“Our Luo Tian Da Jiao on Dragon Tiger Mountain this time is different from the past. Previously, it was just a competition among our fellow disciples. But this time, due to certain external influences, young talents from various forces across the country will be participating… This has destined this Luo Tian Da Jiao to be a grand event that will draw attention from the entire realm of the extraordinary,” Zhang Lingyu softly explained to the two people beside him.
Wang Ye, exuding a lazy aura, stretched as they walked, “I knew it would be like this from the start. What a hassle…”
Baoyu, who had only just snapped out of the awe brought on by the Celestial Master, overheard their conversation and asked, “Do you know which extraordinary forces will be sending people to participate, Lingyu Zhenren?”
Zhang Lingyu slowed his steps slightly, his overly delicate face breaking into a gentle smile, “Master Baoyu, you are too kind. From what I know, there will indeed be quite a few capable participants this time. Just the ones I am aware of include the brothers from the Zhuge family of the Wu Hou faction, Jin Meng the wild man from Liaodong, Feng Shayan of Tianxia Hui, Tang Wenlong from the Tang Sect of Sichuan, the Deng brothers from the shaman lineage in Northeast China, Shan Shitong of Maoshan, the ‘Little Fire God’ from the Fire Deity Sect, and Wang Bing from the Wang family, one of the Four Great Families…
These individuals are all among the youngest of their respective extraordinary sects or families across the country. Of course, there will certainly be many other participants whose strengths are just as formidable, but who I do not yet know.”
Hearing these familiar yet unfamiliar names spoken one after another from Zhang Lingyu’s mouth, Baoyu felt a bit dazed—not out of fear, but because his blood was boiling!
If someone like the Celestial Master left him feeling he could not muster even a trace of ambition, facing these other young talents filled him with fighting spirit!
Unlike many Buddhist disciples, who tend to be humble and low-key, Baoyu was a born fighter. His three years of grueling training in the temple had tempered his temperament, but now his hard-earned skills were finally going to be put to the test, and he couldn’t help feeling excited!
However…
Although his master had told him that there were very few among the younger generation who could defeat him, the task his master had given him still made him a little nervous… After all, his actual combat experience was severely lacking.
…
Before they realized it, they had already reached the back of the mountain, where a crowd of people bustled around ahead.
“Huh???” Baoyu snapped out of his thoughts, confused.
“The Iron Chain Bridge? Isn’t the only way to the back of the mountain across several iron chain bridges? How did we already get here without noticing?”
Zhang Lingyu smiled but said nothing.
Wang Ye, standing next to him, gave Baoyu a puzzled look, “You didn’t think the Iron Chain Bridge was the only way, did you? That’s just a hurdle set up for the competitors. Given the wide range of skill levels, they couldn’t possibly let everyone through to the back of the mountain. With Lingyu Zhenren leading the way, we skipped all that trouble. Unless you wanted to go back and cross the bridge yourself?”
“Uh… well, okay!” Baoyu replied.
In truth, he had been somewhat curious to see how other extraordinary individuals would cross the bridge. He was especially interested in the scene from the original anime where a girl flew across the bridge holding a giant eagle.
Don’t get it wrong… he wasn’t interested in the girl, but rather her pose, which reminded him of The Condor Heroes…
…
In front of them lay a large, flat area, spanning at least five or six acres. Surrounding the clearing were lush, green trees, and from a high vantage point, one could see a clear river winding through the mountains.
At the far end of the field stood four structures resembling outdoor stadiums, though much simpler in appearance. A three-meter-high arched gate, seemingly carved from natural stone, stood at the entrance, and the green grass on the ground added a touch of nature to the place.
Ahead, several people were walking around, chatting amongst themselves.
As the three approached, they instantly attracted a lot of attention…
There was no need to mention Zhang Lingyu in the middle, who looked like a celestial being stepped straight out of a painting, with his ethereal, unworldly presence and stunning appearance.
On the left was Wang Ye, with his lazy air and the heavy dark circles under his eyes giving him a tired look, though his out-of-this-world aura was still unmistakable.
On the right, Baoyu, holding his prayer beads, his bald head shining brightly, and his handsome face paired with his smiling eyes, also drew a fair share of attention…
Many in the crowd recognized Zhang Lingyu and came forward to greet him.
“Zhenren Lingyu…”
“Hello, Daoist Zhang…”
“You’re so handsome, Shishu!!!”
Zhang Lingyu greeted them with a smile, though his demeanor remained distant and cool, causing many to hesitate in approaching further.
At that moment, a tall, slender man, wearing a well-fitted white shirt under a black suit jacket, walked toward them, arms crossed. His entire presence exuded confidence—supreme confidence!
He stood tall, his long hair dyed blue and casually tied behind him. His eyes were narrow slits, curving into crescent moons like a smug fox.
Strolling toward them as if he were walking through his garden, he called out, “Zhenren Lingyu, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person!”
‘Zhuge Qing of the Wu Hou Sect—Master of Qimen Dunjia’
His iconic blue hair and squinted eyes were too distinctive to miss.
Baoyu slowed his steps slightly, sizing up this legendary figure, one of the strongest participants in this Luo Tian Da Jiao.
“Mr. Zhuge, you’re too kind,” Zhang Lingyu replied politely. “I’m just a humble mountain Daoist, not worthy of such praise.”
Zhang Lingyu’s usual aloofness faded, clearly showing the deep respect and regard he held for Zhuge Qing.
“There’s no need for modesty. I only came to Dragon Tiger Mountain because I was looking forward to sparring with you,” Zhuge Qing said, extending his right hand with unmistakable arrogance.
It was as if, among all the powerful participants from across the country, only Zhang Lingyu was worth his attention.
…
Baoyu couldn’t help but imagine a scene in his head:
In the competition ring, Wang Ye stood confidently in front of Zhuge Qing, slowly speaking.
“Zhuge Qing, have you ever lost?”
…
Meanwhile, Zhang Lingyu and Zhuge Qing’s conversation continued.
“To be honest, I’ve been looking forward to witnessing the legendary skills passed down by Wu Hou!” Zhang Lingyu replied, clasping Zhuge Qing’s hand.
After a quick handshake, Zhuge Qing finally noticed the two people standing behind Zhang Lingyu. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “And who might these two be?”
“Wang Ye from Wudang Mountain!” Wang Ye stepped forward and cupped his fists slightly.
“My name is Baoyu, a monk from Lingyin Temple. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Zhuge.” Baoyu placed his right palm over his chest and nodded respectfully.
Zhuge Qing returned the greeting to both. “Ah, so it’s Daoist Wang from Wudang and Master Baoyu, a disciple of Master Jiekong. I’ve heard much about both of you!”
Zhuge Qing’s demeanor shifted slightly, showing that while he was arrogant, he was also extremely perceptive. In the face of disciples from the renowned Wudang Mountain and one of the Ten Elders’ top students, he was wise enough to give them due respect.
…
“Zhenren Lingyu!”
A clear voice rang out from not far away, drawing everyone’s attention.
Baoyu turned his head and saw Zhang Chulan and Feng Baobao following a white-haired boy toward them.
Zhang Lingyu glanced in their direction before turning back to Zhuge Qing and saying meaningfully, “Brother Zhuge, you needn’t focus too much on me. Besides these two standing here, Dragon Tiger Mountain is full of hidden talents this time. You might soon find someone more exciting than my meager skills!”
“Oh? Is that so? Well, that’s just getting more and more interesting.”
Zhuge Qing’s crescent-shaped eyes curved even more.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152