He wouldn't be wrapped around my limb, I'd be wrapped around him instead.

For now, I'd enjoy the sensation of carrying him. It was bittersweet, seeing your children grow up so quickly. Soon they'd be in their rebellious phase, and maybe even leave the house to start their own life! The thought brought a tear to my eye.

I sighed, continuing through the bustling crowds. Spirited Noodle was just up ahead. From the looks of it, quite busy.

Securing a table was my mission, and as I stepped into the restaurant, the savory aroma of broth and spices hit me, momentarily distracting me from the task at hand. It was just as crowded as I heard.

A server came up; a teen with black hair and tired eyes. I raised my fingers to indicate I wanted a seat for two. He nodded, surveying the restaurant once more before speaking to me.

"It'll be ten more minutes before you can be seated. Will that be alright?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'm fine with that."

They guided me over to a waiting area, already packed with people. Some were martial artists, by the looks of it. They held themselves in a distinct manner, and wore beige and grey attire emblazoned with a large emblem on the back.

Narrow Stone Peak, eh?

I faintly recalled the sect. They weren't situated near Crescent Bay City, if the textbook I read was accurate. They were nowhere near as famous as the Silent Moon or Verdant Lotus, however.

'They seem strong though,' I remarked, seeing the subtle outlines of muscle along their robes. Judging by their lack of weapons, they were fist fighters. The fists in question were calloused and worn.

All the seats were taken, so I stood at the furthest point while I waited patiently. It didn't matter too much, this would give time for Feng Wu to finish putting the horses away.

Resting my shoulder along the wall, I thought back on what I needed to do. Buying souvenirs for everyone back home was paramount. What's something I could get here that wasn't available back home?

New books for Elder Ming, that was a given. He's probably reread every text in the village, front and back. Maybe some more of Liang Feng's works?

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Perhaps some alcohol for Master Qiang, a calligraphy set for Wang Jun, and some new ceramics for Lan-Yin! For the other villagers, maybe some sort of clothing. I'll look at what the Azure Silk Trading Company has to offer. Since I get a discount with them, that's where I should start my search.

I couldn't wait to see their reaction, both to my growth and Windy. I think I grew talle-

"Please follow me to your seat," My thoughts were interrupted by the same server, and I got up to follow him.

A loud voice cut through the din of the restaurant. "Hey, why's he getting a table before us? We've been waiting longer!" The burly man from Narrow Stone Peak, flanked by four others, stood up.

Great. Just what I needed.

I turned, facing the group. My initial urge was to retort, to stand my ground, but the looming Gauntlet whispered caution in my mind.

"Is there a way to accommodate them first?" I asked the server, aiming to defuse the situation before it escalated.

The server, a young man with an apologetic look, glanced between me and the imposing group from Narrow Stone Peak. "I'm sorry, but we only had a small table for two open up. A group of five would have to wait for a larger space," he explained, his voice steady despite the tension. Although he maintained a strong front, I could see a bead of sweat running down his forehead.

I faced the Narrow Stone men, trying to keep the peace. "Looks like you'll have to wait your turn," I said, hoping reason would prevail.

But reason, it seemed, was not a guest at their table today. The largest of the lot, a burly man with a sneer, stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "We're the Five Fists of Narrow Stone Peak," he growled, attempting to tower over me. "We dont wait."

Weren't they completely fine waiting just before all this? Why did they take it as an issue once I came up?

I felt a surge of defiance but quelled it, mindful of the bigger picture. However, when he reached out, likely to shove or intimidate, I reacted instinctively. My hand shot out, gripping his wrist. He attempted to shake free, and I let go only after a moment.

That was close. He almost touched the spot where Windy was hiding.

Their annoyance turned to anger, and they started to posture, the lead thug flexing his free hand. "You think you're tough, huh? Let's see if your pet is as tough as you," he sneered, eyeing Tianyi's cage with malicious intent. My jaw clenched in anger.

But before I could act, something sinister poured into my mind. I glanced down at the butterfly in the cage, and saw a subtle blue glow encapsulating the 'pet' in question's wings. I realized the malevolent emotions coming from our telepathic link.

Killing intent. Rage.

My heart raced, panic edging in as I envisioned the chaos if Tianyi or Windy were provoked. The Narrow Stone Peak disciples were strong, sure, but I've seen Tianyi gouge out a Wind Serpent's eye. Windy's tail twitched ominously beneath my sleeve. I couldn't handle the aftermath of this! I'd be held responsible for murder at this point! The thought of being thrown into a prison pervaded my vision.

Just as the situation teetered on the brink of violence, a cold, authoritative voice sliced through the tension. "Is there a problem here?" Feng Wu had arrived, his presence like a sudden drop in temperature.

They turned around, glaring at the voice behind them. Recognition flickered in their eyes, roaming the green coat he wore, and the small insignia emblazoned on it.

The Five Fists hesitated, their bravado crumbling under Feng Wu's icy stare. He approached steadily, almost freezing them in place. "No problem, just a misunderstanding," the leader mumbled, motioning his group to back down.

"Truly?" Feng Wu kept a small smile on his face, albeit a frosty one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's good. Because had the situation been what it looked like, I'd have to arrange a visit to the Narrow Stone Peak and ask just why their disciples are harassing the Verdant Lotus sect's guest."

The leader paled, muttering something incomprehensible before leaving the noodle shop in a hurry.

I exhaled slowly, feeling Windy relax and Tianyis killing intent subside.

The server, visibly relieved, hurried to lead us to our table, offering thanks with a bow. As we settled into our seats, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of gratitude for the second-class disciple's timely intervention.

Once we had our menus, and had Tianyi settled on the table, I looked at him and grinned. "This young master thanks thee, oh mighty protector of the Verdant Lotus sect, for thy timely intervention and saving us from the unruly hands of the Narrow Stone Peak," I said, laying it on thickly.

The black-haired man chuckled, shaking his head. "Those Narrow Stone guys are known troublemakers. They wouldnt dare cross the Verdant Lotus sect, though."

I sighed dramatically, picking up the menu. "Ah, the trials and tribulations of us common folk. One moment you're enjoying the simple pleasure of noodles, and the next, you're facing down the 'Five Fists' of some uppity sect."

Those guys were cowards. Five Fist? More like Five Flee! They scampered faster than a rabbit with its tail on fire.

Feng Wu leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You know, if you were a disciple of the Verdant Lotus, these 'trials' might be less frequent."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning contemplation. "And get tethered to the sect for the rest of my days? No thanks," I replied with a light-hearted tone, signaling my contentment with the path I walked, even if it meant dealing with the occasional sect bully.

Feng Wu just smiled, a knowing look in his eyes, as if acknowledging my choice but also leaving the door open, should I ever reconsider.

The Spirited Noodle lived up to its reputation once again. Each slurp of the rich, steaming broth and the perfectly cooked noodles reminded me why this place was worth the trouble. Beside me, Feng Wu seemed to relish his meal with equal enthusiasm, the earlier altercation forgotten amid the culinary delights.

Between mouthfuls, I couldnt help but notice the tense atmosphere around us. At least seven different altercations flared up and died down in the time it took to finish our meal. It was like watching a drama unfold in real-time, each act more absurd than the last.

I leaned back, patting my stomach, and remarked, "They should really consider hiring some guards or something. Its like a free-for-all in here."

Feng Wu chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Its Crescent Bay City. What do you expect? But youre right. A little order wouldnt hurt, especially with the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet drawing in crowds from all over."

As we finished our meal, the chaos of the restaurant seemed a world away from the calm at our little table. The server, now looking less harried, came over to clear our dishes, casting a wary eye around the room as if expecting another brawl to break out.

Feng Wu threw a silver coin onto the table for the bill, standing up and stretching. "Ready to brave the cold again?"

I nodded, feeling the warmth of the meal combat the chill in my bones. "Lets go. I've got souvenirs to buy, and it looks like Ill need to add some peace and quiet to that list."

As we stepped out into the bustling streets, the noise of Spirited Noodle faded behind us. The air was crisp, and I could see my breath fogging in the night. Feng Wu walked beside me, his presence a reassuring constant in the unpredictable city. Navigating through the bustling streets with ease, he led me towards the heart of the city where the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet was to take place. As we approached, he pointed out the massive, ornate structure that towered over the surrounding buildings.

"Over there, thats the venue for the Gauntlet," he said, his eyes reflecting the grandeur of the looming edifice.

The Marble Jade Arena.

As we approached the massive, circular structure of the venue, Feng Wu began to casually fill me in, his eyes scanning it nonchalantly "This place, you see, it's not just any arena. It's like the heart of Crescent Bay City, especially when it comes to big events. Shaped in a massive circle, with layers upon layers of seating rising up, it gives you a sense of how grand things can get here."

A colossal line snaked around the venue, composed of individuals from all walks of life. Among them, a dark-haired man, his build and attire screaming 'blacksmith', was visibly vibrating with excitement, occasionally letting out jubilant shouts.

"WOOOO!!!" He shouted, seemingly out of place. Many people lined up glared at the man, covering their ears.

Curious, I turned to Feng Wu. "What's all this about?"

"That," he gestured to the winding queue, "is the line for preliminary registration. It's been open for a couple of days now."

What?! That was the line for registering? I thought it was for tickets to watch it!

I stared, dumbfounded at the length of the line. "Are we supposed to wait in that?" The thought of standing for hours in the cold was less than appealing.

Feng Wu simply smiled and continued walking, bypassing the line entirely. "Not us," he replied.

Puzzled, I followed him to a side entrance of the venue, where a much shorter line awaited, manned by yellow-robed officials who looked more discerning and, frankly, more intimidating than those managing the main queue.

"These are the sponsored participants' registration," Feng Wu explained as we joined the line, receiving curious and somewhat evaluating glances from the others.

Inside, the venue was even more impressive, with high ceilings and walls adorned with intricate murals, some of fights, some of alchemy. The air buzzed with anticipation and the murmur of conversations filled the space.

"The Marble Jade Arena's been around for ages. Built by the ancestors of the city, it's seen more battles and contests than the old library has books. And let me tell you, it's not just about fighting; it's where the mind meets might. Alchemy, strategy, you name it, it's all been tested here."

I looked over at the line, and what I assumed was my competition. I recognized a few of their attires and insignias from my studies. Mystic River Pavilion, Rainy Dew Sect, Golden Summit Foundation...These were all storied names, and talked to each other with familliarity. But one particular person was missing. A certain girl with white hair, and blue eyes.

"No sign of that girl from the Lian clan?" Feng Wu asked.

"No..." Narrowing my eyes, I glanced over at him. "How'd you know I was looking for her?"

"It's quite obvious, really," he said, not even sparing a glance back at me. "You talk about her often enough, like a love-drunk teen."

I felt my face heat up at the accusation, quickly shaking my head. "It's not like that," I stammered, trying to sound convincing. "I just... want to make sure she sees that I'm not the amateur she thinks I am."

"Oh, sure," Feng Wu replied, his tone playfully skeptical. "Just a friendly competition, right?"

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Yes, exactly. Just a competition. Nothing more."

Feng Wu chuckled, patting my shoulder. "Don't worry, Kai. Your secret's safe with me. But seriously, it's good to have a goal. Keeps you sharp."

I feel like Feng Wu was hanging out with Lan Sheng too much.

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. The thought of facing her again, proving my growth, it wasnt just about pride; it was about showing the fruits of my hard work.

As we reached the registration desk, Feng Wu leaned in, lowering his voice. "Just remember, it's not just her you have to impress. There are eyes and ears everywhere here. Make them all remember the name Kai Liu."

I straightened up, a determined spark lighting up within me. He was right.

I'd be the one to win it all.

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